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I, the LORD, Have Called You in Righteousness
July 18 2007 / ShareHim in Uganda A, May. 25 - Jun. 9 '07 #170by Anna Zavodska
Personal Testimony of Anna Kreutziger.
I fell in love with Africa in 2003 when I spend 6 weeks in Tanzania at the Kibidula mission center. I was looking forward to going to Uganda. I was full of expectations, but at the same time I was aware of the responsibility to preach God’s Word. I had never preached evangelistic sermons before, much less 18 sermons in 16 days!
We preached in the southwestern part of Uganda in the town of Mbarara. Specifically, I preached in a place called Rugazi. I was nervous before the first sermon. I had never preached with a translator. I was unsure if I would be able to handle the intensity of the preaching or if I would be able to identify with the text and content of the sermons. I knew that all had to come from my heart. God strengthened me with the words of Zach. 4:6. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.”
The first sermon was heartfelt, since Daniel 2 was the teaching that brought me to God. I sensed the work of the Holy Spirit, and God blessed the preaching of His Word. After the sermon I confessed “Lord, this gives the meaning to my life. My heart desires to do it for you.” And the Lord answered: “I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness, and will hold your hand, and will keep you, and give you for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles.” Is. 42:6.
The first week God was verifying His words. There were 102 decisions for the call to give the heart to Jesus and accept Him as Lord and personal Savior. There were 46 people who made the decision to follow God’s commandments, including the Sabbath. After these I was full of expectations about what God was going to do at the call for baptism. That evening came, but at the end of the meeting I was disappointed. There were only three people who publicly decided for baptism. I called to God, “Dear Lord, I don’t understand. I gave my all tonight!” Is this really what you want me to do?”
I started to understand that there was a big spiritual fight for every soul. The Lord showed me also that He was working with everyone individually, that everybody had his attention, and that heaven rejoiced for every soul who made decision for Christ. So I knew I should rejoice also that three young people publicly decided to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and personal Savior. We would be so happy if three people would decide for Christ in Slovakia.
“Yes, my Lord, I understand this, but I am little bit confused. Is this the work which you want me to do? It is important for me to know. You know that my heart desires to serve you. Dear God,” I prayed, “if I will have 20 decision cards for baptism in the end of the sermons, I would know that your calling is serious.” Our God doesn’t let anything happen on accident. In the end of the sermons we got 100 decision cards for baptism. Praise the Lord! I had to confess, “Dear Lord, I don’t know what to say. Thank you!”
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jer. 29:11.
“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then said I, ‘Here am I; send me.’” Is. 6:9.
We preached in the southwestern part of Uganda in the town of Mbarara. Specifically, I preached in a place called Rugazi. I was nervous before the first sermon. I had never preached with a translator. I was unsure if I would be able to handle the intensity of the preaching or if I would be able to identify with the text and content of the sermons. I knew that all had to come from my heart. God strengthened me with the words of Zach. 4:6. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.”
The first sermon was heartfelt, since Daniel 2 was the teaching that brought me to God. I sensed the work of the Holy Spirit, and God blessed the preaching of His Word. After the sermon I confessed “Lord, this gives the meaning to my life. My heart desires to do it for you.” And the Lord answered: “I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness, and will hold your hand, and will keep you, and give you for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles.” Is. 42:6.
The first week God was verifying His words. There were 102 decisions for the call to give the heart to Jesus and accept Him as Lord and personal Savior. There were 46 people who made the decision to follow God’s commandments, including the Sabbath. After these I was full of expectations about what God was going to do at the call for baptism. That evening came, but at the end of the meeting I was disappointed. There were only three people who publicly decided for baptism. I called to God, “Dear Lord, I don’t understand. I gave my all tonight!” Is this really what you want me to do?”
I started to understand that there was a big spiritual fight for every soul. The Lord showed me also that He was working with everyone individually, that everybody had his attention, and that heaven rejoiced for every soul who made decision for Christ. So I knew I should rejoice also that three young people publicly decided to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and personal Savior. We would be so happy if three people would decide for Christ in Slovakia.
“Yes, my Lord, I understand this, but I am little bit confused. Is this the work which you want me to do? It is important for me to know. You know that my heart desires to serve you. Dear God,” I prayed, “if I will have 20 decision cards for baptism in the end of the sermons, I would know that your calling is serious.” Our God doesn’t let anything happen on accident. In the end of the sermons we got 100 decision cards for baptism. Praise the Lord! I had to confess, “Dear Lord, I don’t know what to say. Thank you!”
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jer. 29:11.
“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then said I, ‘Here am I; send me.’” Is. 6:9.