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Breakthrough In Bolivia
November 9, 2004
BREAKTHROUGH IN BOLIVIA
LaPaz, Bolivia Crusade
October 19-28, 2004
by Ken Greter
· Over 2,000 salvations in capital city of La Paz and Caranavi
· Woman with large tumor on stomach for 25 years receives instant miracle
· Nine month old baby healed of hip displacement and crooked spine
· Woman, deaf for 28 years in left ear, is instantly healed
· Young woman bound with arthritis for 4 years is set free
· Four-year-old child born paralyzed, begins to walk
· Over 800 people baptized in the Holy Spirit
· Man paralyzed and blind on right side receives instant miracle
· Four police officers give their hearts to Jesus
· Many partially blind testify of eyesight improvement
· Angel of the Lord appears during crusade meeting
FFM First Visit to Bolivia
A team of 40 enthusiastic men and women from Canada, USA, England and Australia hit the tarmac of La Paz, the capital city of Bolivia, ready to release the fire and glory of God. This city is over 3800 meters above sea level (at the airport). One of our hosts who met us actually had oxygen available for us in case any one had difficulty breathing. We were told to expect that we could take a couple of days to properly adjust to the altitude--thankfully most of the team adjusted with little difficulty.
Brewing Protest Threatens to Stop Transportation
In the midst of the three-night crusade, we heard news of a pending city-wide strike which could force a closure of all city transportation. The possible strike was over import-export propaganda concerning natural gas, one of Bolivia's major resources. Immediately, the team began to pray fervently for the Bolivian government and civic leaders, petitioning the Holy Spirit to intervene so that no transportation problems would erupt. Glory to God for His faithfulness! No strike took place the entire week we were in Bolivia.
Deaf Hear, Blind See on the First Night
With cool temperatures on the first night of the crusade, the approximately 2000 people needed to bundle up warmly. Evangelist Todd Bentley opened up the first night of the crusade by speaking out words of knowledge (one of the gifts of the spirit as mentioned in 1 Cor. 12:8), saying, "Someone here is getting healed from stomach cancer. There is a lady who has a heart problem and finds it difficult to breathe... God is healing people who have problems with deafness…" Todd continued with very detailed and accurate words of knowledge. People from the audience, seated in the large amphitheatre, began to respond and come forward. Many testified to being gloriously touched by the power of God. One man had vision problems for 5 years and needed to wear special thick glasses. He was scheduled for an eye doctor appointment but indicated he would no longer need the appointment as God totally healed his eye sight. A young lady testified of being instantly healed from 17 years of deafness. Oh, the tears of joy that streamed down her face! That night God moved in such power, we saw Matthew 10:7-8 fulfilled again as we prayed for people: "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils…" Yes, Jesus still heals today—He truly is Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals.
Severely Arthritic Woman is Healed
Perhaps some miracles seem less impressive than others, but when you've been the victim of infirmity and pain, and God's healing virtue touches you, no miracle is too small, or too big. This was the case with a middle-aged woman who had been bound with arthritis and suffering with intense pain. For 18 horrible months her hands and fingers were virtually immobile. Something began to happen to her chronic aches and pains as Todd cast out a spirit of infirmity from her body. For the first time in 18 months she was able to do something every precious woman loves to do—she was able to comb her hair. This lady was so overwhelmed with joy that she would constantly clasp her face in her hands and stroke her hair. She eventually knelt down and lifted her hands in praise and adoration to King Jesus. No more pain in Jesus name.
Missionary from the U.S. to Bolivia Receives Prophecy
Todd called a young woman out by name (Lisa) and gave a powerful prophetic word to her, confirming her destiny in Bolivia as a missionary from New York. He said that the Lord's power working in her life to help her accomplish her God-given task in an accelerated fashion. Later, she confirmed the amazing accuracy of the prophecy.
Creative Miracle with Ear Parts
Not only does Jesus disintegrate lumps and growths, but He also performs creative miracles as well. Such was the case with a woman who underwent surgery 19 years ago in which actual parts of her ears were removed. As Todd prayed for her, she literally felt the anointing surge through her body, and acknowledged that she was actually starting to hear sound! After continually "dousing" her with the anointing, we encouraged her to possess her complete healing, daily praising Jesus for a complete restoration.
New Names in the Lamb's Book of Life
After a strong salvation message, evangelist Bentley encouraged those from catholic, protestant or non-church backgrounds to make the most important decision of their lives, to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord. The entire three-night crusade was broadcast on live radio, potentially reaching tens of thousands of people (the population of La Paz is between 1.5 and 2 million people.) Approximately 500 brave souls walked down from the amphitheatre stands that night to acknowledge Christ and repeat the sinners prayer.
Second Crusade Night Draws Police Force
On the second night of the crusade, we were surprised to arrive at the amphitheatre to find approximately two dozen military police strategically located in pairs of two throughout the huge venue. Our team questioned a group of about six police officers—they said they had come to the crusade in response to "orders from headquarters." With no time to waste, we shared the beautiful plan of salvation with them and the whole lot confessed publicly Jesus Christ to come into their heart. Little did these officers realize, when they arrived for a night of surveillance duty, that God had something far greater in store for them.
Evangelist's Testimony Hits a Home Run
The Baseball World series is not the only field where the home-runs are taking place; the Lord is hitting even bigger home runs on the harvest fields of Bolivia. What a wonderful response to Todd's testimony. He gave a powerful testimony of his past lifestyle steeped in alcohol addiction, drug abuse and prisons, eventually leading him life on the street. He described how the Holy Spirit supernaturally saved him and transformed Him into a new creation in Christ. About 600 people came forward to make a commitment to follow Jesus Christ. Earlier in the day the FFM team also had the privilege of leading about 125 precious Bolivians to Jesus during various out-reaches in the city.
Words of Knowledge Bring Phenomenal Miracles
While waiting on the Lord in the afternoon before one evening crusade commenced, Todd was taken into a vision where he received numerous words of knowledge--the most notable word was that of a man who had been in a work-related accident involving a dump truck. Other words of knowledge included: a woman with cancer in her left breast; a woman with a hernia; a lady who had just come from the hospital with a problem in her right leg; a woman who had extreme pain in her knees and legs; someone in their 50s or 60s having a cataract on the right eye.
Angel of the Lord Shows Up
The woman experiencing great pain in her knees and legs immediately acknowledged herself by waving excitedly in the stands. Mr. Bentley immediately spotted her and perceived the angel of the Lord right behind her. She quickly made her way to the platform and, after prayer, went tumbling down under the power of God. When back on her feet, she began to cry and laugh, shouting out, "No more pain, no more pain. See! I can bend down and touch my toes." How much money would you spend in a developed country to remedy the pain this woman experienced for so long? Now, because of the Master's touch, she is healed and pain-free. What Jesus does, He does well.
It seems whenever the angel of the Lord manifests in a meeting, miracles and healings rise to a higher level—this night was no exception. Todd noticed the angel behind a young "fired-up-for-Jesus" lady and prophesied a special healing anointing over her life. BOOM! Down she went, overwhelmed by the presence of Jesus. The lady with breast cancer was also touched by the angel—she actually felt heat through her body.
Massive Tumor Disappears
An elderly lady came for prayer regarding a huge tumor on her stomach for over 25 years. The Holy Ghost came upon her but no immediate manifestation occurred. Then, all of a sudden, like a bolt of lightning hit her, this lady began to go crazy, dancing up and down on the stage and holding her stomach where the cancer had been. The commotion caught Todd's attention and, finally, after inquiring through the interpreter, we learned that her tumor had disappeared into thin air. Talk about a time for shouting, HALLELUJAH! Somebody ought to shout a loud "AMEN!" Yes, the days are coming when healings like these will take place in hundreds of "Pools of Bethesda" (see John 5) located all over the world.
Team Members Experience Awesome Results
That night there was so much "holy chaos" on the platform as many team members came to tell FFM staff of another miracle they had witnessed while praying for the sick. Some of the healings included blindness in one eye restored, arthritis completely cured, deafness healed, appendicitis healed, stomach problems cured, among many others. The experiences of our team members fulfill FFM's mandate: "7 And as you go, preach, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give." (Matt. 10:7,8) As our team so powerfully demonstrated, this anointing for healing and deliverance is not just for a select few but for whoever believes and is hungry to see the Book of Acts relived in our generation.
Plaza of Heroes—Feeding Program
While in the capital city of LaPaz, the 30 FFM team members participated in one of our daily out-reaches involving the distribution of hundreds of meals to the Bolivian children and adults. One of the city's busier sites, The Plaza of Heroes, was chosen as the distribution location. Team members had numerous opportunities to communicate the gospel one on one, and Jim Drown (FFM South American Crusade co-coordinator) was able to address the large gathered crowd with a 10 minute message on the plan of salvation and the power of Jesus to heal the sick. Soon we heard many testimonies from those listening, regarding freedom from disease, infirmities, and other demonic oppressions. At FFM, the mandate to minister to the whole man—spirit, soul and body—is imperative and in accordance with Matthew 25:34-36 where we are commanded to feed the hungry and clothe the naked. This Bolivian community received a special touch from the Father's heart that day.
"Death Road" Leads to Caranavi
What a surprise awaited us, as we geared up for the last leg of the Bolivia trip--a two-day crusade in a smaller neighboring city, located approximately seven hours bus drive from La Paz. The road to our destination, the city of Caranavi, is considered by many Bolivian authorities as one of the most dangerous roads in the world. Referred to as "Death Road", this highway (or perhaps more appropriately described as a dirt trail) meanders through the Andes Mountains at unbelievable heights, and quite often allows only single lane traffic. What an opportune time to lay hold of the promised protection of Psalm 91, especially after being told by the bus driver of 40 people who had died in the last year alone, while attempting to drive this highway. Glory to God—His angels were encamped around us throughout this treacherous journey!
Creative Miracle in Boy's Ear
In both nights of the crusade, we experienced a full house, but the second and final night was by far the best. No religious opposition or power outages could stop the enthusiastic children dancing and frolicking with the FFM team members, as the worship band shouted out the praises of the King. When Todd began to minister in the healing power of Jesus, a most amazing creative miracle took place. After prayer, he was able to hear 100 percent in both ears. His mother came forward in absolute shock as Todd demonstrated her son's ability to hear from both ears. She grabbed her boy and began to weep, overwhelmed at the miracle she had just witnessed. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever!
Caranavi Experiences a Modern-Day Pentecost
During the morning sessions, pastors and Christian leaders received ministry from a number of FFM associate ministries including Eli Miller, Dennis Walker and Ken Greter. The Holy Spirit blessed the precious Bolivian Christian leaders with a fresh impartation and many testified of being encouraged to move ahead with a renewed zeal. Although much tradition still seems to bind the churches in that area, Jesus was coming to undo the religious facades and veneer, bringing new-found freedom to so many pastors and Christian leaders.
A major healing wave washed over the crusade grounds and soon the stage was covered with bodies strewn all over. A Holy Ghost gusher hit Todd while people were being interviewed and, all of a sudden, "holy chaos" broke out. Pandemonium hit the children and adults. Todd became so spiritually inebriated that he fell over in a drunken stupor on stage—his last words went something like this: "Because of Holy Ghost inebriation, I am no longer able to conduct this service. We truly did experience an Acts chapter 2 Pentecost. May Bolivia continue to experience the supernatural, as Jesus confirms His word with signs following.
Come change the World with Us
The team traveling with Todd and the Fresh Fire staff were amazing troopers, whether they were on "Death Road", in trying circumstances, ministering healing to hundreds or watching Jesus do extraordinary works. In the words of one of the team members, Jordan from Alaska, "This, I think, has been one of the most powerful times of my entire life." You too, can have your spiritual life rocked by the presence and power of Jesus. Consider prayerfully coming on a Fresh Fire trip in the future. Guaranteed! Your life will never be the same.
Location: LaPaz, Bolivia
Website: http://www.freshfire.ca
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