September 16, 2009

How do you know when the Lord speaks to you? I have been asked that question many times in my 28 years of preaching. One simple
way is to see if it comes to pass. When the Lord started speaking to me to leave Magnolia Christian Center, I was more than a little dismayed. I was perfectly content to live there the rest of my life. I love the people and loved the church. I was willing to obey, but I told the Lord He would have to show me why and why now. The Lord then gave me a mental picture of a slow, low moving wind coming from the northeast of Africa. I asked the Lord what it was and He said, "It is the spirit of violent Islam that will attempt to wipe out my church." I then saw a greater wind coming up over the top with much more speed and much more power and I asked again, "What is this wind?" He said, "It is the wind of my Spirit going ahead to raise up leaders to prepare the church for what is coming."

This past week when I returned I was met with some news. Churches had been burned in Zanzibar, an island off the coast of Tanzania. They were burned during Ramadan, a Muslim holiday. One of my students, who hasn't returned, is involved in a court case there over what happened. Pray for him, his name is Philemon.

Recently, right here in Arusha, some christian students and teachers were beaten who attended a Muslim school. Why were they beaten? They are christians and that's all. The police were called and protest were made. The government shut the school down and threatened to never allow it to reopen. Tanzania's policy is one of religious freedom but that is being tested right now. The Muslims are back-pedaling now and making all kinds of promises.

Pray for me. I have no fear and feel no threat personally simply because I know I am in God's perfect will. The Holy Spirit is moving in the school and I am pouring my heart out. We have and will continue to raise up leaders who are going into the very heart of Muslim strongholds and starting churches. I couldn't do it but they can. They are God's secret weapon and for sure this is front line ministry. Join me in special prayer for the school, the ministry of New Life Outreach and the nation of Tanzania.

Your servant in Christ,

Paul D. Troquille