September 27, 2007

Greetings,

I am writing from my hotel room in Umuarama, Parana. We traveled here a few weeks ago, and it has been a very fruitful trip. Our nights are busy with the revival meetings, and our days with the many pastors who want to be with us. I brought along my interpreter and spiritual son, Gilson Riveiro. We started out in Cruzeiro do Oeste, being hosted by our good friend Pastor Junior and his wonderful family. Using Cruzeio do Oeste as a base, we traveled and ministered in Maringa, Maria Salas, and several other smaller cities. For the last week, we have been in Umuaramma, and the fire is falling. We have been in several local churches, as well as two nights of meetings in the Cultural Center.

Our brother and team member Giovanni Zimmerman set it all up for us, and God has used him to open doors for us here, and in several other southern and western states. Giovanni is a true man of God. He pastored for years, then Jesus opened the door for him to be in the Mayors office here. He has been used greatly to bring the churches together for unity and revival. The powerful response we have had here is in part, a result of his work and love for both us, and the move of God.

What can I say? Jesus loves revival. During our time her, the meetings have grown in intensity, regardless of where we are ministering. The people and many pastors are coming to the different meetings regardless of where we are. It’s certainly not my sparkling personality they are following. The people here are just taken with the Presence of God. Some of the meetings are very aggressive towards the traditions of man, and very direct about searching your heart, repenting, and allowing God to fill you and light your fires again. The real issue is that the people are simply hungry. They are feeling their distance from the flow of God's river. It is time for all of us to examine our hearts, shake off anything that hinders, and move forward in God.

Jesus showed me that many people who think they are depressed, and take medicine to help, are really only hungry. Many people are crying in heart most of the time. They feel totally left behind somehow, but they can not explain it in words. There are some things that are too deep for words. It’s the daily groan of their hearts. Something is wrong, and needs to change, but the people feel trapped, and do not know why. Many work hard for the Lord, and are sincere in their love for Him. They are just so far from the flow of Gods life, and so caught up in the business of life that they have just lost the presence of God. When they hear this, and realize that the deep discomfort is really the call of Gods heart, they melt and are so open to a new and fresh anointing. It is a beautiful thing to watch God renew and fill a person with fire and oil. The deep things of God are calling out to the deep things in the hearts of men, and it is like being rolled over and over in the billows of a waterfall. David understood this, and so do I.

Ps 42:1-6
"As the deer pants for the water brooks,So pants my soul for You, O God.

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?

My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say to me, "Where is your God?"

When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me.

For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God,

With the voice of joy and praise, With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast.

Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.

O my God, my soul is cast down within me; Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan, And from the heights of Hermon, From the Hill Mizar.

Verse #7 "Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; All Your waves and billows have gone over me."

It is a terrible thing to be so distant from the current flow of God. Most people just need a new vision of God's face (presence), and a new touch of His love. It opens the eyes of their hearts, and reveals the simplicity of the problem; distance from the Lord Himself. Too much religion, not enough Jesus!

The meeting last night was a very strong one. It was our 2nd and final night in the city's Cultural Center. The meeting was not as well attended as Tuesday night, but the intensity of the meeting was much more fiery. The word time was good, and the response to the alter call was wonderful. The people just jumped in, and off we went. Once again after the meeting was officially over, (as with many other nights), no one wanted to leave. Many just sat, or laid, and soaked in the Presence. I got a pretty good drink myself!

The meeting tonight will be in a Baptist church. I met the pastor last week, and he has been in most of the meetings since then. Tonight is a youth rally, but there will be many people who come from other places. I sense that it has the possibility of being our deepest meeting so far. The youth here are getting a major drink. Some of the really young ( 4-10 year olds) don't understand what is happening, but they come for prayer, and get a pretty good drink. Then they just sit, or lay, or get together and just laugh and cry. To see an entire group of these young people sitting together, weeping openly in the Lord is a sight that will change your heart forever. Last night there were so many on the platform. It is a real witness to the parents who have never seen the move of God like this. When these young people go back to their seats, they just sit and weep in the presence of God. The parents testify of changed lives, attitudes, and the continuing spirit of peace that stays with the kids. Wow. I love it when God reveals Himself to the babes. That is a real word to us all. We need to continue in His presence as children, and never leave that place of childlike dependence and trust.

Please stay solidly in prayer with us! We are facing some circumstances that need to be conquered once and for all. We still have some things to overcome with our annual visa's, and we still need our finances strengthened. It is certainly a war, but it is a good war. Good wars are the ones you win! And I am assured that our victory is complete in Jesus. Like you, we are trusting Him for everything!

Tomorrow we move the the city of Cascavel. We have been there several times, and the church is looking forward to our time with them. Monday we return home to Belo Horizonte, and I will be there until Candi and I travel to the States on Oct. 2nd. Thanks for it all!

My embrace,
Jeff Martin