They say a picture is worth a 1000 words, so prepare for sensory over load, (Thanks to Selah Reflecations) as I try to recap a few of the many highlights of my amazing trip to Quebec & Eastern Ontario.
I began my time in Quebec, at the Women Of Vision Conference asking the question,
How can we live a life of freedom without limits, when we are continuously fighting against pain and often paralyzed by our fear and disappointments?
IT IS POSSIBLE, because our pain does not get the final word.
The enemy wants to limit you with your pain, insecurities, and self doubt, but God wants to set you FREE and make you LIMITLESS in spite of your pain.
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1
Sunday after conference, I spoke at CENTRE ÉVANGÉLIQUE DE LAVAL
I talked about the STRENGTH of our weakness. I shared how when you give your weakness and your pain to God, He can and WILL turn it into the most amazing blessings.
I’ve taken a 5 min clip where I talk about my infidelity, but only to show that unless there are people who are willing to show unconditional love and be Jesus with skin on, we limit others from being free!
The trip was off to an amazing start, with me showing up and God doing the rest!
Here are just a few of the stories from the first weekend.
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While I was at the front talking with some people and praying, I was introduced to a young girl. With tears streaming down her face, she said, “I want to thank you for sharing about your weakness and having the courage to over come, because I have been battling thoughts of suicide, and I’ve not had the courage to tell anyone until today.”
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Then, I am socializing after the service, and I had a gentleman approach me and say, “Wow thank you so much for your encouragement today. You have been through so much, how did you do it?”
And as I was about to respond, again he said,
How did you do it? He stopped and said… I mean… How can I tell MY WIFE I was unfaithful? ”
I was able to connected people with the with a pastor from that church, but God spoke to my heart and said, “This is what revival looks like.”
I pray that we are all ready to walk beside individuals who need to be loved where they are at, and not judged.
Thank you to Pastor Patrick and the staff of CENTRE ÉVANGÉLIQUE DE LAVAL for showing such amazing hospitality and generosity.
Top left: Jenilee Drisner with Selah Reflections Thank you for being my encouragement and my right arm for this trip, and also for the amazing pictures. Vaughan asked me if Jen had a “magic camera,” because EVERY picture is incredible. JUST LIKE HER.
Top right: Sandra, a Women Of Vision leader.
Bottom left: Roxanne began the weekend as my interrupter but now we are dear friends.
Bottom right: Anne Yank, Anne lives to see women develop their full potential and encourages them to use their gifts to influence where they live. She is the Director of WOMEN OF VISION Ministry of the Quebec District of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. We have been bonding since last summer when she invited me to be the speaker at the Women of Vision conference. Anne has been key in helping ME “Go Farther” in my journey of growth, and now we’ll be forever dear friends.
I have story after story of what God does when we allow Him to speak through us. And another one of those stories you’ll see on my next Contagious Courage segment. I had the privilege of interviewing Tanya Rust and she also wanted to interview ME!
Check this out…
There were so many amazing moments from our time in Quebec. And while I can’t possibly share them all, let me give you some other highlights of the fun adventures Jennilee and I had, before I give you my final praise report and thought for the day!
Beginning with the hockey game!
Most intense atmosphere and noise level EVER felt at a hockey game, or maybe it was the loud screaming and horrifying experience from THIS GUY?? Hahaha No but seriously, locals were saying this was the GAME OF THE SEASON!
The adventures continued with us EATING IN THE DARK!!!
YUP you read that right!
We ate IN THE DARK!
I said a picture is worth a 1000 words, but I’m sorry I can’t share pictures for this experience, but check out our reactions and watch Global’s news report.
Nortre-Dane Basilica of Montreal
Thank you to our new friend Perline De Voyer for being our tour guide for this experience.
What trip is complete without some shopping?
You’ve heard the phrase “Shop till ya drop” right!
Well Jennilee was afraid that I would do that in a way that she was NOT prepared for…
Check this out…
Every adventure and experience was FILLED with
EPIC MOMENTS!
I went into this trip asking God to invade my heart like never before.
And boy did he ever…
I could keep going with story after story about what God has done. I feel like I have been on a missions trip, returning home with more experiences than I can fully express, but I am forever changed.
I will conclude by sharing with you one of the most incredible experiences of the whole trip.
Over the duration of my last weekend, I had the great honor and privilege of leading 14 people to Jesus. That is more than I have seen in the last two years of ministry.
One the Saturday night, when I gave the call to accept Jesus, 4 young people raised their hands at the same time, and 2 more followed.
My heart was bursting and to make this night even more incredible, on the way back to our hotel that night, our driver said that he was doubly blessed by the evening. He said,
“Vahen, my 2 daughters where among the young people who gave their hearts to Jesus tonight, so I can’t thank you enough for being here and being the hands and feet of Jesus.
I can honestly say, that I have left a piece of my heart in Quebec, I even had one pastor say…
“Vahen when you go home tell your friends and family that we have adopted you.”
This trip has definitely given me even greater passion to do what God has called me to do, and I know you’ll hear more about my life changing experiences in the coming weeks as I write and share what God has done. But today I wanted to try and give you just a glimpse of what I have experienced.
Do I think I will return to Quebec???
ABSOLUTELY!!
Not to us oh Lord not to us, but to you and your name goes all the honor and glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness.
Psalm 115:1
