MBMS International. Transforming Lives In Mission

When Katie Housek and the three other members of the Nomad Team came into the entrance of a valley, she sensed that this physical access was an entrance to something bigger – an opening to a spiritual realm.

Despite this feeling nothing was happening. There was no breakthrough, and though the team considered moving on, they felt God saying, “Stay and engage.” So they stayed in the valley, asking God what this breakthrough would look like and how He was going to bring it about.

Katie was losing strength. Leading the team through Central Asia, she reached a point in the spiritual trek where she was feeling dry and empty. She hiked up a mountain to find some wood to offer a family for a cooking fire, and reaching the top she laid facedown and cried, asking God to break her, the team, and the family in the valley.

Katie gathered some branches and headed back down the mountain. It started pouring rain and hailing. It was windy and miserable and cold. When she got down to the bottom the family saw her and realized that the wood was for them. Wood is a precious resource and is hard to come by. The family was touched that she went to such great lengths, and there was a breaking in the spiritual realm.

The team was introduced to Bauynaa, a lady who only a year previous had lost her husband, and just 10 days earlier her sister. Katie had something that was really special to her – a ring. It was a gift from her parents and she never takes it off. Bauynaa saw the ring and really liked it. Katie heard God ask her to give the ring to Bauynaa. She told her, “This was a gift from my parents and it says how much Jesus loves me. But Jesus loves you as much as he loves me, and I want to give you this to let you know how much He loves you.” The ring wasn’t anything special, but it had a significant impact. It broke something inside.

Bauynaa asked Katie, “Who is this Jesus?” A couple of years ago she had received a bible from some missionaries gave them the books and then left. She burned them because she was scared of the implications that could follow. What would happen if she upset the spiritual realm? But years later her fear was gone. Bauynaa told Katie, “You know, I think I need to know about Jesus.” Together the Nomad Team was able to share Christ with her in a way that she understood. Bauynaa decided that she wanted to take the next step and invite Jesus into her life. After she prayed she experienced an immeasurable amount of hope. Jesus reached down and touched her in such a tangible way, releasing her from the bondage and the pain that had overcome her life. The barriers were completely broken.

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:32