Facing My In-Laws...

A brother came and asked me a question that was a little humiliating. He said, "Brother, do you need a ride home?" And I said, "Yes, I think I do." I only had one prayer as we were driving to my in-law's house. I would say, as I continued to shake, cry and laugh, "Lord, please do not let my in-laws see me like this." I was praying that they would not be there, when I arrived. There had been some theological tension with my in-laws. I said, "Lord, do not let this cause any division." But the Lord did not answer that prayer.

When we opened the door to my in-laws house, standing right there before me was my mother-in-law and my father-in-law. I could not walk very well, so the brother who had driven me home was sort of carrying me. I was perspired and I could not speak clearly, but I remember saying, especially to my mother-in-law, "Mom, I am okay, don't worry, but please do not look at me." And immediately my mother-in-law raised her hands to heaven and began to praise and glorify God. She entered into a three-day fast for the glory of God. As I made my way to my room, I heard her say, to my great surprise, "This is what we need in our churches!"

This brother began talking to them and explain to them what had happened, so that gave me an opportunity to go up to my room. I finally reached my room on the second floor, I closed the door and I was so happy to be alone. I continued to shake and weep, and I did not know what was happening. Two hours later, the sign ceased completely, there was no more shaking, everything was fine. Then I said, "Boy do I have things to tell my church in La Plata." I thought that was the end of the experience.

Not a Touch, But a Transformation...

Since I was normal again, I went downstairs to explain to my in-laws what had happened. Before I could explain, my mother-in-law set a plate of food before me and she said, "Isn't the Lord wonderful?" And when she said that, I could feel the glory of the Lord coming upon me again. I fell backwards to the floor, again, and began shaking; I began to crawl up the stairs again to my bedroom.

I was supposed to confirm with another pastor in the area that I would preach in his church, but I could not even make a phone call. I was saying, "Lord, if this is yours, how come I am not doing your work? I should be more busy than ever before." I had on top of my desk a list of things to do, and the airplane ticket I had bought to get there was expensive, so I felt I had to get things done. I was looking at that list, and that list was looking at me and it was like I wanted to get so busy for the Lord, but I did not understand that the Lord had a different plans for me. He did not regard my agenda; He ripped it to pieces!

For six days, I was in the presence of almighty God, weeping and crying. When I thought I was normal, I would put on my tie and jacket and get ready and before I would touch the doorknob, the power of God would come upon me and throw me on the floor so I could not get up. At times I would be there for hours before I could get up.