Rejoicing Hearts

"So again in these days I am determined to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah.  Do not fear."

Zechariah 8:15

Christmas day is almost upon us and our hearts overflow with rejoicing in celebration of the season while still lingering in meditative thoughts of Thanksgiving for the abundant blessings of this past year, among which are special friends who continually support us in prayers and giving as we embrace each new assignments from God among the nations.

Larry held down the fort this past summer as I headed once again for Mozambique to teach in the Ministry School, this time accompanied by my sister, Lori, a professional quilter who was kept busy teaching young girls to sew.  This is a gift that keeps on giving as the girls eventually are integrated back into their village an now have a skill to develop an economy that will sustain the people.  What a joy to see the proud smiles on their faces when they complete a project that they are able to sell in the little store on the mission base.  We hope to return in 2011 with our guys who abound with talents in construction and agriculture.

It is equally wonderful to see how the Holy Spirit ministers to the young men and women in the Ministry School.  Each year is different and affords many opportunities to minister along side of them, to them, and as well to be greatly blessed by being on the receiving end of their ministry.  They are each one so passionate about serving the Lord.

This year I was invited to speak at the home church of one of the teachers in the Ministry School.  You have to understand the nature of an African invitation.  It was one of these "surprise, you are preaching today" announcements as I sat on the bus en route to the service!  The church had been gearing up for a large nation-wide conference so faith levels were high and the Holy Spirit ministered to us all in a profound way.  There is nothing quite like revival in Africa!

I was home almost 2 months before leaving for a 3 week prayer journey in Ethiopia.  You may remember our initial visit there 2 years ago and how each day was one divine appointment after another!  I knew at the time that we would be returning and the Holy Spirit impassioned my heart with intercessions for Ethiopia for 2 years following.  It was clearly an assignment from God who gave directives of places to visit, prayers to pray, declarations to make, and when to pull out my little bottle of anointing oil!

The first assignment was at the African Union Headquarters.  I wondered how I would ever gain entrance to such a place but God had arranged for me to have full access to all the buildings and grounds of the entire compound on a Sunday afternoon when no one was there save a few guards.  I managed to escape the guards long enough to duck into the interpreters booths and stretch forth my hands to pray over the massive conference room where heads of state meet to create policy for the entire continent as well as their specific nations.  I prayer walked all eight floors of the office buildings and anointed many doorposts with oil.  A river of intercession seemed to flow from inside me as I went from building to building making declarations and proclamations that will forever alter the spiritual climate and effect change.

My last week was spent in Addis Ababa visiting ministries affiliated with the church God connected us with.  I was invited to attend an all night prayer watch and to share what God had put in my heart for this nation.  This in turn opened the door to speak in the Sunday services and the Holy Spirit surprised all of us when we discovered that the words He had given fully described every vision, dream, mandate and word from God given to this church from its inception!  It was a wonderful confirmation of God's promise to fulfill his word to them as well as an encouragement to the people to begin to rise up and declare that word over their city, their nation, and all of Africa.  Revival is breaking out in Addis Ababa!

There are more stories than I can share in a letter, of encounters with Orthodox Priests, of anointing the thrones of Ethiopian Kings on Coronation Road, of anointing the headwaters of the Nile River, a prophetic river of huge significance in the coming revival, and more.  An all these events came to pass because so many of you were praying and helped to send.

Our hearts also ache to return to the Philippines, a very ripe harvest field.  The invitations continue to pour in as we wait on the Lord for His provision.  In the meantime, our greatest joy is to intercede for the nations and be prepared to go whenever and wherever He sends.

It is our hope that your hearts will also be encouraged by all God is doing among the nations and that He will bless you and your families in 2010 with increased favor.  Thank you for faithfully continuing to stand with us and support us as we participate with God in fulfilling His purposes in the earth by calling the nations into their destiny.

Because of His Great Love,

Larry & Alison Humbert

"...go...strengthen and establish your brothers." Luke 22:32

Here are more photos from both trips to Ethiopia!