MINISTRY TRIP TO ROME, ITALY & MALTA

Glory Invasion in the Mediterranean Region and Beyond.

A couple of days after my return from a ministry trip to Rome, Italy and Malta, I sat in the office in my house. A severe thunderstorm was brewing, which is nothing unusual during the summer months in Florida. Suddenly things shifted and I felt a pressure in the air, as well as the wind becoming more forceful. I knew I had to go to the center hallway of the house and close all doors behind me. Of course, I started to intercede and prayed up a storm! Because this seemed fitting!

The noise was horrendous, fierce lightning and thunder, loud bangs and interesting noises along with torrential rain. Outside big oak trees were uprooted caused by a tornado touchdown in my street with wind gusts up to 125 miles/hour.

For years I have prayed for my neighborhood and especially about the big trees, that they would never hurt anyone nor damage any homes nor cars. Hallelujah! Some trees were uprooted and snapped off, but no one was hurt nor any homes damaged in my street!

Isaiah 26:20 Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until his wrath has passed by.

A prophet brought out this scripture, and I immediately thought about my ordeal. I was hiding in the inner room and shutting all the doors behind me until the wrath of the tornado passed by. Now this may not be completely in line with the context, but it seemed very fitting for the moment and often I receive a scripture from the Lord speaking directly to what I am encountering.

Another scripture that came to mind: Psalm 27:5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

Now let me share a few things about the trip to Rome and Malta. Many of the team felt a strong sense of destiny heading into this trip. By the time we returned home, everyone had stories of how our time together in Europe changed our lives forever. The Vision and Mandate: I had a vision: I saw a massive giant with one foot on the shore of Northern Africa and the other on the shore of Southern Europe. He was bridging the gap of the Mediterranean Sea between the two continents. The entire picture was about Jesus Christ bridging the gap between the lost souls and the Father in heaven. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no one comes to the Father but through HIM.

Then I heard a trumpet sound: ATTENTION, ATTENTION!

He is here, He has bridged the gab, Jesus is relentlessly pursuing the lost with His unfailing love. He surrounds us with songs of deliverance, even songs of Victory! Jesus has overcome the enemy of our souls. Your deliverance is here, it is at hand. Jesus Christ is being revealed to many and multitudes will come to Him with their whole hearts!Songs of Victory! Released from heaven piercing darkness and setting the captives free.

Isaiah 45:13b ;, the Lord of Heaven's Armies, has spoken!

Isaiah 45:5 I have equipped you for battle! vs. 6 So all the world from east to west will know there is no other God - I am the Lord and there is no other! vs. 8 ; Rain down, you heavens, from above, And let the skies pour down righteousness; Let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation, And let righteousness spring up together. I, the Lord, have created it. His Heavenly Army has been prepared and they are waiting with sickles in hand to bring in the harvest ROME The team met in Rome, Italy. As we spent time getting to know each other and each other stories, testimonies and things God had been speaking to us individually we began to realize how God had picked everyone in this team. The outreach day in Rome was fruitful. We ended up next to the Coliseum and I was able to speak to a family with 4 girls from France. The girls ended up picking flowers for me and we tried to converse in English as much as possible. But we definitely had a connection. At the end I gave them both, the Jesus movie and Marie Magdalene movie as DVD. At one point a group of young man came on bicycles and rested near me. I sensed to go and talk to them.  Only one really spoke English, and it was Austin from Illinois. I shared the Good News with him and he was very interested. He grew up a Lutheran, but never really received Jesus in His heart. Here he had to come to Rome to hear about a relationship with Jesus Christ. We parted knowing something fundamental happened in his life.

MALTA IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF PAUL

After arriving in Malta, as team leader, I knew right away this was going to be a much different trip than I have ever been a part of. Listening to the testimonies of the long term missionaries, some who have been in Malta for decades and others who have come and gone to other parts of the world from there, has had a great impact on me. As well as meeting the first born-again Maltese Christians, a couple, Joseph and Maria (yes that is right!), who have come to Jesus in 1967 and have been praying and seeing conversions and churches planted. The team existed of 25, who came from 14 different nations; Austria, Finland, Holland, Zimbabwe, Kenya, UK, Indonesia, Germany, Iran, Italy, Philipines, Sweden, Korea, Bahamas. Our entire team was split up into three: a dance team, an intercession/worship team and an evangelistic team. The dance team danced at key places, where many people congregated, the intercessors prayed and the evangelistic team would cease the moment to talk with people. There were many tender moments within the team and even deliverance and healing of those who needed it. Honesty and transparency is crucial for building a strong team. I thank the Lord for His grace and mercy in the midst of the victories as well as the hardships. Numerous people made a decision for Christ and three evangelical churches were impacted in Malta.

TRANSFORM MALTA PRAYER TEAM

We prepared for our days by giving them over to the Lord each morning in prayer, devotion and worship. God met us during those times. We worshipped the Lord, and spent time giving testimonies. We treasured those times together, regrouping and coming into unity for the day. So many of the team members received vision for life during those prayer times. The Mediterranean Regional Prayer Center on Malta providing a place for 24/7 worship and prayer. Located right in the center of the Mediterranean, there is no better place to pray for the outreaches taking place all over the region. We, as the in the footsteps of Paul; team, spent an entire night interceding and worshipping as well as prayer walking.

PREACHING IN LOCAL CHURCHES Team members also had the opportunity to teach, testify and share in local Maltese churches. The believers of the local churches were encouraged by the spreading of the love and encouragement of Jesus and are quickened to share the good news and to intercede for their nation and others. It such an exciting event for them to welcome brethren from another nation and/or continent into their church family. Our team was invited to a beach barbeque and to a home of believers to have a dinner and getting to know the families. I had the privilege to connect with a Pastor and His wife, whose son passed away four years ago. Well, this is what happened to me and there was an instant deep, heartfelt connection in the Holy Spirit.& Precious moments!I could keep going, but I know it is time to shift and to thank you for partnering, giving and interceding for this mission trip! We have the best partners and friends ever, and I am grateful for your faithfulness and love.Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

TRANSFORM MALTA PRAYER TEAM

We prepared for our days by giving them over to the Lord each morning in prayer, devotion and worship. God met us during those times. We worshipped the Lord, and spent time giving testimonies. We treasured those times together, regrouping and coming into unity for the day. So many of the team members received vision for life during those prayer times.The Mediterranean Regional Prayer Center on Malta providing a place for 24/7 worship and prayer. Located right in the center of the Mediterranean, there is no better place to pray for the outreaches taking place all over the region. We, as the in the footsteps of Paul; team, spent an entire night interceding and worshipping as well as prayer walking.

PREACHING IN LOCAL CHURCHES

Team members also had the opportunity to teach, testify and share in local Maltese churches. The believers of the local churches were encouraged by the spreading of the love and encouragement of Jesus and are quickened to share the good news and to intercede for their nation and others. It such an exciting event for them to welcome brethren from another nation and/or continent into their church family. Our team was invited to a beach barbeque and to a home of believers to have a dinner and getting to know the families. I had the privilege to connect with a Pastor and His wife, whose son passed away four years ago. Well, this is what happened to me and there was an instant deep, heartfelt connection in the Holy Spirit.& Precious moments!I could keep going, but I know it is time to shift and to thank you for partnering, giving and interceding for this mission trip! We have the best partners and friends ever, and I am grateful for your faithfulness and love.

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

For His Glory,

Gabriele Gilpin