We are in the middle of preparations for the Paralympic outreach and it’s a strange place to be in, one hand looking back at the amazing things God did during the Olympics, and then on the other hand holding our breath and looking into a big open expanse of everything else that lies beyond that could happen now!

But in the mean time, here are even more stories from the Olympic feedback times for your reading pleasure….

*Prayer stations – We were making balloon animals during prayer stations and handing them out to kids.  It was a rainy day, so it was great to have that extra burst of color and life on the streets to bring smiles to people’s faces.

* Prayer Stations – “One man, Myrd, got off the bus and came and asked for prayer.  He had spinal problems.  He was really encouraged to have the prayer.”

*Prayer Stations – Caroline stopped and asked for prayer that she would just have a really great day.

*Prayer Stations – A man stopped and spoke to us about his part in the protest which is happening on Commercial Drive today.  This is something that needs to be covered in prayer.  It is protesting the use of one of the community ice rinks being used for Olympic practice skates.  Pray for peace and safety.

*Prayer Stations – “It was hard, because a lot of people would just ignore you, and it was like talking to a brick wall.  But when you did finally get to speak to someone, it was like they were a gem, it was a precious moment.”

*Prayer Stations – “I had a really bad attitude in the morning, but when I was walking down the drive I got to stop and talk with a man, and he started saying how the city was a very dark place and how they needed something to bring light.  It was so encouraging to get to talk to him about his city and it’s spiritual state.  I’m not even sure he was a believer.  Then later at prayer stations I got to pray with a Muslim woman, so that was very encouraging”

*Prayer Stations – “We prayed that God would lead at least one person to us.  This girl was handing out these pamphlets, so we asked if we could pray for her.  She agreed, and as we began to pray she started to cry.  We were able to pray truth over her and she was very encouraged. “

*We went to Granville Island again.  This is only the second time prayer stations had been done there, and the first time was really hard.  People weren’t receptive at all, and the whole spirit of the place was very hard.

*Prayer stations – “It was really good!  Way better than the first time.  The spirit felt a lot softer, more receptive.  We could definitely tell we were breaking ground; that we were going into new territory.  One lady came up and we were able to pray for her relationship with her kids, and their salvation.  She was a believer, and it was good to be able to encourage her, she was happy to see young people out doing prayer stations.  It was encouraging to us to know that we were being a blessing and that we were where we were supposed to be.”

*Prayer Stations – “The atmosphere was totally changed from the first time.”

**Prayer Stations – “Sean stopped and asked us to pray for “Mistempered Weapons.”  I didn’t know what that meant and he wouldn’t say anymore.  I prayed for him in tongues and I felt the word for him was ‘religion is what happens when the spirit is gone.’  He left, but I continued to pray about the situation and God gave me several words and details.  I saw him later still walking around Granville Island and showed him the list of what I had heard from God.  He said it was right on to what his book “Mistempered Weapons” was about.  He was looking for confirmation about the book, and I could also tell he was testing us and our prayer.  God was faithful to reveal himself.

*Prayer Stations – “This woman from France crossed the street and asked if she could take our picture.  Then she sort of hesitated and asked what church and denomination we were with.  We were able to explain what YWAM was, and she was so excited by the idea, especially that is a worldwide organization.  Even though I didn’t get to pray for anyone, I was still encouraged that I got to make people smile, and that I was able to give this woman information about missions, and ways that she could know God more.”

*Prayer Stations – “The whole day, we just really felt like God wants that place, He wants Granville Island”

*Prayer Stations – “As I was prayer walking, the words that I kept hearing were “fast”.  Like, God isn’t going to be working slowly in this area, but that the process is going to speed up.  That the Lord is going to start working quickly, the growth is going to go quickly.”

*“God keeps leading me to talk to the store owners and the policemen and workers, not the tourists.  I’m finding that when I stop and look them in the eye and ask “how are you really doing”, it breaks through the shell, and you get to see the struggles, and how glad they are to actually be asked by someone who cares.”

* “A constant theme this month has been ripples.  I was thinking how much prayer we have had this month covering this city, between the morning prayer meetings, the prayer stations every afternoon, the people prayer walking, the Daily prayer, and the prayer partners around the world, When you think of all the prayers, the constant prayers, it’s no wonder it’s all snowballing, it’s no wonder the spirit of this city is changing so quickly, from day to day even.  The ripples of prayer that started a while ago have just grown and increased and spread over the entire city.”