I pulled them up here to the beginning to emphasize how much the staff, the Italians, and guests sometimes experience defining moments, breakthroughs, or simply key insights that help them along their journey. Here's May's second story:
by May Ratnaike
"As I encouraged the ladies [in May's small group] to practice the different spiritual formation exercises, they asked me to do it with them. One exercise was to fast, pray, and ask God for a new name. Two of the girls in my group received new names from God: ‘Blessing’ and ‘Beloved.’
"One day I was praising God in our room and I heard God say: 'My name for you is Hope.' I was shocked at this still, peaceful voice and wondered, 'Was that real?' I prayed and asked God to confirm that what I heard was from him. I told a friend what had happened, without saying the name—I was waiting for confirmation.
"Three days later, I was sitting talking to someone and he mentioned the word ‘hope,’ and once again I heard the quiet, peaceful voice say, 'He said your name.' I went and told my friend. She grabbed my hand and said, ‘I have something for you.’ She said she was working on a visual piece, and was not sure why, but decided to keep it. It was a piece of white terrazzo floor tile, tossed in the dumpster, on which she had written the name 'Hope.' A few days later she gave me the piece she created.
Visions
"During Incarnate I started seeing visions, something I had experienced only once before. I had a total of about eight, one during a worship time. I heard a multitude of voices singing and praising God, far greater than the thirty people who were in the room."
May and I continue to share our visions and dreams—the ones for future ministry in new arenas and the ones that happen in the night, during worship, or at the kitchen sink. I am deeply blessed by my good friend and dear sister in Christ. Thanks, May, for who you are and for all you do!
And here's another of May's creations! Pray for May as she forges new ministry. She and her husband Dileep will be opening up OM Arts in Asia, based in Australia, Dileep's home country. Pray as they connect into new churches, fields, and with Artists--Incarnate grads or otherwise!
