God Hears Our Prayers…Nothing is Impossible with God

With the busyness of the holidays upon us, I always try to etch out some quiet time during the late afternoon when my daily activities have slowed down and my to-do list is mostly complete. I turn everything off and sit quietly in my studio, with a pot of my favorite tea, and begin to reflect upon the wonderful and countless blessings, surprises, promises and treasured stories in the lives of family and friends that I often call ‘Testimonies of God’s Love.’

During the Christmas and Hanukkah season, I love to write about the stories that have been entrusted to me — the divine encounters from God that have blessed many lives with miraculous experiences and, above all, answers to prayers. When we put our hands and hearts together, marvelous things happen and sometimes they are years in the making, but the timing is always perfect.

This year, I am sharing a story about the power of prayer and how God hears our prayers, always. His timing is always the perfect timing for His glorious plans, as it says in Romans 8:28 (NKJ), one of my favorite heart verses: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

This fall, my husband and I had the opportunity to return to Tanzania, a land filled with God’s beautiful creations and the most graciously kind people. Our return journey was a glorious answer to prayers. Our first visit to Tanzania was in early 2020 and we had an amazing time with our guide Rowland, who introduced us to the beauty of Tanzania through his eyes, heart and wisdom. He taught us so much about God’s creations and the true beauty of His animal kingdom.

We spent a few weeks with Rowland at a couple of mobile camps surrounded by endless rich greens and golden colors in the early rainy season.

During our journey with Rowland, we would sit quietly in our safari Jeep with no electronics, no city noise, and be blessed with amazing shows from God — an orchestrated concert of the sounds of nature: the movement and slushing of the elephants, the clicking of the giraffe hooves and the percussion of the wildebeest and buffalos. Then (and sometimes all at once), a fashion show of zebras and ostriches, an acrobatic show from the monkeys, and an operatic performance from the birds.

We were so blessed to have sat in the middle of the Great Migration in Tanzania where over 1.2 million wildebeest, approximately 300, 000 zebras and other grazers like topi and gazelles, make the largest herd movement of animals on the planet. This migration occurs annually across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem as animals go in search of grazing and water.

Our first journey was filled with long glorious days of safari adventures ending with evenings of story-telling, delightful dinners and restful nights sleeping under the stars.

When we parted ways with Rowland, we promised we would stay in touch. We prayed with him and his family that we would return to our beautiful Tanzania – a place and its people that changed my life.

Over the next five years, we stayed in touch with Rowland and prayed with him for his family and our extended family friends we had met along the way. Then, we prayed for peace and prosperity as the world was shut down.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

And, we prayed for healing rains to come and provide enough water for the people, land and animals through the dry season.

Five years later, our God blessed us with a reunion visit to Tanzania with Rowland, in early autumn known as their dry season. As we stepped out of our small bush plane, there was our Rowland, who we call ‘our brother,’ waiting for us with his big smile and huge heart. We spent our first few hours sharing updates and stories about family and our recent life experiences.

After our first full day of safari and being blessed with glorious sightings of families of elephants, giraffes, monkeys, lions, birds, hippos and crocodiles, we returned to our camp.

We joined Rowland in the main tent for a quiet evening dinner under the stars. Martha and Justin lit a fire, and as our refreshments arrived, James and Abraham from the camp team joined us in a circle for stories about the day. We all celebrated how clear the sky was — we could see the canopy of stars reaching across the sky like a bright blanket of sparkles. We could hear the lions roaring in the near distance as they began their evening prowl. We could hear the “swooshing”sound of the grass under the foot of the zebra and the gazelle, as they walked to their next location. In the distance, the silhouettes of elephants as they made their way to the next watering hole.

Early the next morning, as we were preparing to have breakfast by the water to watch the animals, James came out to greet us. He turned to me and shared that he had spoken to Rowland, and that he thought he knew us. He had asked Rowland if we had been to Tanzania before, in the northern Serengeti and Rowland had shared that we had. Before James could say another word, my heart beamed and I said, “Oh my goodness I, too, thought you looked familiar! Yes, we were with you at your camp!” I continued with tears of joy and said, “You are James! I have been praying for you and our family friends at your camp for five years!" We all began to laugh with joy and hug one another as we praised God for our family reunion. I was excitedly listing all the names of our family, and asking how they were doing. I was so overwhelmed to learn that, with God’s love, everyone was doing well and our Johnathan, who inspired a story in my recent book, God is REAL, is now the manager of the camp. James shared that one of their team members was driving to the camp later today. I asked Rowland before our departure if it was okay if I put something together for them. Rowland, with his big wonderful heart smile, said, “Yes. Please do.”

After a wonder-full day on safari, we were greeted by Martha, who welcomed us with cold refreshments and a gracious smile. She quietly said, “I heard you know James and were at his former camp before. You know, I was there, too, at the same time.” I dropped my backpack and supplies and said, “Oh my goodness, this is amazing, another gift from God. I remember you so vividly! You would greet us and visit with us and later join us with James, Johnathan, Esther, Barack and Obed for our evening Bible studies after dinner!”

We all joined together, praising God for His love and for hearing our prayers.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God:
that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
1 John 5:14

Later in the week, as we were preparing to depart to our next camp, James asked if we could all gather together to break bread and pray. We shared our dreams and stories,

prayed and sang worship songs. It was so hard to hold back my tears of joy— I was so overwhelmed with God’s love. My heart was running over in awe of how our God’s wonders and promises are far, far greater than any of us can imagine. I thought, how could I ever have created such a wonderful time and moment like this? I am halfway around the world, standing in this beautiful land of God with his beautiful people we call our family, celebrating our reunion and we are singing songs of joy together!

Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Mark 11:24

As we left the camp with big hugs and tears of joy, our family friends asked us to continue to keep them, their families, and their land in our hearts and prayers.

This journey taught me more about the expanse of God’s gracious love and everlasting kindness for us. I am reminded that as we grow closer to Him by reading His word and experiencing His surprises and receiving his blessings in simple everyday moments or

far away journeys, He always guides us on the right path. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

Our God hears our prayers. I have already received several notes from our Tanzania family of how our prayers continually bless them.

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
Jeremiah 29:12

This Christmas and Holiday Season (and every day), may we continue to pray with all of our hearts, believe in God’s word, and have faith in knowing that God is always with us.

For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Luke 1:37 ESV