Renay West Ministries Blog

I have wanted to write for a while, but just couldn’t seem to do it. I’d sit down to write and couldn’t get anything down on paper. And even as I start this, I know that I am not writing to ‘inspire’, but more to process.

But there IS one story that I really want to tell. It’s about a little girl named Brenda. She’s 13. She lives in a villa here in Buenos Aires. A villa is what we would refer to in the States as a shantytown.

A few weeks back, we did an Aguas de Sanidad (Healing Waters Conference) for Youth, in conjunction with a ministry called King’s Castle. We followed our regular format which looks like this: I share my story of childhood sexual abuse, family violence, etc…how God pulled me out, intervened when I was ready to take my life, and my ‘journey’ to healing; we then go into workshops where professionals talk about things like prevention, the process of healing & restoration, family violence, signs and symptoms to watch for in your children, etc.

We were entering the ministry time at the event where we let the participants respond: Express the inexpressible, express what has not been allowed to be expressed–a time where they can admit for the first time in their lives, that what happened REALLY happened—breaking the silence and shame of sexual abuse and domestic violence; this is a time where they are, for the first time, grabbing hold of hope and believing that God will enable them to start a journey of breaking the past’s (or the present’s) grip over their lives. Really, there’s no way to put into words what happens during this ministry time—it’s pretty amazing. Freedom…healing…I’ll try to leave it at those two words.

It was during this time that I felt a little hand reach up and tug at my arm. I looked down and saw this little girl. I couldn’t see her face; it was covered over by her thick black hair. Literally—a hair ball! I knelt down in front of her and went on an expedition pulling her hair back so that I could see her face. I finally found her in there! She had a blank stare and spoke to me in a monotone voice—not even ‘engaging’ me with her eyes, if that makes sense. She matter-of-factly said, “I want you to pray for me–I’m in a psychiatric hospital because I try to kill myself.” I told her, “Baby, of course I will! But, why would you want to kill yourself? ” She said, “Because they are raping me.”

If I could insert a long silent pause here in my writing I would. Because that’s what I felt…I felt stunned…punched in the stomach. I don’t know how to explain it either. Because it’s not like we don’t hear these confessions (and worse) every single time we take our team and minister this event. But…she was just so little…and so hard…and so broken…so detached…so wanting help.

Brenda was invited by someone to come to the Aguas Conference for Youth. She was on a weekend ‘pass’ from the hospital so she could be at home for the weekend, and ended up spending her Saturday at our event in a converted warehouse that serves as a ministry center for King’s Castle. She told me her story. But she changed the “THEY” (“…because THEY are raping me)to “HE” as she spoke. It took her a few meetings with our team before she could admit that not only was her uncle raping her (her mom’s brother), but her stepdad has been raping her as well. For the past 5 years. She didn’t want to tell us this, because she didn’t want to ruin her mom’s life (quote) and marriage.

In September of last year, Brenda dove out the 4th story window of her school building attempting to commit suicide. Instead of landing on the ground, there were two teachers on the ground who literally broke her fall…breaking their arms and legs…but Brenda’s life was spared.

That was when they took her to a public psychiatric hospital in Buenos Aires.

And nobody asked a thing.

Nobody said, “Why would this 12 year old little girl dive off of a building?” “What’s going on in her little mind?” Nobody examined her. They just medicated her and left her there. The system, as well, utterly failed her. A few short months ago Brenda told a doctor in the hospital about the sexual abuse. Even though the doctor was legally obligated to disclose the abuse and notify authorities, the doctor did nothing. I could go into more details here, but I won’t…suffice it to say that the authorities at the hospital also took advantage of the family’s abject poverty—and did not divulge valuable information as to resources that could have greatly assisted them. Because of their obvious social status, those who COULD have just didn’t intervene.

And now…Brenda is 3 months pregnant—by either her uncle or her stepdad.

It really IS a tragic situation. But there is an amazing side to this.

It’s amazing that this little girl from a shantytown in the middle of a city of 14 million showed up at a little event in an obscure location on the other side of the city. It’s amazing that something inside her still had the strength and courage to come up and tug on a stranger’s arm. It’s amazing that this tiny little creature is even still standing!

We prayed over her and ministered to her for a long time that Saturday. She never shed a tear, but clung to my hand.

When Brenda broke the silence that day, it started off a chain of events. My team and I were able to intervene in her situation. One of my team members, Malena Manzato, is a social worker and psychologist who also works for the government of the city of Buenos Aires. She has been instrumental in investigating Brenda’s situation, and helping get more help for her. I sat in Malena’s office, along with my friend Graciela Prein, who is a vital part of Aguas, as we met with Brenda’s mom, gently revealing what was happening to her baby girl in her own home….with her husband, and with her brother. We sat with her, prayed with her, and counseled her.

And the journey continues for them. They are now a part of a local church; I know their pastor and his wife…and they are working with us to help intervene in the lives of this family.

Brenda has gone to a couple of more events with King’s Castle…is friends with the directors’ daughters…texts them when she is feeling bad…asks for prayer…and now prays on her own too. Her mom is attending the church and developing new friendships with people who really care.

There’s something that I repeat over and over during the course of an Aguas conference: Healing is a process. It’s sometimes a painful process. God intervenes in our lives—many times there’s a dramatic and emotional beginning.

For me it was May 7, 1987 when I was ready to take my own life—out of hopelessness—out of isolation in my own anger and hate. I had lived for 10-11 years in absolute silence with my secret of having been violated as a 10 year old girl. I had accepted as normal the constant trauma of family violence in my own home all growing up. I accepted the lie that abuse tell it’s victims—that I was worthless; that I was ugly; that I had something inherently wrong with me; that I wasn’t worth defending; that I could not love or be loved. That was the state my mind and soul were in when God literally intervened in my life—when, even though I had been so angry with Him, I cried out to Him that night and asked Him to change my feelings; heal my mind; help me. And He did. And it was a process! There was a dramatic beginning—and then some very real, feet-in-the-dirt steps that I had to choose to take afterwards to continue that journey towards restoration and wholeness. God is faithful. And, even though the Bible is an antiquated book—it is truly the Word of God breathed and expressed on paper that, when applied, is able to transform lives—heal our souls.

Even though, as a minister, I love to communicate, to minister to people, to pray for them…I also realize the need of getting our ministry out from behind the pulpit—to put some feet on it—feet that are willing to walk with people on Monday through Saturdays, not just on Sundays. I am thankful that God has given me a great team to work with—I’m thankful that we were able to do more than just pray for Brenda (which is a critical part of her journey)—we have also been able to walk with her a little bit…

When you think of her, pray for little Brenda…that the Lord would continue to pour out medicine on her wounds and give her hope for a good future (Jeremiah 29:11).

My team and I just got back from Chile on Monday night—after an incredible 2 conferences in the cities of Concepcion and Santiago. About 1100 people attended the conferences. These were the 7th & 8th Aguas Conferences that we’ve done in a little over a year—they were some of the most challenging ones yet, as we were organizing everything from across the border in neighboring Argentina…but WORTH IT ALL!

Here are some of the highlights:

1. In Santiago, a young lady responds in the ministry time—through her tears, she begins to tell us that this is the first time she’s been able to confront the awful truth of her childhood. Her father having died when she was 3 years old, her mother, as a way to make money, began to prostitute her out to adult men when she was just 6 years old; many times, with her mom standing in the doorway of the bedroom, and her daughter begging for help, with no response. God began a deep healing in this young lady’s life on March 14, in the Telethon Theatre, in Santiago, Chile. Thank God for the 2 professionals we had as part of the Aguas Ministry team who were able to assist her as she started her journey to restoration and healing.

2. Another young lady came to the conference as a last resort. A friend paid her registration and convinced her to go. After the morning service, she told us that God had surprised her—intervened in her plan to commit suicide. She had planned on taking her life on March 14—but left the theatre marking the calendar for another reason—on March 14, she gave her life to the Lord and felt marked with a new hope for healing and freedom from the wounds of past abuse.

3. In Concepcion, southern Chile, in the final service, a young man stands broken and weeping. Soon two young ladies join him at his side, and they huddle sobbing. They are a brother and two sisters; he recently graduated with his engineering degree. Each of them, including one brother who wasn’t present, were horrifically abused by their own father. We stood with them, even wept with them, but also had the opportunity to minister personally, praying over them, and through the ministry of Aguas, we saw them leave with a look of joy and hope on their faces. I just received an email from this young man—and God has made a definite change in his life!

4. Because of scholarships given from people in the States, we were able to give a family of 5 free entrances to the conference in Santiago—in reality, they heard about the conference in southern Concepcion (5 hours to the south)—and out of their desperation, they made the trip to Santiago to attend. Out of the 5, only one is a Christian—recently having given her life to the Lord (about a month or so ago). The family was a group of sisters and one of their daughters…all adults ages 35-60…deeply broken and crippled by extreme violence and sexual abuse in the family. In the ministry time in the morning, and again in the final service, God moved POWERFULLY and ministered deeply to their wounds—it was AMAZING watching them literally physically respond to the very Presence of the Lord as He washed over them with hope and healing. They will continue to receive help and ministry through a local church in Concepcion that partnered with us for the event there.

5. The government agency for women, SERNAM, contacted us requesting to be present at the event—it was an amazing opportunity—we were able to honor the director of SERNAM for the Metropolitan Area of Santiago, as well as the director for the region and city of Concepcion. After greeting the crowd, we were able to pray over them, asking for God to give favor, fresh vision and blessings in their efforts to impact their nation.

6. Because of the high security risk, in the end we were not able to go into the women’s shelters where women and girls are literally hiding for their lives—escaping human trafficking situations and extreme family violence. We were, however, able to prepare and gift an entire packet of all of our materials (DVD of the entire conference, notebooks of workshop materials, other forms of resource helps) to the directors of these agencies so that they can be delivered to the homes themselves and kept as part of their ‘library’ of resources.

7. One of our conference workshops speakers spent time counseling a pastor’s wife who was finally able to break the silence about the physical violence of her pastor husband…telling of the constant threat under which her and her children live. We believe God has started a healing work in her life, and also giving her strength and practical resources to help in the decisions that lie ahead. Breaking the silence is the biggest step towards change, healing, and freedom.

8. One little girl, 15 years old, came and stood by me in the front during the ministry time…when I turned to pray for her, she said she just had a question: “How did you do it?”. I said, “How did I do what?”—“How did you forgive?” She began to tell me in graphic details of horrific rapes perpetrated on her by her uncle…and how her mother was angry at her when she tried to tell. She had never been to church before. I talked to her of my own experience in the process of forgiving the person who had violated me; of God’s grace and help. Then, Graciela Prein and I began to minister to her after I talked to her for a long while. I emphasized to her that God wasn’t standing by waiting on her to forgive—that the main concern of God’s heart was HER heart…and that forgiveness is also a process. God touched her deeply—we stood with her and held her while she wept, alone there in the front. God began a deep work in this little girl.

9. We were amazed at the amount of men that attended in Santiago! It was incredible to watch them responding to the messages and coming forward to be ministered to. In the final service, entire families were walking through the prayer line together…many of the men weeping and receiving right alongside the women. Sexual abuse unfortunately isn’t limited to women only—we are seeing many men finally having an opportunity to break the silence of abuse in their past through the platform of Aguas de Sanidad (Healing Waters) Conferences!

I could write hundreds of stories more…but let me just say—I hope that through these small testimonies you can see and feel the deep impact of your prayers and your partnership with the awesome life and opportunities that God has allowed me to have in the southern cone of South America. THANK YOU…thank you.

The heaven’s are NOT silent—though millions feel that God no longer speaks—He has a voice as we speak up and reach out to those that are sitting in brokenness and silence, waiting for hope and help. If you’d like to be a part of the next Aguas de Sanidad Conference (the first specifically for both MEN and women) coming up in Buenos Aires, Argentina on June 13, please contact me at renaywest@earthlink.net

Blessings,
Renay

***A “pre” POST SCRIPT to the following—the government of the region of Concepcion, Chile has declared the event an official event of the Province! Also—please pray for us as the government has invited us to go directly into the Battered and Exploited Women’s Shelters(undercover/hidden locations) to minister personally to the ladies and girls there who for threats against their lives, are not able to leave the homes to attend the event. We will be coordinating these times of ministry in the days following the crusades/conferences. Please ‘cover us’ in prayer!***

Hi all,

God continues to surprise me here in my soon-to-be-ending first term in Argentina! What an incredible “RIDE”! We’ve been able to minister in 5 different provinces here in Argentina, and are now headed with the ministry crusade/conference to the neighboring country of Chile! It’s been exciting, but has brought with it additional challenges and learning experiences.

We are in the critical final days before the first Healing Waters conference in the south of Chile in Concepcion. To be held this Saturday, March 7. Please be praying for the breakthrough that I have felt ’stirring’ in the Spirit. I truly feel something powerful is going to happen in Concepcion. It would take to long to tell you, but just let me say that it has been a spiritual battle to try to see this thing come to pass—specifically in Concepcion. That’s always a GREAT SIGN–when the enemy is thrashing around–he obviously feels something ‘in the air’ as well! I believe there will be great deliverance this next Saturday in that city.

The following Saturday, March 14, we will be in the famous Telethon Theatre in downtown Santiago, the capital of Chile. We’ve experienced some problems and delays in the publicity for this event—some budget changes, etc., that have had a tendence to make me–well—stressed out! But somehow the Lord helps me come back to center, and am able to sense His peace and provision on the horizon. Souls. The wounded being healed. The silence being broken. An encounter like the one the paralytic had one day when the Living Water walked through the porticos and raised him up–without him ever having to get into the pool of Bethesda. A surprise–a Divine Appointment. That’s what we are praying this day will be in the lives of hundreds.

Would you pray for me and for my ministry team, for the incredible gracious team of dozens of people in both cities of Concepcion and Santiago who are voluntarily covering all the logistics for these two huge ministry events?

Would you pray for physical strength, spiritual clarity and directives, and favor for us? Would you pray for word to spread like a wildfire about these events to people who need to be there?

Finally, many have asked how they can be involved financially. You can give without getting up from the computer by clicking on this link:

I WANT TO BE A PART OF THE AGUAS CRUSADES CHILE!

Friends, it’s hard to believe that we are now well into the rhythm of a brand new year. Last year was, for me, a year of surprises. A year of seeing things fulfilled that I had dreamed of even as a young girl. A year of God exceeding expectations.

And here we are. 2009. And I feel an acceleration of that same rhythm!

Here’s some of the amazing things happening–things that you have been a part of!

1. After much prayer, I made the decision to rent office space for the ministry here in Argentina. We are located in a township called BANFIELD, about 10 minutes from my house in Lomas de Zamora on the southern outskirts of Buenos Aires city. It’s a loft/studio office space. I have one full-time staff member at this point—Karina Bellini. She and her husband have accompanied me in the ministry of Aguas de Sanidad (Healing Waters) since almost the beginning. She’s an incredible blessing. I am looking to add an administrator and accountant to the ministry staff as well.

2. Speed-The-Light has graciously given us a grant to purchase a professional-grade printer and copier by Xerox, so that all of our printing materials can be done in-house—saving thousands of dollars per conference/outreach event.

3. I spent the month of November traveling and ministering throughout Spain and in Milan, Italy, along with the ‘vice-president’ of the soon-to-be-social-foundation of Aguas de Sanidad, Graciela Gimenez de Prein. We saw God do amazing things. In the north, in Basque Country, Spain, historically a hard area spiritually, we saw an incredible move of God’s spirit in the conference we were ministering at. At one point, there was literally an explosion–but not from terrorist activity, as can be common there, but rather an explosion of praise and joy came upon the people, and old and young began to dance before their God! Amazing moments. Amazing breakthroughs. Amazing transformations of lives.

4. We’ve been invited to take the ministry of Aguas de Sanidad to Spain this fall! It will be a 3-week tour taking the conference/crusade to different cities throughout Spain. This will be in conjunction with Argentine A/G missionaries who are living and working in that great nation.

5. There is a possibility of the opportunity to go into Morrocco for the conference as well.

6. We’ve received an invitation to return to Italy, both to Verona and Milan in order to bring the conference to those areas. While in Italy in November, I had the privilege of ministering in a pub in the center of Milan, where the Lord moved so powerfully–right next to the bar! People are SEEKING supernatural answers and experiences with God. This is a moment I will never forget.

7. MARCH, 2009! AGUAS DE SANIDAD goes to Chile!

*We will be putting on the conference/outreach in 2 major cities–In Concepcion, Chile, March 7; and in Santiago, Chile,
March14.

*Members of government came to our promotional event in Concepcion and asked to partner with us in the event!

*TV spots and radio ads are now running, promoting the event–we are expecting many unchurched to come.
Please pray.

*Aguas Santiago will be held in the famous Teatro Teleton–where a nationally televised telethon is aired each year.

*We were able to secure a deal with Chile’s “ticketmaster” website which gives people the opportunity to
complete their registration online, or at local bookstores.

*A major Christian book distributor in Chile has approached us about packaging and distributing/selling the DVD packets of
the conferences after the events. I tried to manage all of this after the Aguas Buenos Aires event, and it was overwhelming, working
with only a handful of volunteers…this will be an incredible blessing and a way to further the influence and ministry even “post”-event.

8. AGUAS III, Buenos Aires—A MAJOR SHIFT!

*In praying about this year’s calendar, I really felt that the Lord was inspiring me to make a major change for this year’s Aguas outreach for Buenos Aires. The change? This year we will be expanding the ministry to include both ministry to women AND MEN. This is a major shift! What I saw over the course of this past year, was a multitude of men and young guys responding to the ministry (even in women’s events–ushers coming forward for prayer), literally asking, begging us to offer the events for men as well. Why? Because sexual abuse isn’t restricted to young girls and women…there have been more young men (and old) who have talked to me, many times weeping during the prayer times, telling of horrific experiences of rape and incest suffered as young boys. In a the context of Latin America, in the machismo culture, it’s next to impossible for men to encounter an atmosphere where they feel they can deal with these soul wounds and secrets of their childhood.

WOULD YOU PRAY FOR ME IN PLANNING THIS EVENT? I already have some dedicated, anointed men in mind to invite as conference keynote speakers…but this shift will require bigger planning, a bigger budget and a growth spurt on the part of my ministry and staff in order to see it come to pass.

9. Finally, on April 4, we are going to be doing the first Aguas de Sanidad for YOUTH! It’s gonna rock. I can put that on here because we’re talking about YOUTH. I am working in conjunction with King’s Castle Ministries of Argentina, an incredible ministry founded by Martha Lesperance, and now being headed by Kim and Shari Babcock…a ministry that disciples, trains and mobilizes youth for ministry–they are a powerful generation! Be praying for us as we format the event within a youth context.

Well, I could keep going. But, as usual….I’ve blogged a novel.

As I’ve contemplated all of these open doors, and as I’ve shared these possibilities and goals, I’ve often been reminded of the state of the world economy. There are two things that have inspired me to continue regardless of what I see in the natural, and I want to share them with you…I’ve made them my ‘mantra’, my prayer and statement of faith:

a. One day, when praying and worrying before the Lord about the craziness of doing another event in light of my missions account balance, I felt the Lord gently ask me, “So—your balance has changed, but has your SOURCE changed?”. Hmph. He got me on that one.

**The balance on the books might waver, but my SOURCE hasn’t changed. All I do is based on my SOURCE, not my fluctuating balances or circumstances! He’s as secure as ever.

b. A budget has never determined actions of faith…a budget doesn’t drive God-given vision.

**God-inspired vision will determine the budget, and the provision will follow where He leads us as we move on out by faith.

Thank you for your faithful prayers…for sowing where the Lord inspires you to sow…for being a part of this ministry that is indeed touching the broken and looking for the cracks and crevaces of society so that we can find the lost and minister to them there.

Love & Prayers,
Renay West

I am sitting at my desk in my little home office here in Lomas de Zamora, Argentina. I finally arrived back home after almost 6 weeks out of the country–for a vacation in Thailand, and then ministering in the States for a few weeks. It was an amazing time!

I’m reflecting on a lot of the things I saw and experienced. My time in Thailand was perfect…restorative…peaceful…lots of down time with good friends. Then there was the South Texas District Women’s retreat, which was nothing short of incredible! Actually, that’s what drove me to ‘blog’ in this note…

A really popular fad in church circles today–at least in the United States–is a new format for this new generation–this new generation of seekers. The music is outstanding (I love modern/alternative worship music: Big fan)…the casual dress is right up my alley. The preaching and sermons usually have to be more polished, at least in terms of timing…something like 10 minutes 23 seconds (kidding). We can move people in and out in an hour. It’s been labeled “seeker friendly”.

All of that is fine. No one can take one of those elements and Biblically rip it to shreds. And if you know me, you know I love trying to think outside of the box. I’m not always successful at it, but open to it.

There’s only one thing that bothers me. In a word: Experience.

I wholeheartedly believe that people are looking for something more experiential than just a spiritual ‘download’. Think the original “MATRIX” movie…hook in, press a button, and all the info is downloaded into the brain–and it’s a done deal. That simple. I mean–we are downloading information to people in our church services…we are offering it all in a tight little package, but where’s the experiential part? I guess I have to put in here that I’m coming at this from a “spirit-filled” perspective…where our emphasis has always been on creating an atmosphere where people can ENCOUNTER the Presence of God, and have time to respond. Where we recognize the New Testament value and precedence of moving in the Gifts of the Spirit so that people’s hearts are pierced and they become convinced that God knows them by name, and is out to win their heart, and change their lives.

For those that were at the South Texas Women’s Retreat…what made it “awesome”? What made that first night so explosive? It wasn’t the preaching (sadly–I was the preacher!!! ha!) (but I didn’t preach!)…it was the ENCOUNTER that we had with God. I believe people CAME with a HUNGER for God. And I can tell you, that as the minister, I prepared from a place of deep HUNGER to see God really ‘manifest’ Himself in ways that would leave us doubtless that we had experienced Him.

I really don’t mean to pick on the seeker friendly format…it’s not the format’s fault. I just feel like we’ve lost our hunger. I see a trend of trying to bend God around our culture in order to make Him more palatable. When, in reality (or at least in my opinion), I think people are SEEKING supernatural intervention. As Pentecostals or ’spirit-filled’ ministers in a North American context–I wonder what we are looking for? What’s the goal? I know…to see people have a personal relationship with God. Pat answer.

But, where do the gifts of the Spirit fit into our format? Where does a seering Word from the Lord come into play–one that HAS to be spoken for there to be Divine intervention and grace introduced into someone’s life? What place are we giving to miracles in our services and ministry? Do we feel more pressure to polish–or do we pleasure in the pressure to seek Him beforehand in preparation, to knock until God opens our mind to the specific Word that He has for that particular place and time and people? Are we even intentionally giving time for seeking God in our services–”seeking God”–altar ministry, free flowing worship, time to respond and receive personal ministry, etc.?

Do we still believe that “these SIGNS will follow them that believe” (Mark 16:17)? Do we have any sense of necessity that the supernatural should or even COULD accompany our pulpit and personal ministry (Mark 16:20)? Do we still remember what Jesus said, “Greater things than these will you do because I go to my Father in heaven”? Has that promise expired?

So…where has all the hunger gone? The hunger to see the miraculous–or to even ASK for it…where has that gone? Where has the hunger gone–the debilitating hunger of ‘need’–the hunger that quickly contextualizes your life–when you are so hungry (ie personal need…loneliness…brokeness…the meaningless of life laying like a weight on your chest…relationship crisis, etc) that you’ll do whatever it takes to find the answer…even if it takes more than an hour. Spiritual hunger–isn’t it simply “spiritual dependence”…an expectancy of Divine intervention and Divine partnership (ministry)?

Where has all the hunger gone? May spiritual hunger and not spiritual or personal crisis drive us to ‘want’ to experience God…the ‘living’ God…the One who really does still intervene in our lives…the One who wants our encounters with Him to be the norm and not the exception.

The conferences in Corrientes and Misiones were unbelievable! God moved in a spectacular way! Here are some of the highlights friends…and continue to keep me and the ministry team in your prayers—we were almost all hit hard by the flu during and after the events—thankfully it didn’t hit me until the day after…half of the team is sick in bed—so we appreciate your prayers!

• Corrientes – 800 women and girls gathered in the ballroom above a casino near the border of neighboring Chaco province…over 200 came from Chaco to attend. This was the first time in the province’s history that an inter-denominational event for women has ever been done.

• Despite the cold temperatures and constant rain, the people continued pouring in to the conference.

• Many salvations and deliverances took place!

• Even workers with the lighting and sound companies were being touched by the power of the Spirit—having to sit down because they weren’t able to stand up under the Presence of the Holy Spirit…

• Misiones – over 1400 women and girls poured into the Provincial Convention Center—which the government provided for free! 5 buses were contracted by the government to bus the people in from the interior—from as far away as 4 hours—at no cost to the people or ministry!

• The vice-governor, Susana Gimenez, came to the event and stood on the platform moved to tears…we prayed over her and presented a plaque to her in honor of her support for the ministry of Aguas de Sanidad.

• We were prepared with an entire ministry team just to minister to those in need of deliverance from demon-possession…Misiones is a stronghold for witchcraft, the occult, and Satanism.

• From the OPENING SONG, demons literally begin to cry out and manifest—the ministry team immediately started attending to those in need. We saw more manifestations of demons AND DELIVERANCE than we have in all of the other 4 events combined—it was unbelievable—praise God for FREEDOM!

• Through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the Lord called a lady BY NAME, describing her exact desperate situation of violence in her marriage…literally revealing that she had come with suicidal thoughts—she responded and we began to minister to her—she left a different person with a team committed to helping her out of her situation!

• SCORES of ladies and girls received Jesus for the first time.

• As we drove up to the convention center, we saw girls and ladies walking with their umbrellas, to the conference—on the side of the route.

• Gypsies were also in attendance…

• Young girls weeping …many grabbing me around the neck and brokenly confessing that they too had been sexually abused and had never spoken the words until this day…

• One lady—70 years old—told of the unforgiveness she’s harbored for 30 years—and as she said, “But today I was able to forgive!”, she began to dance and jump for joy—FREEDOM!!!!!!!

• It was a constant flow of deliverance all day long. The last lady we prayed over was in a horrible situation of violence in the home—the demons literally spoke to us saying, “I will never come out of her—I will kill her and her children!”. We took authority in the name of Jesus and saw that woman set free—with a team of pastoras committed to providing for her and seeing her out of the situation.

• Fasting and prayer—by YOU—prepared the way for such intense breakthroughs in the Spirit realm!

• Please continue to pray for us and for the pastors and churches that are following up the ministry that took place….I wouldn’t even begin to put into writing some of the HORRIFIC cases of incest and unspeakable abuse that we heard confessed…we need God’s divine wisdom and guidance to help lead in the process of restoration and healing.

• THANK YOU for your friendship, partnership and prayers!

**this is the ‘journal’ long version—but i hope you enjoy it—take time to read about what God is doing here!** I’VE HAD TO PRACTICALLY DISABLE THE COMMENT FEATURE ON THE BLOG BECAUSE OF SPAM–SO IF YOU’D LIKE TO CONTACT ME, I’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU AT RENAYWEST@EARTHLINK.NET

I’ve gotten so many comments and messages telling me how quiet I’ve been since the Aguas Conference in April…and…it’s true. I’ve been quiet…which is strange for me. I’ve been recuperating. As I said in my blog about the conference–it was one of the most amazing moments of my life. It was 3 months of not getting to bed before about 3 a.m. except for a handful of nights…my team and I ran our faces off trying to keep up with the way the whole event just exploded in growth. I was thrilled and exhausted by the time it finished.

So…right afterwards? We set our sights on the northeast of Argentina. I’d been planning to do the AWAKEN girl’s crusades again at the end of June, in the provinces of Misiones and Corrientes. Misiones is the sight of the world-renowned Iguazu Falls–one of the 7 wonders of the world (I think?)…you can see Brazil from THIS side of the falls. So, it sits on the border of Brazil and Paraguay. Misiones is the region’s ‘hotbed’ for human trafficking–with the traffickers easily transporting human, and often CHILD, sex slaves over the border. Corrientes and Misiones have the highest rate of child sex abuse in the nation. The need is incredible.

Just about a month ago, I went up to these provinces and hosted a free breakfast for leaders in the provinces–one in each province, to explore the interest in the events, to form a core group of people who would organize the ministry on the ground in each of the provinces. What happened really shocked us. Word of the Aguas conference (a conference specifically designed to minister to the aftermath of sexual abuse (also other types of abuse as well) had reached the north. We played a video of the conference, and the Spirit of God fell upon us just like He did in the conference in April. Women were openly weeping. A Spirit of Unity came upon us, too–which is equally as Sovereign. They began to ask us to please bring the ministry of Aguas to their provinces. We agreed to do it. You really wouldn’t believe the expressions of the need—this is the FIRST TIME that there will be a ministry event specifically for girls and women in the province of Corrientes.

Guys–something HUGE is happening. The Vice-Governor of Misiones called us, having heard about the event—the GOVERNMENT offered (and we accepted) the Provincial Convention Center for us to use–FOR FREE. NOT ONLY THAT–we just got word that the provincial government has declared Aguas de Sanidad Misiones an event of Provincial interest–which in English means that the government is encouraging the people of the province to attend, recognizing the event as of benefit to the health of the people! NOT ONLY THAT–the GOVERNMENT has contracted BUSES TO SEND TO THE INTERIOR OF THE PROVINCE OF MISIONES TO BUS THE PEOPLE IN TO THE EVENT! FREE. ??? They are also promoting Aguas de Sanidad via t.v. and radio.

I’m almost so amazed that I don’t feel anything. Does that make sense?

Of course, all this isn’t happening without a counter-attack from the enemy. Please pray for UNITY–for every ounce of competition in between believers or organizations or churches to be banished by the Spirit of the Lord. Pray for peace. Pray for like-mindedness–pray for a crushing and breaking of our hearts due to the great need and suffering of people in these outlying areas.

Pray for provision for this ministry–though we have been blessed by the government in Misiones–the expenses of transporting a ministry team, including sound, lights, video teams and equipment–intercessors, worship team and musicians–is HUGE. This is about a 10-12 hour drive. To contract a bus is…well–last time it was $3000. And I cut the registration price of the conference to about a third of what it was here in the capital—these people will be greatly challenged to come up with the $3.30 US for their registration.

Pray that the Lord will control the situation in the travel routes between Buenos Aires and these provinces–there have been national blockades by the farmers and over the road truck drivers, demonstrating against a 47% induced tax by the government on the agricultural sector. It’s crazy. There’s actually been a shortage of meats in the supermarkets here because of the blockades. Also–they completely block the routes to where no one can get in or out into the provinces. We need those routes to be open on the days we are to travel for ministry. That would be the days of the 25-29 of this month.

I think we’re witnessing historical things here. A government declaring a Christian–and even MORE–an EVANGELICAL event as being backed and supported by the government??? Monumental–especially here where there is very open discrimination against evangelicals and ‘pentecostals’ or Spirit-filled believers.

Pray for the event in Corrientes—we are the first Christian group to ever contract the ballroom above the huge casino that sits along the riverside near the bridge to the neighboring province of Chaco. There is open prostitution there–money ’sharks’–drug trafficking….and that’s exactly where we’re going! We are praying for divine intervention and encounters–like happened in the event in Salta last November—where two child prostitutes were sent to the hotel to “work”, and found their way up to the ballroom where we were ministering in the girls crusade, and they both came forward and accepted Jesus as Savior.

That’s why we’re exhausting ourselves here in Argentina–we can’t NOT run through these open doors! And, yeah–I know that this next part will be a little presumptive on my part–but you know what? Why not? It’s worth it–here it comes—we need people to get involved and partner with us here. You can do that. Just click here and you can give without getting up from your computer:

https://secure1.ag.org/contributions/detail.cfm?LedgerID=565757c0-0162-487e-8f1b-0d519052cd2a

We’ve got doors open here that haven’t ever opened in years—and they might not stay open long. We’re goin’ for it….and just walking it out inch-by-inch by faith. Thank you for praying–thanks for all your comments of encouragement–you seriously don’t know how much they mean to me–especially when the majority of the time I feel so small, and like I really don’t know what I’m doing…

Thank you for reading this–for praying! WE need some miracles! We have about two weeks (if that) before the events in Corrientes on the 26th, and Misiones on the 28th. Get up here in the gap and stand with us…

I really don’t know how to begin. I still sit here overwhelmed…hardly able to believe what we just lived and experienced…things I’ve dreamed of seeing since I was young(er!)…

First of all—Saturday, April 19, in the Sheraton, downtown Buenos Aires, about 1400 women gathered for one of the most incredible days of ministry that I’ve ever experienced in my life!

Here are some of the highlights:

• At 7 a.m., the hotel came to talk to me asking me where they could put all the people that were already lined up to get into the event! The first service started at 9 a.m.

• As women came up the stairs to where the ballroom was located, they began to weep and some fell under the power and Presence of the Holy Spirit. We had to call ushers to the stairs to assist.

• As women stepped into the Libertador ballroom (which, by the way basically means “DELIVERER!”), women began to weep and pray in the Spirit.

• We had to call ushers to the registration area to help carry the women in to a chair as they began to receive from the Lord before the first service even began!

• We cannot begin to count the ones who reportedly went to this event as a last resort—a last plea for help and deliverance and healing—and left completely impacted, saved, delivered, with tools in their hands to continue the journey of healing.

• THE PRESIDENT OF THE WOMEN’S COUNCIL OF THE GOVERNMENT OF ARGENTINA called our office days before the event saying she’d heard of the event, asking if she could attend! After sharing my testimony in the first service of the morning, and opening the altar time, she asked her assistant if she could move closer to the front where the women were falling under the power of God, weeping and, yes, wailing, and being ministered to—her assistant later told us how she could hardly keep from weeping, and how surprised everyone was at her reaction because of a bad experience she’d had with evangelicals in the past. Awesome. She waited for me to meet me personally after the service—and couldn’t find the words to explain ‘what’ she’d felt (she felt the Holy Spirit!)…we’re praying that this will be a turnaround in the government’s approach to meeting the needs of broken women!

• Even in the overflow ballroom, people were being powerfully touched by God.

• One woman literally began crying out—“I don’t want to live anymore—I don’t want to go on!”—we gathered around her and began crying out to God for her life—one of the conference workshop speakers, Viviana Valoy counseled and ministered to her for a couple of hours. Her daughter talked me today and told me that she hasn’t seen her mother this “free” in years—since before her pastor husband walked out on her for another woman. FREEDOM!

• Saturday night—the closing service: I’ve never lived ANYTHING like that before! The Lord gave me a Word before leaving my room to go to the ballroom—“Don’t be afraid when the silence comes”. I found myself standing in front of 1400 people prophetically telling them what was going to happen. In a ballroom with 1400 people, the Divine silence fell upon us. Only weeping could be heard in the beginning. Then utter silence. Minutes passed. I heard a baby “oogling”—I felt the Lord spoke to me to call the mom forward with her newborn baby—I said, “The Spirit of the Lord says—AND THIS IS WHAT HE IS DOING IN YOU RIGHT NOW—RESTORING INNOCENCE—A SENSE OF SECURITY AND SAFETY—ALL THINGS NEW”….the baby had been silent—then I said, “LISTEN TO THIS”—putting the microphone up to the baby—as if on CUE—he began to make those sweet sounds all over again. It was sacred.

• The silence and holy hush continued for about 45 minutes.

• I began to sing in the Spirit—sing prophetically—the musicians began to play as if we’d practiced—flowing and leading the people into a place in the Spirit that was so Holy (sorry, that’s all I have to describe it)…we continued for about 30 minutes like this…with the entire place “THERE” in that Holy Place, as the Spirit of the Lord moved about among us…many on their faces…such a hush…such a hunger…such a healing.

• I gave a mini-sermon (hard to believe—the MINI part!) on the Blessing of the Father…then we opened the altar ministry time up to pronoune the Blessing of the Father over every person. WE made a prayer “tunnel” or train with the conference speakers and key pastoras that were there on the lower level of the platform, and walked the people through the tunnel as we prayed over them and laid hands on them. The line went on for almost 2 hours…the power of God fell at such a level that I have never known before. Even those of us praying were struggling to stay on our feet…

• We had dozens of ushers having to carry women off the platform, catch them as they were falling forward, sideways, backwards and every other imaginable way under this incredible VISITATION of the Lord Jesus!

• We are struggling to keep up with the phone calls even now after the event.

• That means I haven’t taken a day off yet. In case you wanted to know!!!

• We’ve taken orders for about 100 DVD sets of the conference…

• We’re running to fill orders for the materials from the workshops—over 300 orders—and still calling.

• God is pouring out healing and deliverance!

• How can I thank you for being a part of this? How can I say thank you in a way that transmits what’s in my heart to say? It’s impossible. I just wish you could’ve been there…really. I’ve never lived anything like it in my life—and the freedom that Christ brought was, as we say in Castellano—IMPRESIONANTE!!! Praise the Lord Jesus!!!!

• Thank you for your generous offerings—for rising to the occasion at the last minute with phenomenal gifts of love that spoke volumes to me, as well as the hundreds of women that were profoundly impacted by this ministry! We were able to rent the overflow ballroom and pay for the additional costs of the extra cameras and video/sound equipment through your generous last minutes gifts—THANK YOU!

• I appreciate your continued prayers as I try to ‘recover’ physically (but still flying spiritually!) from 3 months of intense planning and execution of this event…

• Now on to the northeast of Argentina—where we are scheduled to repeat the conference “AWAKEN” for teenage girls and young ladies in the provinces of Misiones and Corrientes—all happens, Lord willing, the final weekend in June. I need divine rest and wisdom…thank you for praying! May God allow us to intervene in the lives of young people at an early age!

• AGUAS DE SANIDAD II—Healing Waters II—wow—the WATERS flowed! THANK YOU!!!!! Keep checking my website blog for more personal testimonies that I will post as we get them translated.

***Just received a call from one of my missionary friends telling me that a friend that she brought to the conference called to talk to her—she is from a Catholic background and had never experienced a ministry forum, including the gifts of the Spirit as she did this past Saturday. She has been on medication for depression. She said, “I have NO IDEA what happened to me at the conference, but since Saturday I have been a DIFFERENT PERSON! God has touched me–I have had such a freedom and happiness!” This is one of hundreds, friends!

***Others tell of being spontaneously baptized in the Holy Spirit as we laid hands on them to pray for healing, or to pronounce the blessing of the Father over their lives–that was awesome to see!

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!!

In just 6 short days, we believe that God is going to change lives.

Change perspectives.

Change outlooks.

Change families.

Change futures.

This is Saturday evening here in Lomas de Zamora, Argentina. The weather has changed drastically over the last 24 hours…dipped down into the upper 40’s…autumn is now in full swing. My feet are cold.

85 people came to the Bible school today and paid their registration for Aguas de Sanidad on the 19th. Six more days.

Over 600 have already paid their registrations. We have a maximum capacity of 1200.

Please be praying for me as we enter these final days before the event. I, of course, have been extremely tired…and I have been trying to finish the bulk of everything by this weekend so that I can have this next week to be kind of “shut-in” with God…listening…praying…seeking, petitioning. And did I mention “listening”???

Thank you for your prayers…for those who aren’t on my regular email list and would like to be–please email me at renaywest@earthlink.net to be added.

Also, please see the link below to help raise the additional $5000 needed within the next 6 days to meet budget for this awesome opportunity that God has given us to touch lives!

You can give online, directly into my World Missions account by simply clicking here: (or copy and paste in your browser window) CLICK HERE TO BE A PART OF AGUAS DE SANIDAD CONFERENCE!

Renay

We recently held the promo events this last Tues and Wednesday (a breakfast and afternoon ‘tea’) to promote the upcoming “AGUAS DE SANIDAD” conference (”Healing Waters”, ministering healing/restoration from sexual abuse)…and they were AMAZING! God truly surprised us. About 55 leaders showed up at the one we held in the Capital–including leaders from the Baptists, Free Brethren, people working within the goverment:

Incredible.

Humbling.

Thrilling.

All wrapped up in one.

At the end–God’s presence was so strong in that place…you could smell the aroma of UNITY in there! I loved that. No walls.

People began to stand and offer to help do publicity for the event. 2 papers–Christian publications with a wide distribution in Argentina—wrote an article about Aguas…and also are publishing the event poster. Radio spots are being prepared.

And i’m praying that we run out of room in the 1200 person capacity auditorium in the Sheraton this next month. April 19th is the date–please help us pray. I’ve felt a spiritual ‘battle’ personally like i’ve rarely known before–so I know there is spiritual warfare happening, directly related to this event. “Greater is He that’s in us…”

I covet your prayers…if you are able, please consider joining us each Tuesday between now and April 19 as we fast and pray. Also, Friday, April 11, will be a day of corporate fasting and prayer for all the people involved in ministering at the event–we’ll conclude the day with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Argentina time (now 2 hours ahead of Texas time).

One last request–with the explosion of interest in this event, the amount of people who are pre-registering, etc., I am trying to keep up with the growing financial needs of expanding the event to accomodate everyone–over the next 2 weeks, we need to raise a little over $5000 to meet the budget…would you prayerfully consider sowing into this ministry event?

You can give online, directly into my World Missions account by simply clicking here: (or copy and paste in your browser window) CLICK HERE TO BE A PART OF AGUAS DE SANIDAD CONFERENCE!

Love and appreciate each of you much,
Renay
renaywest@earthlink.net