During our time at Bakersfiel/Shafter, our team and the members of the Christian club (even some of the advisors!) experienced major spiritual warfare. At different times throughout the week we struggled through discouragement, fear, exhaustion, and sickness. All that prompted a team member, Jose, to write this next part:

This isn’t a playground; it’s a battlefield. Ephesians 6:10 -11 says, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the devil’s schemes.” Throughout this trip Christ has revealed to me what the real Christian life is all about. It is not about only living in fellowship with other Christians but also about reaching out for the lost sheep that our shepherd has called but like the many, are deceived and manipulated like marionettes in the hands of the one who is out to kill and destroy. I encountered circumstances in which I found young high school students who had no idea of what Jesus had done in the cross for their lives. So many are waiting to hear the good news, maybe not anticipating it, but as said in Isaiah 55: 11, “my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for why I sent it.” God’s word is out to slay any opposition the devil may have against it, it is out to conquer and accomplish its purpose, it is not silenced, it is not defeated, but it is victorious in the mouths of those who believe it; we his sons and daughters. Other people have heard about Jesus before, but their eyes have never been opened to the love we live as believers in Christ and has us where we are at now; alive and blessed, afflicted but not defeated, harmed but not hurt, tempted but not giving up on the pursue of holiness. I know, it is beautiful to live in fellowship with other believers, worshiping God, and lifting his name up in unity, but lets get real. Yield your double-edged sword (the word of God), yield your fortified shield and the armor of righteousness, and let us step out to battle. We are a team, we are an army, we love, but for love we fight against principalities, evil spirits, and that who is in the world out to devour.