If you’ve seen the movie The Two Towers you know the battle at Helm’s Deep started with overwhelming odds stacked against the side of good. King Theoden and his people retreated to a place in the mountains, trapping themselves within the walls of the old fortress. What Theoden thought was a place of refuge could easily have become a place of defeat.

The dark horde of Saruman marched towards them with every intention of killing anyone who didn’t serve the side of evil. As Aragorn and the rest fought to keep their ground inside Helm’s Deep, their forces quickly waned, hope disappeared. It’s not until Aragorn convinces Theoden that they must ride out and meet the enemy head on that the battle shifts.

In this courageous move something happens. Not only do Aragorn and company break through a multitude of Urak-hai but suddenly reinforcements appear on the ridge. The battle soon ends; good wins.

This is one of the biggest lessons I’ve been learning. When I move out in confidence it allows God to sweep in with surprising results. Especially when I cannot see how He will do it. But when I remain in a place of retreat, little by little parts of me are whittled away, like my ability to believe for things.

One of the difficult parts of starting an internship here is that you have to take into account cultural differences. Tommie said that a Greek’s definition of being faithful is totally different than an American’s. If a Greek meets every other week for instance, this to him is faithfulness.

There was a time recently when our intern group was supposed to meet and everyone canceled on me. I felt I had failed in some way, taught the wrong thing, or taught the right thing but in the wrong way. The next day we were in a leadership meeting and Tommie encouraged me to be bold (on another issue). So I asked everyone if we could gather for the internship Saturday and they agreed.

Now this may seem small to you, but getting Greeks to remain steady in meeting is like trying to herd ants. In spite of this, we had a great class, and I see the Lord already bringing freedom to their hearts.

If you step on a Greek’s toe, it’s very possible their great-great grandchild will hold it against you; it’s so common here for someone to leave the church because of an offense they refuse to forgive. But we are helping each other to grow in love and forgiveness.  I’ve told them that if they can really get this forgiveness stuff into their systems then God is going to partner with them in bringing it to the rest of this nation.

I’m seeing more and more that when I step out in confidence God brings reinforcements. He loves surprising me, and He loves confounding the enemy.

Amy French is a singer, song writer, worship leader, former Intern and long-term missionary who has begun a DPI Ministries Internship Program while living and serving in Thessaloniki, Greece.

A donation helps us provide teaching for little to no cost. Please consider sowing into the ministry.