By: Marxianne Aviles

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” — Isaiah 55:8–9

It was September 2024, and I can still vividly remember how desperate I was to get a US visa because I wanted to be involved in the New York Manhattan Missionary outreach by Amazing Facts. Day after day, I called upon Jesus with one simple prayer:

“Lord, please grant me a US visa.”

That was my prayer morning, in the afternoon,or at night, or often moment by moment throughout the day. 

For someone like me, a missionary serving in Southeast Asia, it seemed nearly impossible. Yet I continued to plead with God, repeating the same request over and over again:

“Lord, please grant me a US visa.”

Looking back, I realize that God was teaching me something far greater than how to obtain a visa. He was teaching me what it means to persevere in prayer and to draw close to Him.

As I prayed, God opened doors one after another. He helped me learn how to complete the visa application, provided an interview appointment—which in itself was a miracle because when I first checked, the available appointments were months away—supplied the funds needed for the fees, and guided me through the interview process itself. In His perfect timing, my visa was approved on the very day the Manhattan Missionary program began in New York. God even granted me a 10-year multiple-entry visa.

Yet there was an unexpected twist.

Although I received the visa, I never made that trip.

Soon after my approval, I received a clear impression from the Lord that the visa had not been granted for that particular journey. The doors never opened for me to purchase flights, and I had previous commitments to conduct a prayer retreat in another country.

At first, I did not fully understand. But later I realized that God had answered a deeper prayer. Through that experience, He taught me how to persevere in prayer, how to fast for 24 hours and even for a week, and how to spend extended time in His presence seeking His will rather than my own.

Looking back, I can also see how God was using that season to deepen my burden for prayer and connect me with others who shared the same desire. It was a privilege to witness how He was leading and raising up faithful prayer warriors, including those from Granite Bay, and to be part of the journey as the Upper Room prayer call began. Through it all, God reminded me that His plans were far greater than anything I could have imagined.

Little did I know that God was preparing me for another journey. What began with a prayer for a visa in 2024 would eventually open doors for an even greater adventure the following year.

In 2025, I once again found myself pleading with God regarding a trip to the United States—this time to attend the General Conference Session in St. Louis.

As I prayed about the trip, another burden filled my heart. I wanted my husband to come with me.

At that time, my husband was waiting to learn whether his teaching contract in Thailand would be renewed. I pleaded with God to intervene and make a way for him to join me. When the answer came, I experienced a deep sense of peace, knowing that God had stepped in.

Then another miracle occurred. We were amazed when my husband was able to secure a visa interview appointment for the very next week. Although visa interview appointments normally take months to obtain in Thailand, God once again made a way. After his interview, he came out of the embassy with tears in his eyes. God had granted him a 10-year multiple-entry visa, just as He had done for me.

From there, the miracles continued.

God provided flights and accommodations for the General Conference when there seemed to be no way possible. Originally, I was supposed to stay with Melody and Shiloh, and Melody even offered to bring a mat so I could stay in their room.

However, when she learned that my husband would be coming with me, she suggested that I look for a room nearby instead. But then something unexpected happened. God miraculously provided accommodations and meal tickets for both of us.

Melody simply said, “Take it as a gift from Jesus.”

And truly, it was a gift from Jesus, for we had never expected that God would provide accommodations and meal tickets for both my husband and me.

After the General Conference, God opened doors for us to spend time with my ASAP Ministries family in Michigan and later travel to Florida.

Everywhere we went, we witnessed God’s provision. People whom we barely knew would place money in our hands and tell us they wanted to support our ministry. Time after time, we found ourselves overwhelmed with gratitude and often in tears as we witnessed God’s care for us.

In Florida, what was supposed to be a simple visit with relatives became another divine appointment. Someone offered to provide accommodations near the ASI Conference, allowing us to attend unexpectedly.

Then we were invited to participate in the Back to the Altar training in Tennessee. Once again, God supplied everything—flights, food, lodging, and every detail in between.

Each step of the journey strengthened our faith.

Later we traveled to California, believing we would remain there for only a month or two to observe AFCOE and learn principles that could be applied in Thailand.

What we thought would be a short visit turned into one of the greatest learning experiences of our lives.

Once again, God exceeded our expectations. Through His amazing provision, we were able to complete the entire three-month AFCOE program.

Accommodation costs alone were expected to be around $4,000, yet God provided. Someone lent us a vehicle. Even more remarkably, God supplied the $2,000 needed for tuition.

One time, we were down to our last penny. Then, during the Amazing Facts 60th Anniversary celebration, we met someone who felt impressed to give us what they called a small gift. It turned out to be exactly what we needed—and more.

Again and again, God showed us that He would provide.

Before leaving the United States, God surprised us with yet another blessing. We were invited to attend another Back to the Altar training in Tennessee completely free of charge.

Looking back, I believe that final trip to Tennessee was especially significant.

It was there that I met Cindy Magan. During our conversation, I was shown pictures from ARME Bible Camp. As I looked at those pictures, a burden filled my heart, and I prayed that God would reunite the ARME team once again.

I remember telling Cindy, “We need to pray that this team will be reunited. If God brings these people together again, I believe many will be revived and surely it would prepare us for the soon coming of Jesus. God has used these people mightily through the years, and many of the people in those pictures are still active in ministry today.”

Together we prayed:

“Lord, I know Your coming is near. Would it be possible for You to reunite this ARME Bible Camp team once again? Thank You for hearing our prayer.”

When we finished praying, I felt complete confidence that God had heard us.

Later, Cindy shared this burden with Melody. This conversation took place in November 2025. Melody shared that she too had been praying about how wonderful it would be to see the ARME Bible Camp team reunited and experience again the same blessings that we had experienced through Elijah and Back to the Altar training.

Then, in January 2026, we received a message from Pastor Martin sharing that he had been in discussions with Melissa regarding the possibility of bringing the ARME team together once more. As we watched these conversations unfold, we could see God answering a prayer that had been offered only a few months earlier. It was amazing to see how God was already working behind the scenes to answer a prayer that had seemed impossible.

And before long, what had begun as a burden in prayer became a reality.

Acts 29 Unleashed or A29U was born. (To know more about A29U visit a29u.com) 

With all these testimonies and God’s provisions, I know for certain that God will tremendously bless this movement because it was birthed through prayer.

I do not know whether my husband and I will be able to attend this time, but I know that the same God who opened doors before is fully capable of opening them again.

I am praying that many others will experience the same miracles of provision, answered prayer, visas, travel opportunities, and divine appointments that we experienced.

Truly, with God, nothing is impossible.

Jesus is coming soon. Let us continue believing that He can do great and mighty things which we know not.

I invite you to become part of this miracle and faith journey. Whether through prayer, giving, volunteering, or simply supporting the mission in whatever way you can, your involvement matters.

May God help us experience once again the spirit of Acts 2:44–45, where believers were united and shared what they had for the advancement of God’s work, and may we also witness the fulfillment of Acts 2:47 as the Lord adds daily to His church those who are being saved.