Ministry Journey Through Louisiana: A Testimony of Faith and Survival

Scripture Foundation

Isaiah 43:2 (KJV) — “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”

Psalm 34:18 (KJV) — “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”

These scriptures became the anchor of my soul during one of the most challenging and transformative seasons of my life. My journey through Louisiana was not just a physical trip—it was a spiritual breaking, awakening, and rebuilding.

The Valley of Zero

My journey began at a place I call the valley of zero. I had reached what felt like zero anointing, zero grace, zero hope. My prayer life had dried up. My strength was gone. My resources were depleted. I had nowhere to sleep except inside my navy blue 7‑passenger van. After long days of transporting passengers, I would roll back the seats and make my bed in the vehicle, vulnerable and alone.

Yet even in that place of exhaustion and risk, faith became my food. I had no physical strength left, but spiritually I clung to the belief that God would sustain me. I drove more than 16 hours from Michigan to Louisiana, often pushing past five hours without breaks, fueled not by energy but by a divine assignment I could not ignore.

Arrival and Spiritual Warfare

Crossing into Louisiana, I refreshed myself at rest areas—brushing my teeth, praying in bathrooms, and gathering strength in places that were sometimes clean and sometimes in need of deep cleansing. I arrived at the church I hoped to commit to, but nothing went as planned. I rented a bed among young travelers, and immediately the spiritual warfare intensified.

Yet in the midst of the chaos, God moved deeply.

I felt the earth tremble in reverence. The clouds above seemed to honor His holiness. As I drove through New Orleans, a prophetic urgency rose within me. The memory of the August 29, 2005 flood lingered in the atmosphere like a warning. The Spirit whispered to my heart: “Warn the people. Call them to repentance before the waters rise again.”

Ministry in the Streets

I walked through neighborhoods and side streets, preaching repentance with boldness. I spoke to strangers, families, and wanderers, urging them to return to God. But the warfare followed me.

At McDonald’s, a Muslim manager put me out of the store, mistaking me for a beggar even though I had paid for my food. Discrimination met me again through a bishop’s wife who assumed I had ties to her husband. These moments revealed the spiritual blindness that exists both inside and outside the church.

Still, God provided.

State vouchers gave me a place to sleep. Salvation Army and Christian organizations opened their doors. In those spaces, I met people carrying storms of their own. One older woman was sick and alone. I cleaned her home, cooked her meals, organized her space, and drove her to appointments. I served elderly men and women—taking them to doctors, running errands, and helping them survive another day.

Service became my survival.

Compassion became my currency.

Obedience became my offering.

The Return and Revelation

A Christian organization offered me a place to stay permanently, but my calling as an evangelical minister required mobility. I could not settle. I returned to Michigan, blessed by strangers along the way. One woman gave me funds that fed me well. My journey lasted from May through June 2023, and every mile carried a lesson.

Through it all, I learned:

• Faith is not passive—it is active obedience.

• Repentance is the gateway to restoration.

• Service is worship when done in love.

• God’s protection is real, even in the valley of zero.

Final Encouragement

Romans 8:28 (KJV) — “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

If you ever feel like you’ve reached zero—zero strength, zero hope, zero direction—remember this: God specializes in resurrection. He will turn your wilderness into a wellspring. He will breathe life into what felt dead. He will guide you when you cannot guide yourself.

Stay faithful.

Stay prayerful.

Stay holy.

Minister Delphine Collins