December 13, 2024 • 31 mins
An unexpected tragedy can break our spirit or awaken us to God's presence and power.
That's precisely what happened to Debra Stout after a Christmas morning house fire stripped her of everything she has held dear, including her career as a teacher. Rather than focusing on what she had lost, Debra held on to the fact that God miraculously spared her life. She became a believer in miracles and made it her mission to awaken others to the power of God's presence and work.
An author and speaker, Debra recently embraced the call to the Great Commission and has made several trips to Mexico with World Missions Alliance to share her story and her love for Christ.
With a passport and funds initially out of reach, and only one month to prepare for her first mission, she trusted in divine provision. Through her experiences in Mexico she has discovered deep fulfillment and connected to her greater purpose in life.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Limitless Spirit, a weekly podcast with
host Helen Todd, where sheinterviews guests about pursuing
spiritual growth, discoveringlife's purpose through serving
others and developing a deeperfaith in Christ.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Welcome back to Limitless Spirit, where we
uncover inspiring stories offaith and the pursuit of greater
purpose.
Today I have the honor ofspeaking with Deborah Stout, an
author, speaker and the woman ofunwavering faith.
Deborah is the author ofContinued Miracles, a book
(00:39):
filled with extraordinarystories of God's supernatural
interventions that transformlives in ways we can hardly
imagine.
But her journey doesn't stophere.
Deborah also answered the callto the Great Commission, taking
her testimony and the message ofGod's love on several mission
(01:00):
trips to Mexico, where she hasimpacted many lives through her
faith and obedience.
So in this conversation we talkabout her missionary experience
, the inspiration behind herbook and how we too can open our
lives to God's miraculous works.
Get ready to be inspired,encouraged and challenged to see
(01:23):
life through the lens of God'sendless possibilities.
Hello, debbie, welcome to theLimitless Spirit Podcast.
How are you today?
Speaker 3 (01:36):
Good morning Helen Doing fantastic, and yourself.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
I am doing well.
I'm enjoying this beautifulseason when we're celebrating
the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus and that is the greatest
miracle of all and this is nota coincidence that today we're
going to talk about miracles.
(02:02):
Yes, yes.
So since you are the author ofthe book Continued Miracles, I
think you are a perfect guestfor our interview today.
But before we jump into this, Iwant our listeners to get to
know you a little better.
So, debbie, what is your story?
How did you come to know Jesusas your Lord and Savior?
Speaker 3 (02:26):
I came to know the Lord and Savior in the church my
previous church the pastorasked who would like to give
their life to Christ.
The Holy Spirit touched me.
I jumped out of the chair andwent forward, and it's been
history ever since.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
So how old were you at the time?
Speaker 3 (02:47):
I was an adult.
I don't know exact age, but Iwas adult.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
So you were coming to church even though you have not
accepted Jesus as your savior.
That's kind of an interestingtwist.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
Yes, yes.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
So what brought you to church?
Speaker 3 (03:03):
Oh, I've been going to church for a long time.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
Since a child, did you grow up in a Christian home?
Speaker 3 (03:10):
I grew up in a Christian home and my uncle was
a pastor and I had to sit in thefront row at five years old
with my feet hanging over thepew.
I could not even touch thefloor, and my aunt was the one
who was teaching the children'sBible studies.
So I've been in church for along time.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
And yet there was something missing in your heart,
because otherwise you would nothave responded to that
invitation.
So what do you think wasmissing?
Speaker 3 (03:41):
Oh, I really don't know, I apologize, I don't know.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
So what prompted you to respond to this invitation?
Speaker 3 (03:48):
The Holy Spirit just prompted my heart, and that was
my time.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
Interesting.
So then, what changed in yourlife from that?
But did you feel like there wassomething new in you?
Did you feel like a new Debbieafter that experience?
Speaker 3 (04:07):
Oh yes.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
And I was on fire for the Lord.
Speaker 3 (04:09):
And so I've been on fire for the Lord ever since.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
So you had a quite a traumatic experience with the
house fire situation, so tell mea little bit more about that.
Speaker 3 (04:21):
I'm glad you asked, thank you.
Surviving the house fire andrunning past the flames so that
my soul wasn't seared, godspared my life so I could lead
other souls to Christ.
So he spared me for a reason.
So then, instantly, we were out, homeless, out on the curb on
(04:47):
Christmas morning.
And so then God turned my lifearound.
I was teaching in the schoolfor over 10 years and because we
relocated, I could not keepthat job.
And then God birthed the book.
Continued Miracles.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
So the house fire happened on Christmas morning.
Was everyone in the housesleeping, or how?
Tell me a little bit more onhow it happened.
Speaker 3 (05:15):
Yes, everyone was sleeping.
I heard the word fire and I wasthe last one out of the house,
ran out straight out the frontdoor, past the Christmas trees,
past the Christmas presents nearthe door, and then, in the
middle of December, freezing.
I didn't have a coat, I didn'thave a purse, I didn't have a
(05:38):
cell phone, I didn't have acharger.
I didn't have anything, and nordid anyone else in the house.
So God spared our lives and hetold me I spared your life.
I said, yes, lord, you did.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
So, wow, that must have been quite a traumatic
experience, having to basicallystart your life over, and so you
didn't go even back to yourteaching career, or you just
moved to a different location toteach somewhere else.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
No, I didn't go back to my teaching career.
God wanted me not to go back tomy teaching career.
He wanted me to pursue hiskingdom, leading more people to
Christ and also promoting hismiracles.
And so he brought me many, many, many people who have been
through traumas and traumas, andhe wanted me to tell their
(06:33):
story and that he is the one whocan ultimately deliver.
So I didn't know the people,but God put them in my path and
I put all the stories togetherand then I wrote the book Now I
am not a path and I put the allthe stories together and then I
wrote the book.
Now I am NOT a writer, I'mnormally in an artist since age
five, so writing a book wastotally foreign for me.
(06:55):
And then God moved me forwardand he did pick the title.
On a dream he said the titlehad to be continued miracles,
and all the editors said, oh, wehave to change the title.
And a dream he said the titlehad to be Continued Miracles.
And all the editors said, oh,we have to change the title.
And I said, no, the Holy Spiritpicked the title, we're not
changing the title.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
So what do you think is behind this title and what
message are you communicating toyour readers through this book?
Speaker 3 (07:21):
The title is Continued Miracles, and I
believe the Holy Spirit pickedthat because we are having
modern miracles today, many,many years later after the
miracles in the Bible.
But many people think thatmiracles are not happening
because they're not hearing them.
Many, many people are nottelling their story and the
(07:45):
majority, I'd have to say themiracles are running below the
radar or below the tip of theiceberg, because people are not
sharing their miracles.
So I believe the Lord had me towrite the book so that more
people would be able to readabout modern day miracles and
that God is on the throne and hecan take people from the pit to
(08:07):
the palace, just like he did inthe Bible.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
That's very true and I agree with you.
So why do you think, and maybedrawing even from your personal
experience God performs thesemiracles for us, and sometimes
he does and sometimes he doesn't.
Sometimes he speaks to us indifferent ways.
So what is your opinion on this?
Speaker 3 (08:33):
Yes, I agree with that that he does do things in
different ways and even thoughsomeone might want their miracle
by tomorrow, like a microwavemiracle, god only does things on
his time and when he wants.
And if he wants, it's not thatwe're going to press God, twist
(08:54):
his arm and say, oh Lord, I needmy miracle by tomorrow, but he
is going to deliver the miraclesor your healings on his time,
right?
Let's talk about some of thestories that you share in your
book deliver the miracles oryour healings on his time right,
let's talk about some of thestories that you share in your
book.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
Can you give our listeners some of the examples
of the miraculous stories thatare recorded in it?
Speaker 3 (09:18):
Yes, thank you.
One story is by Dolores.
Dolores is a believer, herwhole family is a believer, she
has pastors in her family andshe was in need of a miracle,
for a car had been correct andthat affected her credit, so
(09:45):
technically she should not haveeven been able to go to the
dealership to ask about a carfor her daughter.
But she went and we prayed, sheprayed, her family prayed and
she went to the dealership andsaid I need a car for Courtney.
Well, the credit was not whereit needed to be, but the Holy
Spirit moved during that meetingin the dealership and then the
(10:07):
salesman came to her and saidhere are the keys.
We're detailing a second car.
She said what do you mean?
A second car?
I didn't ask for a second car.
And he said well, we'redetailing the keys for a second
car.
Do you need a car?
And she said, yes, the keys fora second car, do you need a car
?
And she said yes.
So the next thing, you know,she said, oh my gosh, it's a
miracle.
And she went and signed thepapers for two cars and she and
(10:32):
her daughter drove off the lotwith a new car.
I have ridden in both cars, sothat is one story.
Speaker 2 (10:39):
This is quite a miracle indeed, and so let's
pause on it.
What do you think God wastrying to communicate to Dolores
and how?
I'm assuming you know her,since you've ridden in both cars
, so maybe she's your friend,but how do you feel this miracle
impacted her life long term?
Speaker 3 (11:01):
It impacted her because she initially said her
faith wasn't where it needed tobe, even to go to the dealership
to ask for a car, and then sheknew that her credit was not
good.
God straightened it out.
God straightened it out.
She just had to stand in faiththat everything would work out
in her favor and that Godstrengthened her faith after
(11:24):
that and now her faith soars.
A lot of times in the UnitedStates and abroad people are
looking at the real lifesituation, which means that they
might get denied in a quickhurry.
But God can do all things.
With man it is impossible, butnot with God.
With God, all things arepossible.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
So God changed your life in more than one way.
Not only your career path haschanged, and maybe the area
where you live has changedchanged but God also called you
sort of out of your comfort zoneto go to the nations and share
the gospel in other countries.
So let's talk about this callin your life?
Speaker 3 (12:12):
I never knew.
Like I said, I've been in theteaching arena for many years
and also a businesswoman, and Inever knew I was called to go to
the nations.
And then one day I was in thechurch lobby and a missionary
from our church had just comeback from one of her trips and I
said, well, maybe one time I'llgo.
And she said, okay, you can goon the next trip.
(12:34):
And so I took in nine sets ofhospital scrubs because she said
I had to be dressed like them.
And then three of the leadersgot sick and they canceled the
trip and I got very upset.
Another missionary came intothe church.
She said we're going to Mexicoin three, four weeks.
I said, okay, I'll go.
So now I'm with World MissionsAlliance, I go into Mexico.
(12:58):
I have a passion to go intoMexico to lead people to Christ
and pray, and I never knew thatthe Lord would use my prayer
life to be able to help peoplein other countries to stand in
faith and believe in him.
Speaker 2 (13:13):
So did you have any doubts or hesitations before
this trip, your first trip?
Speaker 3 (13:25):
No, I just committed on the spot.
God said one word right in thelobby.
He said go.
I said, lord, I don't have apassport, I don't have a dime
for this trip, but I'll go.
So we expedited the passport, Igot a flight and the next thing
you know I was in Mexico.
So I would like to share withthe listeners that step out of
your zone, out of your comfortzone and watch God move, Because
(13:46):
sometimes we are the ones whoare blocking God and he also
wants to see.
Are we going to be obedient?
If I had never committed to goon the trip with World Missions
Alliance, then I would beholding other people up from
their destinies and theirhealings, because we pray, we
(14:06):
minister, we do medical missions, so we're helping other people,
god's sheep.
God wants his sheep helped andGod wants their souls to come
into the kingdom.
But if I had been stubborn anddecided not to go, then I would
have been holding up theirdestinies too.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
So, before we talk about some of the experiences
that you've had in Mexico, howdo you feel now?
You have made quite a few tripsto Mexico with World Missions
Alliance, so do you?
Speaker 3 (14:49):
feel like becoming a missionary, responding to the
call to the Great Commission,changed your life and or changed
you in some ways.
Oh, 100 percent.
Yes, missions and miracles aremy passion.
Me that there was anothermission tomorrow, even if it's
before Christmas.
My bags would be packed, Iwould have the flight and I
(15:16):
would be at the airport.
So, yes, missions has a majorimpact on me and the family and
I think that many people, ifthey've never been on a mission,
I highly suggest that you go,step out of your zone, no matter
what country it is.
It's not where you're going tohave to worry about.
Safety is not going to be whereyou have to worry about.
The money to go.
God will provide.
(15:36):
So I think that everybodyshould go on at least their
first mission trip.
Speaker 2 (15:41):
So I think that everybody should go on at least
their first mission trip.
So do you feel like throughstepping out of your comfort
zone you know of your hometownand your community and going to
a foreign country maybe in someways has taught you more about
the character of God or hasgiven you confidence in sharing
(16:02):
him with others?
What are some of the practicalways that you've seen a
different Debbie after you'vedone these trips?
Speaker 3 (16:11):
Yes, it does show the character of God, because
you're not focused on yourself,you're not focused on your
routine, you're not focused onyour job, you're focused on all
the people you're going to see.
And then also, these are peopleyou've never met before.
In my case, when I go to Mexico, I'm not fluent in Spanish you
(16:35):
don't have to be but these areGod's real-life people, god's
sheep, and he wants you to treatthem just like you would treat
someone here on the streets.
But it's also people that aredown.
Many of them are down forwhatever reason.
They might be feeling downbecause they're healing.
They're in need of healing,they're in need of deliverance.
(16:58):
They might have family memberswho are in need of deliverance,
but you're here to meet thepeople where they are for the
Lord, on his time and with hispeople.
And, believe it or not, on themany times that I've gone,
sometimes I've seen the samepeople.
Speaker 2 (17:16):
And that's quite extraordinary, because normally
we do some follow-up in the samecommunities, but even then the
chances of encountering the samepeople is very slim.
So God definitely has a planand this is somewhat miraculous.
But before we get to this,there is a common question that
(17:36):
is asked of people that go onmission trips.
It's a question that I've beenasked many times, and the
question is if you want to sharethe gospel, if you want to help
the hurting people, why do youneed to travel to another
country?
Are there not hurting people inyour own neighborhood?
So what would you answer topeople who have that question?
Speaker 3 (17:58):
Well, that's a very good question for anyone
anywhere in the world.
Why do I have to step onforeign soil?
Why can't I just share with myfriends, family, the people in
the Walmart, people at the gasstation?
And you can.
That might be your missionfield.
But also in the Bible, in John16, 15, it says go into all the
(18:23):
world and preach the good newsto all creation.
Whoever believes and isbaptized will be saved.
Whoever does not believe willbe condemned.
And these signs will follow Inmy name they will cast out
demons, they will speak in newtongues, they will pick up
snakes with their hands and ifthey drink anything deadly it
will not harm them.
And when they lay hands on thesick, they will recover.
(18:43):
So when I got a hold of thatand read that in the Bible and
it didn't look like it wasoptional I said, oh, this is a
commandment.
Oh, now I have to go.
So I take it seriously that Ifollow that commandment.
Speaker 2 (18:56):
You're very right.
You know for one.
God said go.
And the Great Commissionoutlined in Acts says go to your
own state, in your own countryand then beyond the borders.
(19:26):
The Great Commission is notdefined geographically
necessarily.
It's a commandment to go.
It's a commandment to step outof your own self, out of your
comfort zone, your circle.
And so I think God has apurpose in that.
It's not that his plan cannotbe accomplished without your
(19:49):
participation.
It would be extremely arrogantof us to think that he depends
on us to bring his plan tocompletion.
But in his divine grace andwisdom he includes us and if he
chooses to do that, it would beextremely foolish for us to say
(20:10):
no.
And I believe that the GreatCommission is not either.
Or it is ministering in yourown town and in your own
neighborhood and in your ownhousehold, and it is also not
limiting it to nearby locations,but responding to the call to
the ends of the world, whichWorld Missions Alliance fulfills
(20:33):
.
Literally when we go toArgentina, the gospel in the
southernmost city in the world,that's kind of cool.
But going back to your ministryin Mexico, I find it
interesting.
A lot of people who areinvolved in the World Missions
Alliance.
Many of them choose to go onmore than one mission trip and
(20:57):
end up being to differentcountries.
We work in over 32 countriesaround the world, but your
mission has been specifically toMexico and you feel very
confident that this is thecountry where God called you.
So let's talk about this.
Why do you think it's justMexico where God called you?
Speaker 3 (21:20):
I'm not exactly sure.
I have been studying Spanish,not in high school, not in
college, but when I startedgoing on the missions I started
studying the Spanish.
I'm still studying the Spanish.
I read a devotional in Spanishevery night.
So I love the team that we gowith, the teams that we go with,
(21:40):
I love the people who we meetin the home church and even the
congregation.
Many of the people in thecongregation will give me a hug
when I come back, so theyconsider me their friend.
And then also we have been outon the outreach and it's very
rewarding to see that if you'vebeen out on the outreach all
(22:04):
week and you invite the peopleto come to the church, nine
people came to the church fromthe outreach.
So that is powerful to me tosee the fruit coming to the
church, god's fruit coming tothe church.
And I tell the people, eventhough they say, oh, it's too
far to come to the church, Isaid no, I came from New Jersey,
(22:24):
it's not too far to come to thechurch.
And so they show up.
So I'm very excited becausethen that spreads God's word to
other people and then they caninvite their friends.
So it's a snowball effect.
Speaker 2 (22:38):
And I agree with you.
We probably you know, worldMissions Alliance purposefully
partners with local indigenouschurches in evangelistic efforts
because we want to plug peoplethat we share the gospel with
into the local churches that cando the follow-up and our
partner church in Pachuca,mexico, is probably one of the
(23:00):
best at doing this follow-up.
They join us in the streets andin the communities with these
evangelistic outreaches.
They make sure to takeeveryone's name and contact
information and then they do thefollow-up and invite people to
come back, and that makes ourwork very productive and very
(23:21):
long-term, even though our teamthere is just for a short period
of time and so I agree with you, it really gives the long-term
perspective to our short-termmission.
So, speaking of miraclesmission, so speaking of miracles
(23:45):
, have you experienced some ofthe miracles during your work in
Mexico and how do you feel itimpacted people who were perhaps
the recipients or witnesses ofit?
Speaker 3 (23:54):
I myself haven't had a lot of miracles in Mexico,
although I do share my miraclewith the people who I pray with
so that I can encourage them.
And I share other miracles withthem to encourage them that God
is still doing miracles.
On, I believe, the last trip,or the trip before that, I did
see one miracle next to me whereGod, the young man, came in
(24:17):
with a leg much shorter than theother and the intercessor next
to me was praying for him.
I thought she was praying forhis knee because he had his leg
extended onto the chair in frontof him, but that was not the
case.
He had come in with a limp hisleg one leg was much shorter
than the other and during thattime God had the fire of God got
(24:38):
through, go through that leg.
God stretched that leg out andthat young boy put his feet on
the floor, both of them at thesame time, for the first time in
his life, and he was about 12years old.
Oh, that blew me away.
I said go God.
And so also I share that I havehad.
(24:58):
After the house fire I couldn'tkeep food on my stomach.
I was told I needed open heartsurgery.
I told him I'd be back when Ihad a miracle.
About six, eight months later Ihad a miracle and I did not
have open heart surgery.
I'm on a gluten-free diet andso I rock and roll.
Nothing's going to stop me fromgoing on a mission.
So I think that the peoplethere like to hear about the
(25:23):
miracles because it gives themhope and encouragement that they
might not have, and if we didnot come to see them, they might
not have had those miraclesshared with them.
Speaker 2 (25:33):
Well, and it's true that God performs miracles for
us, not only to help us ordeliver us from a certain
situation, but it reveals hischaracter, it reveals his power,
and it also gives us a tool tolead others.
Our testimony is the best toolthat we're equipped with to tell
(25:56):
others about God and showothers the character of God, and
so I think that it is veryhonorable that you, having
experienced the miracle of beingsaved from fire, responded to
that call to take the storybeyond even your country, to the
(26:18):
other country and share it withothers.
I think this is one of thereasons why God calls us.
Well, I think there are manyreasons why God calls us to go,
but that is one of those thatyour testimony is so real it is
when you share it.
It's your firsthand experiencethat no one can question or
(26:40):
doubt.
There is excitement andsincerity in your voice when you
tell the story.
That is something that peoplecan't resist when they listen to
it, and so I think that it's anatural response of a follower
of Christ to something that Godhas done in your life, and I
(27:02):
believe that every answer toprayer is a miracle, whether it
appears supernatural or maybecan be explained by other
reasons by non-believers.
A person who is truly seekingGod accepts this as every answer
to prayer, as a miracle andresponse of gratitude and love
(27:23):
towards God is to go and tell,and that's really the essence of
the Great Commission.
Debbie, thank you so much foranswering the call.
I'm so excited that Godconnected you with World
Missions Alliance.
You are a fantastic asset tothe team and you know the fact
that you have gluten intolerance.
(27:44):
I know that it is not easy foryou to adjust to traveling
schedule and the meals inforeign countries, and you take
it upon yourself to not be aburden to anyone.
You just take care of yourissues and don't let it get in
the way.
This is truly your humility ofa servant of Christ.
(28:07):
That is a witness in itself andthank you for doing this
interview.
I hope for our listeners whomaybe are considering the call
to the Great Commission andperhaps have some questions or
hesitations.
Maybe it gives them a glimpseto what happens to the person
when we just simply obey and sayyes.
(28:28):
So I'm wishing you a very MerryChristmas and look forward to
many more missions together withyou.
Speaker 3 (28:36):
Thank you and I look forward to it too, and I
encourage everyone to call MsTodd today and book your next
trip.
Speaker 2 (28:44):
Oh, thank you, Debbie Blessings.
What a powerful episode withDeborah Stout.
Her testimony, both in her bookand through her missionary work
in Mexico, is a great exampleof what it means to live out the
Great Commission.
Through her story, deborahreminds us all that life of a
(29:09):
disciple of Christ isn't justabout belief.
It's about action.
If you were inspired by today'sconversation, pick up a copy of
Continued Miracles.
It's filled with stories ofhope and healing and God's power
that will deepen your faith andleave you expecting miracles in
your own life.
A huge thank you to Deborah forsharing her heart and her
(29:33):
journey with us today, and toyou, our listeners.
Thank you for tuning in.
Don't forget to subscribe tothis podcast.
Share this episode with afriend and, if you feel called
to fulfill the Great Commission,check our website rfwmaorg to
find an opportunity for yourselfto take the gospel to the
(29:56):
nations.
Until next time, keep your eyesopen to God's work in your life
and remember that miracles arehappening every day.
Speaker 1 (30:07):
Limitless Spirit Podcast is produced by World
Missions Alliance.
We believe that changed liveschange lives.
If your life was transformed byChrist, you are equipped to
help others experience thistransformation.
Christ called his followers tomake disciples across the world.
World Missions Alliance givesyou an opportunity to do this
(30:31):
through short-term missions inover 32 countries across the
globe.
If you want to help those whoare hurting and hopeless and
discover your greater purpose inserving, check out our website,
RFWMAorg, and find out how toget involved.
Welcome to Limitless Spirit, a weekly podcast with
host Helen Todd, where sheinterviews guests about pursuing
spiritual growth, discoveringlife's purpose through serving
others and developing a deeperfaith in Christ.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Welcome back to Limitless Spirit, where we
uncover inspiring stories offaith and the pursuit of greater
purpose.
Today I have the honor ofspeaking with Deborah Stout, an
author, speaker and the woman ofunwavering faith.
Deborah is the author ofContinued Miracles, a book
(00:39):
filled with extraordinarystories of God's supernatural
interventions that transformlives in ways we can hardly
imagine.
But her journey doesn't stophere.
Deborah also answered the callto the Great Commission, taking
her testimony and the message ofGod's love on several mission
(01:00):
trips to Mexico, where she hasimpacted many lives through her
faith and obedience.
So in this conversation we talkabout her missionary experience
, the inspiration behind herbook and how we too can open our
lives to God's miraculous works.
Get ready to be inspired,encouraged and challenged to see
(01:23):
life through the lens of God'sendless possibilities.
Hello, debbie, welcome to theLimitless Spirit Podcast.
How are you today?
Speaker 3 (01:36):
Good morning Helen Doing fantastic, and yourself.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
I am doing well.
I'm enjoying this beautifulseason when we're celebrating
the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus and that is the greatest
miracle of all and this is nota coincidence that today we're
going to talk about miracles.
(02:02):
Yes, yes.
So since you are the author ofthe book Continued Miracles, I
think you are a perfect guestfor our interview today.
But before we jump into this, Iwant our listeners to get to
know you a little better.
So, debbie, what is your story?
How did you come to know Jesusas your Lord and Savior?
Speaker 3 (02:26):
I came to know the Lord and Savior in the church my
previous church the pastorasked who would like to give
their life to Christ.
The Holy Spirit touched me.
I jumped out of the chair andwent forward, and it's been
history ever since.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
So how old were you at the time?
Speaker 3 (02:47):
I was an adult.
I don't know exact age, but Iwas adult.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
So you were coming to church even though you have not
accepted Jesus as your savior.
That's kind of an interestingtwist.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
Yes, yes.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
So what brought you to church?
Speaker 3 (03:03):
Oh, I've been going to church for a long time.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
Since a child, did you grow up in a Christian home?
Speaker 3 (03:10):
I grew up in a Christian home and my uncle was
a pastor and I had to sit in thefront row at five years old
with my feet hanging over thepew.
I could not even touch thefloor, and my aunt was the one
who was teaching the children'sBible studies.
So I've been in church for along time.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
And yet there was something missing in your heart,
because otherwise you would nothave responded to that
invitation.
So what do you think wasmissing?
Speaker 3 (03:41):
Oh, I really don't know, I apologize, I don't know.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
So what prompted you to respond to this invitation?
Speaker 3 (03:48):
The Holy Spirit just prompted my heart, and that was
my time.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
Interesting.
So then, what changed in yourlife from that?
But did you feel like there wassomething new in you?
Did you feel like a new Debbieafter that experience?
Speaker 3 (04:07):
Oh yes.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
And I was on fire for the Lord.
Speaker 3 (04:09):
And so I've been on fire for the Lord ever since.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
So you had a quite a traumatic experience with the
house fire situation, so tell mea little bit more about that.
Speaker 3 (04:21):
I'm glad you asked, thank you.
Surviving the house fire andrunning past the flames so that
my soul wasn't seared, godspared my life so I could lead
other souls to Christ.
So he spared me for a reason.
So then, instantly, we were out, homeless, out on the curb on
(04:47):
Christmas morning.
And so then God turned my lifearound.
I was teaching in the schoolfor over 10 years and because we
relocated, I could not keepthat job.
And then God birthed the book.
Continued Miracles.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
So the house fire happened on Christmas morning.
Was everyone in the housesleeping, or how?
Tell me a little bit more onhow it happened.
Speaker 3 (05:15):
Yes, everyone was sleeping.
I heard the word fire and I wasthe last one out of the house,
ran out straight out the frontdoor, past the Christmas trees,
past the Christmas presents nearthe door, and then, in the
middle of December, freezing.
I didn't have a coat, I didn'thave a purse, I didn't have a
(05:38):
cell phone, I didn't have acharger.
I didn't have anything, and nordid anyone else in the house.
So God spared our lives and hetold me I spared your life.
I said, yes, lord, you did.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
So, wow, that must have been quite a traumatic
experience, having to basicallystart your life over, and so you
didn't go even back to yourteaching career, or you just
moved to a different location toteach somewhere else.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
No, I didn't go back to my teaching career.
God wanted me not to go back tomy teaching career.
He wanted me to pursue hiskingdom, leading more people to
Christ and also promoting hismiracles.
And so he brought me many, many, many people who have been
through traumas and traumas, andhe wanted me to tell their
(06:33):
story and that he is the one whocan ultimately deliver.
So I didn't know the people,but God put them in my path and
I put all the stories togetherand then I wrote the book Now I
am not a path and I put the allthe stories together and then I
wrote the book.
Now I am NOT a writer, I'mnormally in an artist since age
five, so writing a book wastotally foreign for me.
(06:55):
And then God moved me forwardand he did pick the title.
On a dream he said the titlehad to be continued miracles,
and all the editors said, oh, wehave to change the title.
And a dream he said the titlehad to be Continued Miracles.
And all the editors said, oh,we have to change the title.
And I said, no, the Holy Spiritpicked the title, we're not
changing the title.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
So what do you think is behind this title and what
message are you communicating toyour readers through this book?
Speaker 3 (07:21):
The title is Continued Miracles, and I
believe the Holy Spirit pickedthat because we are having
modern miracles today, many,many years later after the
miracles in the Bible.
But many people think thatmiracles are not happening
because they're not hearing them.
Many, many people are nottelling their story and the
(07:45):
majority, I'd have to say themiracles are running below the
radar or below the tip of theiceberg, because people are not
sharing their miracles.
So I believe the Lord had me towrite the book so that more
people would be able to readabout modern day miracles and
that God is on the throne and hecan take people from the pit to
(08:07):
the palace, just like he did inthe Bible.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
That's very true and I agree with you.
So why do you think, and maybedrawing even from your personal
experience God performs thesemiracles for us, and sometimes
he does and sometimes he doesn't.
Sometimes he speaks to us indifferent ways.
So what is your opinion on this?
Speaker 3 (08:33):
Yes, I agree with that that he does do things in
different ways and even thoughsomeone might want their miracle
by tomorrow, like a microwavemiracle, god only does things on
his time and when he wants.
And if he wants, it's not thatwe're going to press God, twist
(08:54):
his arm and say, oh Lord, I needmy miracle by tomorrow, but he
is going to deliver the miraclesor your healings on his time,
right?
Let's talk about some of thestories that you share in your
book deliver the miracles oryour healings on his time right,
let's talk about some of thestories that you share in your
book.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
Can you give our listeners some of the examples
of the miraculous stories thatare recorded in it?
Speaker 3 (09:18):
Yes, thank you.
One story is by Dolores.
Dolores is a believer, herwhole family is a believer, she
has pastors in her family andshe was in need of a miracle,
for a car had been correct andthat affected her credit, so
(09:45):
technically she should not haveeven been able to go to the
dealership to ask about a carfor her daughter.
But she went and we prayed, sheprayed, her family prayed and
she went to the dealership andsaid I need a car for Courtney.
Well, the credit was not whereit needed to be, but the Holy
Spirit moved during that meetingin the dealership and then the
(10:07):
salesman came to her and saidhere are the keys.
We're detailing a second car.
She said what do you mean?
A second car?
I didn't ask for a second car.
And he said well, we'redetailing the keys for a second
car.
Do you need a car?
And she said, yes, the keys fora second car, do you need a car
?
And she said yes.
So the next thing, you know,she said, oh my gosh, it's a
miracle.
And she went and signed thepapers for two cars and she and
(10:32):
her daughter drove off the lotwith a new car.
I have ridden in both cars, sothat is one story.
Speaker 2 (10:39):
This is quite a miracle indeed, and so let's
pause on it.
What do you think God wastrying to communicate to Dolores
and how?
I'm assuming you know her,since you've ridden in both cars
, so maybe she's your friend,but how do you feel this miracle
impacted her life long term?
Speaker 3 (11:01):
It impacted her because she initially said her
faith wasn't where it needed tobe, even to go to the dealership
to ask for a car, and then sheknew that her credit was not
good.
God straightened it out.
God straightened it out.
She just had to stand in faiththat everything would work out
in her favor and that Godstrengthened her faith after
(11:24):
that and now her faith soars.
A lot of times in the UnitedStates and abroad people are
looking at the real lifesituation, which means that they
might get denied in a quickhurry.
But God can do all things.
With man it is impossible, butnot with God.
With God, all things arepossible.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
So God changed your life in more than one way.
Not only your career path haschanged, and maybe the area
where you live has changedchanged but God also called you
sort of out of your comfort zoneto go to the nations and share
the gospel in other countries.
So let's talk about this callin your life?
Speaker 3 (12:12):
I never knew.
Like I said, I've been in theteaching arena for many years
and also a businesswoman, and Inever knew I was called to go to
the nations.
And then one day I was in thechurch lobby and a missionary
from our church had just comeback from one of her trips and I
said, well, maybe one time I'llgo.
And she said, okay, you can goon the next trip.
(12:34):
And so I took in nine sets ofhospital scrubs because she said
I had to be dressed like them.
And then three of the leadersgot sick and they canceled the
trip and I got very upset.
Another missionary came intothe church.
She said we're going to Mexicoin three, four weeks.
I said, okay, I'll go.
So now I'm with World MissionsAlliance, I go into Mexico.
(12:58):
I have a passion to go intoMexico to lead people to Christ
and pray, and I never knew thatthe Lord would use my prayer
life to be able to help peoplein other countries to stand in
faith and believe in him.
Speaker 2 (13:13):
So did you have any doubts or hesitations before
this trip, your first trip?
Speaker 3 (13:25):
No, I just committed on the spot.
God said one word right in thelobby.
He said go.
I said, lord, I don't have apassport, I don't have a dime
for this trip, but I'll go.
So we expedited the passport, Igot a flight and the next thing
you know I was in Mexico.
So I would like to share withthe listeners that step out of
your zone, out of your comfortzone and watch God move, Because
(13:46):
sometimes we are the ones whoare blocking God and he also
wants to see.
Are we going to be obedient?
If I had never committed to goon the trip with World Missions
Alliance, then I would beholding other people up from
their destinies and theirhealings, because we pray, we
(14:06):
minister, we do medical missions, so we're helping other people,
god's sheep.
God wants his sheep helped andGod wants their souls to come
into the kingdom.
But if I had been stubborn anddecided not to go, then I would
have been holding up theirdestinies too.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
So, before we talk about some of the experiences
that you've had in Mexico, howdo you feel now?
You have made quite a few tripsto Mexico with World Missions
Alliance, so do you?
Speaker 3 (14:49):
feel like becoming a missionary, responding to the
call to the Great Commission,changed your life and or changed
you in some ways.
Oh, 100 percent.
Yes, missions and miracles aremy passion.
Me that there was anothermission tomorrow, even if it's
before Christmas.
My bags would be packed, Iwould have the flight and I
(15:16):
would be at the airport.
So, yes, missions has a majorimpact on me and the family and
I think that many people, ifthey've never been on a mission,
I highly suggest that you go,step out of your zone, no matter
what country it is.
It's not where you're going tohave to worry about.
Safety is not going to be whereyou have to worry about.
The money to go.
God will provide.
(15:36):
So I think that everybodyshould go on at least their
first mission trip.
Speaker 2 (15:41):
So I think that everybody should go on at least
their first mission trip.
So do you feel like throughstepping out of your comfort
zone you know of your hometownand your community and going to
a foreign country maybe in someways has taught you more about
the character of God or hasgiven you confidence in sharing
(16:02):
him with others?
What are some of the practicalways that you've seen a
different Debbie after you'vedone these trips?
Speaker 3 (16:11):
Yes, it does show the character of God, because
you're not focused on yourself,you're not focused on your
routine, you're not focused onyour job, you're focused on all
the people you're going to see.
And then also, these are peopleyou've never met before.
In my case, when I go to Mexico, I'm not fluent in Spanish you
(16:35):
don't have to be but these areGod's real-life people, god's
sheep, and he wants you to treatthem just like you would treat
someone here on the streets.
But it's also people that aredown.
Many of them are down forwhatever reason.
They might be feeling downbecause they're healing.
They're in need of healing,they're in need of deliverance.
(16:58):
They might have family memberswho are in need of deliverance,
but you're here to meet thepeople where they are for the
Lord, on his time and with hispeople.
And, believe it or not, on themany times that I've gone,
sometimes I've seen the samepeople.
Speaker 2 (17:16):
And that's quite extraordinary, because normally
we do some follow-up in the samecommunities, but even then the
chances of encountering the samepeople is very slim.
So God definitely has a planand this is somewhat miraculous.
But before we get to this,there is a common question that
(17:36):
is asked of people that go onmission trips.
It's a question that I've beenasked many times, and the
question is if you want to sharethe gospel, if you want to help
the hurting people, why do youneed to travel to another
country?
Are there not hurting people inyour own neighborhood?
So what would you answer topeople who have that question?
Speaker 3 (17:58):
Well, that's a very good question for anyone
anywhere in the world.
Why do I have to step onforeign soil?
Why can't I just share with myfriends, family, the people in
the Walmart, people at the gasstation?
And you can.
That might be your missionfield.
But also in the Bible, in John16, 15, it says go into all the
(18:23):
world and preach the good newsto all creation.
Whoever believes and isbaptized will be saved.
Whoever does not believe willbe condemned.
And these signs will follow Inmy name they will cast out
demons, they will speak in newtongues, they will pick up
snakes with their hands and ifthey drink anything deadly it
will not harm them.
And when they lay hands on thesick, they will recover.
(18:43):
So when I got a hold of thatand read that in the Bible and
it didn't look like it wasoptional I said, oh, this is a
commandment.
Oh, now I have to go.
So I take it seriously that Ifollow that commandment.
Speaker 2 (18:56):
You're very right.
You know for one.
God said go.
And the Great Commissionoutlined in Acts says go to your
own state, in your own countryand then beyond the borders.
(19:26):
The Great Commission is notdefined geographically
necessarily.
It's a commandment to go.
It's a commandment to step outof your own self, out of your
comfort zone, your circle.
And so I think God has apurpose in that.
It's not that his plan cannotbe accomplished without your
(19:49):
participation.
It would be extremely arrogantof us to think that he depends
on us to bring his plan tocompletion.
But in his divine grace andwisdom he includes us and if he
chooses to do that, it would beextremely foolish for us to say
(20:10):
no.
And I believe that the GreatCommission is not either.
Or it is ministering in yourown town and in your own
neighborhood and in your ownhousehold, and it is also not
limiting it to nearby locations,but responding to the call to
the ends of the world, whichWorld Missions Alliance fulfills
(20:33):
.
Literally when we go toArgentina, the gospel in the
southernmost city in the world,that's kind of cool.
But going back to your ministryin Mexico, I find it
interesting.
A lot of people who areinvolved in the World Missions
Alliance.
Many of them choose to go onmore than one mission trip and
(20:57):
end up being to differentcountries.
We work in over 32 countriesaround the world, but your
mission has been specifically toMexico and you feel very
confident that this is thecountry where God called you.
So let's talk about this.
Why do you think it's justMexico where God called you?
Speaker 3 (21:20):
I'm not exactly sure.
I have been studying Spanish,not in high school, not in
college, but when I startedgoing on the missions I started
studying the Spanish.
I'm still studying the Spanish.
I read a devotional in Spanishevery night.
So I love the team that we gowith, the teams that we go with,
(21:40):
I love the people who we meetin the home church and even the
congregation.
Many of the people in thecongregation will give me a hug
when I come back, so theyconsider me their friend.
And then also we have been outon the outreach and it's very
rewarding to see that if you'vebeen out on the outreach all
(22:04):
week and you invite the peopleto come to the church, nine
people came to the church fromthe outreach.
So that is powerful to me tosee the fruit coming to the
church, god's fruit coming tothe church.
And I tell the people, eventhough they say, oh, it's too
far to come to the church, Isaid no, I came from New Jersey,
(22:24):
it's not too far to come to thechurch.
And so they show up.
So I'm very excited becausethen that spreads God's word to
other people and then they caninvite their friends.
So it's a snowball effect.
Speaker 2 (22:38):
And I agree with you.
We probably you know, worldMissions Alliance purposefully
partners with local indigenouschurches in evangelistic efforts
because we want to plug peoplethat we share the gospel with
into the local churches that cando the follow-up and our
partner church in Pachuca,mexico, is probably one of the
(23:00):
best at doing this follow-up.
They join us in the streets andin the communities with these
evangelistic outreaches.
They make sure to takeeveryone's name and contact
information and then they do thefollow-up and invite people to
come back, and that makes ourwork very productive and very
(23:21):
long-term, even though our teamthere is just for a short period
of time and so I agree with you, it really gives the long-term
perspective to our short-termmission.
So, speaking of miraclesmission, so speaking of miracles
(23:45):
, have you experienced some ofthe miracles during your work in
Mexico and how do you feel itimpacted people who were perhaps
the recipients or witnesses ofit?
Speaker 3 (23:54):
I myself haven't had a lot of miracles in Mexico,
although I do share my miraclewith the people who I pray with
so that I can encourage them.
And I share other miracles withthem to encourage them that God
is still doing miracles.
On, I believe, the last trip,or the trip before that, I did
see one miracle next to me whereGod, the young man, came in
(24:17):
with a leg much shorter than theother and the intercessor next
to me was praying for him.
I thought she was praying forhis knee because he had his leg
extended onto the chair in frontof him, but that was not the
case.
He had come in with a limp hisleg one leg was much shorter
than the other and during thattime God had the fire of God got
(24:38):
through, go through that leg.
God stretched that leg out andthat young boy put his feet on
the floor, both of them at thesame time, for the first time in
his life, and he was about 12years old.
Oh, that blew me away.
I said go God.
And so also I share that I havehad.
(24:58):
After the house fire I couldn'tkeep food on my stomach.
I was told I needed open heartsurgery.
I told him I'd be back when Ihad a miracle.
About six, eight months later Ihad a miracle and I did not
have open heart surgery.
I'm on a gluten-free diet andso I rock and roll.
Nothing's going to stop me fromgoing on a mission.
So I think that the peoplethere like to hear about the
(25:23):
miracles because it gives themhope and encouragement that they
might not have, and if we didnot come to see them, they might
not have had those miraclesshared with them.
Speaker 2 (25:33):
Well, and it's true that God performs miracles for
us, not only to help us ordeliver us from a certain
situation, but it reveals hischaracter, it reveals his power,
and it also gives us a tool tolead others.
Our testimony is the best toolthat we're equipped with to tell
(25:56):
others about God and showothers the character of God, and
so I think that it is veryhonorable that you, having
experienced the miracle of beingsaved from fire, responded to
that call to take the storybeyond even your country, to the
(26:18):
other country and share it withothers.
I think this is one of thereasons why God calls us.
Well, I think there are manyreasons why God calls us to go,
but that is one of those thatyour testimony is so real it is
when you share it.
It's your firsthand experiencethat no one can question or
(26:40):
doubt.
There is excitement andsincerity in your voice when you
tell the story.
That is something that peoplecan't resist when they listen to
it, and so I think that it's anatural response of a follower
of Christ to something that Godhas done in your life, and I
(27:02):
believe that every answer toprayer is a miracle, whether it
appears supernatural or maybecan be explained by other
reasons by non-believers.
A person who is truly seekingGod accepts this as every answer
to prayer, as a miracle andresponse of gratitude and love
(27:23):
towards God is to go and tell,and that's really the essence of
the Great Commission.
Debbie, thank you so much foranswering the call.
I'm so excited that Godconnected you with World
Missions Alliance.
You are a fantastic asset tothe team and you know the fact
that you have gluten intolerance.
(27:44):
I know that it is not easy foryou to adjust to traveling
schedule and the meals inforeign countries, and you take
it upon yourself to not be aburden to anyone.
You just take care of yourissues and don't let it get in
the way.
This is truly your humility ofa servant of Christ.
(28:07):
That is a witness in itself andthank you for doing this
interview.
I hope for our listeners whomaybe are considering the call
to the Great Commission andperhaps have some questions or
hesitations.
Maybe it gives them a glimpseto what happens to the person
when we just simply obey and sayyes.
(28:28):
So I'm wishing you a very MerryChristmas and look forward to
many more missions together withyou.
Speaker 3 (28:36):
Thank you and I look forward to it too, and I
encourage everyone to call MsTodd today and book your next
trip.
Speaker 2 (28:44):
Oh, thank you, Debbie Blessings.
What a powerful episode withDeborah Stout.
Her testimony, both in her bookand through her missionary work
in Mexico, is a great exampleof what it means to live out the
Great Commission.
Through her story, deborahreminds us all that life of a
(29:09):
disciple of Christ isn't justabout belief.
It's about action.
If you were inspired by today'sconversation, pick up a copy of
Continued Miracles.
It's filled with stories ofhope and healing and God's power
that will deepen your faith andleave you expecting miracles in
your own life.
A huge thank you to Deborah forsharing her heart and her
(29:33):
journey with us today, and toyou, our listeners.
Thank you for tuning in.
Don't forget to subscribe tothis podcast.
Share this episode with afriend and, if you feel called
to fulfill the Great Commission,check our website rfwmaorg to
find an opportunity for yourselfto take the gospel to the
(29:56):
nations.
Until next time, keep your eyesopen to God's work in your life
and remember that miracles arehappening every day.
Speaker 1 (30:07):
Limitless Spirit Podcast is produced by World
Missions Alliance.
We believe that changed liveschange lives.
If your life was transformed byChrist, you are equipped to
help others experience thistransformation.
Christ called his followers tomake disciples across the world.
World Missions Alliance givesyou an opportunity to do this
(30:31):
through short-term missions inover 32 countries across the
globe.
If you want to help those whoare hurting and hopeless and
discover your greater purpose inserving, check out our website,
RFWMAorg, and find out how toget involved.
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