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Limitless Spirit
Feeling stuck in the daily grind? Longing for a spiritually rich and meaningful life? Limitless Spirit with Helen Todd is for those who crave a deeper faith, a greater purpose, and opportunities to serve beyond themselves. Through powerful stories and real conversations, this podcast explores how stepping out in faith—whether through mission trips, discipleship, or simply saying ‘yes’ to God—can change your life from surviving to thriving.
Limitless Spirit
Mexico, Miracles, and Missions: Debra Stout’s Story
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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Welcome to Limitless Spirit, a weekly podcast with host Helen Todd, where she interviews guests about pursuing spiritual growth, discovering life's purpose through serving others and developing a deeper faith in Christ.
Speaker 2:Welcome back to Limitless Spirit, where we uncover inspiring stories of faith and the pursuit of greater purpose. Today I have the honor of speaking with Deborah Stout, an author, speaker and the woman of unwavering faith. Deborah is the author of Continued Miracles, a book filled with extraordinary stories of God's supernatural interventions that transform lives in ways we can hardly imagine. But her journey doesn't stop here. Deborah also answered the call to the Great Commission, taking her testimony and the message of God's love on several mission trips to Mexico, where she has impacted many lives through her faith and obedience. So in this conversation we talk about her missionary experience, the inspiration behind her book and how we too can open our lives to God's miraculous works. Get ready to be inspired, encouraged and challenged to see life through the lens of God's endless possibilities. Hello, debbie, welcome to the Limitless Spirit Podcast. How are you today?
Speaker 3:Good morning Helen Doing fantastic, and yourself.
Speaker 2:I am doing well. I'm enjoying this beautiful season when we're celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus and that is the greatest miracle of all and this is not a coincidence that today we're going to talk about miracles.
Speaker 2:Yes, yes. So since you are the author of the book Continued Miracles, I think you are a perfect guest for our interview today. But before we jump into this, I want our listeners to get to know you a little better. So, debbie, what is your story? How did you come to know Jesus as your Lord and Savior?
Speaker 3:I came to know the Lord and Savior in the church my previous church the pastor asked who would like to give their life to Christ. The Holy Spirit touched me. I jumped out of the chair and went forward, and it's been history ever since.
Speaker 2:So how old were you at the time?
Speaker 3:I was an adult. I don't know exact age, but I was adult.
Speaker 2:So you were coming to church even though you have not accepted Jesus as your savior. That's kind of an interesting twist.
Speaker 3:Yes, yes.
Speaker 2:So what brought you to church?
Speaker 3:Oh, I've been going to church for a long time.
Speaker 2:Since a child, did you grow up in a Christian home?
Speaker 3:I grew up in a Christian home and my uncle was a pastor and I had to sit in the front row at five years old with my feet hanging over the pew. I could not even touch the floor, and my aunt was the one who was teaching the children's Bible studies. So I've been in church for a long time.
Speaker 2:And yet there was something missing in your heart, because otherwise you would not have responded to that invitation. So what do you think was missing?
Speaker 3:Oh, I really don't know, I apologize, I don't know.
Speaker 2:So what prompted you to respond to this invitation?
Speaker 3:The Holy Spirit just prompted my heart, and that was my time.
Speaker 2:Interesting. So then, what changed in your life from that? But did you feel like there was something new in you? Did you feel like a new Debbie after that experience?
Speaker 3:Oh yes.
Speaker 2:And I was on fire for the Lord.
Speaker 3:And so I've been on fire for the Lord ever since.
Speaker 2:So you had a quite a traumatic experience with the house fire situation, so tell me a little bit more about that.
Speaker 3:I'm glad you asked, thank you. Surviving the house fire and running past the flames so that my soul wasn't seared, god spared 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 Christmas morning. And so then God turned my life around. I was teaching in the school for over 10 years and because we relocated, I could not keep that job. And then God birthed the book. Continued Miracles.
Speaker 2:So the house fire happened on Christmas morning. Was everyone in the house sleeping, or how? Tell me a little bit more on how it happened.
Speaker 3:Yes, everyone was sleeping. I heard the word fire and I was the last one out of the house, ran out straight out the front door, past the Christmas trees, past the Christmas presents near the door, and then, in the middle of December, freezing. I didn't have a coat, I didn't have a purse, I didn't have a cell phone, I didn't have a charger. I didn't have anything, and nor did anyone else in the house. So God spared our lives and he told me I spared your life. I said, yes, lord, you did.
Speaker 2:So, wow, that must have been quite a traumatic experience, having to basically start your life over, and so you didn't go even back to your teaching career, or you just moved to a different location to teach somewhere else.
Speaker 3:No, I didn't go back to my teaching career. God wanted me not to go back to my teaching career. He wanted me to pursue his kingdom, leading more people to Christ and also promoting his miracles. And so he brought me many, many, many people who have been through traumas and traumas, and he wanted me to tell their story and that he is the one who can ultimately deliver. So I didn't know the people, but God put them in my path and I put all the stories together and then I wrote the book Now I am not a path and I put the all the stories together and then I wrote the book.
Speaker 3:Now I am NOT a writer, I'm normally in an artist since age five, so writing a book was totally foreign for me. And then God moved me forward and he did pick the title. On a dream he said the title had to be continued miracles, and all the editors said, oh, we have to change the title. And a dream he said the title had to be Continued Miracles. And all the editors said, oh, we have to change the title. And I said, no, the Holy Spirit picked the title, we're not changing the title.
Speaker 2:So what do you think is behind this title and what message are you communicating to your readers through this book?
Speaker 3:The title is Continued Miracles, and I believe the Holy Spirit picked that because we are having modern miracles today, many, many years later after the miracles in the Bible. But many people think that miracles are not happening because they're not hearing them. Many, many people are not telling their story and the majority, I'd have to say the miracles are running below the radar or below the tip of the iceberg, because people are not sharing their miracles. So I believe the Lord had me to write the book so that more people would be able to read about modern day miracles and that God is on the throne and he can take people from the pit to the palace, just like he did in the Bible.
Speaker 2:That's very true and I agree with you. So why do you think, and maybe drawing even from your personal experience God performs these miracles for us, and sometimes he does and sometimes he doesn't. Sometimes he speaks to us in different ways. So what is your opinion on this?
Speaker 3:Yes, I agree with that that he does do things in different ways and even though someone might want their miracle by tomorrow, like a microwave miracle, god only does things on his time and when he wants. And if he wants, it's not that we're going to press God, twist his arm and say, oh Lord, I need my miracle by tomorrow, but he is going to deliver the miracles or your healings on his time, right? Let's talk about some of the stories that you share in your book deliver the miracles or your healings on his time right, let's talk about some of the stories that you share in your book.
Speaker 2:Can you give our listeners some of the examples of the miraculous stories that are recorded in it?
Speaker 3:Yes, thank you. One story is by Dolores. Dolores is a believer, her whole family is a believer, she has pastors in her family and she was in need of a miracle, for a car had been correct and that affected her credit, so technically she should not have even been able to go to the dealership to ask about a car for her daughter. But she went and we prayed, she prayed, her family prayed and she went to the dealership and said I need a car for Courtney. Well, the credit was not where it needed to be, but the Holy Spirit moved during that meeting in the dealership and then the salesman came to her and said here are the keys. We're detailing a second car.
Speaker 3:She said what do you mean? A second car? I didn't ask for a second car. And he said well, we're detailing the keys for a second car. Do you need a car? And she said, yes, the keys for a 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 the papers for two cars and she and her daughter drove off the lot with a new car. I have ridden in both cars, so that is one story.
Speaker 2:This is quite a miracle indeed, and so let's pause on it. What do you think God was trying 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:It impacted her because she initially said her faith wasn't where it needed to be, even to go to the dealership to ask for a car, and then she knew that her credit was not good. God straightened it out. God straightened it out. She just had to stand in faith that everything would work out in her favor and that God strengthened her faith after that and now her faith soars. A lot of times in the United States and abroad people are looking at the real life situation, which means that they might get denied in a quick hurry. But God can do all things. With man it is impossible, but not with God. With God, all things are possible.
Speaker 2:So God changed your life in more than one way. Not only your career path has changed, and maybe the area where you live has changed changed but God also called you sort of out of your comfort zone to go to the nations and share the gospel in other countries. So let's talk about this call in your life?
Speaker 3:I never knew. Like I said, I've been in the teaching arena for many years and also a businesswoman, and I never knew I was called to go to the nations. And then one day I was in the church lobby and a missionary from our church had just come back from one of her trips and I said, well, maybe one time I'll go. And she said, okay, you can go on the next trip. And so I took in nine sets of hospital scrubs because she said I had to be dressed like them. And then three of the leaders got sick and they canceled the trip and I got very upset. Another missionary came into the church. She said we're going to Mexico in three, four weeks. I said, okay, I'll go. So now I'm with World Missions Alliance, I go into Mexico. I have a passion to go into Mexico to lead people to Christ and pray, and I never knew that the Lord would use my prayer life to be able to help people in other countries to stand in faith and believe in him.
Speaker 2:So did you have any doubts or hesitations before this trip, your first trip?
Speaker 3:No, I just committed on the spot. God said one word right in the lobby. He said go. I said, lord, I don't have a passport, I don't have a dime for this trip, but I'll go. So we expedited the passport, I got a flight and the next thing you know I was in Mexico. So I would like to share with the listeners that step out of your zone, out of your comfort zone and watch God move, Because sometimes we are the ones who are blocking God and he also wants to see. Are we going to be obedient? If I had never committed to go on the trip with World Missions Alliance, then I would be holding other people up from their destinies and their healings, because we pray, we minister, we do medical missions, so we're helping other people, god's sheep. God wants his sheep helped and God wants their souls to come into the kingdom. But if I had been stubborn and decided not to go, then I would have been holding up their destinies too.
Speaker 2:So, before we talk about some of the experiences that you've had in Mexico, how do you feel now? You have made quite a few trips to Mexico with World Missions Alliance, so do you?
Speaker 3: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 are my passion. Me that there was another mission tomorrow, even if it's before Christmas. My bags would be packed, I would have the flight and I would be at the airport. So, yes, missions has a major impact on me and the family and I think that many people, if they'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 to have to worry about. Safety is not going to be where you have to worry about. The money to go. God will provide. So I think that everybody should go on at least their first mission trip.
Speaker 2:So I think that everybody should go on at least their first mission trip. So do you feel like through stepping out of your comfort zone you know of your hometown and your community and going to a foreign country maybe in some ways has taught you more about the character of God or has given you confidence in sharing him with others? What are some of the practical ways that you've seen a different Debbie after you've done these trips?
Speaker 3: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 on your job, you're focused on all the people you're going to see. And then also, these are people you've never met before. In my case, when I go to Mexico, I'm not fluent in Spanish you don't have to be but these are God's real-life people, god's sheep, and he wants you to treat them just like you would treat someone here on the streets. But it's also people that are down. Many of them are down for whatever reason. They might be feeling down because they're healing. They're in need of healing, they're in need of deliverance. They might have family members who are in need of deliverance, but you're here to meet the people where they are for the Lord, on his time and with his people. And, believe it or not, on the many times that I've gone, sometimes I've seen the same people.
Speaker 2:And that's quite extraordinary, because normally we do some follow-up in the same communities, but even then the chances of encountering the same people is very slim. So God definitely has a plan and this is somewhat miraculous. But before we get to this, there is a common question that is asked of people that go on mission trips. It's a question that I've been asked many times, and the question is if you want to share the gospel, if you want to help the hurting people, why do you need to travel to another country? Are there not hurting people in your own neighborhood? So what would you answer to people who have that question?
Speaker 3:Well, that's a very good question for anyone anywhere in the world. Why do I have to step on foreign soil? Why can't I just share with my friends, family, the people in the Walmart, people at the gas station? And you can. That might be your mission field. But also in the Bible, in John 16, 15, it says go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved. Whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow In my name they will cast out demons, they will speak in new tongues, they will pick up snakes with their hands and if they drink anything deadly it will not harm them. And when they lay hands on the sick, they will recover. So when I got a hold of that and read that in the Bible and it didn't look like it was optional I said, oh, this is a commandment. Oh, now I have to go. So I take it seriously that I follow that commandment.
Speaker 2:You're very right. You know for one. God said go. And the Great Commission outlined in Acts says go to your own state, in your own country and then beyond the borders.
Speaker 2:The Great Commission is not defined geographically necessarily. It's a commandment to go. It's a commandment to step out of your own self, out of your comfort zone, your circle. And so I think God has a purpose in that. It's not that his plan cannot be accomplished without your participation. It would be extremely arrogant of us to think that he depends on us to bring his plan to completion. But in his divine grace and wisdom he includes us and if he chooses to do that, it would be extremely foolish for us to say no.
Speaker 2:And I believe that the Great Commission is not either. Or it is ministering in your own town and in your own neighborhood and in your own household, and it is also not limiting it to nearby locations, but responding to the call to the ends of the world, which World Missions Alliance fulfills. Literally when we go to Argentina, the gospel in the southernmost city in the world, that's kind of cool. But going back to your ministry in Mexico, I find it interesting. A lot of people who are involved in the World Missions Alliance. Many of them choose to go on more than one mission trip and end up being to different countries. We work in over 32 countries around the world, but your mission has been specifically to Mexico and you feel very confident that this is the country where God called you. So let's talk about this. Why do you think it's just Mexico where God called you?
Speaker 3:I'm not exactly sure. I have been studying Spanish, not in high school, not in college, but when I started going on the missions I started studying the Spanish. I'm still studying the Spanish. I read a devotional in Spanish every night. So I love the team that we go with, the teams that we go with, I love the people who we meet in the home church and even the congregation.
Speaker 3:Many of the people in the congregation will give me a hug when I come back, so they consider me their friend. And then also we have been out on the outreach and it's very rewarding to see that if you've been out on the outreach all week and you invite the people to come to the church, nine people came to the church from the outreach. So that is powerful to me to see the fruit coming to the church, god's fruit coming to the church. And I tell the people, even though they say, oh, it's too far to come to the church, I said no, I came from New Jersey, it's not too far to come to the church. And so they show up. So I'm very excited because then that spreads God's word to other people and then they can invite their friends. So it's a snowball effect.
Speaker 2:And I agree with you. We probably you know, world Missions Alliance purposefully partners with local indigenous churches in evangelistic efforts because we want to plug people that we share the gospel with into the local churches that can do the follow-up and our partner church in Pachuca, mexico, is probably one of the best at doing this follow-up. They join us in the streets and in the communities with these evangelistic outreaches. They make sure to take everyone's name and contact information and then they do the follow-up and invite people to come back, and that makes our work very productive and very long-term, even though our team there is just for a short period of time and so I agree with you, it really gives the long-term perspective to our short-term mission. So, speaking of miracles mission, so speaking of miracles, have you experienced some of the miracles during your work in Mexico and how do you feel it impacted people who were perhaps the recipients or witnesses of it?
Speaker 3:I myself haven't had a lot of miracles in Mexico, although I do share my miracle with the people who I pray with so that I can encourage them. And I share other miracles with them 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 where God, the young man, came in with a leg much shorter than the other and the intercessor next to me was praying for him. I thought she was praying for his knee because he had his leg extended onto the chair in front of him, but that was not the case. He had come in with a limp his leg one leg was much shorter than the other and during that time God had the fire of God got through, go through that leg. God stretched that leg out and that young boy put his feet on the floor, both of them at the same time, for the first time in his life, and he was about 12 years old. Oh, that blew me away. I said go God. And so also I share that I have had.
Speaker 3:After the house fire I couldn't keep food on my stomach. I was told I needed open heart surgery. I told him I'd be back when I had a miracle. About six, eight months later I had a miracle and I did not have open heart surgery. I'm on a gluten-free diet and so I rock and roll. Nothing's going to stop me from going on a mission. So I think that the people there like to hear about the miracles because it gives them hope and encouragement that they might not have, and if we did not come to see them, they might not have had those miracles shared with them.
Speaker 2:Well, and it's true that God performs miracles for us, not only to help us or deliver us from a certain situation, but it reveals his character, it reveals his power, and it also gives us a tool to lead others. Our testimony is the best tool that we're equipped with to tell others about God and show others the character of God, and so I think that it is very honorable that you, having experienced the miracle of being saved from fire, responded to that call to take the story beyond even your country, to the other country and share it with others. I think this is one of the reasons why God calls us. Well, I think there are many reasons why God calls us to go, but that is one of those that your testimony is so real it is when you share it. It's your firsthand experience that no one can question or doubt. There is excitement and sincerity in your voice when you tell the story. That is something that people can't resist when they listen to it, and so I think that it's a natural response of a follower of Christ to something that God has done in your life, and I believe that every answer to prayer is a miracle, whether it appears supernatural or maybe can be explained by other reasons by non-believers. A person who is truly seeking God accepts this as every answer to prayer, as a miracle and response of gratitude and love towards God is to go and tell, and that's really the essence of the Great Commission.
Speaker 2:Debbie, thank you so much for answering the call. I'm so excited that God connected you with World Missions Alliance. You are a fantastic asset to the team and you know the fact that you have gluten intolerance. I know that it is not easy for you to adjust to traveling schedule and the meals in foreign countries, and you take it upon yourself to not be a burden to anyone. You just take care of your issues and don't let it get in the way. This is truly your humility of a servant of Christ. That is a witness in itself and thank you for doing this interview. I hope for our listeners who maybe are considering the call to the Great Commission and perhaps have some questions or hesitations. Maybe it gives them a glimpse to what happens to the person when we just simply obey and say yes. So I'm wishing you a very Merry Christmas and look forward to many more missions together with you.
Speaker 3:Thank you and I look forward to it too, and I encourage everyone to call Ms Todd today and book your next trip.
Speaker 2:Oh, thank you, Debbie Blessings. What a powerful episode with Deborah Stout. Her testimony, both in her book and through her missionary work in Mexico, is a great example of what it means to live out the Great Commission. Through her story, deborah reminds us all that life of a disciple of Christ isn't just about belief. It's about action. If you were inspired by today's conversation, pick up a copy of Continued Miracles. It's filled with stories of hope and healing and God's power that will deepen your faith and leave you expecting miracles in your own life. A huge thank you to Deborah for sharing her heart and her journey with us today, and to you, our listeners. Thank you for tuning in. Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast. Share this episode with a friend and, if you feel called to fulfill the Great Commission, check our website rfwmaorg to find an opportunity for yourself to take the gospel to the nations. Until next time, keep your eyes open to God's work in your life and remember that miracles are happening every day.
Speaker 1:Limitless Spirit Podcast is produced by World Missions Alliance. We believe that changed lives change lives. If your life was transformed by Christ, you are equipped to help others experience this transformation. Christ called his followers to make disciples across the world. World Missions Alliance gives you an opportunity to do this through short-term missions in over 32 countries across the globe. If you want to help those who are hurting and hopeless and discover your greater purpose in serving, check out our website, RFWMAorg, and find out how to get involved.