36 GOOD MORNING, HOLY SPIRIT
ready to depart the country for five years.
I Bargained with God
By that time we were all so anxious to leave that I got
down on my knees—on that Jerusalem rock—and made a
vow to God. "Lord," I prayed, "if you will get us out, I'll
bring you the biggest jar of olive oil I can find." And I
added, "When we get to Toronto, I'll bring it to church and
present it to you in thanksgiving."
In my upbringing, bargaining with God wasn't unusual.
And olive oil was a precious commodity. So I made the
vow.
Within weeks a young man from the Canadian embassy
called my father to say, "Mister Hinn. We've worked
everything out—don't ask me how. All of your paperwork
is in order, and you can leave whenever you're ready."
It didn't take long. We sold almost all our possessions
and prepared for a new life in North America.
During those last days in the Holy Land, I had a keen
sense that something great was about to happen. I knew I
was leaving a special city, but I felt that the best was yet
before me.
It was from the harbor of the ancient city of Joppa—
my Jaffa—that Jonah left. And the result was the salvation
of Nineveh.
And how many times had I climbed to the Citadel, the
high mount overlooking the harbor. Near the lighthouse is a
Franciscan church built in 1654. Next to it is the site of the
house of Simon the Tanner where the apostle Peter stayed
for some time and had a vision that changed the world.
Hearing the voice of God telling him to receive Gentiles as
well as Jews into the church, Peter responded, "In truth I