Today we will go to Atlanta for the start of Operation Restoration. I came down here last Saturday morning at 1 am. it took me 161/2 hours to get here to Clinton, SC. For the past two evenings, I have been studying the home of Gene Brooks' parents. They are just some of the nicest people I think I will ever meet.
Here at his home we are pretty much in the middle of nowhere. Gene has used his home kind of like a central office for OR. Both his mom and dad are really helping out. While here I met Christian Bass who is co-ordinator. He just graduated from Presbyterian College(school Gene went to). I am eager to meet with the other team members. In all there are 13 on the team.
It's incredible all the work that needs to be done for something like this : pamphlets, prayer, guide, networking, organising, and informing local churches, etc etc etc. What's going to be my role? Gene has given me three assignments: luggage, driving, and learning. I want to adsorb as much as I possibly can about : prayerwalking, spiritual warfare, praying, listening for God. What better way to learn these things? Lord, let my eyes be opened to everything you want me to see.
Also I want to use this time to really meditate and seek God's guidance as to what the next step should be in my life. One way is to enroll at Gordon-Conwell and work at my church. Another is Regent College in Vancouver and work with AIIM. I sense a call of duty to stay but I have a desire to go. It is really eating at me. Everyone who has advised me at church (including my father) has advised me to do what I desire to do. But I want to do what God desires me to do. And that does necessarily coincide with my own desire. God, what is your desire in my life? Which way do you have me to turn. I do feel bad about going on this trip and missing 6 or 7 sundays. But I wanted tro be a part of this because of its significant implications. Lord, just fully use me according to your will.
During this time I want to : finish reading the Bible, continue to prepare messages, maintain constant prayer, be of as much support as possible, and to have fun.
Right now I'm at the house of Mark Kaiser, who is housing me and Henry. It's almost Tue. Long day. We wanted to leave at noontime but we got delayed until 3pm, doing last minute stuff. I can't say how much I enjoy Gene's parents. They are a real joy and uplifting. Before leaving, we stopped by the house of pastor John Patrick. He is letting us use his minivan for OR. I'm not exactly sure how Gene knows him but I don't think they have known each other very long. But they sure seem really close.
It took 3 hours to get to Atlanta. We are having our orientation at a Safeway house. they provide meals, clothes, haircuts, services. People were waiting to open the doors for service and dinner. The first thing I noticed was the smell. It was the smell of not taking shower for a long time.
Glenellen and Barbara drove here from CA. I know Glenellen from USCWM. She used to volunteer there. Sweet lady. And Barbara is a missionary from Romania. Boy she love to talk. But I really enjoy listening to her. I don't think I could get tired hearing from her. We arrived 6pm. They had been there since noontime. Henry is an older man(53). He had been waiting till 3. henry also love to talk. I mean really loves to talk. Day is from Atlanta. Not really sure how he connected to join OR. Linda is from Texas. She has done alot of research and heard about OR from Global Harvest newsletter. Initially I get the feeling that it won't be very easy to talk to her. Not much in common. Fern Noble did CA prayerwalk. Found out tonite that she is going to lecture at the DTS with David Ross. Cool. Fern is designated like a spiritual adviser for OR.
Ate dinner together. Then we came back. Henry and Day started to talk about Promise Keepers. then Henry went and pretty much gave his testimony. Afterwards we came together. Right now I feel intimidated like these people are heavyweights and I a lightweight. God, let me be totally dependent on you. You more while I become less.
Talk about a full schedule. This morning what I thought was real nice was Gene gave an opportunity to introduce each one of us. But before each one spoke gene himself talked a little about him or her. Natural leader, that Gene is.
Fern talked this morning about Godly sorrow vs worldly sorrow and how to differentiate the two. I sense Fern has a very gentle spirit. Some intercessors that I have met in the past I didn't really like. But I do like Fern. After lunch we went to a ministry called Blood and Fire. It is within a large broken down warehouse. One of the people in OR team (Day) had been working here and we went to receive prayer. I heard that pastor drives a Harley. Not typical Christian organisation. main thrust is to help poor and underprivileged. Really awesome time of prayer.
Next
we went to state capital building. there we had Linda
represent Sherman and ask forgiveness. She cried and for awhile
couldn't
say anything it hurt so much. Henry identified as
confederate/southerner
to receive forgiveness. Man O Man, what have I got myself into?? On the
cover there was a stone put in by freemasons.
Ron would talk later tonite.
After the capital building, we were off to a cemetary where many cofederate soldiers were buried. Again there was a time of prayer. Dinner we ate at a place called the Varsity which calls itself world's biggest drive thru. Neat. There we met a man named Tom (African-Am) that was willing to join the team. It was quite sudden and I'm not sure how that will turn out. He said that he would come tomorrow morning
Ron came and spoke tonite. For four years he had done research on freemasonry. Serious sruff. I mean really serious. When he said that we needed to be serious, I felt he was talking to me. Initially I don't really like him all that much. Intense dude. But I guess you have to be intense to be involved in the level of spiritual warfare that he is in. If I have time I'm going to fill things in later on what happened today but we got in so late to the home we're sleeping that I really need some rest.
When you go into battle, its serious business. Honestly. I haven't been taking this seriously. The implication of OR are tremendous. I have never been involved with something that is so involved within the "spirit" world. Ron Cambell and Fern Noble both with their lecture have really been a warning of the seriousness that OR is doing.
Last day before going. In the morning Gene went over the schedule and itinerarry. His background as a history major has really helped him prepare for this time. I can see how excited he is about doing this. And it just rubs off on the rest of the troops. Near the end of his talk he wanted to get something out in the open. Apparently (with myself having no prior knowlege) there were two women from his home church, Missy and Ann, who were accusing Gene and Christian of bad things, spreading rumors. They were an integral part of the team but for some reason things got really ugly. His church took off their prayer covering of OR. These two were originally going to walk but resigned. this really tore up Gene and Christian for the past three weeks. Gene said that he cried almost 15 hours in these weeks. We used this time to ask forgiveness to those involved Gene and Christian were instructed to call each one out by name. Ron mentioned a spirit of separation/orphanage because Gene was not covered by his home church. Just at that time his mom and Kathy Sandlin arrived.
I really do love his mother very much. She has a very sweet spirit about her. Kathy spoke to us in the afternoon about intercession. She is some kind of director of intercession in South Carolina. Big lady. At first it seemed an air of arrogance but it is rather a humble confidance. She was really straightforward and stressed how we need to have a prayer closet during the whole trip. After her lecture we had a time to pray for Gene as the leader of our group. I could really sense the admiration of respect team members have of Gene. It was really a time used to confirm the annointing God gave him. I especially agreed Wayne's prayer for Mrs Brooks that she be kept strong in the Lord, having seen all the accusations made against her son.
Then we had a communion service. Just really good time. After communion Gene symbolized his role as a servant leader by washing the feet of the team members . I remember him reassuring me that I was a part of the team because I was a part of his heart. Southern folk don't mind begging and saying I love you. I am starting to get use to it and liking it myself. Then he would anoint us with oil confirming us as he is anointed as a leader. And he would give each of us his sword, symbolizing to need to carry the sword of the Spirit.
Kathy went to each person prophesying over them. She said about me that I would be a intercessor and this would not be my last prayerwalk. Used to go to the nations. Again it blew me away. But to be used by God greatly I need to desire to become very intimate with the Father.Give me the discipline and desire to do this dear Father. I want to fulfill all that you desire of me. It was very exciting to hear what Kathy had to say to each person.
Lord, give me the strength, courage, and perseverence to be fully used by you here at OR. Help me to build covenant relationship with each members.
First day to walk. In total there were about 19miles total which was walked today. two teams were split up (Alpha and Omega). I was the driver for the Alpha team. A map was given to me and I thought it was pretty much straight forward. I need to stop every 1-2 mile to give water, see that they are on the right track, etc. I made my second stop at an abandoned church . I didn't really keep track of time but I could sense that I was there too long because I got through the whole book of Daniel. So I went back, realized that I went too far down street. At this point I got a little frantic because I couldn't find my team. Thank God Wayne and Gene found me. We arrived at the lunch site and several came up to me and hugged me, telling me that they were praying for me. Serious love in that place. I felt so bad that I took driving for granted rather that giving the situation to the Lord.
For the second section I took Barbara's place as a walker. Alpha's team consisted of Gene, Day, Ron, Barbara, and I. I first walked with day and asked how we should prayerwalk. It is something right now where I know I need to be natural but I feel some pressure to perform "up to the standards." We met at Stockbridge City Hall and as the group get together it was asked what was prayed for. Omega team came out with a list. I was at a loss as to what to say. I asked Barbara about when people say, they have a Word from the Lord. She said that very infrequently does God speak to someone in an audible voice.
We are staying now in the house of Susan Harris. Its incredible how the body of Christ is. They have never seen us before and opened their home to us. Five men are staying here: Ron, Christian, Henry, Gene and I. Man O Man, Henry was really making me laugh in the car on the way. The women are staying back in Atlanta with Day and his wife while Wayne and Linda are staying with someone else. God is really good.
There
are certain members of the team with whom I don't
feel very comfortable being along with. Actually there are only two.
I'm
not really sure if that's alright as if I need to do something about
it.
It's kind of like DTS with Allison.
Second day of walking. 26.8 miles of walking from Stockbridge to Jackson, GA . We had a power team (Day and Christian) walked the first 10 miles. I was part of Alpha team with Fern, Barbara, Ron, and Christian. At the picking up point, I went across the street to get some coffee. that really felt good because the people really appreciated it, God is good. Very good.
Met at a Methodist meetinghouse camp which was used for Great Awakening. It was an open air church. As we prayed, the sun broke through for the first time in the day. We prayed and asked for revival to happen within the church. During our stop in Jackson we stopped at the Indian Springs. There is a spring which is made of different minerals that people from all over came and get because of its healing properties. At these springs was where an Indian chief (William Mc Intosh) signed atreaty which gave all of his land to the whites. His people were so upset that they murdered him. Here Christian and Linda went through identification repentance. Linda representing the Native American tribe while Christian, the people of Georgia.
Here at this point we did not have any lodging. For some reason it was cancelled. But it turned out where we did not have to pay at all. Linda and Fern went to next door from the Indian Springs Hotel to ask if the person may know about the history of Mc Intosh. There was an old man who lived there named John. He not only asked us to eat dinner but to sleep there. Very lonely. Quite rough where I kind of took offence at the things he would say. His house was huge and John built an elevator.
Most of the guys slept at Henry's home which was 30 minutes away. Gene and I called Anna Gatewood to see if she would come and be an intercessor. She said she needed to work but it was so good to hear her voice. Gene and I had a good talk in the evening. He said that it was important for me to learn how to interceed if i want to be a missionary beacuse I'll get my "butt kicked" if I don't. He said that the problem is most Christians work in reality of what they see. But we need to work in "ultimate reality" of the spiritual realm. That's eternal.
Jackson, GA to
Monticello 17.6m
Good day for walking. In Monticello at the Square there
is a statue of the Brer Rabbit. Gene says that this story from Yorba
and
native American legends that talk about a trickster spirit. I can't
keep
up with all these kinds of spirits.
Forgot to mention that on this walk we stopped to eat at a restaurant by a lake. The owner was a Christian woman who was such a cheerful person who really blessed us. She said that she just took over the business and for the first time it will be opened year round. We prayed for her and her business. Several walked and prayed around the restaurant seven times. God is enabling me to meet with some really neat people.
We stayed in the town of Greensboro for the next two nights. Our co-ordinator's name was Sherwyn Finch who was the pastor of the Wesley Chapel Wesleyan Church. We were scheduled to have a prayer meeting but plans were changed. Pastor Flinch asked if we could pray at a huge rock where many years ago the women of the church would gather and pray. We prayed for many things but the main thing being restoring the land. The pastor told us how God gave him a vision that his church would be a lighthouse and he had dreams if building a church in one field behind the church. So christians made the suggestion to actually go and pray there. Very powerful. Sherwyn was adopted as a child so there was an orphan spirit which needed to be taken care of. Ron identified as the father figure to ask forgiveness. Pastor Finch has heart for the young people. Many fathers do not come to church/ alcoholics. Need for Father heart of God to be established. Missed the prayer meeting, although it was only two young women there.
Had pizza at the pastor's home. Then Barbara and I were appointed to stay at the home of Harvey and Mildred Webb. When we got there, two of their grandchildren Ivy and Savannah were waiting on us. We both had our own room. Right behind their home there was a lake . Country as it can be. Both of the kids are not shy at all. I'm not sure how, but I get to realizing that Ivy's father who are the Webb's youngest son, died eight years ago.
Interestingly because our prayer time out in the field almost wasn't to be. Right before that we went to visit Rock Eagle, which is a large buzzard made from pile of rocks. Huge. Our group was really trying to figure out how to pray for this situation. Since not much information is known about why it was built. so we left without really praying. We realized that it was not part of our program.
Small country church service. Early that morning Mrs Webb and I had a long talk, mainly talking about how we connected that we have someone that we loved pass away. I felt at ease immediately as I entered their home.Have 10:30 Sunday School. Was part of teen group. Rowdy, uncontrolled. Man I felt sorry for the teachers. Sermon was good. Titled "tremendous trifles" and passage was ten commandments.
After lunch Gene, Fern, Barbara, and I went to post office where plaque stood talking about how Native Americans burned the whole town down back in the 1800's . Then we went to visit a Bastille-like jail used until 1848. They hanged people inside and spirit of death was strong. Fern thought that we should get the whole team together before praying because she felt a real heaviness there. The jail cell itself was an enclosed room with no windows. I can't imagine how the prisoners must have felt as they were in there. There is also a rope that shows where people were hanged. A sign is up joking that they aren't responsible for accidental hangings. Just this past summer one of the teenager in pastor Sherwyn's group was shot and killed. Suicide is a problem in this little town.
At 6pm we had evening service at the church. Gene gave in more detail what OR is all about. Some of the others gave their testimonies. Afterwards we all got in a large circle and prayed together. One woman of the church spoke out and said that this church would be a center of reconciliation. Thankyou Jesus. I did really enjoy my stay with the Webbs. They are good people.
Monticello to
Milledgeville, GA
All day it rained today. Very dreary. We needed to walk
over 30 miles inorder to get to Milledgeville. I didn't walk at all
today.
Instead I did alot of driving. After lunch Wayne went ahead to Macon to
drop off Linda so she could type. After they left, it was decided that
Ron should have also gone ahead to do research at the Grand Lodge. So I
brought him there and dropped him off at a restaurant. When I got back,
I thought that the two teams were still walking on the trail. But I
went
along the road and found out that all got safely to the destination
point,
Georgia Military College. Milledgeville had at one time
been
a state capital. We all drove together and ate dinner at Second Baptist
of Macon, which was pastored by Gary Folds. This is the church
which
Henry Redding is a member of. Day and I were assigned to stay with Bill
and Jilene Benett. Mr Benett is a pastor of a church and heard about
this
at a pastor's prayer meeting which is held every wednesday morning.
What
I have noticed is that the grandparents would have bedrooms in their
homes
for their grandchildren. I was sleeping in Derick's room. Again, really
nice folk. Mr Benett is a retired Air Force pilot.