Today was pretty chill. Especially considering that last night we had to sleep in the gym at Messenger College because of a huge storm cell that woke us up at 2am! Thank God we were right next o the gym and just walked over there, unlike Poteau Ok, where we had to fly across town to seek shelter! And I also thank God that someone left the door to the gym unlocked yesterday. Or else we would have been sitting there in the RV while the thunder and lightning kept us wide awake. But that wasnt the case. No, we were laying on the floor in the gym wide awake while the thunder and lightning rocked the campus for over 2 hours! It was so hot in that gym. We had no way to turn on the air, and even if we did the power kept going out every 5 minutes. Just when we would get comfortable enough to sleep the power would go out, and this horrendous buzzer would sound. Im not kidding, the first couple of times I heard it, I thought it was doomsday! It was the period buzzer for their basketball games. But it might as well be the code 4 alarm for NORAD!
Anyway, we survived and started the day by having breakfast in the truck. Dad went into Walmart and came out with Honeynut Cheerios, Milk, and bananas. We quickly ate while Dad made his way to the drop spot. It started out quite a bit cooler today than in previous days. It was about 85 when we started and didnt really climb into the 90′s for at least 10 minutes!!! Never fails, as soon as we hit the ground the temp goes up. We really should consider starting earlier in the day. But with only 3 days left of walking, I doubt we will change anything. It wasnt really that bad though as there was a slight breeze blowing. About an hour after we started we witnissed a hit and run accident right in front of our faces! An older man was trying to leave a parking lot when a white truck nails him and then speeds off! We saw a police cruiser in the parking lot and Marccus went inside to tell the officer what happened. Within 5 minutes there were 6 cop cars on the scene, and we left. Poor guys car is really messed up though!
So we ended up walking for a little over 15 miles today. That leaves just 45 miles left in this journey! Im so tempted to just walk 15 hours tomorrow and end it two days early! lol. Really though, at this point, the plan is to walk 20 miles tomorrow, and then 25 miles Tuesday. That will end it a day early! The way I see it, a day early is an extra day to lay in the lake before we leave for camp! Dad’s going to call the General Office tomorrow to see if they will be ready for us a day early. Honestly, I’m ready for this to be over. Dont get me wrong. Im not complaining, or giving up. It’s just time. I think it has less to do with being on the road a few extra days than it does with having to turn right around and leave again when I get home. But there will be time to rest soon enough.
Tonight we went to the Missions Service at the PCOG General Convention. It was AMAZING! There was a procession of flags representing all of the countries that the PCOG has missionaries in. They waved them around the building and then lined the center isle with them. Then all of the missionaries in attendance walked through them and went up on the platform were they sat throughout the service. They introduced each one and showed the country they represent and how long they have served in the mission field. It was unreal! I felt like I was seeing my heroes up there! You know how some kids want to be professional athletes, and when they see a pro athlete they get all crazy? Thats how I felt tonight as we honored the people that are doing what I want to do in ministry!
Pastor Naten, the Director of World Missions, gave out a few awards and then brought the house down with an incredible word. “what are you giving yourself to”, was the title of the message. He talked about the importance of prayer above all things. Even reading the word should come second to prayer. He talked about protecting your witness. Bt the thing that impacted me the most, and will go down as one of the greatest challenges I have ever heard, had only about 10% to do with the subject matter. I say that because every man in the room should already have this grafted in their hearts. That’s where the other 90% comes in. What made this message so powerful, was the company in which it was delivered! A room full of Pastors and Bishops! It was all I could do to contain myself. My Dad on the other hand, must have said at least 10 amens, and c’mons, and bring its!!!
So what did he say that was so powerful? He said that if Jesus were here he would be loving the homosexual and visiting with the prostitutes and so on and so forth. He basically called these men out and in no uncertain terms said that if they were not ministering to these people through loving them, then they were not doing the true work of the LORD. He said “I seem to remember Jesus got a little friendly with a prostitute, didn’t he?” WOW! My Dad has always taught me that It’s not about condoning their actions. It’s about earning the right to speak into their lives buy loving them and gaining their trust. We so often forget that it is the Holy Spirit’s job to convict them. Not ours. Anyway, I was really impressed to hear this from a man of God of his stature. Thank you Pastor Naten for reminding me that the great commission comands us to love…everyone!
After his message, he invited the missionaries to line the front of the platform to pray for those who needed direction. I went up and Marccus followed after me. I walked up to an African lady and she immediately grabbed ahold of me and began to pray that God would guide my steps and direct my path! How awesome is that? She was literally praying my hearts cry for this walk! I feel so honored to have been in the presence of those men and women of the faith! After the service Dad was talking to a man standing in the lobby. He told him of our walk, and the man immediately wanted to meet us! He called over an associate of his and told her our story. She is the editor of the Pentecostal Messenger. She set up an appointment to meet with us tomorrow to interview us for the magazine! Bishop Scott is leading this denomination in a new direction, and I am excited to have met such a visionary!
After visiting with him for a while, we went to Fazolis for dinner. I had never eaten at a Fazolis, but the food was good! And complimentary. After we ate, we walked over to the hotel and visited with Uncle Gene and Aunt Sharlan for a couple of hours. Seeing him here was one of the highlights of my trip! He told me that our walk reminded him of a reality show that he watches called “Travel The Road”. It is about two young men that go to remote locations around the world doing missions work! I cant wait to see it when I get back home. Actually, I cant wait to get back home! But I have already mentioned that havent I…LOL”?
After we got back to the RV, we played frisbee (or “Frizbeef” as Dalton calls it). Dalton got a glow in the dark frisbee. So we played tonight at the soccer field at Messenger. It was cool. We ended the night by shooting some hoops in the Gym until about midnight. What a day! Now Im going to go update my Facebook status to zzzzzzzz’s!
