The Whirlwind

04/April/2008 01:25 Filed in: Misc | Outreach/Conference

Thinking back on our encounter over the past three weeks it feels like a whirlwind. As we went thru the pictures it refreshed my mind as to the magnitude of what we just walked thru with each other and the One we serve. How amazing is our God, to actually be our friend and savior all at the same time. I will remember these 3 weeks and be very grateful for the time I spent not only with Him but with each other.

Our journey started in Columbia SC where we attended a conference titled The Nations Await with Danny Steyne's group. There was an all star cast of missionaries sharing their stories of triumph and pain as they have served on the mission field of various parts of the world. It really was amazing to see so many of them all in one place and at the same time. The call went out to all those who attended from the very ones who had given their lives to make a way for many more.

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Next on our tour we were headed up to Moravian Falls NC. We had a 50th birthday to get ready for. We met at the Morning Star Lodge and began the preparations for all those who would be attending this wonderful occasion. You see it is Lesley-Anne's Jubilee year, we were celebrating. Myself, Kylene and Andrea all headed up to the mountains to prepare for those who would attend. The lodge was absolutely wonderful as we drove up and saw what Morning Star had allowed us to use for this occasion. Our thanks to our friends at Morning Star. The lodge was truly a blessing!

Full steam ahead was our cry as we began to prepare for the people who would come to celebrate with us. God sent us incredible help to accomplish all we had in front of us. i want to personally thank, Kylene, Andrea, Denise, Linda, Rebecca, Joy, Todd, Josh and Danielle and all the many who came in as they arrived and so willingly jumped in to help get the festivities together. We couldn't have done it without you.

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The party was a great success as those who attended came and brought gifts and love to honor our friend Lesley-Anne. We had wonderful food, dancing, and a very special time to honor our friend Lesley. I don't think I saw a dry eye in the place. It's truly amazing to see how one solitary life effects so many people. The love she had given out over her entire lifetime was celebrated and given back to her that night. I am sure it will be an evening she won't quickly forget.

We put together a book for Lesley-Anne of letters from friends.

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Our next stop was Washington DC. I don't think any of us knew the impact we were going to walk into with our time in DC. We had meetings to do at New Hope with a Korean congregation, and they have become our new best friends! The first night of meetings blew us away. The worship started and we all became undone. The fervent prayers that followed will be something I won't soon forget. Each night it seemed like God came and went deeper and deeper with his fiery love and passion. The entire week grew on itself and my thought was this body of people are so hidden and they are truly rare gems in the body of Christ. God came and met us all there and forever changed our lives. None of us wanted to leave....... it was hard to say good bye to them. We want to thank our Korean friends who treated us so kindly and so honored us.

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It's hard to write everything that happened in so few words but what do you say when the events of the past three weeks were so awesome and life changing. What a privilege to be apart of a community that serves Him and each other. As for this "eye witness" it was a time I won't soon forget.

Blessings, Bonita Blakeman