Worship the Lord with Gladness

In the Renaissance Church (located in scenic The Cinema)

They really enjoyed the puppets!

Pastor Garry REALLY likes Sorbet...

Eye examinations

Ice Cream and Cake and Cake... Ice Cream and Cake!!

Prayer Changes Lives

Saturday morning, Pastor Garry and Pastor Bob did a prayer and leadership conference for the Southern Baptist pastors in the area. Along with that Cheryl and Karla ministered to the pastor's wives, encouraging them in the Lord for the work their husbands are a part of. Those of us not a part of this conference went prayerwalking all over the city for the Lord's reign to fall and consume the land. At the end of the conference, we all went lunch and then split into prayerwalking teams, including the pastors, to cover their churches and the community around them with prayer and supplication.

Fruits of Labor

Pastor Garry's infamous Moose Call...

From our journey out of Vermont and into Canada... a picture is worth a thousand words...

Psalm 34:3

Due to the lack of Internet access last night, we were unable to update. But tonight, we were blessed with high-speed access, so that we may reflect on yesterday's journey, and share it with you.

Destination:

Bennington, Vermont

We were greeted with the rain early in the day, and it certainly was a downpour; however, that did not stop us from continuing on towards Vermont to complete our mission! We made great time, and arrived at the center of the town of Bennington, where the rain had apparently followed us. We took Psalm 31:24, "Be strong, all of you who put your hope in the LORD. Never give up." (NIRV) to heart, and divided accordingly so that we could pray in the directions of North, South, East, and West.

God certainly worked a grand plan that day. A recently-moved-in couple, searching for a church to become a part of, crossed paths with the West group, who had just finished coming out of a prayer for a local church. When the group returned to the church to present the infamous "tent pegs," they found the couple speaking to the church leaders on membership!

The South team had the pleasure of sharing prayers with the basic town facilities: police departments, town halls, etc. Also, they had the opportunity to pray for the Army National Guard stationed in Bennington. From there, there was a sense of great need of revival in the town, and the rest of the time was spent praying for local businesses, townspeople, and of a great revival taking place in the town, and bringing more to know Christ.

For the North team, there was much prayer involved. Prayers for a war veterans' memorial, a local elementary school, for revival throughout the area, a synagogue, and even a Vermonter who the team was allowed to share the gospel with. After praying that God would send the water of life to the people, and that they may "drink deep from the Fountain of Life," the rain began to fall faster, and in larger amounts. They met up with the East team in a local shop, where they found someone they had been searching for: the sister of a friend they had shared a meal with in Virginia. We were overjoyed to discover that she had, in fact, placed her faith in Jesus Christ, and declared him as LORD and Savior. How wonderful God is for giving us this opportunity to meet two sisters- in different places- and pray for each of them.

After our prayerwalk, we worshipped at the Capstone Baptist Church, where the team had originally prayed for almost three years ago. This was a grand example of how God's plans are always perfect, as we discovered that evening a couple had joined the church to help in children's ministries. Even more amazing, they had moved to Vermont three years ago. How glorious it was to see a prayer be answered, even if it took nearly three years to find a result!

Bidding the Capstone congregation farewell, we later became trapped in McDonald's by the pouring rain outside. However, we took this as a prime opportunity to share our mission with those who were inside with us, and we found a local dairy farmer, Jay Andrew and his wife, Terri. They asked us to pray for the agricultural industry of the area, which we were overjoyed to do. After their departure, we shared stories of the day until the rain decided to slow up a bit, or at least enough for us to make it out safely.

God's true power and influence was made incredibly obvious that day. Especially to me, who had seen the number 343 quite a few times that day. Before I went to bed that night, I flipped to Psalm 34:3, which read, "Glorify the LORD with me; Let us exalt His name together." As was said that day, there are no such thing as coincidences, but only connections, and after reading that verse, I felt that there was definitely a connection to be made about the prayer journey. Sure, it's about spreading the Good News, and helping others to come to know Jesus Christ, but I felt that through all the prayers we had prayed, we each came back to one theme: Glorifying God. That is what I feel to be the true theme of this mission: bringing honor, praise, and glory back to the LORD God Almighty.

Pray for all those in Authority

Destination:

Washington, D.C.

First on our tour, we met with North Carolina Senator Richard Burr, and shared our prayers with him. How wonderful it was to hear that he had complete faith in the Lord, even asking Him for the wisdom to see and act on God's vision for our government. It was truly a blessing meeting someone so dedicated to serving God as he was.

Following our prayer with Senator Burr, we prayed over Republican Presidential Nominee John McCain's office. We pray that he be protected and that he might personally see the Lord and all that He has done for him. Also we ask you be praying for Senator McCain, his family, and his campaign as the Election draws near.

On our subway ride to the Capitol Building from Russell Senate Office Building, Senator Burr caught us again. Since he was running late he jumped in the subway car with Mona, Ervie, and Jessica continuing to talk with them until we reached the Capitol.

Upon our arrival at the Capitol Building we were met by an assistant to Senator Burr, Katie, who gave us a grand tour of the history surrounding the building. Coincidentally, it was her last tour as a staff member of the Capitol, as she was leaving for New Mexico to aid her ailing grandfather. We were truly blessed by her knowledge and joy in sharing our nation's history with us. We ask that you join us in praying for her journey, and her grandfather's health, so that she may return someday to Washington, and give more tours of the building she loves so very much.

After the tour, we progressed on to the Hart Senate Office Building where we prayed with Senator Obama's aid Erick. And what a true blessing it was to see that someone so close the Democratic Presidential Nominee shares a common belief that God's presence in Washington will make a tremendous difference in the upcoming elections, and subsequently, in the life of Barack Obama. We ask that you share our prayers that the Lord let righteousness rule in Obama's life and that he and his family be blessed.

Where He Leads I Will Follow

Destination:
Cary, North Carolina
Richmond, Virginia

The journey began at the Metrolina Baptist in Downtown Charlotte as the group brought their bags and piled into the Midwood Baptist van and the Lowman's Buick. This journey is consumed with prayer, thus we arrive and depart at every location with a shower of our prayers and those who are partnering with us in prayer. For we serve a great God who does more than we could ever ask or imagine.


Our journey progressed to Cary where we visited and prayed over the NC Baptist State Convention building. Upon arrival we prayed in the prayer room for the State Convention as a whole and for what the Lord was doing and is going to do in and through it. Following the overall prayer, we progressed to every floor, praying specifically for each ministry and all that they might be a part of. We had the great opportunity to pray with and be toured by Chris Schofield (right), Director of the Office of Prayer. Along with hearing stories of what God is doing in Vermont and across the country from Mark Abernathy, the Partnership Missions Coordinator with the NC Baptist Men. The unity and support of our State Convention is key part of our mission trip/partnership to Vermont and then on to Canada.



From Cary we drove up to Richmond, Virginia visiting the International Mission Board. Where do we begin... Well first I have to say God did some amazing things this day! We were able to pray and tour every floor in the IMB office. As we prayed for our missionaries, we were able to meet Eloise from the Task videos that the ministry uses to encourage young people to be a part of mission opportunities. We also then toured the video production studio and observed the photography that surrounded the whole building. On our tour we were shown how the IMB divided the United States when it comes to missions and we realized we are covering all of section 1 (minus Maine) and adding Montreal, Canada. Oh how awesome God works though we may not realize it!


Following our tour we then met with Eleanor from the Prayer Division of the IMB to pray over the ministry and all those that were affiliated with it. This prayer time was sweet and spirit filled for Christ was evident through it all. The wonderful encouragement is that we prayed for our fellow believers and those they came in contact with, so that the Lord may strengthen them. In this came the testimony of Eleanor (below) that she sent following our departure.





Overall, it is wonderful to see what the Lord is doing in our lives and those we have met…and it is only the first day! God is Good, All the Time. All the time, God is good!

“I pray also that they eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.”
Ephesians 1:18-19a

The Journey Begins...

The group as we depart from the Metrolina Baptist Association in Charlotte, NC.

Mid-morning the group arrived at the NC Baptist State Convention to pray.

Our journey ends at the IMB where we interceded for those in the mission field and were able to meet numerous brothers and sisters in Christ.

While at the IMB, Eric was able to have a personal encounter with Lottie Moon. It was great to be able to experience a missionary no matter how "short the visit." :-)

Lottie Moon was approximately 4' 3".

But Lottie Moon was not the only prominent person we encountered...For we were privileged to meet and pray with the famous Eloise, who is sponsored by "Grandmother's Against Ganster Rap." (Search for Task videos by IMB entitled Eloise, for more information)

An Encouraging Testimony from the International Mission Board

As our team departed the International Mission Board headquarters in Richmond, Eleanor in the prayer office there sent us this email:

Your team has just driven off for dinner at Cracker Barrel. It seems such a normal thing to do … and yet, I cannot leave for the day before I email and say again what a blessing your team is. I immediately emailed Ed Cox (Director of Prayer at IMB) to let him know—simply saying, “I am sorry you had to miss their visit, but I am grateful for the privilege of having shared with them.”

We have had others who have come to pray and we have many who come to tour; but I don’t know that we’ve ever had a group like yours with a passion to bathe our work in prayer.

I appreciate having your team’s BLOG address—I’ve already checked it out and will continue to pray for your team as you travel.

May our God, who knows each mile you travel, grant you grace as you encounter hardship, kindness when you deal with those in need, and joy as you sing and pray together. May your prayers and music touch the hearts of others as they have mine.

Partnering together in the greatest task,
Eleanor Witcher
IMB