Shaken not Stirred
We must have had some junk to rid ourselves of before the soldiers and their families arrived. When our team met this morning for training the retreat director stood to speak, said "We need to pray," and then stepped away as the composure fell from her eyes like the rain we had heard all night. Another staff member stood up and told us our trainer (the director's sister) had walked away from the breakfast table and gone back to her room violently ill! To add injury to insult their ailing elderly father had just been admitted to the hospital and was failing to improve. And as if "Murphy's" law of averages weren't already against us, the forecast for the evening (all our programs with the soldiers and their families were scheduled outside) a severe thunderstorm from 5:30 to midnight!
When life brings you to your knees, there is only one thing to do
clear a spot and worship God!
That we did. We surrounded the director, extended our hands, opened our hearts, and burst into the throne room of our King with boldness. We rose from a kneeling position, armed with the full armor of God equipped to do battle for the wounded souls of men, women and children who would arrive in a few hours.
The schedule was adjusted, the training was modified, rooms were decorated, supplies were assembled we were prepared, and we kept praying. A few attending drove here on their own, but the majority of the 23 families came in a military transport bus from Bethesda Walter Reed Medical Center two hours away. Kids and adults came out of the monstrous "rock-star" style caravan and were met with ample and able helping hands and hearts. There was only one soldier left on the bus who was making his way out the back utilizing the lift for his motorized wheelchair. The sun was shining, the birds were singing there was laughter in the air and the devil in the details (again/still). About six inches down from the platform the lift stopped! No going up, no going down; stuck six feet in the air like a roller coaster ride gone awry.
Alrighty then! Misery, your friend company just arrived.
Several mechanical-minded men began to work on the solution - because there definitely was a problem. The soldier remained good-natured and patient during the process in spite of the sun shining directly on his side of the bus. Our hearts skipped a beat when the lift made a crushing sound and dropped about 6 inches.
By the time the repair was complete and he made it off the bus it was time for the activities to begin.
We had something to celebrate -
the freedom we enjoy
that cost him both his legs.
From the start of things, the next few days will be an unforgettable time for us all.
We laughed, we played games, we danced (the young man led the conga line with his wheelchair) and we sent lanterns soaring into the CLEAR night sky.
I've had my share recently of "boat moments," when it seemed like a "sleeping Jesus" was not being mindful of my circumstance. Sometimes it definitely "feels" like He IS sleeping (or looking the other way) but the Word clearly says, "He never slumbers or sleeps."
Our day began with a storm of circumstances that were definitely out of our control. Our evening ended knowing our Master is at the helm of this ship. He controls the wind and the waves. He is speaking "peace" in the place of war.
There is healing in His wings!
Clear and uncluttered
Running
Not weary
Walking
Not fainting
And smiling still
Charlynn
PRAY!
For the leadership: for the health of our trainer and licensed counselor who is in charge of the breakout session; for their father to see improvement in his health condition; for their mother to have peace about her two daughters not being at her side
For the volunteers: joy, joy, joy. For patience! 17 children under 4. That's a handful and a handful of dirty diapers to boot. Pray for peace for the children as they make a separation from their parents tomorrow morning. For the 6 other children aged 8-14 to have some good old-fashioned fun, to have life changing encounters with Jesus
For the soldiers: many who are experiencing their first family break together. And as one of the Texas attendees said, "it is better than Disneyland." That the Getaway would be a safe and emotionally healing environment
For the caregivers: to be validated and ministered to equally as important as the wounded warrior
For a supernatural hedge of protection around the facility and the health of everyone. The enemy would love to shoot sniper fire at the "field workers." Let no weapon formed against us prosper!
