The Devotional Diva - The Divine Adventures of the Yahweh Sisterhood: Thelma and Louise in Washingto
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The Devotional Diva - The Divine Adventures of the Yahweh Sisterhood: Thelma and Louise in Washington DC - TEAM WORK By Barbara Gobbs Executive Assistant and Ministry Partner - Pocket Full of Change Ministries
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.” I Corinthians 3:6 (NAS95)
Not sure which one of us is Thelma and which one is Louise, but I joined Cheryle (my boss) in Washington DC on July 2. She and her husband picked me up at the airport and whisked me off to the church that would be my home for the next few days.
There I met 10 others with a group called Inside Out Ministries from the Seattle Washington area. Together, we formed a team of 13. Our objective was to set up several booths on the Mall in DC. Hold on now, we were not shopping! This mall is the large green grassy strip that runs between the Capital Building and the Washington Monument.
Oh yeah - we weren’t selling anything either. However, we did have something to give away: the message of Jesus Christ. We did this by advertising free liberty bracelets – bracelets with a message. They were constructed of leather strips and five beads. The beads represented God in heaven, sin, the blood of Christ, purity and growth.
We used tracts to explain each bead and ask those receiving the bracelets if they’d like to pray to receive Christ. We expected to start sharing the morning of July 4. God had other plans. We couldn’t keep up with the people coming over on July 3 while we set up! It was incredible.
People from all over the globe with every background imaginable came to check out these bracelets. We did this for 2 days. Some just wanted the bracelets, others wanted nothing to do with us when they found out this was a “God thing” but many more stayed and many of those prayed!
I believe there were close to 200 decisions made for Christ not counting the many that prayed and we didn’t get cards from. God truly rocked our world. It was a blessing to be part of such a valiant effort to reach out in the name of Jesus. However, there is a point to make for today.
During the two days of gospel activity, I was a bit disappointed that others seemed to be praying with folks left and right to accept Jesus and no one was taking me up on my invitations to pray with them. They walked away not interested or too busy for the moment. I had to wonder what was I doing wrong?
Then I spotted Emily. My booth was down to three of us over the noon hour. Two were already engaged in sharing with others when I noticed this shy looking teenager. She had walked to the front of the booth and simply stopped. Emily just stood there staring at me and as I walked toward her, I noticed she had a bracelet on her wrist.
“Did you get your bracelet at the other booth?” I inquired.
“Yes.”
“Did they explain the meaning of all the beads to you?”
“Yes.”
“Wonderful,” I continued, "did you pray to receive Christ?”
Shyly, she looked up and replied,“No, but I think I’d like to do that now.”
I about jumped out of my skin! I’m about to get a new sister! Immediately, I led her through a prayer, crowning the closing AMEN with a hug! She left with a Bible and the promise of someone getting in touch with her with the name of a local church.
Now God revealed several things to me that moment – one in particular, I’d like to share. More often than not, it takes teamwork to harvest. It took someone with a vision to set this yearly event into motion for those coming simply to watch fireworks in our nation’s capital.
It took workers who were willing to step forward to participate. It took someone who cared enough to put a bracelet on the arm of a thirteen-year old girl and tell her that Jesus loved her and died for her. Most importantly, it took the Holy Spirit to tender her heart. Then God Almighty placed a second opportunity in front of her and allowed me the immense blessing of praying with her as she made the best decision of her life.
After she left, I immediately went to the first booth and shared with them, the results of their contact with this child. We all rejoiced and it was a huge praise the Lord moment! Sometimes we get to see the results of our efforts, but I suspect that most often we don't. My encouragement to you is to keep sharing in the name of the Lord. Keep working in the name of the Lord. Keep on planting and keep on watering. Don’t fret when you are not on the “receiving” end of the bounty. Don’t grow weary of sowing the gospel seeds for without it – a harvest will not be possible. Remember, teamwork is kingdom work! Plant on! Barbara
PS: As I write, it is Monday July 6. Cheryle and I are in Maryland where just a few hours ago I made a gift shop purchase. Long story-short, I encouraged the check out person in Jesus and a few minutes later, Cheryle spoke with him. A few minutes later, we both stood in the lobby while Tim prayed to receive Christ. Teamwork works! Go God!!!!!
Barbara Gobbs is a ministry partner with and the Executive Assistant of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. For more information, to schedule a speaker for an event, or to request a newsletter, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org or call Gail Golden, Publicist at 904 316-5462. This ministry is supported by donations. If this ministry helps you or others, and God calls you to help support this work, you can make a donation to Pocket Full of Change Ministry at POB 51205, Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32240.
© Pocket Full of Change Ministries
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