D.C. Trip 08.07.12

The shower at 5:15 a.m. felt great, but I was extremely tired, so I returned to my bunk until 7 a.m. 

We had decided that breakfast would start at 7:15 a.m., and I needed to set out breakfast stuff.  Around 8:00 a.m. we learned that our team wasn’t expected to meet with the YWAM staff until 9:00 a.m., instead of 8:00 a.m.  Those who were coming late to breakfast were actually on time, and the youngest of our team slept in even more than we had planned for them to sleep in.  Our leader suggested that some of us run out to the grocery store to buy the food we would need for the remainder of our week.  After a successful shopping trip, we skidded back into the Gatepost two minutes late and unloaded groceries as quickly as possible.

After worship and prayer time our team was briefed on our first outing for the day:  the Life Tape Siege in the free speech zone in front of the Supreme Court.  “It’s not a protest; it’s a prayer meeting.”  Two of the YWAM’ers drove our vans and dropped us alongside the Supreme Court building.  One van would return later with our lunch items, come back after lunch to pick up our leftovers, and then both vans would meet us later for the return trip to the Gatepost Center.

The staff handed out the red life tape, encouraging us to stick it on our clothing first to remove some adhesive before sticking it over the mouth.  For an hour we stood shoulder to shoulder in the free speech zone, with nothing on the first or any step, interceding for the unborn and for our country.  Despite the heat and humidity, this was an intensely powerful prayer meeting.   God’s presence was heavy like the humidity.  After the siege, we took communion together and prayed.  We were also told to make certain that no red tape was visible outside of the free speech zone.  

Across the street from the Supreme Court building is a park area between there and the Capitol building.  The van showed up with our lunches, which we then enjoyed under a tree in the park.  Our “away” lunches consisted of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chips, cookies and juice or water.  “We’re on outreach,” was the reason for this menu.  After downing a quick lunch, we dashed to the Capitol building for a tour.  What an awe-inspiring building (freedom; mural on the ceiling of the rotunda.)  From the mural on the dome to the fresco bordering the top of the room to the impressive massive statues, the Capitol building is breath-taking.  “Freedom,” the statue adorning the top of the Capitol Dome on the outside has captured my imagination.  I need to do some research on this statue!  Another bonus of the tour was that our guide, Steve, was humorous and entertaining, as well as informative.

Following the Capitol tour we hoofed it down the street to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.  I think we spent 2.5 hours perusing this museum, though for me it was a blur.  I was quickly running out of energy – lack of adequate sleep and food were taking their toll.  After a quick snack at the McDonald’s inside the museum, I felt more alert.  Katie dashed from exhibit to exhibit with excitement and interest which I had never before observed.  She wanted to read everything, also.  What a joy it was to watch her explore!  Later Judy and I were talking about the amazing technology that has developed rapidly in the last 50 years or so.  It definitely sets the stage for the coming age.

Our faithful drivers picked us up and expertly weaved the vans through the DC late afternoon traffic and back to the Gatepost Center.  Supper prep produced a yummy chicken burrito supper.  After clean-up we joined the YWAM staff for the Tuesday evening prayer and worship service. 

The main thing that God was focusing us on during the service was that no matter what we are facing, it’s NOT SCARY, because Jesus is with us.  We made lots of declarations about many things that are not scary.  It was another amazing and presence filled service at the Gatepost.  There is such an anointing of peace that reigns in that house and with the staff. 

Another team mom and I herded our young girls to the showers promptly at 9 p.m.  Several of the rest of us females were also planning to shower during that “odd” hour in order to have the luxury of sleeping in a bit later in the morning.  You need to comprehend the transformation that had already taken place in my heart by this time in our trip; I DON’T take showers at night unless I plan to shower in the morning, also.  This is a comfort zone issue.  Thankfully and finally I am free of that chain and will embrace evening showers for the sake of sleep or the sake of making room for others to shower in the a.m. (and vice-versa) gladly!  This was an outward sign to me of an inward change in my heart.  C’mon, freedom!

[By the way, our D.C. 1 Voice team was made up of 15 people ranging in age from eight-years-old to over 30 years old.]

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