We travelled to DC and on for another 14 hours in a lush train carriage with big swooping seats. Our destination has beautiful trees leaning in all directions, a million lakes full of alligators and bright red yellow blue birds, caterpillars and butterflies.
One night after walking through a jungle type scene over a stream (at 12 midnight) we saw a shuffling shape move across our path...man those armadillos get everywhere (apparently they carry leperacy)
We set up camp in a shady area after riding in the back of a truck (the heat was beating down so hard) Since arriving we have been fed (cereal, hot dogs, noodles and rice) from people donating food at the
communal area. We are well looked after and got to know heaps of people. The showers are always full of people singing and the guitars are in constant use - there's prayer tents and all sorts going on....
Anyone guessed yet? We are in Lakeland! The Florida Outpouring!
The night before we arrived 3000 people got baptised in water at the evening meeting. Our first night they organised a prayer tunnel to get to pray for everyone. The heat is intense - stodgy almost but its a great excuse to just sit still and relax, pray and think on God.
It feels like Real community, Real life working church that you just suddenly live in. Everyone talks to everyone.
For those who have no idea What the Lakeland outpouring is, here it is:
We met a lady called Gwenda (?) who gave us hot dogs and advice on national parks. Her son got saved 2 days ago.
The meetings have been packed out - two massive marquees of people. We've been blessed by hearing 4 different people speak and 2 different worship leaders. Each night has been radially different.
My favourite night was when we got together with some good friends from the campground - Dale and Grant. We chatted and prayed throughout our last meeting and maaaan it was amazing. We had only known them for 2 days and we're talking about life destiny.
We met a Rabbi - a Messaianic Jew. A few weeks ago he had a dream about a woman he was going to marry. At the rivival he saw the same woman and walked over to talk to her. They are to be married with a week! (some years back she had a word spoken over her life about marrying within weeks of knowing her H2B (Husband to be)
Its amazing seeing the annointing on people here. The Rabbi prayed for everyone he met, his hands had oil on them that smelt so sweet.
I know that soooooo many people - even fellow Christians are skeptic about the outpouring here. YouTube slates Todd Bentley - but they forget to mention that the miricles happening her have actuallly been medically verified! Even if your not in it for the healing, there is fruit:
1) people are hearing the word and getting saved
2) people are worshiping - at the campground its 24/7!
3) people are praying and seeing their prayers answered
Worship word and prayer.
Zayways, the campsite is beautiful, but the heat is so intense I've had to shower 3 times a day to stop from burning up. The trees look wistful and romantic and the lightning storms are powerful enough to rival any you might see anywhere. The campsite even has an 'extreme weather evacuation point'!
One night I was craving some chocolate and a young lad went and got me some proper choc cookies. Same night we were all mimicking accents (I've learnt that my alabaaaana accent aint so good boi) and talking about eating some good MEAT (the community cooking is aamazing and always right on time but some steak or something would be good)
The next night someone donate
d 60 burgers!! J's bbq skills came in helpful but the americans had a new thing on us - putting the burgers into hot water right after they are cooked to keep them juicy!?
I was torn when leaving - I'm going to miss the meal times and regular evening accent talking (our englishness is loved) but we know that God has a whole other adventure for us now. Im looking forward to getting some SLEEP (following photos were taken at about 3am)
Being away from the bugs would be nice! This fire ant would EAT you (well....make you feel on fire) Its dangerous man, you dont wana try nd squish it either.
We tried to photograph the fireflies too but it rained that night so there were only a couple.
These are J's poor feet that have been attacked. This was three nights ago and now they are even worse! :(
Some of y'all wana hear about what florida is like?
Its hot, sticky and pours with rain and is still hot all night.
Some of y'all wana hear about the outpouring?
(man we didnt even plan on going we just did?!)
Is it real? Yes.
Is it worth going? Well God TV broadcasts it and you can pray and worship wherever you are. However, the campground is a whole other thing, its like Living in what its all about, everyone shares everything (in a Holy way!!!!!)
If your going to go you gotta forget about 'home' - you wana get an open return so you can say as long or short as you need to.
Zayways i've missed the blog!!!
I'm going on and on probably cuz this train is going on and on - to the next destination!
Peace maaan
Meez xX
ps: to those who were there at the campground - write a comment on this y'all !
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