RFTW 2008 – Final Update

Friday – Day 10
“The calm before the rush” best explains how we felt as we saddled up at 5:15 a.m. The air was heavy with moisture and the sky was still black. It was 52 degrees. After a 45-minute ride, we arrived at the departure site to find everyone preparing for the day with great excitement and anticipation.

We rode the last leg of the journey – 300 miles into Arlington, VA – with a feeling of victory. We sensed that many of these riders were going to”confront their demon” within the next 24 hours. Some covered their feelings with jokes, but most were hugging and sharing support. We gave God thanks as people shouted, “WE MADE IT ALL THE WAY!” God truly brought us across the USA!

One Chaplain spoke with a man who was a POW during the Korean War. He was jolly and joked that the biggest mistake he ever made was being caught by the Koreans, but we could tell by the tone in his voice that it was something very serious to him. I cannot explain how it felt to give him a letter from one of our church members, to listen to his story and then to pass on the blessings of the Lord to his life. It may not seem like much, but this means a great deal to these hurting men and women.

We want to say a special thank-you to Pastor Mike Dodson and Tree of Life Ministries in Lynchburg, VA. They donated and served 1,000 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Words cannot describe the expressions of these men and women when they realize what the church is doing for them.

There are two routes on the run- Southern and Central. We ride with the Southern route. Our Hydration team stayed behind to serve the Central Route. A man came forward to receive a bottle of water. He asked how much it cost, and our team replied, “That’s okay. It’s free.” He literally fell into the Chaplain’s arms and wept. He said that some of them had not had water for the past 2 days. They did not have enough money to buy both gasoline and water, so they had to choose gas. The Lord has truly blessed our efforts to serve these men and women.

A great team greeted us when we pulled into the campsite:

• Pastor Robbie Jones and Parkway Christian Center in Chesapeake, VA manned Lake Fairfax Campground.
• Donna Taylor and Janice Scheow from the Capital Church in North Carolina manned Burke Lake Campground.

Before we arrived at the campground, a man called me, asking if we would be serving food again. We told him yes. When he arrived, he immediately made his way to the free food. Within the first two hours of our arrival, men and women were coming up to us, reminding us that they were here last year. It was great to see these relationships renewed!

Sunday – Rolling Thunder Rally
At 5:15 a.m., the rumble of bikes broke the quietness of the campsite. We rode to the Pentagon parking lot to join an expected 500,000 motorcycles. As we awaited the noon departure, tears swelled in my eyes and it hit me: We are riding in front of our nation’s capital, holding our leaders accountable to bring home all our soldiers left behind on battlefields and in POW camps.

Three days before the run, Pastor Craig Lawlis called Christian Heritage Church in Amarillo, TX to a special commitment of prayer using the word “because.” Little did we know the prophetic importance of that word. The cause has become so much clearer this year.

We rode for ten days across the United States of America serving veterans and other riders for the sake of their healing, to thank them for their sacrifice for the church and to bring Jesus a little closer to them. The cause was for Jesus Christ our Lord.

We rode today for the cause of our fellow brothers and sisters left behind. One Chaplain said, “Our motto is We ride for those who can’t. As I rode, it hit me that it could have been me left in a POW camp or on a battlefield. My draft number just never came up.” One of our banners said Being killed in battle is not the worst thing that can happen to you; being forgotten is. Memorial Day is not just a long weekend. It is a patriotic day – a day to remember those who brought us our freedom.

Pastor James Washman (Poppy) of Christian Heritage Church sat at the Missing Man Table to remind us of those who will not return home from war. Every item on the table is symbolic, and it is very moving for those who lost loved ones. Poppy was to stand guard for one hour. When he arrived, he was told to sit in the “chair of honor.” The Run For The Wall team said they wanted the Hydration Team represented and felt he was the one. He was then able to pray with some of them. This was a special honor for Poppy because he was part of the military team in Viet Nam before the United States ever admitted to being there.

The Viet Nam Veterans Memorial Wall brings back great pain for many soldiers. Pastor Robbie Jones was walking in front of the wall, asking God to use him. He noticed a man sobbing as he looked at the names on the wall – brothers who had been killed. Pastor Robbie asked, “Can I stand here beside you?” The man said, “I would appreciate that.” He continued to weep and then slipped an arm around Pastor Robbie’s back.

We also ministered at the campsites. One team member sat with two war heroes and listened to their stories. One of the men said if he got worse, he would take his 357 to the problem (shoot himself). This was very troubling and not to be taken lightly. The next night, the second man came back and brought his wife. The conversation moved towards the needs of the man who threatened to shoot himself. The couple tried to bring the man back the third night but it was not possible. We were, however, able to minister to the couple. Before the evening ended, the couple joined hands with our team member and they all prayed together.

The Lord did so many wonderful things this year. We have been so accepted on this run. During these last two weeks, God has allowed us to fight for two causes for these people who deserve so much more.

Please continue to pray for us as we begin our four-day journey home – NO MORE HAIL STORMS! We appreciate your prayers and support. YOU helped make this run possible!

See you next year!