OurJesusJourney goes to DC

June-Early July 2018

From North Carolina we made our way further North to DC. We were so excited to get to go and spend 2 or 3 weeks in our nation’s capitol! We stayed at a National Forest called Greenbelt. It was so strange, because it was right in the center of the city of Greenbelt! You would never guess from the inside of the forest that you would be surrounded by stores and churches and all of the other things that you wouldn’t expect.

The park, itself, wasn’t bad. It was nice, even, minus the many co-residents around us. There were so many spiders there it was insane! Even took a few with us, wrapped up in the tent, when we headed to the next place. You can see that I shared a picture of just a few of them. That scary spider on the hinge was in the Ladies’ restroom. Check out our post on this big hairy thing here. I think you will so enjoy this video!

While there, we experienced some times of “depression.” It rained and rained and then it rained even more. You can see in the pictures where Matt and the boys dug trenches around our campsite in order to keep the water out of our spaces. It was backbreaking work and the dirtiness of those days was spirit-crushing. It is hard to explain, but it really got us down, really feeling like giving up and going “home,” although we really don’t have a home to go to. The road is our home. Matt made a video one night to put on Facebook sharing the struggle of it all, especially from his own point of view. You can see that one here.

We visited a few churches while there, but none that really seemed interested in us or our ministry. Some were even cold…something we are definitely, and unfortunately, accustomed to by now. Without a church to minister to and with and in, we knew we needed to find a way to minister ourselves, right where we were. So, one day, we went out to the bus stops near the grocery store. Matt and Nemo and Zeke got out there and prayed for people. When they finished up there, they went to the one right across the street to share the Gospel and pray for them, as well. Matt will tell you that there was a man there that was clearly drunk or on something…just down and quiet. BUT, after sharing with them, that young man let Matt pray with him. The Gospel moved him. We thank God for such an awesome opportunity to crack the shell for Jesus to get in, even if it’s tiny. Check that out here.

We visited downtown DC a few times. It was very interesting! The White House looked small, the National Monument was closed the Smithsonian wasn’t our “Scene.” Nonetheless, we certainly enjoyed it! Lots of great pictures and family time and LOTS of walking! It was a fun time in the midst of the DC struggles.

A few days before heading out, we met an awesome couple! They were at the dump for their RV, which was right next to where we were camping. They saw our Suburban and she felt like she should come talk to us. It turns out, they were called to a ministry of blowing the Shofar. They travel the country, living by faith in God’s provision and direction, to go in and blast the Shofar over the city or state they are in. For those who don’t know, the Shofar was blown in the Old Testament as a Battle Cry, letting the enemy know that you were coming and ready for a fight. Boy did we need this encouragement! We were already in a spiritual battle, but God knew more was to come and we needed to be prepared.

We were given provision to stay for 2 weeks at our next campsite, which was Lake Erie State Park near Fredonia, NY. We thank God for Metropolitan Baptist Church in Largo, MD! They are a blessing!