Early Friday morning at 5:30 AM, Mike McClard pulled up to my back door.  Benjamin Bailey was in the car.  I load up (on top of an already loaded trunk) and we headed over to pick up Chris Vance.

We were on the turnpike by 6:00 AM, going south toward Oklahoma City, Dallas, Houston, and eventually Hitchcock, Texas, to settle into a dorm room located on the campus of Gulf Coast Four Square Church.  Hitchcock is about 30 miles north of Galveston.  We arrived there at 5:30 PM with the help of Mario Bailey (alias:  Benjamin Andretti—however you want to name him).  Mike shared the driving in our car —and what a ride it was.

We were one of four carloads of saints who travelled down to Hitchcock. Tracy Clemons, and his son, Christopher traveled in a car with David Morrissey, and his son, Kyle. Fred and Deborah Beat drove down with their three children, Kailey, Levi, and Jade.  On Tuesday, the first car to leave Wichita was driven by Terry Owens, along with his wife, Cynthia, and a member of the Lindsay House Church, Christy.  This made up Wichita team of 16 saints. Great bunch.

After settling in and enjoying a meal prepared by the church, we joined up with all the rest of the saints who had come down to Hitchcock for the outreach, to go to Galveston to pray.  It was cold.  We prayed in several locations close to the downtown area to pray.  People were all around us.  We were blessed to be joined by a team of about 15 men from Calvary Commission.  These are men who have recently been released from prison and were being trained for the ministry.  I was very impressed with the faith and passion of all of these brothers.

On Saturday morning, after breakfast, we enjoyed a time of training and encouragement.  After lunch, we hit the streets of Galveston.  Most of us walked along the “sea wall” side of the city to witness to the people who were wandering around waiting for the parade which would begin in the evening.  We had many opportunities to share tracts with these people and to pray with several .  Most of the people were very friendly and receptive.

The constant response we received from most people was along the lines of “I am a Christian” or “I am Catholic.”  Unfortunately, this is the feeling that many in America believe.  This is a false idea.  They need to be born again.  They needed to hear the truth.  Often they did not want to hear the truth, but some did.  Praise God.

The Mardi Gras parade took place that evening—marching bands, floats by the Knights of Columbus and the Knights of Momus (was in Greek mythology the god of satire, mockery, censure, writers, poets; a spirit of evil-spirited blame and unfair criticism).  The “costumed” people on the floats would throw strings of beads to all those in the crowds who shouted for them as if they were some greatly prized possession.  Thus, after the parade the parade watchers would have many strings of beads around their necks.  There was a constant spirit of revelry.  However, people would look at the tracts that we gave them and often put them in their pockets or purses.  Of course, some of our tracts did end up on the ground or in the trash can.

We returned to the camp at about 10:30 PM Saturday night.  On Sunday morning, after breakfast, we were trained for the Children’s Mardi Gras Parade that would take place right after lunch at about 2:00 PM.  We went to the worship service.  I gave a brief greeting in the congregation and opened with prayer.  Later in the service the church prayed for the team that was going “to the streets” again.  We left there at about 11:00 AM.

As soon as we arrived to our location, we went to our various pre-designated stations to share with the children and their parents.  Some went out to distribute tracts, while others did face painting (Christy) and making Gospel bead bracelets.  This turned out to be my job.  I worked with Sandy (always in teams) who was exceptionally skilled at sharing the gospel with the little children as she tied the bracelet on their wrists.  Children are so receptive to the truth.  Some of the children admitted that they wanted to “go to church” but their parents would not let them.

We finished our mission at about 3:30 PM.  After that we drove around the island a little and joined up with some of the other Wichita team for a nice seafood dinner.  It was a good conclusion to a wonderful weekend of sharing our Lord’s love and hearing all the stories.

We were up early to drive back to Wichita—a little tired, but thankful to the Lord for a safe and inspiring weekend doing what He sent us to do.  We shared His love.  We met some wonderful new friends.  We lived in close community and grew in our love for each other.

Would I go again?  Absolutely!  Would I encourage others to go with us next time?  Absolutely!  Did the Lord change my heart?  Yes.  He restored my heart for the lost.  How easy it is to lose your heart for a lost and dying world that is on their way to hell.  They need to hear about our Lord Jesus and His great love for them.    He can guarantee them a place in eternal glory—a place called heaven—as well as a sense of purpose, mission, and connection to His body—the people of God—in this life.  We must go!  Let’s do this more!