Billy Graham

“After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things known from of old.” Act 15:16-18

This has been a busy few weeks for us! As mentioned last month, Carol led worship at an event commemorating the 70 year anniversary of Billy Graham’s famous LA tent meetings. The event was held by Generation Won, and Brian & Pam Jourden. “Meet Me at the Tent” ran several days, with worship, prayer and outreach being the primary agenda’s. By the weeks end, over 200 people had come to know the Lord through the outreach teams!! Carol and her team led worship in conjunction with Melody Green, sharing an encouraging word about evangelism and reaching people for Christ. Forging a new relationship with the Generation Won leaders, is an exciting development for VOB, as our hearts are so similar in evangelism and outreach!

(All of the great photos above were provided by 139:14 Images)

In other news, if you remember, in 2017, VOB took a team to Washington DC, for “Awaken the Dawn”, where every state in our nation had a tent on the National Mall, devoted to 3 days of around the clock worship and prayer. This movement has spread nationally, and now participants host 3 days of around the clock worship and prayer gatherings in cities all over our country, called, “Awaken the Dawn/Tent America.” Tent America, was held in over 400 cities and communities all across the USA. Wow, that’s a lot of worship unto the Lord being poured out!

Why is all of this important? When we gather to worship the Lord in our cities and communities, the presence of GOD comes, and when His presence comes, lives are changed. These gatherings also help to build unity in the Body of Christ, which is desperately needed if the Church is going to be salt and light to the world. We were honored to participate in San Diego’s ATD/Tent America gathering. We came together with a number of Southern California Native American tribes, and led worship in Vista, CA, closing out the 3 day event. Folks from many different tribes in the area, gathered around the Big Drum, and added their voices as we led worship and prayer/proclamation.

From there, I (Carol) headed out to VA to visit family and for some needed rest, while Wayne (with a friend) took a couple nights R&R at a popular camping spot in Mexico. After I return, we have another event Thursday Nov 21, Chuck Pierce and Dutch Sheets, well respected voices to the church, throughout the world, will be speaking in San Diego. “A Time to Plow” gathering is an evening for encouraging the Body of Christ here. Carol will Be leading a diverse team of worship musicians from around the county, in this regional event hosted by Limitless Realms International Ministry.

On the Mexico front Wayne has continued with ongoing favor with customs which has been so appreciated as we have had massive amounts of additional food donated for the people. We have been able to share with other colleagues including one ministry who ministers in the red light district of Tijuana. These friends have also been a beacon for many displaced refugees in these days. Among those displaced, were a special family Wayne, along with our faithful partners, was able to help. We will share their story in the near future. But for now meet two dear elderly folks, Amelia and José, pictured with Wayne below. Wayne visits them each week and has so for many years now. They just wanted to say hi and muchîsimas gracias to each of you!

Carol and Betsy praying over the Badlands on the Pine Ridge Rez.

One of those ‘suddenlies’ came about this month, when a friend told me about an intercessors gathering on Pine Ridge reservation. I was able to fly out on short notice, and head out to the reservation with friends Betsy and Layne Moeller, to help lead worship at a gathering of the “Seven Council Fires” intercessors. Though small in number, these folks are mighty in the Lord. Our leader asked us to please pray for unity amongst the people of the reservations, as unity will lead to more concerted prayer, and true change on the Lakota/Dakota/Nakota reservations.

After 400 years of missions to the First Nations people of North America, the percentage of Native people who are Christians, is still so small. Our brothers and sisters are laboring hard for their own people to come to know Jesus. Being with them, and working alongside in their communities, through worship and prayer is such a joy! Hearing their stories, always clarifies to me, how the Lord is leading VOB, to be a part of this movement.

I often hear stories of how believers are persecuted in their own communities for following Jesus, which is considered to be the ‘white man’s religion’. They are staying strong, and continue to faithfully follow the Lord in their own reservations. There IS a profound shift among First Nations, at the moment, as leaders are being raised up to bring the Gospel to their own people, and help them grow in Christ. We ask you to continue to pray for guidance, and open doors for VOB, as we look to follow the Lord in assisting both our First Nations, as well as our Mexican friends.

One quick story: Norma Blacksmith (in photo above), Lakota elder, and leader of this intercessors gathering, told me that for several years, she gathered these leaders and intercessors from the various reservations, to come together for teaching and to report on what the Lord is doing on their reservations. Norma told me that, in the past, not one of the leaders would get up and share. They were too timid, and didn’t see a lot going on in their home areas. This time, however, 8 of the 9 reservations in South Dakota were represented, and each person got up and shared what the Lord is doing on their land, giving reports of how the Lord is moving.

*Carol at “the falls” of Sioux Falls South Dakota*

Norma saw this as a massive breakthrough, and a true testimony as to how the Holy Spirit is moving. I believe it is also testimony to how the Lord is answering the prayers of His people during the 9 reservation prayer journey you supported in June!

The landscape is changing, and we are forever thankful for YOU, for being a part of our own journey. GOD bless you dear friends and thank you!

Wayne attended the Living Waters International Summit in Kansas City with our friends at Desert Stream this past month. He got to see some old friends and made a few new ones of LW leaders from around the world. Thailand, Philippines, Hong Kong, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Chile, French New Guenea, France, New Zealand, South Africa. These leaders are doing extraordinary things among very broken people in their lands. So honored to encourage them in prayer and support. And also honored to receive prayer as one ministering in Latin America!

Another KC highlight was getting to spend an evening with our friends at Hope City and sharing the Tijuana ministry at their Monday night service. This was mostly an opportunity to thank them for praying for us in their downtown prayer room each month and for their faithful monthly support.

After the Summit, as planned, Wayne packed up Keith Green archives and drove them back West. “California here we come…right back where we started from” was among many tunes in his head for the 23 hour drive straight through the night. It was a good time with an old friend (of 30 years) sharing life stories and listening to some good classic Christian rock from back in the day. A sizable portion of the memorabilia is now safely tucked away in a new climate controlled storage unit in Hollywood. Melody (photo left) was very grateful and we are so honored and humbled to take part in preserving such important history from 40 years ago and since.

Speaking of history. By the time you read this, Carol and team will have led worship at another important commemorative event recently Saturday September 28th. She lead two sets including one tag teaming with Melody Green. “Meet Me at the Tent,” commemorates the 70th anniversary of Billy Graham’s Los Angeles crusades, in 1949. This original crusade had been originally scheduled for 3 weeks but ran into 8 weeks when more than 350,000 people continued to attend. With 3,000 new commitments to Christ. You really should google this historic event. It is fascinating how many stories are connected to this move of the Lord 70 years ago. We were honored to be a part of this special event, held on the same physical site, which is focusing on seeing people come to the Lord. And thought the numbers of attendees were not as many as hoped for, there were 250 new believers! And that is all that counts!!