SLY Twentynine Palms
What an incredible event. There are so many “side” stories that took place that day, that it would be difficult to account for all of them and even more difficult to measure the total extent of lives that were impacted. We continue to get feedback via phone calls and emails from those who attended and from conversations with event volunteers telling of the many blessings. A few examples are:
- A man from Texas had flown in to attend the event because he had heard it was a Christian outreach for Marines. He approached the “FrontSight” booth and asked for prayer. He had lost his son two months earlier in Iraq.
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He sobbed in the arms of a man while men and women gathered around him and prayed for him. FrontSight, which is a military ministry, was visited by numerous Marines and family members. Many bibles were given out to the Marines with notes of appreciation written on the inside cover of each bible. Several of the Marines recited the “sinner’s prayer” and asked Jesus into their life.
- A lady stopped by the “Prayer” booth and asked for prayer for her son who had been wounded in Iraq … losing both legs
- There were many prayer requests ranging from wives asking for prayer for their husbands serving in Iraq and for husbands/fathers asking for prayers for their families while the Marine was deployed. Others asked for prayers of salvation for loved ones and prayers of healing for illness and various medical issues.
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A 4 year old (Isaac) asked for prayer for his mom & dad while others asked for strength to deal with drug and alcohol rehab. Others asked for prayers for the Chaplains who were serving the Marines. Most requests were for prayers of protection for deployed Marines
- The “Christ Church” (Protestant Chapel) booth offered bibles to those who wanted them and prayed with each recipient. There were lines waiting for prayer and for the gift of the bible. The Christ Church booth was one of the more popular booths at the event.
- There were lines of mothers and fathers with their children in front of the Somebody Loves You “Kids” booths --- waiting up to 45 minutes so that the children could get “face paintings”
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of flowers, butterflies, animals and super-heroes and to participate in “creative balloon games’ and the wordless book game. One of the volunteers told of children asking Jesus into their heart after hearing the gospel via the wordless book game. Other children of all ages (including teenagers) played soccer and afterward heard the gospel.
- Volunteers working the “Product” booth told of countless numbers of couples and families stopping by to express their heart felt gratitude for the outreach, many saying they had never seen anything like it and hoped they “would be back.”
- Firemen and their trucks were seen lining the east side of Victory Field---- staying to the very end of the event
- A Christian couple stopped to tell one of the volunteers of a “GPS Treasure Hunt” game they had devised, in which people would follow specific guidance references
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to designated stops/points with the final destination being “Victory Field”. Twenty or so people ended up at Victory Field as a result of the GPS Treasure Hunt and all stayed to the last. Most were “non-believers”.
- One email spoke of the secular country artist who performed and had this to say about his impact: “”Maybe the songs were too worldly for some, but I believe it shows the non-believers we are not stiff and unwilling to meet them where they are,
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just as the Lord meets us where we are….it makes God so much more reachable to those who are lost, just as Jesus went out, also should we do the same. We spoke with many Marines, prayed with them, some gave their lives to the Lord, and ultimately that is why we were there. Whether it was because of the music or not, God still gets the glory when people are saved!”.
- This same individual shared comments from her teen age daughter who came to the event with her mother and father. Her daughter who had been struggling with her walk had this to say about the secular music artist: “It would be selfish for the Christian to be unhappy with his song choices,
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after all this was for the non-believer, not for those who already had their salvation.” The daughter went on to say, the music was also “for people like me who know the truth but can’t seem to find their way.” Her parents said this of their daughter’s reaction, “she was blessed with the whole thing, and of course we couldn’t have asked for more…she is our special one!”
- An individual who works for the Public Works Division at the Marine Base shared via telephone that he had attended the event with his 16 year old daughter.
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He said they were both “rock group junkies” and had attended many concerts both secular and Christian. He had this to say about the Christian rock group “Disciple” who performed at the event. “Their music was awesome and the testimony shared by the group leader was even better”. He went on to say that he and his daughter had met with Disciple after they performed and he had nothing but complements to offer regarding how genuine and personal each of the group members were…saying “they were for-real representatives of their faith.”. He described them as “phenomenal.” He said he hoped “Somebody Loves You” stages another event at Twentynine Palms soon.
- One of the individuals who was part of the large motorcycle contingent (estimated to be 250) who arrived at the event to “kick it off” called to say, he had “never seen anything like it” and that he hoped to have the chance to do it again and again…”demonstrating their love for our military and sharing the gospel.”
- Others reported they saw many people gathered in “prayer circles” all over Victory Field, praying for one another, and crying as many said the “sinner’s prayer” during the alter call.
- We were walking around and we were listening to conversations around us and we were surprised to hear some Marines talking about how great it was
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that we would come and feed them and their families and provide a concert and a fun day for their families with entertainment and all; “ FOR FREE!!! FOR FREE!! Can you believe it? No one does anything for free. This is crazy!!! “ I responded, “ You guys are the incredible ones, who lay down your lives to protect our nation and even protect others around the world. It is a privilege for us to be here and serve you.” Well thank you Ma-am.
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