When I was first introduced to The Way Ministry, I heard about a program called Total Fitness Institute or TFI. I did not know very much about the program but knew it was something The Ways Corps at the time participated in. I was very interested in the program, but this program was eventually replaced by the LEAD program. LEAD stands for Leadership, Education, Adventure, and Direction. In the depths of my soul I wanted to be involved in the LEAD outdoor academy.
Psalm 37:4:
Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
When assignments were given out for my third year in The Way Corps training, I was given the opportunity to be on LEAD staff. What an incredible adventure with God! I determined in my heart to practice the presence of God, listen and learn all I could, and to do exactly what I was asked to do. I had never been camping in my life, and there was so much I did not know.
My first LEAD challenge was to take my turn driving the equipment truck, which we called Moses because that truck always led the way when we traveled. We drove from New Knoxville, Ohio, to Tinnie, New Mexico. The equipment truck had a standard transmission. (When I was younger and getting my driver’s license, my brother taught me on a standard transmission vehicle but not a huge truck!) I could not reach the gas and brake pedals, so we put a pillow from the RV behind my back and off we went. That was definitely interesting. I spoke in tongues and focused on knowing, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).
On one of our training days, the director of LEAD was teaching me how to rappel and set up a rappelling station for when the students came for a session. To rappel is to descend from a height, such as a cliff or a wall, sliding down a double-anchored rope and applying friction to control your speed. After I was all hooked into the ropes and safety harness, he told me to stand on the edge and lean back as far as I could. I remember thinking, OK God, here we go! I brought to mind Joshua 1:9, “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” I leaned back as far as I could. He said to lean back even farther, so I did. Then he said to take a step off the edge. I took one step and promptly fell. The rope caught me and I got my climbing boots back on the wall.
When I fell, I knocked a large piece of rock off the face of the wall and onto a small shelf facing me. At the time, I did not know enough to push the rock off the wall. I continued down the rock face, enjoying every step I took. Then the rope I was hanging on swung about three feet to the right. I wondered why the director had moved the rope. Then swoosh! The piece of rock I had knocked off the face onto the shelf came flying by, right where I had been seconds before. I could hardly believe it. I continued on my rappel and was very thankful I had not been hit by that flying rock.
That evening the LEAD staff were all sitting around a campfire discussing the day, and I asked the director how he knew to move the rope. He looked at me and said, “I didn’t touch that rope. Do you know how difficult it is to move a rope with a person hanging on it?” At that moment I realized it was God, my heavenly Father, Who was taking care of me. He had moved the rope!
Psalm 46:1,2:
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.
Every day at LEAD we had challenges, and we met them individually and together. I had the occasion to minister healing to someone who had a branch from a tree poke into his eye while we were hiking. The healing was immediate! I saw God’s hand of grace and mercy in everything we did. We taught the Word to each other daily, and encouraged each person to a more worthy endeavor, believing God in familiar and unfamiliar situations to develop an “I can do” attitude.
I know that my life would never have been as victorious and joyful if it had not been for this ministry. I understand God’s heart for me and the great strength I have to live each day because of the true Word of God I know.