The Wilkes Team

Shirts were ironed, pants neatly pressed, hair was combed, and name tags evenly affixed to each shirt - the leadership team was ready.  Following dinner, Patrick (known as Director Ritchie during FOCUS) & Matthew (known as Logistic Chief Wilkes) accompanied the 11 students on what Director Ritchie declared as ‘your last ride on the elevator.’ Students and parents gathered in a class room on the 13th floor of the building for orientation. The prevailing message given to the students was the need for men to stand in the gap (Ez. 22:30).

Following this challenge, a Life Focus XV graduate, Ernesto, lead the students down all 13 flights of stairs, around the training center parking lot, & back up the 13 flights in a brisk run. Final good-byes were given and the parents departed. After a brief introduction to the leadership team, the students were divided between the Blue (my team) & Green (lead by Staddon) team before running down to the 3rd floor where everyone will be sleeping these next several weeks. The next couple hours were spent checking baggage, moving in, & preparing. One who stands in the gap must have a proper foundation (1Cor. 3:11).

Day one was full of motivational PT, cleaning bathrooms, washing dishes, and sweeping the ITC parking lot. Some of you may wonder what we mean by ‘motivational’ PT. In a nutshell, this is PT given to one who is in need of motivation. Forgetfulness, foolishness, slacking off, and other similar maladies are wondrously treated through this exhilarating remedy . For one who stands in the gap must be motivated (2Tim. 4:5-8).

5:30 the next morning, Green Team silently pushed off from the Training Center for a cross country tip to the wilderness of Oklahoma where they would spend 10 days working at IBLP’s Eagle Spring Training Center. One who stands in the gap must be always ready (1Pet. 3:15).

Blue Team would now embark upon a full 5 days of much work. Opportunities to serve abounded. Painting the trim along the exterior of the 13th floor, ripping out termite eaten wood inside ITC’s Log Cabin, thoroughly cleaning 8 utility rooms, washing bathrooms, scrubbing dishes, etc - discovering gaps and seeking to fill them. A gap stander must be on the look out for gaps to fill (Matt. 25:34-40).

Friday night was a highlight of the week. After the first night, all students were on voice lock down meaning communication was limited only to leadership or those outside Focus who initiated a conversation. This was a challenge for several, but the point was made how little we ought to talk, especially as those standing in the gap (James 1:19). Friday night after sending the students to bed, the three of us (McClary, Freeman, & I) with the help of the leaders’ dear Mom away from home, Mrs. Ritchie, put together a surprise party complete with root beer, ice cream, pop corn, nutri-grain bars, & home made sugar cookies (thank you Mrs. Ritchie).

An alarm clock was secretly placed within the students’ rooms, set to go off in the middle of the night. A note lying near the alarm told the students to, without talking, dress in PT gear and gather in the elevator lobby. ATL Freeman was there waiting in Push-up position with the next clue. From there they ran to the cabin which told them to run across the parking lot up the cement stairs to the auditorium entrance, and from there back inside, up 13 levels where they finally ended near the kitchen. Here they were commended for demonstrating self-control and informed that the team had earned the privilege of communicating with each other. They were then lead into the kitchenette for a tasty ice cream party! Way to go Blue Team!

One who will stand in the gap must be willing to lay aside the pleasures of the world and limit his behavior (Rom. 14:13; Heb. 12:1-2).

 In so doing, the light of Christ will shine through!

This entry was posted on Monday, October 13th, 2008 at 7:46 pm and is filed under Ministry Reports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.