Post by bullhornbob on Nov 14, 2006 22:31:03 GMT -5
ROAM-USA / Miami Bible Believers Report – Oct. 27, 28, 29 2006
Fantasy Fest and South Beach Weekend
Our outreach this weekend marked the second annual Fantasy Fest preach for Miami Bible Believers/ROAM USA. As the wife and I prayed prior to the event, I knew in my spirit that this year would be much different; much larger crowds, more decadent and vulgar than last year. Unfortunately, this would prove to be true.
Joining us again this year was Brother Ruben Israel from Los Angeles. He is a proven leader and true street preacher in every sense of the word. We were privileged to have him lead us again this year. The rest of the team consisted of Evangelista and I (JK), Doug, Emmanuel, and Bro. Larry from Tampa. Micah and Elizabeth arrived on Saturday along with Bro. Jude from Sarasota.
Friday Night:
After assembling the team in Miami, we drove straight to our lodgings in Key Largo, dropped off a few bags, and began the long ride down to Key West. Lots of great conversation and planning took place. We arrived and found a spot one block from Duval Street. This is no small miracle, as thousands of people flock to this event every year. We unloaded the van and headed out to the street fair. Uninvited and unwelcome, we hoisted our banners and made our way down Duval Street as the revelers gawked and wondered ‘who in the world are these people.’ As each of us took turns preaching, the hecklers and mockers would jeer and scream the voice of opposition. We had much favor with Key West police this year again, as they would move away the more vocal and violent hecklers. I counted at least a half dozen that went away in cuffs.
We were joined by three other men who saw us as somewhat of an oasis, as the police had shut them down earlier. They saw our boldness and took heart, as Bro. Ruben encouraged them to take a turn at preaching, and not let up. I consider this fruit, as these men were very discouraged and were about to either give up or risk getting arrested for preaching the gospel. Their faces lit up with encouragement as Ruben rebuked the crowds and preached repentance to the revelers. I believe these men were greatly affected. This went on well after midnight, and after a late meal, we made the drive back to Key Largo, arriving at about 4:00 AM.
Saturday:
After some well deserved rest, we all met downstairs (I failed to mention that Bro. Jose was very gracious to lend us his home in Key Largo again this year. May God return to him 100 fold what he has sown into this ministry) for Bible Study and planning for the day. We ventured out at about 3:00 PM and arrived in Key West just after 5:00 PM. As noted before, parking is scarce. We circled about looking for a spot when Bro. Doug suggested we stop at a Jewish Synagogue and ask them to let us park there. His boldness paid off and we parked and made the five or six block journey back to Duval Street.
This is what Key West calls a parade. I call it another excuse for people to go out and get drunk, act stupid, fornicate, adulterate, and revel in unbridled lust and perversion. The first people we saw were painted head to toe in black, wore high platform shoes, and some kind of gothic garb. I think they were trying to look like demons, but who knows. Obviously, they were not happy to see us. We immediately began to walk straight down the middle of Duval Street, banners lifted high and two truth horns loudly proclaiming the call to repentance. You must understand that this place is full of people who love sin. They also love to walk around half-naked. Everything is geared towards sensuality and unbridled lust. We even saw small children in their strollers, oblivious to the debauchery taking place around them.
We found our place along the parade route and as it began I remembered that this year would probably prove to be a much longer parade than last year. I was right as the parade lasted well over an hour. We filed in at the end of the parade as we did last year, but because of the ear splitting Caribbean/Reggae music, we had to hover back a few blocks in order for our horns to be effective. We made our way around the bend and started the trek down Duval Street. I failed to mention that as we approached the parade route initially, a local spotted us and was very intrigued with us and our banners. Bro. Tony, as it turns out, is a Christian. A very convicted Christian at this point. He stayed with us the whole night carrying a banner and exposing his Christianity to all of Key West. I believe it took a lot of boldness on his part to stay with us through the whole route. We also met a young man from South America who was literally our shield and buffer through the mob at the end of the evening. This gentleman fought off not a few hecklers and drunkards. At one point, he was almost in a fist fight just to keep the revelers at bay.
I can remember looking young people directly in the eyes and warning them to repent of their wickedness. Many of them looked away shamefully, knowing that what I was saying was right. There were even a few drunken seminary students as well. They would stop and argue with us that drunkenness would not get them thrown into hell, Christians should not judge, God loves everybody, God forgives all sin, Jesus died for my sin, etc., etc. The sad part is that, as we would begin to refute their lies, they would just mock and yell, and laugh us to scorn.
All were warned; all were led to the Lord. What they did after that was completely their choice. We made our way through the crowds and back to the van safely, not a scratch on anyone, all body parts intact, and everyone accounted for. Again, after a late meal, we made the drive back to Key Largo. I want to mention that Larry and Ruben were instrumental in getting us safely back those two nights. Thanks for the pretzels Larry (inside joke).
Sunday:
Our intentions were to preach South Beach today. So after some delicious Cuban cuisine, we made our way down to our favorite spot – Wet Willie’s. Ruben began to preach to a group of bikers that are always parked out front, and it was wonderful to see Sister Vera and Sister Veronica. These two rarely have a chance to come out and support us, as Vera is very busy raising four children, and Veronica, who is blind, is normally working at home. Some great one on one witnessing took place, and Emmanuel began to preach with his new horn. Larry then took his turn, and then Micah.
This turned out to be quite an adventure, as the police showed up and tried to shut us down. Micah continued to preach without the bullhorn, but to no avail, because this police officer seemed intent on arresting him. And arrest him he did. As they led him away in cuffs, Larry began to lift up his voice and explain the injustice taking place before them. I think they wanted to arrest him as well, but for some reason, they did not. As they took Micah away, Doug, Vera, Emmanuel, and Veronica headed home. Brother Larry was to meet his parents that evening at the beach, and they showed up as it began to get dark. So Elizabeth, Ruben, Evangelista, and I headed over to the local police station to get some information on Micah.
Around midnight, we got the bonding process started, dropped off Ruben at his hotel, and headed back home to try to get some rest. At 2:30 AM Elizabeth called me and said that Micah was ready to be released. We made our way downtown and Micah was released around 4:00 AM. I headed over to the van rental to wait for them to open up to return our rental, and Bro. Micah and Elizabeth headed home. I made it into work around 9:00 AM, and eventually called it a day to go home.
This one thing I can say; it was worth every minute and every dollar spent, as hundreds heard the warning to repent and turn to Jesus. We look forward to next year’s event, and who knows, maybe we will reserve a spot in the parade?
Fantasy Fest and South Beach Weekend
Our outreach this weekend marked the second annual Fantasy Fest preach for Miami Bible Believers/ROAM USA. As the wife and I prayed prior to the event, I knew in my spirit that this year would be much different; much larger crowds, more decadent and vulgar than last year. Unfortunately, this would prove to be true.
Joining us again this year was Brother Ruben Israel from Los Angeles. He is a proven leader and true street preacher in every sense of the word. We were privileged to have him lead us again this year. The rest of the team consisted of Evangelista and I (JK), Doug, Emmanuel, and Bro. Larry from Tampa. Micah and Elizabeth arrived on Saturday along with Bro. Jude from Sarasota.
Friday Night:
After assembling the team in Miami, we drove straight to our lodgings in Key Largo, dropped off a few bags, and began the long ride down to Key West. Lots of great conversation and planning took place. We arrived and found a spot one block from Duval Street. This is no small miracle, as thousands of people flock to this event every year. We unloaded the van and headed out to the street fair. Uninvited and unwelcome, we hoisted our banners and made our way down Duval Street as the revelers gawked and wondered ‘who in the world are these people.’ As each of us took turns preaching, the hecklers and mockers would jeer and scream the voice of opposition. We had much favor with Key West police this year again, as they would move away the more vocal and violent hecklers. I counted at least a half dozen that went away in cuffs.
We were joined by three other men who saw us as somewhat of an oasis, as the police had shut them down earlier. They saw our boldness and took heart, as Bro. Ruben encouraged them to take a turn at preaching, and not let up. I consider this fruit, as these men were very discouraged and were about to either give up or risk getting arrested for preaching the gospel. Their faces lit up with encouragement as Ruben rebuked the crowds and preached repentance to the revelers. I believe these men were greatly affected. This went on well after midnight, and after a late meal, we made the drive back to Key Largo, arriving at about 4:00 AM.
Saturday:
After some well deserved rest, we all met downstairs (I failed to mention that Bro. Jose was very gracious to lend us his home in Key Largo again this year. May God return to him 100 fold what he has sown into this ministry) for Bible Study and planning for the day. We ventured out at about 3:00 PM and arrived in Key West just after 5:00 PM. As noted before, parking is scarce. We circled about looking for a spot when Bro. Doug suggested we stop at a Jewish Synagogue and ask them to let us park there. His boldness paid off and we parked and made the five or six block journey back to Duval Street.
This is what Key West calls a parade. I call it another excuse for people to go out and get drunk, act stupid, fornicate, adulterate, and revel in unbridled lust and perversion. The first people we saw were painted head to toe in black, wore high platform shoes, and some kind of gothic garb. I think they were trying to look like demons, but who knows. Obviously, they were not happy to see us. We immediately began to walk straight down the middle of Duval Street, banners lifted high and two truth horns loudly proclaiming the call to repentance. You must understand that this place is full of people who love sin. They also love to walk around half-naked. Everything is geared towards sensuality and unbridled lust. We even saw small children in their strollers, oblivious to the debauchery taking place around them.
We found our place along the parade route and as it began I remembered that this year would probably prove to be a much longer parade than last year. I was right as the parade lasted well over an hour. We filed in at the end of the parade as we did last year, but because of the ear splitting Caribbean/Reggae music, we had to hover back a few blocks in order for our horns to be effective. We made our way around the bend and started the trek down Duval Street. I failed to mention that as we approached the parade route initially, a local spotted us and was very intrigued with us and our banners. Bro. Tony, as it turns out, is a Christian. A very convicted Christian at this point. He stayed with us the whole night carrying a banner and exposing his Christianity to all of Key West. I believe it took a lot of boldness on his part to stay with us through the whole route. We also met a young man from South America who was literally our shield and buffer through the mob at the end of the evening. This gentleman fought off not a few hecklers and drunkards. At one point, he was almost in a fist fight just to keep the revelers at bay.
I can remember looking young people directly in the eyes and warning them to repent of their wickedness. Many of them looked away shamefully, knowing that what I was saying was right. There were even a few drunken seminary students as well. They would stop and argue with us that drunkenness would not get them thrown into hell, Christians should not judge, God loves everybody, God forgives all sin, Jesus died for my sin, etc., etc. The sad part is that, as we would begin to refute their lies, they would just mock and yell, and laugh us to scorn.
All were warned; all were led to the Lord. What they did after that was completely their choice. We made our way through the crowds and back to the van safely, not a scratch on anyone, all body parts intact, and everyone accounted for. Again, after a late meal, we made the drive back to Key Largo. I want to mention that Larry and Ruben were instrumental in getting us safely back those two nights. Thanks for the pretzels Larry (inside joke).
Sunday:
Our intentions were to preach South Beach today. So after some delicious Cuban cuisine, we made our way down to our favorite spot – Wet Willie’s. Ruben began to preach to a group of bikers that are always parked out front, and it was wonderful to see Sister Vera and Sister Veronica. These two rarely have a chance to come out and support us, as Vera is very busy raising four children, and Veronica, who is blind, is normally working at home. Some great one on one witnessing took place, and Emmanuel began to preach with his new horn. Larry then took his turn, and then Micah.
This turned out to be quite an adventure, as the police showed up and tried to shut us down. Micah continued to preach without the bullhorn, but to no avail, because this police officer seemed intent on arresting him. And arrest him he did. As they led him away in cuffs, Larry began to lift up his voice and explain the injustice taking place before them. I think they wanted to arrest him as well, but for some reason, they did not. As they took Micah away, Doug, Vera, Emmanuel, and Veronica headed home. Brother Larry was to meet his parents that evening at the beach, and they showed up as it began to get dark. So Elizabeth, Ruben, Evangelista, and I headed over to the local police station to get some information on Micah.
Around midnight, we got the bonding process started, dropped off Ruben at his hotel, and headed back home to try to get some rest. At 2:30 AM Elizabeth called me and said that Micah was ready to be released. We made our way downtown and Micah was released around 4:00 AM. I headed over to the van rental to wait for them to open up to return our rental, and Bro. Micah and Elizabeth headed home. I made it into work around 9:00 AM, and eventually called it a day to go home.
This one thing I can say; it was worth every minute and every dollar spent, as hundreds heard the warning to repent and turn to Jesus. We look forward to next year’s event, and who knows, maybe we will reserve a spot in the parade?