“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it…. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.” -John 17:15-16, 18
It has always been clear to me that the Jesus Kitchen is not “of” the Rainbow Gathering. The presence of God in our camp makes it a very unique place—a haven of peace and light amidst the chaos and darkness. This year, the contrast was even more evident than I have seen before.
It was a year of extremes in many ways. For example, our team’s unity, love, and positive attitude defied the difficult physical conditions—severe bus trouble on the way to and from the Gathering, rain almost every day, leaky tents, humidity that kept anything (including our sleeping bags) from drying, mud everywhere (that smelled of rotting plants), poisonous snakes and spiders, chiggers, and… worst of all… a carpet of poison ivy. I am not exaggerating. We could not walk anywhere without going through poison ivy, and all but a lucky, immune few on our team spent most of the time there itching. But despite the rather taxing physical conditions—and the fact that we had a smaller group this year, which requires more work from everyone—our team was amazing, and I rarely heard a complaint.
 Our campsite
The thing that stood out to me most this year was the fact that the façade of “peace and love” seemed thinner than usual. I witnessed great amounts of anger, heard about significant violence, and even talked with people who felt “unaccepted” (a word that is almost unheard of at the Gathering!). While it is never good for people to be mistreated, the positive side was that the different environment in our camp stood out sharply. There was real peace there, and we offered real love. We were not “of” the Gathering.
I had more meaningful and productive conversations this year than I ever have had at the Gathering. I was able to share not only my thoughts about God, but also my experiences with him in ways that touched people more deeply than I have seen before. At the end of one conversation (which had gone on for about five hours!), I was sharing how God had restored my faith after a few years of struggle. I said that he started by showing me that, if nothing else, Jesus’ death at least meant that he sure loved us a lot. Even though I was questioning whether he had to die or whether it accomplished anything, I could at least see that he did it because he loved us an awful lot. As I shared this, I could feel my eyes light up while I simultaneously began to choke on a few tears. I looked at the two people with whom I was speaking. One was grinning ear to ear as if he had caught a glimpse of God’s beauty through my words; the other’s eyes will full of tears as he told me that I must have something real, because I was glowing. What a blessing to get to share the beauty of my Lord with people who do not know him yet!
 Our serving station
The other highlight of my trip this year was that I got to preach at one of our evening services! Mark, our pastor, had gone into town to take someone to see a doctor because his poison ivy was so bad. It was getting dark and Mark wasn’t back, when our other leader (who we all assumed would speak in Mark’s place) pulled me aside and asked if I would preach. I had about a half-hour to write a message, so I just wrote what was on my heart… the same ideas that I shared with people every day. I talked about how the world can feel like a desert, and even when we know we’re thirsty, we can’t find any real water. Every oasis turns out to be a mirage, or it dries up shortly after we start to drink. I talked about how the people at the Gathering know they are thirsty—they know they are missing something in the world—but that they are finding substitutes for real water. No high lasts, no shout of “We love you!” in the woods really heals our lonely hearts, no dance at a drum circle brings real freedom. In fact, I said, I think that when King Solomon wrote that God set eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11), part of what he meant is that we have infinite needs that cannot be met by any earthly source; the result is that we remain unsatisfied and are driven to keep seeking for God—the infinite source of water for our infinite thirsts.
 Me, reading Scripture. We had someone reading Scripture at all times in our camp this year -- proclaiming the Word of God over our site.
It is always hard to process the Rainbow Gathering so shortly after we return, but even this soon after being there, it is clear to me that God’s hand was on us and that he used our presence there to further his Kingdom. Please pray for all the people we met—that God would bring other Christians to water the seeds that were planted, and that he would protect and disciple those who came to know him at our camp and at other Christian camps. Some of us are also considering a more significant work among the Rainbow Family, which is described in the prayer requests below. As always, your prayers are greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for joining me on this trip; your spiritual support makes it possible and holds up our team when we would fail otherwise. Especially when standing in the rain and mud, covered with poison ivy!
Take hold of the life that is truly life!
Molly S. Waggoner
Prayer Requests
- Pray that God’s word spoken to people this year would not return void, but that he would accomplish his purpose in the people we met. I believe many people truly heard the Gospel for the first time in a way they could understand. Pray that those seeds bring about a great harvest.
- Many people from our camp have begun considering a larger work among the Rainbow Family. There are smaller, regional Gatherings throughout the year, and it is possible to travel with the Gathering year-round. Some people are speaking of planting a church to disciple members of the Rainbow Family who know Jesus but are not connected to other believers, and to provide a church home for those who come to the Lord through our ministry. Pray that if this is God’s will, the right group will be raised up, given what is needed to accomplish this ministry, and blessed in this significant endeavor.
- Personally, I have felt that God is bringing me to a new stage in my relationship with him. I am excited to be experiencing his presence and learning from him in new ways. Please pray for a continued deepening of my faith and greater understanding of what is calling me to become.
- I still need a roommate! Please keep praying for the right person and for my finances to support the extra rent until the person arrives!
Thank you!
MSW
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