Welcome to day two in the “War Room.” Remember the scene in the film, The War Room, when the retired pastor is viewing Clara’s (the prayer warrior) house? He enters the war room and immediately feels God’s presence, steps out, steps back in? Well, that’s what this place is like. You can feel God’s presence everywhere on the property.

The day started early for Cindy and Katie with a trip to the goat farm. While at the goat farm, they installed some fence and spent time with resident prayer warrior, “Sandra”. “Sandra” likes to pray about every decision and how to install the fences was one of them. This girl fully understands the concept of “be still”.

Over at the Refuge building, a flurry of activity was taking place, including what we are calling the “laundry room miracle”. The laundry room needed the tile completed and then it needed to be grouted. The miracle began when it was determined that there wasn’t enough tile to complete the job, but Janis found a way to make it work. Dana did a masterful job of cutting the tile so Janis could fit them just right. The second part took place when a bag of grout was off color and could not be used for its intended purpose. Rather than waste it, the decision was made to use it in the laundry room, which was a much darker color than the main floor. Problem is, one bag of grout was about 70 square feet shy of what was needed and there was only one bag! Joan, Jon, Mary, and Brett were able to squeak out the entire room with absolutely nothing left. The darker grout looked amazing with the darker tile.

While the laundry room miracle was taking place, Adam, Jimmy, and Ryan continued to hang doors with Ken and Rose jumping in to help. Gary worked on cutting trim with the help of Dana and Janis.

The outside team spent the morning mulching (and then mulching some more) around the orchard trees—of which there are many kinds of apples, peaches, cherries, and figs. Then, that afternoon, this team began the task of prepping to replace the lawn of a sweet elderly woman, “Mim”, who recently lost her husband. She lives in a house on the property. The resident girls absolutely love this lady as she is a true source of inspiration and spiritual support for them. The wet, very heavy Missouri soil was easily moved with the help of a tractor piloted by Jon, who gave tractor lessons to Michelle and Shea while Dave Sherwood assisted in the Bobcat. The rest of the team, cut out all the outside grass and took turns helping to shovel it out of the trailer into its new location. It wet, heavy Missouri soil was not so easily moved with just shovels!

After lunch, several of the resident girls joined in and help grout, cut and install trim, hand doors and install locksets, alongside our Vineyard team members. One resident commented how it was a privilege to assist in the construction of the Refuge. The power of the Lord’s healing in these girls is truly humbling.

The night ended with Rhonda Calhoun, Harvest Home’s founder, sharing her testimony along with a brief session on how to hear God’s voice. Stock in Kleenex rose 6% by the time she was done. What an amazing story which happens to be the seedlings of Harvest Home as well.

Malachi 4: 2-3 states, “But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves. Then you will trample on the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act”, says the Lord Almighty”. The healing that is going on at this property is just awe-inspiring!

Speaking of well-fed calves, isn’t there some kind of unwritten rule about not returning from a mission trip weighing more than when you headed out for the trip? Yeah, I didn’t think so either. The hospitality here has been first class all the way. THANK YOU, Harvest Home!!

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