As I sit here asking the Lord to give me the words for this, I am reminded of something I heard once from a pastor about the real meaning of intimacy. The word can be broken down to read like this: into me see. Intimacy with the Father is something that comes easily to me as I have learned to trust Him to carefully and tenderly respond to my most personal worship. Intimacy with my husband is no different. In marriage we learn to fully trust one another as we reveal the deepest parts of who we are. Love grows deeper and stronger as we become vulnerable with one another and experience the peace that comes from knowing that this other person is faithful to care for our vulnerability and protect it.
Intimacy in other relationships can be much harder to come by. Yesterday I experienced an intimate moment with my Bible study group as it was revealed to them that I had recently been asked to step into a leadership role at a national worship/prayer event coming up in October in Washington, DC (Awaken the Dawn). While David and I were already planning on going as part of a team from Hutto House of Prayer to serve in the Texas tent, the Arkansas State Coordinator recently stepped down and I was asked to step into that role. Having a heart for Arkansas (David and I lived there for the first 7 and a half years of our marriage), I sensed immediately that this was something I was supposed to do. I still took a little time to pray and discuss it with David, and the Lord clearly said, “Yes.”
Yesterday, as the announcement was made that I was the new Awaken the Dawn State Coordinator for Arkansas and they started to pray for me, I immediately broke down into tears. This was not a sweet little dab-the-eyes because I’m moved sniffle. This was a full-on ugly cry – the kind where everything inside me wanted to find someplace to bury my face so no one would see this. But no place was found, and I stood there in front of the entire group bawling for reasons I could not even fully identify. Here was an intimate moment where I had become fully vulnerable with a room full of people, many of whom I barely know; not because I wanted to, but because I could not help myself. But here it was in all its weepy, snotty, beautiful, ugly glory.
I say all that to lay a foundation for what I am about to share with you. This is not something I do easily or take lightly. Here comes another vulnerable moment – something that is not easy for me but necessary. Are you ready? Here we go.
We are still believing for the finances for this trip to DC to come in. We committed to go a few months ago, registered and got on the schedule for a worship/prayer slot in the Texas tent. Shortly after, we were asked to help provide oversight for the Texas tent, and we accepted. Now, I have stepped into the position of State Coordinator for Arkansas.
First, I would like to ask you to pray for this event – for the national leadership, for the thousands of worship leaders, singers, musicians, prayer leaders, intercessors, pastors and others who will be there, for the governmental leaders and workers who will be exposed to these 4 days of non-stop prayer and worship, for the evangelism outreaches that will be taking place during this event and for everyone who will be on the grounds during this weekend. Pray for protection, for provision and for the presence of the Almighty to permeate the National Mall and all the surrounding properties while we are there.
Second, please also pray about partnering with us in a financial way to help send us to Awaken the Dawn. We were blessed with a ridiculously low hotel rate due to an employee discount through a family member. As a result of this low rate, we got a very low airfare rate for our one-way tickets to DC by flying a few days early. The one-ways were all we had funds for and we are still believing for the funds for the hotel and return flight. It will take approximately $2,800 for lodging and airfare for our team of five. This does not include meals or ground transportation, but we believe we can manage those if we can have our airfare and lodging covered.
If you are led to partner with us in this way, here are a few options:
- A GoFundMe page has been set up for the team. Any monies donated here will evenly divided among the five of us.
https://www.gofundme.com/huttohop-atd - If you would prefer to give directly toward travel expenses for David and me, you can do so through my PayPal account. You do not have to have a PayPal account to give this way. Click the donate button below and you can use your credit or debit card. (receipt will read Freestyle Business Solutions)
- If you have something else in mind, you can reach me at rw@rachaelwilkins.com to discuss further options.
I cannot adequately express how important this event is. We are expectant of a nation-shifting encounter with God and have no doubt that we are called to be present. We trust that all the necessary funding will come in. This is a kingdom assignment and He has kingdom resources in place to make this happen. Thank you so much for praying, and if you want to attend, it is not too late! Get info and register at http://awakenthedawn.org. You can also “like” these Facebook pages:
Humbly,
\o/
Rachael
