All of Those Faces

I have struggled with finding the words to describe what's in my heart after The Tabernacle Experience.


It still feels too big to look at all at once. I have even felt that it might not be possible to write. But I need to try. I need to write it down so that I can never forget, so that it will not fade. It is so very precious and it needs to be preserved in me. It needs to be a Page in Our Heritage of Faith as a family.


But it will have to birthed in pieces. I think that is the only way.


And I think the first piece needs to be the faces.


As the preparations progressed and the day drew near for opening, it was so easy to focus on the huge "To Do" List that seemed completely overwhelming. As always though, His Provision was Perfect in timing and details. 


We opened for guests, feeling wholly inadequate, but just stepping out in faith. He had called, we had answered, He would work it out through all those willing hands and feet who had volunteered.


And then they began to come.


He began to send those He had chosen to meet Him in that place. We had prayed for them to come. We knew He had chosen ones He wanted to encounter Him in this precious way. We didn't care how many there were, we simply asked that He would send them.


There were many who came out of curiosity. Others who came for a history lesson. 


But then there were those who came, knowing what would happen to them once they entered. 


Total strangers, but when I looked into their eyes, I saw it there: that sense of trepidation mixed with eager anticipation. And I had to hug their necks. 


There are two faces that stand out in my mind's eye as the "representatives" of this group. 


They were probably in their 60's, these two women. I don't know how they knew each other. I don't know where they live. I know nothing about their stories, but when they came to the entrance of the Courtyard, I saw it in their faces. The tears welled up in their eyes, as they did in mine, and we hugged each other. 


They put on their headphones, I started their mp3 player, and pulled back the curtain so they could enter the Courtyard to begin their Journey. 


My heart was so very full. 


All of the hours and days of preparation, just for that moment. 


If they had been the only ones who came for the entire ten days, it would all have been worth it. 


But they weren't. 


There are so many faces swirling around in my mind. Faces streaked with tears as they came out and hugged me and whispered "thank you." 


Total strangers who weren't strangers because of what we had in Common. Strangers who became family because of what happened inside those curtains. And "family" who grew closer because of this shared experience.


There were faces filled with Wonder, surprised by what they had found Inside. 


There were faces filled with Joy because of the intimate encounter with Him. 


There were faces reflecting His Glory, filled with His Peace.


All of those faces . . .