Reunion Comments & Reports

Betty Daffin's Reunion Journal (click to view)

Lindsay Reed

How would I describe the LDM Reunion? Two words - GOD CAME! God came and walked among us. God came and manifested His life and love. God came and healed our hearts. God came and renewed our faith. God came and reaffirmed our callings. How did God do all of this in one weekend? Through the RELATIONSHIPS He birthed at LDM years ago! Thank you, Father, for your GOODNESS and FAITHFULNESS to us all!  -Lindsay Reed, LDM 1982-1987

Roland Heddins

As many of you have heard, the "old-timer's" LDM Reunion in Richmond was a phenomenal success. We were all so blessed to be able to get together again after so many years, to catch up, visit, tell funny and embarrassing stories, reminisce, watch videos & slideshows, have powerful times of praise & worship, and prayer together! Not many had dry eyes during those slideshows, or during those dreaded moments when we all had to leave to go our separate ways! We all quickly realized that we MUST do this again sometime!

Many said the reunion was a time of encouragement and healing for them, and we were reminded of just how precious the relationships are that the Lord put together during our time at the ministry. Such tight-knit friendships as we have are very unusual and hard to come by in the world (and the church). Many blood-families don't have what we have. The love among us at the reunion was thick in the air! Many of us felt we had gotten a glimpse of what heaven will be like. Word about the precious weekend we had has been spreading among the LDM alumni who weren't able to make it, or were apprehensive about going, and most are committing to making the next one...whenever and wherever that might be. 

Anyway, I am so thankful to God for such a precious family as you guys!  I know that I'm loved without condition by so many of you. The encouragement and support I receive from many of my LDM friends is invaluable, and it helps me to continue on in the good fight.  Prior to my time at LDM I had so few close friends and my global perspective was so limited.  Now I'm blown away at how many close, dear friends I have...across the entire globe!  And this recent reunion has sparked several dear friendships that had been inactive for a long time. One day at the reunion as I was looking across the room at all the people, and as my eyes scanned from person to person I felt such warmth and I was reminded what precious jewels each of you are.   And I feel the same for so many others who weren't at the reunion -- those whom I got to know and love after 1986. Wow, how blessed I am (and we are)!

 

Glen Presley

When I heard about the reunion last fall I thought to myself, "If that's the only thing I do next year, it'll be enough." And I realized too, that it could not have come at a better time - After I'd graduated from college, and during a period of waiting on the Lord for direction, vision, etc.

I have been writing in my journal quite a bit the last couple of weeks, attempting to put into words what has, and is, occurring in my thoughts and my heart. I know a lot of us were impacted greatly at the reunion. God desires to continue doing great things in our lives, and through them in other's lives. Personally, the reunion has been a catalyst, a resolution, and an affirmation/confirmation of many things in my life;

- It has been a resolution of issues related to my leaving LDM, which were deeply discouraging and underlying everything in my life for the past fifteen years. I knew it needed to be settled, but wasn't sure how. In fact, I didn't even know if it could be settled. By renewing relationships, sharing (some of) what the Lord has been doing the past few years, and sharing others' joys and sorrows, the Lord has healed the broken spirit and empty heart which I had. He has filled it with thanksgiving for His faithfulness, and for the incredible priviledge of being a part of such a wonderful family that He has given me - a completely gracious, beautiful and priceless gift.

- The reunion was also a confirmation/affirmation of the Lord's call and leading so many years ago to be a part of LDM, as well as His leading and direction in the circumstances and situations in the years since. At times I have doubted whether I could hear His voice anymore. "Maybe I'm doing something wrong." "Maybe I've just got my own crazy ideas in mind, instead of His." etc...  The Lord has bolstered the foundation which LDM provided in our lives. The priority of worship, prayer, the scriptures, (ie. spending time in the presence of Jesus), and gaining my strength and portion there, have not changed. The place where I live has changed, as have the circumstances, culture, and perspectives of the society around. This has at times made my walk with the Lord very difficult - "the world is no friend of grace." I have wandered away and turned my feet off the path many times. But it is the Lord who is the faithful One in this relationship - not me! And then the words come again through the storm, through the blindness, and yes, even the despair. "Glen, you are mine, I have called you, I have healed you, I have put my very life in you. I am not going to let you go. I love you, so walk with me. The days are long and often hard, but I am here. Rest in me." Who could ask for anything more?

- The reunion has also been a catalyst for moving ahead into whatever the days may hold. I sat down last weekend and organized a list of priorities, projects, ideas, friends/people, and all the other "ingredients" which are a part of my life now, or I would like to be. I'm starting "time management procedures" as a necessary step to accomplish &/or reach many of the goals I have. It's part of taking one step at a time and watching what the Lord is doing, and will do. (John 15) As I abide in Christ, He will see to it that fruit is produced - fruit from the Spirit, fruit from His hand, not from my striving.

May we all continue to grow strong in our Lord, in the power of His mighty hand, knowing that He began the work in our lives, has been faithful all these years, and will see to it's completion.

 Here's a copy of the poem I read at the reunion:

The Dark Days of Winter

we walk a lonely road
not by circumstance or fortune
but by the radiant choice of the years
our treasure is not to be found here
we gave all away
gave all we had
for something far greater, far more wonderful

we know that tears are the liquid gems that heal
overflowing from the years we thought were wasted
but now we are starting to see
we are beginning to discover the bright patches of purpose
laid out on the patchwork fields before us
my eyes glint in the piercing light
so accustomed to the shadows
but now, awakened to a burning radiance
and tiny rivers start to flow
rivulets of mercy, warmth and tender
the moist rains of the heart's surrender

where the tears and waters flow
begin the precious sparks
seedlings stretching forth their hands to the sky
and calling out the precious name that heals
here the prayers like flowers bloom and spring returns
in the midst of the darkest days of winter

(by Glen Presley, Feb. 23, 2000)

 

Sharon Bennett

How can words fully describe what we experienced together? God was there. We lifted our hearts and hands, and our voices sang, "God, You have been good, You have been faithful, You have been good..."

We enjoyed the sweet and powerful presence of Jesus. Although I already knew it to be true, it proved to me once again that it is through RELATIONSHIPS that God establishes and expands His Kingdom - after all, that is what we were created for. How can you describe the taste of an orange to someone who's never eaten one? How can you explain to someone the power and freedom of covenant relationships - totally transparent, vulnerable, accountable, one heart and one mind, committed to intimacy with God and with one another...

As many others have said, I know that God has begun something new. New to us and new in us, but something which He has had in mind all along.

During a time of worship after the reunion, the Lord spoke this scripture to my heart regarding all of us:

Psalm 126
"When the Lord brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them." The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him."

The Lord HAS done great things! May our sacks be filled with seed to sow, and may our tears of repentance and joy and freedom provide the first sweet rains in the fertile soil He has been preparing.

By His mercy and grace, Sharon

 

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