Last Weekend Walk

Friday was a beautiful day of walking near Zeeland, Michigan. We left Bowne Center and arrived east of Zeeland about four hours later. Wally met a man and woman who were hanging a "re-elect a judge" sign. The man offered a handshake and said, "God bless you for what you are doing" to Wally. The corn fields and colors were breathtaking!

A God Meeting!

Saturday Oct. 11
Linda was under attack for the first four miles of the walk. We later found out
that this was the home of the Ku Klux Klan of Michigan…thus, spiritual attack.
Although we didn’t know this until a few days later, we prayed through.

Wally stopped to park the car in Webberville at a church. Pastor Matt was cutting the grass as Wally walked up to him to ask permission to park the vehicle. A conversation began that led to pastor Matt asking Wally what he was doing. He explained the “walk across Michigan” and also what he and Linda do in ministry. When Galway, Ireland was mentioned Matt became very interested. Wally explained that he and Linda work with Discovery Church and the Cullen family. Matt was in shock. On Sunday afternoon Matt would be meeting with Carol Cullen who had arranged a meeting to seek support for Discovery Church. Wally was able to give a great endorsement of the ministry and the Cullen family. God moves in mysterious ways!

Sunday night Wally attended a bible study and found out that Matt told Carol Cullen his church wants to help the Cullens and Discovery Church.

Beautiful Day for a Walk!

DAY 4-Oct. 9th
Wally was back today. All went well with our walk. Today we raised the banner of God’s names across sixteen miles of Michigan and tore down the devil’s banners. Wally was shown great mercy as a driver of a wrecker stopped to see if he needed a ride. Hopping up on the stairwell to the door Wally said, “No thanks. I’m walking to Lansing and praying all the way.” The young driver replied, “Wow. So you don’t need a ride?” Wally’s quick answer was, “No thanks. I already have one!” It was great to see churches along the way that were proclaiming spiritual truths on their signboards. Last week, one of our daughters was telling us that she had the opportunity to share her understanding of the six-day creation found in the book of Genesis with two of her colleagues. One of them said that she had never met anyone who did not believe in evolution. The reason we are sharing this information is because one of the above mentioned churches had a great slogan today. It was really hot today and Linda said she was missing the rain! Also, we now understand why the section of M-59 is called Highland. We walked up and down hills for most of the afternoon. Rather like climbing Pike’s Peak in some areas! At least for two of us who are already considered “over the hill!”

Prayer Walk Across Michigan

Today we begin our prayer walk across Michigan. You will find our schedule and other important information on the blog. Please share this with your friends so they are able to join with us in prayer for Michigan.

If you want to join us on any given day, we’ll be starting out around 7-7:30am from the beginning locations and hoping to complete the particular day around 2pm. You can join us for any part you so desire. Just remember, all we are doing is PRAYING!! No talking while you’re walking!

Email us with encouragement if you are unable to join us!

Urban Arts Camp with Central Detroit Christian

Back in the 90’s a professor from Gordon Conwell Seminary conducted a very early morning session for the staff of the DC/LA Youth Conference. A quote that has remained as a pillar in my life is, “No prayer, no power. Little prayer, little power. Much prayer, much power.”

In July, a group of overt teens sat during our early morning devotions at Urban Arts in Detroit. I shared those words with them, illustrating their poignancy with stories from my own life. At the end of my talk, I taught the kids body motions to accompany the above quote. The Spirit fell. When I invited any who wanted to join me up front, the entire audience jumped up and together, we yelled while adding the motions, “No prayer, no power. Little prayer, little power. Much prayer, much power.” This may not hit you hard, but it did me. They got it!

Our week went well as this group of young people learned dance, drama, music and art during sessions that were specifically designed to produce a performance on Friday. We saw them go from unruly, and sometimes uncooperative, to a lean machine, willing to give their best in their actions and attitudes.

Working in D.C.

As many of you know, we have been working on Prayer Stations for the Nations for many years. Last spring and summer we traveled to Anderson, IN where we filmed Ruth Shinness who graciously offered her addition to this work. Since that time, she has also produced the reading of her prayer book with background music at our request. Her son, Tom Shinness is a professional guitarist who specializes in the Harp Guitar in Nashville, TN. Together, Tom and Ruth completed another portion for Prayer Stations. In March, Wally and Linda worked with a friend on the educational and testimonial portions of this work. They spent two weeks in the Washington D.C. area writing, producing and filming. So far, so good! We are looking forward to continuing to move forward on this project as the Lord continues to provide the resources and funding.

Bluefields, Nicaragua

January 2008
Randy Gilbert contacted Katie Beth about a return trip to Bluefields, Nicaragua. Wally and Linda joined with their team of eight to minister in three churches. The days were filled with training eighty Spanish youth for a musical production in Spanish. The Gilberts did an excellent job in orchestrating this event. Katie Beth assisted them with this dramatic production, while Wally and Linda provided spiritual development through biblical stories and object lessons. On the evening of the performance, families and friends packed out the church. Wally delivered the message and gave an offer of salvation. The Lord brought many, especially men, into the Kingdom that night.

The Hostetters also spend several consecutive evenings with fellow pastors and their spouses to discuss church and personal issues. Each of these meetings ended with intense prayer with these dedicated servants of the Lord. The fellowship was sweet.

Verbo Church opened its doors for Linda to conduct a widow's and abandoned women's conference. The ladies were blessed with gifts of two pounds of rice and two pounds of beans, as well as beautiful scarves. Last fall a horrific hurricane accosted the east coast of Nicaragua. The bean crop was destroyed. So, this gift of beans was like gold to these women. A delicious dinner was served. Darcy, one of our young team members, provided vocal entertainment and Katie Beth filmed the event. The women were invited to join with Prayer Stations for the Nations to pray for the widows of the world. Of course, at the close of the evening, Linda prayed individually for each of the forty-five participants. She also deposited a kiss from Jesus on each of their cheeks. They all left happy and blessed.