Well, I was back in the saddle last night (Friday 7/20/07) being downtown after dark. It has been several weeks since I have had the time to be down there, praying and witnessing. I must admit that I felt a bit out of sorts. I usually tool into town on my scooter, park, and try to look dangerously cool carrying my helmet around with my leather gloves stuck in it. It was hard to strike that pose cruising into Athens in our minivan. Nonetheless, I got my sea legs under my quickly, caught up with our little band of folks and began to pray.

A couple of them were already engaged in conversation with a skater in front of Repent bar. You can read earlier blogs if you want to know more about Repent (A on my map). I didn't want to crowd him, so I passed by a prayed for them and took a peek in the bar next door called Room 13. I walked through and prayed for wisdom and insight. I came back out and was joined by David Betts, one of the guys I disciple. We walked a little further on and found a shop (B on the map) tucked away down what used to be an alley. What caught my eye was all the djembes (African drums). Of course there were some African tribal masks hanging about, but I wasn't surprised. Then I started noticing all the candles and candle holders for sale along with incense. Much of it was occult related. And then I saw the back wall and display case with what has to be the largest assortment of bongs Ihad ever seen in one place, all for sale. We came out of there rather quickly and moved on through another shop that was laden with crucifixes and icons of Jesus…rather strange. Emerging from there, we rejoined our group to pray.

As we all progressed down the street, we happened in front of what was Flicker bar and theater. On the door was a sign that said "Closed and For Sale." So we stopped to pray again that God would provide every dime needed to place a group of Believers in that space. It's located (C on the map) between those bars and the 40 Watt, which is where a lot of bands play in Athens. 20-somethings are constantly walking through there and it is a PERFECT location for what we want to do. So if God prompts you to give several thousand dollars, walk in obedience…

One of the things that the Lord has shown us over the past several weeks is that this one city block (highlighted in purple on my map) seems to be the darkest section of downtown spiritually. Not just lost, but oppressed. It would be a miracle for God to place us on that block and provide the resources we would need. Good thing He still does miracles, huh?

We headed back the way we'd come and at the corner, we went left, just walking and praying, and every once in a while, I'd just wander off into a bar to walk around and look and pray and maybe talk to some folks and ask how I could pray for them. At the next corner (D on the map), that is just what I did and imagine my surprise when I encountered an old WDA alum behind the bar. Dan struggled as a student after his parents divorced. From our brief conversation it appears that he is not walking with the Lord these days. Pray for Dan.

Another block north and we arrived at Club Detour (E on the map). Now, this is the part I enjoy in my blog. There's this place deep inside that finds perverse delight in shocking "church people." That may or may not describe some of you, but consider yourself warned. Detour is a gay bar. It was early in the evening and things weren't really cranking yet, so we decided to have a look inside. I mean, why not? I'd already gone in 3 bars that night. The only difference with this one is that everyone inside is gay, right? Well, at the far end of the bar we encountered "Pebbles." He (in drag) was quite a large man. We shook hands as David (who formerly was in that lifestyle) introduced us. "Is this your boyfriend?" was Pebble's first question to David. I quickly offered a "no." We talked for a few minutes until I excused myself to walk around and pray. I wasn't disgusted, but what I felt the Spirit doing in my heart was breaking it. I left that place humbled. We gathered outside to pray once more, and then began walking back the way we'd come. David broke down and began to cry. His heart was broken, too. It was a mix of feeling the temptation of that old life still calling to him, repentance and brokenness over that old life, and incredible heartbreak and sadness over Pebbles and the other drag queens we'd left back there.

After some more prayer and humbling ourselves before the Lord, at the next corner we encountered a group of ladies (F on the map). I was out front and they saw me coming and were smiling. Now, as a single guy back in the day, that would have been a welcome sight, but given my status and what we're about, I got rather concerned. It was a soon-to-be-bride and her girls out on the town. They were smiling because I was to be their next victim. They wanted $1 from me in exchange for the opportunity to suck candy of the shirt of the bride. I politely declined, sighting imminent death delivered by my wife upon learning of such behavior, not to mention the immoral nature of what was being offered. It was sad really to see another clear example of how our culture views marriage as bondage instead of freedom. Here she was, out sowing her wild oats before the nuptials, before she had to "settle down."

Down another block south and then left onto Clayton Avenue. On the corner sits Last Resort (G on the map), a nice restaurant. In the parking lot, I spotted a waiter smoking on his break. I approached him and introduced myself. His name was Joel. I asked if I could pray for him in any way, and his response was not what I expected. He told me plainly that he didn't want prayer, he didn't believe in my God or in Jesus, or any of that "Christian bull****!" I was a little taken back. I stood there, looking quizzically at him for a moment. He added "My karma is good." I chuckled a little. I asked if he had done enough good things to outweigh the bad things in his life and he reassured me that he had, and closed the conversation by letting me know that he simply wanted to finish his break in peace and to be left alone. Oh well, nothing left but to shake the dust off my sandals…

We meandered a ways more, passing numerous bars, and tons of people. Finally we reached the highest point in downtown Athens on College Avenue, near the intersection with Washington Street (H on the map). This is the spot where we will be gathering 1000 Believers on August 3 to pray for the city of Athens. We stayed there a while just praying for the city and for that night coming up in less than 2 weeks. It was a sweet way to wrap up our time together. David and I debriefed over a late night meal at The Grill near the UGA arches. I drove home listening to Bach's Mass in B minor. "Kyrie eleison! Christe eleison!" "Lord, have mercy on us! Christ, have mercy on us!" Those Latin words have never rang so true in my spirit as they did at that moment…

Continue to pray for Athens, for the coming Awakening and Revival, and for the work that God has called us to here! Below are some links if you'd like to see for yourself what Athens is like from my route last night…

http://www.myspace.com/repentbar

http://www.40watt.com/

http://www.myspace.com/detourofathens