D.C | Day 2

I know the title of this blog post implies that there is a “day 1”. There is no documented day 1.

I’m currently in Maryland visiting my dad. Thursday morning I made a facebook status and it said the following:

“Today Daniel and I will be going to Maryland to visit my dad. It will be the first time for me traveling alone. Might not be a big deal to most, but it's a big deal for me. I know how vulnerable a single mom and her child may appear.

At first I was scared, I probably still am, I might even cry. My physical safety net (family) won't be with us as we travel. I'm quickly reminded that God didn't give me the spirit of fear. I'm also reminded of one of my favorite scriptures Joshua 1:9 "have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest."

I know God will protect me and my son as we travel, to and from Maryland and also while we're there.

Just that quickly my peace is restored. Thank you God!

Let's not give into fear, but "fight" fear with God's word.

Trust,believe and have faith.

If you love someone tell them

I love you all.”

This was wrote, not in fear of something tragic happening to myself or my son, this was wrote in me overcoming a fear that was from within. I had much faith in God that the plane ride would be perfectly fine. I was more fearful of being out of my comfort zone, my safety net as I mentioned.

Once the plane landed in Baltimore, the man in the seat in front of me looked at his phone and said “oh shoot, there was a shooting in Capitol Hill”. In my head, I was like oh my goodness, Thank God, I’m way over in Baltimore. When I called my mom to let her know we landed safely and we were with dad, she mentioned what happened on Capitol Hill as well, but relieved that we didn’t have to be in that area. I too was thankful. So after watching the news and hearing the reports, my heart became heavy. I personally think the situation could have been handled WAY differently, but that’s neither here nor there.

So today, after a great time of eating out and some shopping with my dad, he asked if I wanted to go to the mall. (The national mall. Where all the historical monuments, museums and things are in D.C like a “downtown” area.) I said yes, ideally if I lived in this area, I would be here ALL the time, people watching, seeing sites I’ve seen over a hundred times, the whole nine.

 As we’re pulling through the mall I see 2 police officers running, I’m like dad those police are running. Then I look ahead and I see at least 4 people crowded around a man that’s on the ground. In my mind I’m thinking wow a citizen’s arrest?! So dad pulls over and I pull out my camera to zoom in on the situation. As I’m zooming in I’m horrified as to what I’m seeing. I see a man on the ground on his side appears to have his shirt off but has black marks on his shoulders arms and hands. He sits up and I see what looks to be blood. My immediate though was “dad somebody burned him!” One of the bystanders runs past us sitting in the car flagging down the ambulance, and I’m like why aren’t they helping him? So I zoom in and look around him I see a small flame in the grass and a gas container nearby. Eventually I put two and two together. This man tried to burn himself? For what, is he protesting? But to take it to such extreme? After we saw the paramedics tend to him, helicopters, and police dogs, undercover police, everyone flooded the area. They wanted all people standing by to leave. So we left and decided we would try again another day!

Few hours later, my dad checks his phone, and sees were there was an article about it. A witness said she watched him pour gasoline all over his head and she watched him light himself on fire, and joggers that were passing took of their shirts to put the flames out. I said “Dad, if we would’ve come 5 minutes earlier, we would’ve seen that man on fire”. (Thankfully Daniel was in the backseat sleep during all of this).

The man to my knowledge is not dead, but he is in critical condition, and he has life threatening burns.

I have no idea why this man would do this, maybe he is directly affected by the government shut down. Maybe he just got a divorce, maybe he just got laid off, or a family member died. No none of those things justify his actions, but it makes you wonder what is this person dealing with? Why they would want to hurt themselves, to this extreme right in the middle of Washington D.C. You NEVER really know what a person is dealing with and what demons they’re facing. The problem is, if people aren't Christians, they have NO  idea, the peace that Jesus can bring to any and ALL situations. NOTHING is too hard for God. NOTHING!!

Before we went out to the national man, a woman approached my dad, Daniel and I and asked if we knew Jesus Christ. I smiled and said, yes ma’am I do. She proceeded to invite me to her church to worship with her etc. I wonder how many Christians this man came encounter with today or the days before. I wonder how many Christians asked him if he knew Jesus Christ and made an attempt to share Christ with him. After all of this I felt convicted. Am I doing MY part to share the gospel? Yes we have platforms on the internet and in church, but what about those people that know NOTHING about Jesus. Are we making attempts to reach them? Are we reaching those that have NEVER stepped foot into a church?

I know things are so “P.C”(politically correct). Can’t talk about religion at work, you don’t want to “offend” people. My thing is we’re offended everyday by the foolishness of the devil. The evil spirits that are attacking these people and convincing them to harm themselves, the evil spirits that are attacking our cities, the evil influences that are present in our day to day life. Why can’t we take a stand and allow our lights to shine?

Christians we have to remember that peace isn’t going to be given to the world. The peace that is in us, is the peace this world will see. We have to share that peace which is Jesus Christ, with those that are lost.

I’m not afraid to be in The DMV( D.C, Maryland, Virginia) during this crisis, because I know that nothing will come to me and my son that God doesn't allow. What I’m “afraid” of is those souls that I come in contact with that might be lost. I don’t want to miss my opportunity to witness on a count of being “P.C” (politically correct).

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the young woman that lost her life on Capitol Hill. It could’ve ended a different way.

My prayers are also with the man that tried to take his life this afternoon. He still has breath in his body therefore he still has a chance to get to know Christ.

My prayer are also with those that might be facing mental issues, I pray they receive the help they need!

I pray that the Christians that are alive and well will ask God for a boldness. For a courage that will allow them to speak before men and women sharing the good news!

This thing is real guys. The devil walks the earth like a lion looking for whom he may devour. We have to do our part by spreading the gospel!

If you love someone, PLEASE tell them

I love you

Destaynee