Spring Missions Project 2012 continued this past Sunday along Oakland Road. The weather was perfect and the immediate results were shall we say “encouraging”. We arrived just before noon and literally within a minute JC drove by in full security team mode. (Remember, he was the car chaser last time, see the previous post on this event for a picture…) He drove by with walkie-talkie in hand and acting very WOFF-ish (Word of Faith Fellowship-like). However, we were not surprised and waited for the fun to continue. Soon, possibly by 12:10PM, the cars started trickling out down Old Flynn Road. Immediately, we noted a switch. WOFF members were purposely looking at the signs rather than doing the heard jerk –which always did look painful. RS and LS were the first members I noted to obviously stare at the signs. He was actually gawking.

Well, soon the floodgates opened and slowly but surely, the cars kept coming and coming and coming- just as we had hoped. Oh, there were the obvious Security Team passes and activities. People set-up with cameras and who knows what other electronic listening equipment, taking their pictures and being real obvious. Still we noted WOFF members freely staring at our signs and at first it seemed strange. Later we would find out why this had switched.

During the initial twenty minutes or so, we did notice Ray F. headed down the road away from our position. We soon learned why as he had apparently met with the owner of the property where we were standing. The owner came to us in his small black pick-up truck in a fully agitated state. He exclaimed- I don’t want you on my land. We offered to move closer to the road and he seemed at least somewhat okay with that. He kept muttering and stammering- “This is not the way to do this, I wish you would reconsider.” Unfortunately, he never asked our names and we did not catch his- even if he tried to politely introduce himself. So, I cannot officially call him out, but, we agreed his stance had more to do with his ignorance than his insight or knowledge of how WOFF members were/are treated. In my time inside WOFF, I don’t remember him being present at any of the various “shellacking sessions” that occurred quite frequently to regular members. I seriously doubt if he has even once felt the “gift” Jane Whaley use to help her members “submit to the will of God.” Though, I did learn on Monday that he has met with Jane and seen her sweet side.

Okay, we repositioned and the cars keep slowly coming out, the members looking and we were watching them look. All the while non-WOFF members kept coming by honking, showing signs of agreement. We agreed the session was coming to a close and we need to go eat lunch. Well, then the Spindale Police showed up. Along about 12:40PM, the officer approached us and politely asked if we knew who owned the land. We told him the owner had already been by and told us he did not want us on his land but, to move closer to the road. The officer noted our answer and went back to his patrol car to obviously get more instructions. By this time, the cars were slowing to a trickle coming out of Old Flynn. A few minutes later, the police officer came back to let us know his Sergeant did not want us on the right of way and we needed to find another spot if we wanted to continue. Well, since we had already agreed to close and go get lunch this looked like a good spot to do that. I mentioned I would like to speak to the Sergeant. My request was welcomed but, it did not happen right away. The activities for the day were closed down and we went on our way. All in all, it was a good day. Our signs were viewed with interest and the weather was simply gorgeous.

Monday, I made contact with a present WOFF member and was asking some questions about another matter. This person had been very close to me in years past. As the conversation took a heated tone, this person began to rant about a totally different subject from our original one. She said – And another thing, “Your signs are stupid!”  Now, we all know how fast your mind can go ahead of a conversation. Before this person could continue, I thought- She’s telling me the signs are WORKING! I also got more insight into why the WOFF members had been looking so intently at the signs- Jane must have given them permission! Let me continue explain more of the fervent diatribe that I was being so blessed to receive.

Now, I did not record the conversation, though she might have, so my recollection will only reflect what I wrote down after it was over.  She continued, “Seven hundred people left here yesterday of their own free will and returned of their own free will at 6:30PM. Just like you did for the 16 years you were here. If anyone wants to leave they don’t need your number. They can leave like you did…” The verbal assault did not improve from there, but, I was so glad to get some questions answered and so sad to hear of the continued deceptions being put out at WOFF. Let me explain.

For sure, I did not count the folks and have no way to verify the number of “700”; but, in my opinion that number was “evangelistically speaking” and had been “Janeitized”. Who really cares how many folks have decided to be under Jane’s web? If there were only ten and half of those were blood-kin, it would still be a tragedy. Now, as to the assessment of members leaving at the close of the service and returning “of their own free will”- I doubt that. There is no “free” will inside WOFF. There is a controlled WOFF-will. The will of a WOFF member is molded and fashioned by the will of Jane cloaked as the “will of God”.

As for this line, “If anyone wants to leave they don’t need your number. They can leave like you did.” Yes, a member does not need my number in every situation. Many members have left with the help of others. I was offering a door for help. Her attitude was that any member could leave at any time. To that I answered- go ask RF what happened to him last month when he tried to leave. It was told to me, and there is not a sure way to verify 100% right now, but, I was told that this man who “owns” a business, wanted to leave WOFF. Jane told him he could leave but, he would not take any employees who were WOFF members with him. (to work for him) So, he stayed. Does that sound reasonable or WOFF-typical? Does that cast a different light on who owns and runs businesses supposedly owned by WOFF members?

(Update: today- May 22, 2012- 3:41PM: Jane Whaley called me personally to tell me the information written about RF was “not true”.)

Also, when I left, I had transportation and a job outside WOFF. Young folks and some adults cannot leave at “any time”. When a young person has their cell phone confiscated, no transportation and no job or means of support outside WOFF, then leaving is not that easy. Michael Lowry was put out at a hotel with the clothes on his back and NO toiletries. He left with more than most. He at least had some cash. DB left running through the woods with his brother chasing him telling him he was going to hell, very little cash and only the clothes on his back. JA left in a serious drama scene with the help of another survivor. Countless others leave – but, need the help of someone who can give them transportation or use of a phone or cash or clothes or something to help them along to their next station in life. This is where groups like the Faith Freedom Fund meet so many needs. They help those who have left religious controlling groups with immediate needs like clothing, food, shelter and communication with relatives.

The physical needs of a member wanting to leave pale in comparison to the fence of fear that keeps members inside Jane’s compound of religious hocus-pocus. The fear fence freezes many and they stay trapped inside, while being told the lie that they are free to go. You can go, but, you will die early, not make it to heaven or some other tragedy if you leave Momma Jane. So, let’s lay all the cards on the table. Every WOFF member must crash through the fence of fear even if they have a job and transportation to allow them to leave. For the person calling my signs “stupid”, I must admit that God chooses the foolish things to confound the wise. If having a few signs alongside a road, so WOFF members who want to leave know there are folks willing to help them, seems stupid; then don’t look. Some will look, some will question, some will feel hope that they can leave. Maybe it won’t be today, maybe it won’t be tomorrow, but, one day people will leave and I along with others, will be ready to help them in their recovery and journey to freedom.

Thank you, for taking time to visit and read this blog. Please, consume the information on this site responsibly. The author is not a licensed mental health professional and encourages those that need professional help to seek it. The intent of the material is to inform and be a resource. Be sure to tell every member that you know at WOFF about this blog. There are readers at WOFF. Comments are invited from all readers, including present or former members. Polls are not scientific and no private information is gathered.

Look on the right side of any post for the option to subscribe by email for notifications or RSS feeds notifying of new postings. It is a great feature. Also, find more posts by selecting “Categories”.

Guest posts reflect the opinions of the writers. Their opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of John Huddle or any other persons affiliated with this blog.

Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, for posts written by John Huddle, any information about WOFF is from his memories and recollections as perfect as that may be or not be. Scripture references are Amplified Version unless otherwise noted. (Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation ) This is post number 403.