Nonetheless, I made plans to launch part 2 of the Spring Missions Project. It was exciting just thinking of the possibilities! So, I arrived at the chosen hour and began my walk, this time with no hat or sunglasses. The weather turned out to be cloudy but wonderful! At first, I was at a loss as to why Wayne Hall did not fire up his camera and video the 2^nd walk? Then it came to me that with the public invited, WOFF would not want several of the security to be seen out front filming a man expressing his opinion and walking up and down Oakland Rd. Why, that would look like they were overly concerned. They could not show that to the general public!

    The first reactions on this walk were more positive than Sunday. Several folks were blowing horns and giving me the thumbs-up! It was encouraging. Some folks would circle around a few times to make sure they were reading both signs. It was a positive time. Some stopped to ask for my phone number and just to say they liked the sign. Then I saw him, Josh Farmer, driving by real slow with his cell phone enmeshed into his ear. No concern, at least they knew I was there and the cameras would soon begin rolling from a distance. All was set to not be too obvious, where visitors to WOFF would easily notice the camera crew. Was that sneaky? I made sure to show myself friendly and waved as often as I could, facing the camera(s).

    The next series of events may be out of order. We could ask WOFF to show their film to see if I have the order wrong. Aren’t they so sweet to record this Project! I walked over the bridge and back past the restaurant across from Old Flynn Rd. then I turned back around toward the bridge to go past Old Flynn again. I saw a Rutherford County Sheriff car sitting in the driveway of the restaurant. Of course, wanting to show myself friendly, I approached the officer and assured him that no one was bothering me and everyone had treated me well. He looked befuddled and said he was just considering where to eat dinner! So, I walked on!

   I walked back and forth across the bridge again. Different from Sunday, WOFF members did NOT wave back for the most part. When I recognized them, I called them by name and waved, just wanting to be – you got it- friendly! I did notice a certain Realtor® about break his neck trying to read my sign as he went by. I am not sure why he did not wave. Maybe because his wife was/is the main church secretary and he had been clued in? Some reactions from WOFFers were puzzling during this time.

    On the second or third trip over and back on the bridge, I had to stop and tie my shoe. As I did a Spindale Police Officer pulled up and put on his blue lights!  Wow, how did I rank getting such great treatment! After all, who could/can resist looking at the flashing blue lights and finding out who is getting such special attention and help? I was not upset to see the Policeman. He was so kind and helpful. He said he had a complaint that I was impeding traffic. People were stopping to read the sign(s) and traffic was being held-up! Wow- it was working! What a compliment! He said there were safety issues and asked me several other questions. He said he was required to do a background check. I gave him a piece of paper to write on and gave my name and birth date. I asked if I needed a permit. He said maybe but, of course could not render an official opinion. He told me if the complaints continued he would have to do something. I asked what that “something” was and he said “take you to jail”.

   Well, it was almost 6:30PM by that time and I had not planned to keep WOFFers from the special meeting. So, I chose not to go to jail on Wednesday. The Police Officer seemed relieved. Besides, all the folks coming off the ramp from Highway 74 headed to WOFF were being treated to a show that included flashing blues and them seeing my sign(s). Also, I was getting tired and thirsty and needed to head back to my car. Once I cleared the background check, he released me to walk back to my car. I do appreciate his help. Someone in a Spindale Police unit went up and down Oakland Road several times during the next 30 minutes or so to check out the traffic and check on me, I think. Yea!

   Let me also say right here, Thank you to the person who called in the complaint. I am not sure, but, if it was the WOFF Security was team; they did us all a favor! We are all concerned with safety, right? And it was true, folks were stopping to read the signs and express their approval. Lots of folks loved the signs. Do you think the WOFF Security noticed that, also? They are pretty sharp guys.  We just hope the next time WOFF considers a yard sale on Oakland Rd. that the Spindale Police treats them with the same concern that I was afforded.

    As I left the light show to return to my car, I walked past Tuscany’s Italian Grille http://www.tuscanyitaliangrille.com/contact.html , and two waitresses came running out to give me some food and drink! Wow- what a treat, first a blue light show and then free food! They were very encouraging saying how much they liked my signs and wanted pictures for their Facebook® pages. Well, though I had not worn my best khakis, I posed and told them how grateful I was for the food, drink and support. Another lady came running over from the restaurant parking lot. Her name was Brooke. She expressed her disdain for WOFF and asked for a couple of pictures for her Facebook® page. Wow- this was almost too much. Yes, I turned around and the WOFF security team was filming that, too! Do you think the WOFF security team was jealous and wanted a picture with me? Maybe next time I could get a shot with Josh and Ray for my Facebook®? Okay, that is NOT likely.

    After the impromptu photo shoot, I took off my signs so I could carry my food and drink and headed back to my car. It was a long walk and I eventually made it. Later that night, I received a call from someone asking about my time in WOFF. They had seen me walking. After a few sentences, I referred them here to this blog. All in all, I would say Spring Missions Project Part 2 was a success. I have already been asked what I was planning for a “Summer Missions Project”. Well, that will take some thought. When I find pictures that the others took of this project, I will post here on this blog. I did not get any pictures for myself during this adventure. Do you think WOFF would share? Okay, I’m just asking. Comments welcome.

    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”.

       (Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, the information about WOFF is from my 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 294.

     Today was the Spring Missions Project in Spindale, NC. The two pictures tell only part of the story. I wore the “WOFF is UNSAFE” board in the front and the “Ask Questions…” board on my back. I walked up and down Oakland Road for about 45 minutes. It was hot and I was very thirsty when I was done. Where do I start but the beginning. It took much longer to make the signs than I first planned. But, my previous time helping a teacher in the Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) School paid off. Now, don’t get me wrong, I did not help every time there was a bulletin board need, but, I helped enough to learn how to make letters when you run out! I had to make several letters in order to complete the task.  Though I have a long way to go in making posters, glad I paid attention during those times!

   I also want to give a shout out to the young lady that helped me at Staples®. She was so kind and helped me save some money along the way. After I mentioned to her the purpose for the purchase, she stopped and thoughtfully asked- How is your life different now that you are out? Honestly, the sincerity of the question was so intense. I was not able to tell her a very meaningful answer, but I hope she reads this blog to find out more. I started with the obvious such as my personal freedoms have been restored when it comes to many different areas of media and other choices. I did admit to her that there is not much to watch on television, but, at least I have the choice and I don’t have someone telling me what to do about it. I can watch movies and not have to report to someone about my “sin” in doing so. Though I find the quality choices are few. Reading newspapers doesn’t get me put in the discipleship room. Where is that now, anyway? Also, if I don’t have to reckon with not obeying that “person”, either Jane her person in “leadership” – I could miss heaven. Sounds odd – doesn’t it? But, as a WOFF member those things are “normal” everyday expectations and conundrums to deal with.

    The answer which would have reflected more depth would have been to convey the deep feelings and intense emotions over losing my family and the ones I once considered friends. The transition into this stage of my life has been full of perplexing situations and personal drama. I must admit, I have not been able to find the handbook on exiting WOFF or similar groups. It was/is different with each person and one volume could/would not cover every variable. As I look back, I may have done things different considering the old adage – if I knew then what I know now!  

   Let’s get back to the project at hand. I began my walk going away from WOFF. It took Wayne Hall, the WOFF security guy, 17 minutes to start filming me. I remembered what Jane had said to “show yourself friendly.” So, from the beginning and all through the filming of my walk, I did my best to wave to the security team and their cameras. It caught some of them off guard and a couple half-waved back- then they righted themselves and returned to their security team pose. Honestly, that security team filmed me from 6:07 PM until I stopped shortly after 6:30 PM, as far as I know! Why would I expect anything different? Though, I had nothing to hide. I was walking as much on public property as I could and I avoided getting close to their WOFF-land as I did not want to “stir them up” any more than I already had. They took more pictures of me than my mom did when I was born! Glad I wore my best khakis!

    As I started some folks hollered and wanted to know what my sign said. I told them and I will not write what they hollered back. But, I did press on. It was obvious that some folks paused in their vehicles to read the sign. Some reacted but, most looked puzzled and kept going. The warmest reaction from WOFF members came from those coming off the ramp from Highway 74. I was coming back across the bridge and made sure to show myself friendly and wave. Some waved back – obviously before they read the sign. I wondered if they would get in trouble for waving. The security team was filming me and certainly caught WOFF members- well, showing themselves friendly of course!  

    Near the end of my walk, two things happened. First, I stopped to ask a local fellow to take my picture and he did. I say “Thank you” to him. Next, I received a telephone call from a strange number. I was cautious, but answered it. [I had my cell phone number on the second sign, but for privacy – did not post it in this revision. Contact me – by email. WOFF members KNOW my cell number by now. It has not changed in almost 10 years.] The fellow was asking about the signs and expressed his shock when I told him just a partial piece of my story. I encouraged him to visit the blog. He promised he would. He said, “I am into God and all, but, I hear there are some strange things that go on over there.” I just pointed him to the blog for my story. What would you have replied?

    So, John, why the Spring Missions Project? To find the first answer read the post, “The Day the Protestors Were Beside the Road…” found here: https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=1947 .  One of the key points in the post was the anger in the protestors expressions did nothing for me when I was inside WOFF. That is partially why I wanted to “show myself friendly”. I have nothing against the regular members of the WOFF. I do not take long amounts of my personal time combating their doctrinal beliefs. What I do take issue with are the PRACTICES of WOFF that I know went on while I was there and in all likelihood still remain in the group. It is not the creed, but the deed! This is a public invitation for those that know me to contact me and let me know if anything that I have written about has ceased to occur inside WOFF. If so, and I can verify it, I will post about it and present the new practices and if I am told, the new reasoning for the changes. For the most part, I think things have remained the same and in some cases only gotten worse.

   The second answer to the question of “why” is this: signs contain words and by seeing the words they are remembered. (Regardless of the blasting prayer to get them out.) Those words that are seen may allow some WOFF member to start considering their life and desire to think for themselves. No, I do not expect 30 or 40 members to call me up and thank me for the signs. I don’t expect a mass WOFF exodus over today. I may never hear a positive word from a WOFF member about the Spring Missions Project. In fact, after this post, I may have some negative things to deal with about today. But, at least I am giving some of them the opportunity to consider an alternate view of WOFF and its practices. I have NOTHING to hide when it comes to my time inside and the way I came out of WOFF. I have nothing to hide about what I have learned since my exit. If I was hiding, I would not be writing these posts. Who is the one who practiced/practices hiding what really went/goes on inside of WOFF? Okay, who keeps it going? They (we) all practiced hiding WOFF things during WOFF days. It was expected and normal. Comments welcome.

  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”.

       (Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, the information about WOFF is from my 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 292.