check arrived from a church in Mobile for one hundred dollars and
with it Curt bought the material. He had only $1.04 left over!
As Curt shared his vision of the banner with his team, everyone
began to get excited. Everyone wanted to take part. A construction
foreman on Curt’s team came up with the idea of using PVC pipe for
the frame and built it. One girl who had brought her sewing ma-
chine to the St. Croix base put the banner together. Another team
member volunteered to paint the letters. Several different people vol-
unteered to go on the walk.
There are many Scriptures about banners. Jeremiah 50:2 says,
“Announce and proclaim among the nations, / lift up a banner and
proclaim it; / keep nothing back, but say, / ‘Babylon will be cap-
tured.’ ” Babylon stands for the evil, idol-worshiping kingdoms in
the Bible. Because there was active idol worship in St. Croix, Curt
and his teammates began to feel that they were indeed on a holy mis-
sion. This banner would be a wordless proclamation to those who
loved the Lord and to those who stood against him that Jesus was
staking his claim over the island.
Before long the banner became a reality. Everyone was ready to
move. I have an awesome photograph of four young missionaries
walking, sunburned and smiling, with Curt in the middle. Lifted
high above their heads is a huge, colorful satin banner, notifying any
and all enemies of the Lord that this island was under new manage-
ment. How I treasure that photograph!
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that you still speak to us. If we will
listen, we will hear you giving us work to do in your world. We
choose to carve out times of quiet in which we can tune in to your
voice as you show us your will. Help us to hear you and to act on
your instructions. Amen.101 MOST POWERFUL PRAYERS IN THE BI BLE 73