Holy Ghost Stories in Boot Camp

An Unexpected Turn of Events

In 7 days, Lord willing, my daughter London will graduate from US Coast Guard basic training in Cape May, NJ. It will be the culmination of more than 2 months of sweat, tears, and blood (yes, blood—it’s been quite a ride) expended in response to an unexpected calling given to her by God a year or so ago. She’s confident He’s asked her to be a light in dark places, to rescue those who need saving, and to show kindness to people who find themselves at the wrong end of the law.

Boot camp is no easy endeavor, but it’s been an extraordinary challenge for London thanks to the fact that she’s had the flu and pneumonia for most of her time at Cape May. She wasn’t quite sick enough to be hospitalized, which meant she continued with the daily regimen of pushups and running and screaming and being screamed at and memorizing endless information uninterrupted while she coughed so hard she tore a muscle in her side and looked lifeless enough to earn the nickname “Ghost.”

But she kept going.

And she constantly looked for ways God might be seeking to use her in that place.

Her mother and I have prayed fervently, of course. Prayed for healing, for moments of peace, for a continued assurance of God’s presence.

Then I got a text from the Command Chaplain at Cape May. He introduced himself, said he’d had the pleasure of speaking with my daughter, and told me she’d shared Holy Ghost Stories with him. He said he’d been deeply blessed by it. Then he said—are you ready for this?—“Would you be willing to come and do some storytelling for our recruits?”

I was flabbergasted.

Nothing like this happens for these young men and women. Boot camp is not a USO show kind of vibe. But God put a woman named London in that place and she behaved in such a way that when she recommended a podcast to her chaplain he actually went and listened to it. And shared it with the other leadership. And then texted me with an unprecedented invitation.

So today, our team flew to New Jersey to put on a Holy Ghost Stories live show for the recruits in US Coast Guard basic training. Tonight we told the story of Yahweh taking Ezekiel to a valley of dry bones and demonstrating His ability to bring life and vitality and wellness into places that feel bereft of such luxuries. London was there. And those recruits, who are screamed at all day every day, who live in constant fear of having to hold their mattress over their head for 30 minutes because of an untied shoe, who shed quiet tears as they fall asleep longing for home… They sat in the quiet tonight for 90 minutes while we gathered them around the fire of story and song and wrapped them in the blanket of divine presence. No one screamed. No one insulted them. They did not do a single pushup.

They simply watched as Yahweh brought resurrection and showed Ezekiel that home is not a place, but a Person.

What a wonder.

-Justin

P.S.

By the way, we did this show as a pro bono offering to the recruits and staff at Cape May. If you support Holy Ghost Stories by giving to Hazefire Studios, this is the kind of thing your generosity enables in the “off season” when you’re not seeing new episodes of HGS. Thank you.