The Plane Trip – What a Moment!: As always, I got seated and comfortable. This was so very nice to renew ties again. Even though they were no longer practicing JWs, they had not read anything like Ray’s books. I mailed them a copy of Crisis of Conscience and In Search. We discussed my upcoming visits with Ray Franz, and so I wrote down some questions they wanted answered. They feared at first that I was going to give a Pep talk. But, when I opened up about my resigning and walking away from the Organization, they warmed right up. At first, my friends were hesitant to commit to meet with me. I figured now that I have talked with Ray, why not start reestablishing some old friendships. Wow! Just a a few weeks ago I was giving the Memorial talk and now look at me, I am really going far afield. I am going to get to personally meet the Chief Apostate in all the Earth. After the phone call, I felt goose bumps. I felt that I likely knew him better because of reading his books. but other than a few letter exchanges, we really did not know one another. I was surprised that he would invite me to stay there. Ray would not hear of it, and asked me to stay at his home for the weekend with he and his wife. I asked if he had any hotel/motel recommendations near his home so that I could arrange for a room in advance. He said yes, and that he would love to meet with me. but I wanted to talk to him to see if he might be available on the weekend I was there. When he answered, I told him who I was, and that I just sent off a letter. So, all I can say is that I was able to get him at home. I make a call to Ray Franz: I was able to obtain his phone number, but he asked me to not divulge his personal residence phone. This was now about my third or fourth letter to him. Since my trip was not until the end of June or possibly early July, then I shot off a letter to Ray Franz. I did not know at the time exactly where he lived. Ray Franz, why he may live somewhere around there. Gadsden? Why that is where Ray Franz was Disfellowshipped. Not too far south of Huntsville is Gadsden, Alabama. Like the "map" fanatic that I am (I do really well with Trivia when it comes to geography). They needed someone from my department to provide engineering support. Something unexpected in June 1992: I am asked by some colleagues to accompany them on a Vendor Audit to Huntsville, Alabama. Well, as with any commitment to anyone, God included, things did not go exactly as planned, as you will see later on. but beyond that, I never wanted anything more in my life. I just wanted to enjoy Christian living and fellowship with those that we could mutually build one another up. I told God that though I might attend some church sometime, I never wanted to be a member again of any religious body. I asked Jesus to help me be just a Christian, and no more religion in my life. and on May 30th I made this known to God. Part 8: The Defining Moment - a visit with Ray Franzīy the end of May 1992, I made it my single determination to never go back to the JWs or the Kingdom Hall.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |