Friday, June 13, was a historic Healing the Land night -- an evening of repentance, reconciliation, and restoration between the races. Several African American and Native American pastors and leaders were present. Testimonies and thoughts were shared by each, and this is a general summary:

We are all one race -- the human race. We all are descended from Adam and Eve and from Noah and his family, and are therefore all the same family. But we are all different, because God wants diversity within His Body. If God had wanted clones, He would have made us all the same in the first place. Along with this idea, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 (the Body of Christ) was shared by more than one person.

The atmosphere is changing in Appleton from bleak and discriminatory to more healthy relationships between people groups. It is becoming a land of milk and honey. Revival is coming, and with it, God is going to turn wrong attitudes upside-down. We will see a perpetual revival in this region as we come together in unity under God's plan.

Other important Scriptures that were shared:
Psalm 133 -- Unity among brethren
2 Chronicles 7:14 -- Repentance so that God might heal our land
1 Corinthians 13 -- Celebrating each other in love, rather than merely tolerating each other.

The leaders who were present made a "salt covenant" together. Salt is used to purify and heal wounds. In ancient times, when there was a rift between people who desired to restore their relationship, they would eat salt together as a symbol of healing the rift and establishing covenant between them. A declaration was made that there would be no more division between the races in our area.

Healing the land is about healing hearts. Healing the Land night was not just a symbolic gesture. It came from our hearts -- hearts of love for God and for people.