Blessed are you who are Persecuted!


The Loney family group has been having their Bible talk at Lenox Mall on Tuesday nights. Recently after a Bible Talk, we huddled up to pray with one of the sisters whose family has been going through some rough health issues. Afterwards, we were approached by a security guard who wanted to let us know that we weren’t allowed to pray in the food court because it can make other people uncomfortable, or (hold your breath…) that everyone else would start doing it. Wendy wrote a letter to the people at Lenox Mall about the incident...and then read Wendy’s update! Just goes to show that when you are persecuted...God will prevail! :)

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To Whom It May Concern:

I left as message with I believe your administrative assistant or
receptionist regarding an incident at one your malls. The matter has been weighing heavily on my mind the last few days so I felt the need to be persistent in my attempt to contact someone. On Tuesday of this week (Jan. 9th), some friends and I met down at Lenox Square Mall (we actually meet to hang out there almost every Tuesday after work and Sunday afternoons after church). On this night, one of our friends needed some comfort & support (she's taking care of a sister diagnosed with stage two breast cancer). We decided to huddle up and pray before we left. There was hardly anyone there at that time because it was near closing.

At any rate, a security officer kept circling us as we did this.
Afterward we were told that it was private property and that we were not allowed to pray unless we were blessing our food, and even when we did that, we couldn't do it out loud and it had to be quick. We were shocked, offended,& embarrased to say the least. I'd never had anything like that happen to me and it's difficult not to take it personally, however, we don't want to violate any of your company policies and seek to find out what is permissable. I would very much like to speak with you on this and actually ask for permission to be able to pray with my friends. We love meeting at Lenox and are not trying to hold any type of church service there or anything. We would just like to feel free to pray if we want to. Please let me know if this is a possibility.

Sincerely,
Wendy
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Praise report from Wendy: I got a phone call from the Public
Relations Director from Lenox Square yesterday. He apologized sincerely and told me that he had the security tapes pulled from that night and he was able to see everything that went on. He reprimanded the guard for "hovering" and for bothering us. He also called a meeting with all of the staff so that they can go over and correct the way that they approach people period. They are well aware of us and don't have any problem with us being there or praying at all. "You weren't disturbing commerce". He says that sometimes he and his friends will get together there and sometimes they might pray. Long story short, the guy was new and they've all been told to leave us alone! To God be the glory!!!