Exit 43A-B Route 80 - Morristown Jesus

Morristown is known as the "Cradle of the Revolutionary War." In 1773 George Washington slept here. On this particular Saturday it was known for something else: water.

The Green in the town center was transformed into a 2008 version of Water World, but without Kevin Costner. Sponsored by Liquid, this local Morristown church is having global influence by raising awareness for clean water in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Waterwalk: For each local resident who carried canisters of water down the waterwalk, Liquid provided access to clean water for a child for the next 20 years.

Waterslide: Not just for kids, this slide told a story of well, water waste.

Water bottles: To remind us that unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation cause 80% of all sickness and disease, and kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war. Of the 42,000 deaths that occur every week from unsafe water and a lack of basic sanitation, 90% are children under 5 years old.

Liquid’s tag line, "Living water for a thirsty world," is derived from Jesus’ words: "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."

There were lots of believers, streams of living water and streams of just plain water as the skies opened and the water flowed.

Matthew 10: And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."

Exit 44 Route 78 - New Providence Jesus

The town was originally named Turkeytown, seems there was a rather large presence of wild turkeys in the area. In 1759, the balcony of the Presbyterian church collapsed. The lack of serious injuries was declared by DIVINE PROVIDENCE and the town was renamed to NEW PROVIDENCE.

Here in the parking lot of the Presbyterian Church is World Vision’s mock Ugandan village. One cannot miss this village along Springfield Avenue. Downtown New Providence is beautiful, this Ugandan village is not.

As WV’s mission statement says, “Motivated by our faith in Jesus, we serve the poor…” and this small piece of Uganda is meant to give us just a glimpse.

Entering the tent-like structure, I was provided an iPod (not standard in Uganda).

Following the earpiece instructions, I take on the identity of a 13 year old Ugandan, Stephen Migeria and begin my 20 minute life-changing tour. I am immersed in the role of this Stephen.

I sit on his straw chair soaking in the sounds of the African landscape. It is quite peaceful. I lay in his bed, while still soaking in the “peace,” I hear gunshots, lots of them. The voice in my earpiece says something about “The Lord’s Resistance Army,” then the words, “They’re coming for you, Stephen.” I literally stand motionless as I listen to the voice in my ear telling me that I am now abducted and training to be a child soldier. The earpiece voice tells me I have killed others both by gun and machete.

A year into my abduction, my small army of boys is ambushed by another army and I am taken to the Gulu Children of War Rehabilitation Center. Here, I am cared for by a mentor who tells me that God loves me and actually forgives me for what I’ve done.

But after being saved from the Lord’s Resistance Army, I am told of yet another threat, a hidden one: AIDS. I wait in the clinic for my test results.

“Negative.” I am relieved.

James 1: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress…”

Exit 88 GS Parkway - Lakehurst Jesus

Lakehurst is best known for the Hindenburg disaster in 1937. The tragedy effectively ended the age of the zeppelin. Ironically, the Hindenburg actually exploded, not over Lakehurst, but in nearby Manchester.

It is in here in Lakehurst where I found Jesus: Jesus of the Pine Barrens.

Warning. If you live in North or Central Jersey or any place else on the planet, the following photos may shock you. [These pictures were taken of the sanctuary in a small church attended by senior citizens.]

The Jesus Hand

The Lost Souls Hands

Dang. It’s a 30 foot 3-D mural depicting the hand of Jesus reaching out for the lost in the stormy sea. I am having a 1967 Chiller Theatre flashback. That television show opened with a creepy claymation hand coming up out of dirt. I suppose the Jesus hand is intended to be a comforting life preserver for all humanity. It looks like creepy claymation to me.

But that small congregation of seniors sure loves Jesus. When the pastor asked for anyone involved in the children’s Vacation Bible School program to stand, everyone, I mean the entire congregation, stood. While there’s not a single person under 75 years of age at this church and definitely no children, these folk have their priorities in order, ready to tell the young ones of the hidden things.

Luke 10: At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.