Bible Doctrines to Live By - July 2008 Update

July 2008 Ministry Update

Greetings! It has been a long time since I did a diary. Time and projects have a unique way of getting away from me and I don't get things done like I should. Well, since I last up-dated you, a lot has gone on.

Trail Ride Saddle Tramps

In May we had the Trail Ride on the Sante Fe Trail in Colorado. Although I didn't ride, I went along to make sure there was some grub when they arrived back in camp. Greetings! It has been a long time since I did a diary. Time and projects have a unique way of getting away from me and I don't get things done like I should. Well, since I last up-dated you, a lot has gone on.

Trail Ride Saddle Tramps

In May we had the Trail Ride on the Sante Fe Trail in Colorado. Although I didn't ride, I went along to make sure there was some grub when they arrived back in camp. Diana Schnaath did most of the preparations and was a tremendous help and blessing to me. The ride was certainly enjoyed by all the participants. Praise the Lord for the funds raised to help send young people to camp and get some much needed supplies.

Steer Roping

I didn't stay in Colorado for the Calf Roping and Evangelism Seminar held in Brighton. I rode back to Michigan with Joel McGarvey. He had to prepare for meetings in Alabama and I wanted to be back for our granddaughter's graduation from high school. Yes, can you believe it? Shauna has graduated and is now preparing for college and her future. She wants to go into criminal justice.

Then, as soon as Lee got back to Grand Rapids we began the laborious task of getting information out about Cowboy Camps and recruiting staff and campers. It seems everyone is busy and it is hard to get paper work completed but it is so necessary to have all things done decently and in order. At times we didn't think we would make it but the Lord gave strength and the mailings were completed.

Then, there is the purchasing of supplies. Crafts, tents, Bibles, cowboy skills equipment such as ropes and whips, T-shirts, etc.. All these have to be done and in hand before we leave and with four camps that is a lot of "stuff." Then there is the minor detail of food. These kids can and do eat especially being out-of-doors and physically active all day. It seems sometimes that they are bottomless.

Finally comes the challenge of packing everything into the trailer. Norm and Bev Price have come over every year and helped us Bev Helping Load Trailer

arrange and pack everything. This is an Trailer full at Midnight

enormous job and I don't know if Lee and I could do it by ourselves but with Norm and Bev's help we got everything in and we ready to leave on June 29th for Apollo.

We started out with three of our granddaughters, Saige, Sierra and Sydney along with their dog Riley.

We arrived in Apollo on Friday night. Carl and June Schutter were already there and had their tents up. We began to unload and sort out all the "stuff" in the trailer and to put up the big tents. We had purchased some 10 x 20 foot tents and had hoped to make bunk houses for the cowboys and cowgirls. What we hadn't figured in in the Mud

was all the rain. It started on Friday and continued through Tuesday. Needless to say, there was a lot of mud and water every where. What a mess. The young people didn't complain and the moral of the cowboys and cowgirls was good. By Wednesday things were so wet and muddy we moved all the young people into some trailers that the Hobbs had on the grounds. At least they would be dry while they were sleeping. Pastor David Hobbs had set the kitchen and dining area up in the building where they have church. He had done this because of concerns about the weather forecast. This was a wonderful decision because we had shelter for all of the meals, crafts and meetings. In the afternoon on Thursday, the men and campers took all the tents down - while they were still dry - and packed them away.

The Bible studies were well received and the young people participated good. The Bible teachers were for the Cowboys: Kendall Thompson and David Hobbs and for the girls: June Schutter and Susan McGarvey. We had a morning and an afternoon Bible Study plus Cowboy Church in the evening. Then, there was horsemanship, cowboy skills, crafts and swimming. There wasn't much time just to sit around and do nothing. It was great! We had horse play

three campers make a profession of faith in Christ - Praise the Lord! Others grew in their Christian walk with the Lord Jesus. One thing we added this year was a "Let's Sit and Talk." These were cards handed out to Kendall and Susan and they some time during the week sat down with each camper and shared the gospel, making sure they understood and that they were saved. This was a blessing both to the staff and to the campers.
Pa Group

All in all, despite the rain, we had a wonderful week at Cowboy Camp. In fact, at least three of the boys enjoyed it so much they stayed on as "barn brat" for a few days.

Our grand children deserted us also. Sierra had to go home because of summer school so Sydney decided she wanted to go home also. Saige had made good friends with some of the girls from Apollo over the past several years and wanted to spend time with them so stayed on at Apollo with her friend Brittney and will ride back to Grand Rapids with one of the workers. It is so quiet here in the motor home with just Gramps and me and the three dogs. Yes, we still have Riley, Daisy and Sassy. Right now they are all sleeping. I just took them for a walk, one at a time, and it is so cute as they line up waiting their turn to go out.

We stayed at Apollo until Monday morning. Lee preached at Victory Bible Church Sunday morning. They met in the outdoor pavilion, since the sun was shining and things had started to dry up a little.

Right now we are parked at Antietam Recreation Park in Hagerstown, Maryland in the yard of Bob and Mary Rotz. Lee will be speaking to the children at their Day Camp on Friday. They have 300 here every day and have a very extensive program. This is their Wild West week. From here we go to Evansville, Indiana for a Triple T (Youth for Christ) rally and then on to Hermann, Missouri for the next Cowboy Camp.

We ask that you pray for us as we continue on with the summer program. Pray for physical and spiritual strength and that souls will be saved. Lee and I just received word that we have a problem with water in our basement at home. We are not sure what has happened but we have to admit it is so discouraging to have these problems while we travel. Our friend, Dave Plaggemars, is checking it out and we have contacted the insurance company. We just have to leave everything in the hands of the Lord. So, please pray for us. Thank you and God bless

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