Polish ASI and Rosario Beach, WA.

Polish ASI

It isn’t hard to grasp the potential for the advancement of the gospel and for the support of the Seventh-day Adventist Church inherent in ASI. Recently, I was party to something truly impressive. I traveled to Poland in December (not recommended.) It was predictably humid, cold, snowy and gloomy grey. Be that as it may, I did have a wonderful opportunity to speak five times at the Polish ASI Convention.

(Ten times at Springs of Life.)

The convention was remarkable. ASI Poland has only sixteen members, yet they attracted 220 people to the meetings. They managed to host the people on a shoestring by using a church and a school for the venue and church member’s homes for accommodation. The food was excellent, even if we did have to sit on top of each other. The music was uplifting and best of all more than half of the congregation was young people. It seemed at times to be a combination of ASI and GYC. The bulk of the reports were from activity generated by young people, sponsored by ASI. Besides that, this small group raised more than 170,000 ZT (over $40,000) and you can’t help but see the power built into this organization, both for evangelizing the country and for the training of young witnesses.

Poland’s little ASI is so successful that the SDA Union in Ukraine sent a delegation to the convention to learn how they might establish an ASI organization in their country. Where the church allows ASI to harness the power of the business and lay people, wonderful things happen.

Rosario Beach, WA

It's Christmas!!! Well, it's actually Boxing Day. Fortunately, not one of the fourteen people here doesn't like his or her gift. We kind of set that up on Christmas Eve. We told stories of people in our past who were not happy with the gifts they were given. Everyone thought the stories funny and vowed to like whatever came their way. So they did and we had a wonderful time. 

We are spending Christmas at a place called Rosario Beach on the Pacific coast. Wonderful. Wet, yes, but wonderful anyhow. (The Rosario Beach Camp is owned by Walla Walla University.) In Cashmere we had snow to our eyebrows. Well, very low eyebrows. The kids spent every minute available to them sliding down off the mountain. They were soaked all the time, but apparently had great fun.  

Our next adventure will be at GYC in Seattle. The whole gang is going except Steve and the twins. Christina did her best to sign up people for GYC. Apparently, if you sign up so many people you get free registrations. So she signed up a bunch and would give the free registrations to those who couldn't afford to go. In the end, she managed to bring more than sixty people to GYC. 

The girls, Vanessa, Brianna, Christina, Elie, Natalie, and Dakota are singing at GYC. They do a fantastic job of it. (Check out Angie's blog for pictures of our Rosario experience.) 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Poland

I am in Poland. It's been five days already and I have preached seven times so far. Two more times to go before I preach five times at the Polish ASI Convention. The experience is more than pleasant. I have very good friends here and I am treated like a king. Who can ask for more. Allow me to share some few experiences with you:

1. I didn't sleep on the flight over. I read and read and read in the biography of Dwitght Eisenhower--Soldier, President. Great book. I am living with Robert and Annia Kuczek. Their little girls, Ola and Lilly, are dolls.

2. I preached on the very day I arrived. I was in better shape than I expected. The meetings are very well attended. I often wonder if there is a lack of good speakers in Poland, or if there are few sermons here that deal with real issues. In any case I appreciate being appreciated.

3. I slept until  fourteen hours the first night. The people must have thought I died. They came to check up on me after noon. The second night I slept till 11:30 PM  and then from 3 o'clock to 8. I guess I'm doing well under the grey Polish sky.  I know most of the people.

         4.  Last night, I spoke on Mary and Martha. All the Mary's among us are delighted. They think
              they don't have to work hard, only pray. The Marthas are dejected because they have enough trouble getting the Marys to work. They are begging for longer meetings. I preach for one hour every day, now they want an hour and a half per meeting.

5. I went swimming on day four in a geo-thermal pool . . . hot springs. I'm always cold in Poland, and even the hot springs are not hot enough to keep me happy, but it was relaxing nevertheless.

6. I also saw a dentist. This lady dentist was appalled that my dentist in Loveland wanted to remove two teeth. She says the roots are strong and we ought to build on them. She would take two weeks to do the job and I figure at one third the price. She glued my teeth back in with no guarantee that they will stay put. She used what she called super glue. I'm sure it is dental glue, the best available to her. She charged $20. I gave her $40 just because I like dentists.

7. Today, I toured the building Dr. Grazyna uses for lifestyle sessions. It's a palace. Amazing really. It cost $3.5 million to build and it may be for sale. I wouldn't buy it, but if they can continue to rent it. It wows the guests for sure.

8. I have two more sermons to preach here.  I didn't think I would be asked to speak so much. I brought just enough sermons, but I am now searching my computer for something more relevant. A wealthy man came with his wife last night to the meetings. He, with the rest, was quite delighted with what he heard. I'm trying to encourage him to come to the ASI meetings. So far, he is not coming. I spent some time with the ASI president. Nice fellow. Can't speak English, but he assures me that anything I preach will be wonderful. Well, I don't know about wonderful, but I am not too worried about the situation.

9. Leo Schreven: I knew Leo fairly well. I sincerely feel bad. I surely didn't agree with all of Leo's style and theology, but I liked the man and wouldn't wish him any kind of hurt. I am sorry to hear of his death.  

10. I can't wait to go home. Not that I am unhappy in Poland. I guess there is no place like home, even if things are pretty lonely there as well.  

11. Jed Franklin sent a donation of $20,000 to be split up between India (Bill Dull), David Gates, Janet and Jason. Some friends sent $2500 for my wife's project, as well.  

         12. Walter Veigh is charged in Germany with sedition and anti-semitism. Not good news.
     
         Blessings to all.

Winding Down

Not much to report these days.

Tonight I start in on the last weekend of the evangelism I have been doing for the last month. I've thoroughly enjoyed my time with the people who have come. We've had as many as 80 people come in one night, but now we've come down to 40 or so regulars. The attendants are mostly Adventist. There are a few non-SDA among us, for which we are extremely grateful. The whole series is based on the Sanctuary model and I believe it is as profitable to Adventist as to anyone else. The Sanctuary solution to sin is present truth especially as we investigate the Most Holy Place and its implications in our lives. 

In one week, I leave for Poland. I am a little more relieved about that situation. I am trying, while doing everything else, to have good sermons for the ASI program in Poland. Lord help me. I seem to have my nose in a book practically every hour of every day. (That is an exaggeration, but that is how I feel.) I'd love to sharpen my chainsaw for the purpose of cutting down half a forest. 

John, my brother, and I will be speaking at a Prayer Retreat in Maine next May. That will be fun. Then I am asked to speak at the Pugwash Camp Meeting in July, in Nova Scotia. 

We had two Lifestyle Sessions back to back. Last night was the graduation night. I think everyone is ready for a break. So far this year, we seem to have a higher count of lifestyle guests. We are blessed. 

At Home and Abroad

 I experienced my first Executive Committee with the Rocky Mountain Conference. I was blessed. All the committees in the Rocky Mtn. have to be at least 51% lay members. As a result, I found the people very down-to-earth practical. The President, Gary Thurber, is very spiritual and diplomatic. I predict that this experience will be very pleasant and revealing. The more I mix with Adventist in high places the more respect I have for the brethren. Yeah, I know. I'm naive. May the Lord keep me that way. The picture above is of the ride to the Exec.Comm. at the Glacier View Adv. camp. Awesome scenery.

 This is our own (Eden Valley's) Michelle Perez. Her mother offered to sing with her, but she refused. She definitely could do it on her own. She did a smashing job. No fear.

 Here is a picture of the gang that installed the two hydro electric plants for my wife. They worked hard and got the job done. Nothing could please my wife more than getting work done. 

 

 The problem with sophisticated equipment like this is that my wife won't want to leave it in the hands of the local people. To shut everything down when she leaves will be a perceived and real deprivation. What to do? Would you like to go babysit a hydro plant so my wife can come home?

 I assume this is above the falls. They are damming up the flow so the pipes will never draw air to ruin the machinery. . . I think.

She's the boss. He's her advisor. (Notice the look of determination on her pretty face.) That's why things get done around there.

At home, I've finished my first weekend of Evangelistic Meetings. (Only three weekends to go.) It takes a lot of energy to keep above the stress of it all, but God is my support. All is well. We have approximately 60 people attending regularly. On Sabbath night, we had 80 people come. The non-SDA attendance is lower than the SDA attendance. Anywhere between six and ten nightly. No matter, I'll give what I can and will continue to pray that the Lord will bless whoever is there.

Keeping up with everything else is the problem. I still don't have all my sermons prepared, so I shouldn't be writing a crazy blog. You guys are just too important. Pray for this venture, won't you?

I'll be doing a series of meetings in Maine in May. Come to find out that the other speaker is my brother John. Now won't that be a tag-team of a different color? John also reminded me that I will be the guest speaker at his camp meeting in Pugwash, Nova Scotia, in July/August. It crowds the ASI Convention a little, but I intend to do it. Lord help us.

If you haven't, check out Angie, Julie, and Jason's blogs lately. The style is changing, and it is very effective. Someday, I'll join them. Chow.

Coming Down to the Wire

 Last night's sky. When I left the office the whole world was orange. Surreal.

 Our new sign. Ron Dettman from Michigan built it and an engraver from Loveland sandblasted the logo. Great work. 

Eden Valley hosted a cooking class by Mark Anthony. 57 attended. 

I'm preparing for the public evangelism that will happen starting a week from tomorrow. Some moments are frustrating, like yesterday. I took all day to prepare a sermon, only to discard it at the end of the day. No matter, the Lord will bless. 

This week we will do a Breadth Free seminar. I'll let you know what happens.

The team of men helping my wife with two hydro-electric plants will be with her for another day or two. She thinks they will finish what they started. 

We are losing three staff by the end of the month. I have a short list for the one that needs to be replaced. I guess I should start working on that.

Roger Julian and I walked 10 miles on Friday distributing flyers. On Sabbath, we walked 5 miles. We distributed, door to door, approximately 900 flyers.  

Fall News

I wouldn't let time pass like I do if my life wasn't so crammed with fun things. Well, with things, anyhow. I keep reading Angie's blog and my, what photography. I like to use pictures too, but I forget to take pictures when it would count most, and when it doesn't, I remember. So the pictures in this blog are of trees on the way to DayStar, cars in our church parking lot at Convention time (which you can hardly see), and the Dettman family from Michigan. (Thy came to Convention and did a pile of work. So good were they that we are hiring one of their daughters, Ruthie, to work in our wellness kitchen.

Our Convention was a huge success. As you remember, this year is Eden Valley's 50th Anniversary. For that reason, many, many people came to celebrate with us. Three hundred and fifty people, approximately.

Another reason they came was that Shawn Boonstra was the main speaker. Steven Grabiner did an amazing job with the message he gave also. Twenty five thousand dollars was raised for EVI and its projects on that weekend. A few days later, a check came thru' the mail with another $10,000. The Lord is blessing.

Our board meeting was smooth and peaceful. No issues, no arguments, no reproaches. All was great. We finished early. Out Conference President, Pastor Gary Thurber did the devotional. He told a story about himself, which revealed his genuine humility. I truly appreciate this man. (By the way, I've got another job. I've been voted on the Rochy Mountain Conference Executive Committee. Actually, I'm excited about it. I've always wondered what these Conference employees talk about. What I really wonder is what I'll have to contribute. I should call John for some tips.) 

My wife has her hydro electric engineer and his team at her place. They are going to install two plants, and her kitchen cabinets. My wife, like her mother before her, is in bliss when she has a team of workers advancing her cause. 

The DayStar board went as smooth as the EVI board. As a matter of fact, we finished early there too, and we got home by 7:30 PM. The DayStar farm had an amazing year. They sold $247,000 worth of produce. With that they made $70,000 profit and they still have $80,000 worth of wheat and hay to sell. Wonderful. But it isn't enough to carry a whole academy. Something more needs to happen. They've got great kids this year. I think they'll end well.

Our new sign is up, but it still needs to be engraved. As soon as it is, I'll post a picture. I think it will look great.

Two or our staff resigned last week. They need to find work to pay their school debts. We will miss them sorely. We are suppose to have a new doctor coming in sometime this week. 

In three weeks I start an evangelistic effort based on the Sanctuary. Do pray for us. 

The Sanctuary

The Messiah's Mansion made quite a splash the week it was here.

According to statistics, this exhibition was the third largest ever. 

They had 13,000 visitors in Atlanta, during the General Conference Session. 

They showed it to 10,000 people in Chattanooga a couple of years ago, and now in Loveland, Colorado, they had the privilege of teaching approximately 6,500 people. 

We are thrilled. 

Shari Waggoner organized the event and it went off like a charm. 

We are very proud of her. 

Eden Valley hosted the students from Oklahoma Academy and fed therm. Other churches, four of them as far as I know, participated in raising money to bring them here and help with logistics and such.

Now, after our annual convention (our 50th, by the way--all invited to come and celebrate with us) we plan to do an evangelistic effort based on the Sanctuary. We started two prayer meetings daily. One at 5:30 AM, the early bird special, and one at 6:30 PM. So far, not many are attending, but the numbers will increase as we let people know what we are doing. 

I am so dependent on the Lord in this venture. I've done three evangelistic efforts in the past. All in foreign countries. But frankly, if I can be frankly, I have never been comfortable doing them. I am not organized, nor do I have the proper sermon materials. (At EVI I have a team of organizers, par excellence.) Be that as it may, I will do it with what God gives me. If you have a minute, please pray the Lord will work a miracle.

Unconfirmed News: My lover sent me a text message at 3:30 AM this morning. She felt it was news worthy of waking me up. Fortunately, I've got so much to do, I get up at that time. Anyway, she says they (they being the hydro electric co. who want her land to build a dam) they will  not be building the dam, after all . . . maybe. 

I called her later in the day, and she still needs to verify this "good news" with the officials. If everything she is hearing is true, it appears the defense she put up at a local town meeting convinced the town fathers to back off. Do the town fathers have that much power? It remains to be seen. I hope so.

We have a lady in our lifestyle center who has suffered through a slow kidney and bladder cancer for years. If I am not mistaken, she has had nine surgeries. Lately, she woke up to blood everywhere. The doctor, whether at the hospital of in an office, I don't know, told her she needed to go to Eden Valley. So she made plans to come. When she visited the doctor's office again, and told the doctor who was there about coming to Eden Valley, he knew nothing about it. As a matter of fact, there was no doctor in his office by the name she gave who apparently directed her to come to us. It appears an angel intercepted her and gave her directions to EVI. How do you suppose that makes us feel? Can we expect a miracle? We'll see.

Brazil Adventure

This last weekend was exciting. I left for Brazil last Wednesday, and as usual I wished that I didn't have to go, but in the end, I enjoyed it very much. Ted Wilson, and his wife, Nancy were on the same plane I was on flying into Sao Paulo. We arrived in Brazil around noon and spent the whole day together. I must say, they are very down to earth people. Ted is quiet and Nancy has obviously never met a stranger. She is super sweet. Ted was scheduled to speak five times over the weekend. He attempted to give me one of his spots, but the organizers wouldn't hear of it. It isn't often that I don't get to preach on a trip. Consequently, it made for an easy assignment.

At 4:30 PM, we flew in to a place called Fortaleza, Brazil--right on the ocean. They put us up in a five star resort where the convention of the FE Brazil was held. FE means ASI for all intents and purposes. The organizers were elated. This is the first time that they had the GC President, the ASI President, the OCI President, the Brazil Division President, and 10 of the 12 Union presidents, plus a flock of pastors attending. (They weren't all there to see me, either.)

The weekend was relaxing and easy. I didn't have to preach. Being interviewed twice was productive but not stressful. Steven Grabiner, Brad Mills and I had a very good meeting with the FE leadership. They genuinely want a closer connection with ASI America.

Get this: The convention started with a meeting Thursday night at 7:00 PM. It ended around 11:00 PM. They don't hold to any schedule in that place. Oh the formality. It is enough to drive you nuts. The next morning they had a devotional half hour. Then there was no meeting until 7:00 at night. Steven and I had all day to hang out. We swam in the biggest waves I've ever tackled in my life. That was great fun. The food was scrumptious. I ate more papaya in this last week than I've eaten in the last ten years or  more.

Besides that, I'm home again. The Messiah's Mansion people are here. They project that this showing will be their biggest this year. People are flooding the place. We are so grateful. After the Messiah's Mansion we will celebrate Eden Valley's 50th anniversary during our convention, Sept. 28-30. All are invited. Then I am to do an evangelistic series based on the Sanctuary truth. There is always more to do than we can surround. Praise God.

Church Refurbished

It feels weird to be home for two weeks, but I like it. I may even get something done. I spent several days last week with others working on finishing the church. We've been at this for months now. A deadline, however, lit a fire under us. Restoration International were scheduled to have Family Camp starting on Wednesday. Thank God we were ready about an hour before the group moved in. (That was close.) The church looks great--new front, new carpet, new windows, new paint job and new platform. Y'all come and worship with us. We'd love to have you.

I was talking to my wife this morning. As some of you know, a hydro-electric company is wanting to take her land in Africa to build a dam. The electricity generated will be for the mining industry nearby. She apparently will have no choice. They say they will give her another piece of property and rebuild her school. If I know anything about that sort of dealing, I can almost guarantee the buildings and the land will be subpar. This big matata is suppose to happen in 4 or 5 years. 

Janet intents to go ahead with her plans as usual. We are praying for the Lord to intervene. If He doesn't an allows this to happen, Janet will strip all her buildings of everything she can carry away. She will accept the land and allow them to rebuild. Then she will give the school to the church and all the other stuff to Kibidula. At that point, she will be free to walk away. Now, having said that, do not go thinking that this is how this saga ends. She is warning the government that she will fight for her land. A lot can happen in four years. Keep praying.

Next week i am scheduled to fly to Brazil. Wish you all could come with me.

 This is the church's new look.

Candi Katsma painted a pic of Jesus knocking on the door of our hearts for Family Camp

Good Two Months

That's a picture of my Africans. We had a great couple of months. I'll miss them. They are back home picking up the burden the Lord has placed on their shoulders. I pray for them a lot.

With them went my Lover. Because Jason came on furlough, she decided to come too. It was a great summer. But I worry a little. She still has bone spurs and something wrong with her neck. I assume she has worked too hard the last four years. After all, she is in her sixties and erecting buildings in a primitive setting is anything but easy. I'm praying the Lord will find a replacement for her soon.

I haven't had time to write lately. Too busy.

The ASI Convention was a success. I had the privilege of hearing Brianna preach her last evangelistic sermon in Fort Worth. She is good. Who would have thought. I couldn't be more proud. The Lord has given me an amazing family.

I prayed a lot about the role I was needing to play at ASI--boards, meetings with people with special interests, keynote address and numerous stage appearances. It was all quite nerve wracking. But by all accounts, the Lord gave me the grace needed to perform my part successfully. Now it is on to another year of service.

I spent one day at EVI before having to go on to Spokane, WA. Alexander Fowler asked me to speak at the North West Youth Conference. The Conference was not well attended. I do not know to what that small failure is attributable. Is it the economy? Is interest among the youth failing? Was there not enough effort put into the planning? I can't tell. In spite of that however, I felt that the Spirit of the Lord was strongly evident. I only had a couple of weeks to prepare the sermons I presented. Granted, I did use some material I had used in the past (1/3), but repackaged.

Thomas Mayer of Little Light Ministries was the other speaker. He spoke on the subtle deceptions engendered by Hollywood, corporate advertisers, rock music, cartoons, and kindred subjects. Thomas had amazon material, amazing. He gave me six DVD's to take home. Sometimes his material was so dark and sinister that  you can't imagine these things are out there preying on relatively innocent people. I'm convinced, the people need to know.

One of the highlights of my Spokane adventure was staying with Harold and Joan Lance. What a good time we had. They are extremely generous and amazingly hospitable. On Sabbath, I had lunch with them and three men they had over from church. These men were intrigued with my conversion experience and my wife's African adventure. Christian fellowship can be such fun.

Finally, I got to spend three weekends in a row with Brianna. A blessing--Fort Worth, ASI, and Spokane. I guess that will be all for now. The plans are to meet in Cashmere for Christmas. May the Lord allow.

I get to spend two weeks at home and then I am off on an adventure to Brazil. Never a dull moment. Blessings to all.

Oak Haven Convention

I’m in flight from Michigan. Janet, Jason and his family, and I had a great experience at the Oak Haven Convention. It was great to be together and to watch those three granddaughters explore new territory. There is an element in them that says they should have been boys. However, I assume that by the time they start having pimples, they’ll become attractive mademoiselles. At least the beauty part isn’t missing.

On Sunday we had our annual Oak Haven boards. The Constituency meetings were downright boring, which is the best kind to have. If boring, it is because there is no trouble. The board itself wasn’t nearly so uneventful. I really don’t know what to make of it. The staff at Oak Haven is either prone to complaining, or the leadership just never learn their lesson. In the end, for all the complaints, they really had no choice. There isn’t anyone available with the potential to do the job. So, they are all stuck with each other for another year. Isn’t the Lord good? We’ll either learn to get along or to live in our misery.

Janet and Jason left Oak Haven early Sunday morning for Canada. Wish I could have journeyed with them, but alas, I am “shackled to a heavy burden, pressed beneath a load of care.” Well, it isn’t that bad, but my responsibilities do keep me from straying too far. I assume it’s my last hurrah. If I manage two terms (big if) with ASI, I’ll be 68 years old. That will be a good time to walk into the sunset, perhaps disappear into some African desert or jungle, or wander from my igloo into a snowstorm. (How dramatic is that?)

This week I have three days at home to be ready for ASI. I preach in Dallas, TX, next Sabbath to the baptismal candidates from the Youth For Jesus efforts. (Brianna is one of preachers. I am so proud of her. What a treasure.) Her sisters are in Hungary doing a Youth For Jesus program there also. Who would have predicted?

I am to preach the Keynote Address at the ASI meetings. I am still working feverishly on a sermon. Then I get to do a series of seven sermons at the North West Youth Congress in Spokane, WA.

Ok, the plane is going down. (Not crashing, I think, but landing.) When I retire, then we’ll have a family reunion, if any of them remember who I am.

My wife a few years ago. Or is that Emily?

So says the Preacher to his tribe.

Trouble in Paradise

It's been quite the week. Last week I was to preach in Copper Mountain. I decided to start a series of six sermons that I had done some years before, elsewhere. I was quite confident that it would be of interest to those people. When there, I found out that there was no interpreter for the Spanish speaking people. Finally, a little boy was chosen to be the interpreter. I had to hand it to the boy, he had courage. I suggested that instead of translating from the back to the Hispanics, that he join me at the front. I would speak one sentence, and he could follow sentence by sentence. He didn't want to do that. (It might have been a mess anyway.)

The problem with my speaking from the front and not hearing him interpret is that I have a hard time not speaking fast. There was a microphone in front of his face. He'd lift it up and it would slowly make its way down. He'd lift it again and again gravity would pull it down. So another little boy tried to help him. The problem with that was that they'd get into a conversation when he should have been communicating.

The whole exercise was frustrating, but what can you do? Sometimes the Lord allows your day to be messed up just to see how you handle the situation. It was the worst sermon I've preached in ten years, but, in the end, a good time was had by all.

We are in the middle of a lifestyle session. It's been a rough go. As you know, we deal more and more with cancer patients. But more and more they come to us with one foot in the grave. Among the 15 originals, two are dying. As usual, the Lifestyle guests are very sympathetic toward each other. This, however, proved to be a problem. Not only do they feel obligated to help, but they also feel upset because their time here is disturbed with a lot of drama. Finally, they sat me down and let me have it.

About 95% of our sessions are super appreciated, but occasionally, there is a group that finds fault with everything. I suppose that is a bit of an exaggeration. They did not find fault with everything, but they didn't spend a lot of time telling me about the things they didn't fault. I sat and listened and finally apologized for all our shortcomings. In an instance like this, defending one's actions is futile. The  people, when upset, don't listen to excuses or the defense of self. They deserve to be heard and acknowledged. So that is what I did. The camp has been quiet since and if nothing else go wrong, we might finish our session with some positive reviews.

Things have been so difficult in the Lifestyle center that Leasa decided not to go to the European GYC meetings. That is great for EVI, but it caused some consternation elsewhere. Namely at the Ford residence. Vanessa and Christina were suppose to go with Leasa. In the aftermath of Leasa's decision, Vanessa and Christina would need to navigate Europe (Austria and Austria to Hungary) by themselves.  Leasa felt she couldn't go and leave the Lifestyle Center without a shepherdess. When Memere heard of this plan she offered to take care of the Lifestyle Center for Leasa. In this way she saved the day, both for Leasa and our granddaughters. No doubt, the Ford parents are feeling some degree of relief also.

Memere is he heroin once again. Hey, had the stars lined up differently, I might have married some airhead from Hanmer or something.

Besides all of that, I am stuck to have to prepare 9 sermons in two weeks. Well, I've got one week left before I go to the Oak Haven Convention and then I'll have a couple of extra days. The good news is that I've got two sermons prepared already. Lord help me.

I am scheduled to represent ASI in Poland at an ASI Poland Convention in Dec. I will be speaking there on the Law of God. I got an e-mail today asking for the ideas behind each sermon with the foundational bible texts. Besides that they want an article to be printed in their bulletin. Oh, and guess what? They want it now, like in toute suite. Well anyway, I can't produce that much that quickly. I had to tell them so. They apologized. I must have sounded impatient. I hope not.

Ok, you just wasted another perfectly good five minutes. Better go back to work.

(Oh, I forgot to tell you. I had three teeth fall out this week. Well, not exactly. Three crowns fell out. I went to find a dentist (five actually). They wanted $84 just to look at my face. They don't realize that I charge more than that for anyone to get a peek at this famous mug. We couldn't agree so I'm waiting for the Lord to find someone to help me with the missing grinders.)

That's how you become in self-supporting work. If you've been in it long enough you know there is someone out there that will do it for less. (Is that bad?) Would a pastor do that?

What follows is a picture of my visitors from Africa. Weirdos.

Ramblings

It's the end of another week. Happy Sabbath in a few hours. It's been seven days since I've written. I am pretty much determined to write once per week whether I've experienced anything during the week or not. By and large . . . not.

The fact that we are living at the very end of time is masked by everyday mundane occurrences. I often think of the Jews in Europe prior to WWII. Life was good, they had families, they ate well, they pursued happiness; all was normal and predictable until one day all hell broke loose. To this day, the Jews have nightmares just thinking about what happened. I can't help but think our turn is coming--a time of trouble such as never was. There will be one differences for some Christians, the Spirit of God will be in their hearts fully and there will go forth a power never before witnessed in this old world. For most life will be a terror, for some glory will blend with the terror, and in the end, they will see Jesus coming in the clouds of heaven.

Jared, an 18 year old at EVI, broke his leg in two places this morning. He was riding his bike to work when he was hit by a car. He thought he was all right so he dismissed the driver. Later on he found out his leg needed immediate surgery. The Lord is speaking to our boy. I like Jared. He is smart and on a practical level he is a good thinker, but not interested in spiritual things. I hope he survives his teens. He is met with one blow after another.

Our EVI ladies had a yard sale today. Frankly, I don't know how it went for them. I stay away from junk as much as possible. I've never seen such a pile of one-man's-treasure. My guess is they trucked more to Goodwill than they sold. I"m sure they had a blast and EVI weighs three tons less.

We start another Lifestyle session on Sunday. Fifteen people are expected. We are ready. If you know of a doctor or a potential lifestyle director. We need one of each. So far, the Lord meets our need.

One of our church members will be buried at EVI on Monday. Pastor Eagan and I will share in the services. She was in her early fifties. Cancer took her life. We offered her a lifestyle session when she first heard that she had the dreaded curse, but the doctors have a way of scaring people to death and convincing them that they must have chemo and radiation. Her poor husband (and I mean poor) is probably saddled with an enormous medical bill. I can't claim that the outcome would have been different had she come to us instead, but I can tell you the outcome wasn't pretty for the route she took and the suffering she endured, and the mess her husband is left with.

Last week, a young couple called and asked about coming to EVI with their two-year old daughter who has liver cancer. We wanted to help. My wife was anxious to be her therapist, but the doctors threatened to have social services take the child from them if they don't do chemo. (Police state or what?) No doubt, they think they are doing right. Damn their blindness. The little one will die, must we torture her to the end? (Is it the money? Surely not . . . do you think? No, they wouldn't be that cruel. . . . Do you think?)

I have the keynote address at this year's ASI Convention. Everything is different from last year. Last year, I spent preaching on Righteousness by Faith. In the end, I was able to condense my research into three fair presentations. This year was all busy-ness. My preaching suffered as far as I am concerned. Just lately am I coming into a groove that has some promise. Lord help me. I dare not focus on trying to prepare a winner of a sermon, otherwise, I'll have nothing but a flop. I need only focus on being led by the Lord sermon by sermon until He gives me what He wants the people to hear. Who do I think I am, anyway? On top of that, I am to preach at the North West Youth Congress in Spokane right after ASI. That means I need sermons on the Holy Spirit before the end of the month. I need to find out how many sermons I am expected to give. Does that sound like work to you? It does to me.

Not to worry, the Lord never lets me down.

So says the Preacher to his tribe.

Hot Summer

My brother, John, began writing his own blog lately. Totally inspiring. Well, it is to me, anyway. He is simply recounting stories from his past. Check him out at Wouldbemariner.blogspot.com. (Now I did that by memory and my memory is not reliable. So, if you have difficulty getting into his blog, let me know. I'll double check my memory.

With all of that, John doesn't say a word about the hole they drilled in his head last week. Janice, his wife, sent me a cute picture of him with his head partly shaved. I'd like to share it with you, but I'm saving it in case he ever blackmails me. In any case, he is recovering from a burst blood vessel on the brain. He must be doing well because  his blog makes sense, sorta.

Yesterday, I was at 3ABN being interviewed by Shelley Quinn. With me on the set was Dee Hildebrand and Judy and Clinton Bond. The three were lifestyle guests with a story to tell. Clinton came to us with bowel cancer metathesized into his lungs. When he came last October, he could barely walk from the car to the Lifestyle building. Within 18 days he was walking a mile and a half. They've kept up with the program at home, complete with fever therapy, and though the cancer is not gone, it hasn't gotten worse either. To hear them tell it, the doctors are blown away. They had given up on him totally. Even they say, "this is a God thing."

Dee Hildebrand actually works at 3ABN. She's lost 30 pounds since coming to EVI and is all excited about what the Lord has done for her. She looks great. I was scheduled to preach nine sermons at 3ABN in September this year. Unfortunately, the dates we had decided on collided with an appointment I have in Brazil. I left Dee and Shelley groaning and moaning over the fact that we must find some other date. This is the second time I fail them this way. Ugh!

The fire threatening EVI is now 75% contained. I think it is no longer any kind of threat.

Those are the three I get to play with this summer. 

Janet and Jason and family are visiting with Angie and her gang in Washington. I get to go to a wedding in Minnesota this weekend. I wish my wife was with me. But you know that with women family takes priority.

I should have gone to the wedding already, except that some representatives from some big company are on their way to scope Eden Valley. They wonder what we can do to help their work force become healthier and cost them less in insurance. (At least, that is what I think they are looking into.) I should find out shortly.

Hot More Ways than One

We are having a blast. Jason, Antionette and the kids are hear. It's a tomato feast at every meal. You'd think these Africans never saw a real tomato. Ah, but these are special. They are Eden Valley tomatoes.  Big and red and organic and yes, yummy.

The weather is sunny, hot and dry. We work and we look for some moments to play.

In the meantime, one of the worst fires ever experienced in Colorado is burning. It started relatively close to Eden Valley, but after a prayerful day, it decided to meander the other way. So far, 50,000 acres, 100 structures, and one person destroyed.

New York Adventure

I just spent six days one hour north of NewYork City. From the moment I stepped off the plane in La Guardia, and started north I was amazed. I've never seen so  much greenery anywhere. Everything north of the city is veritable jungle. I always thought that Tennessee was super green, but in my present estimation, it takes a back seat to upper New York.

Last year, you might recall, we had a seventeen year old come to EVI for treatments. He came with a bodyguard. The seventeen year old was baptized before he died and the bodyguard who had married the seventeen year old's cousin has since been going to church. He is the one who invited me to preach in NY. He also invited more than thirty of his friends and relatives. A dozen or so came to the Sabbath, 11 o'clock service. I believe more than fifty came on Sabbath.

The meetings were good (I guess) and those who started out with me attended to the end. Very interesting people. One lady was 97 years old. She was the organist. She played a little slow, but it was better than no music.

I'm home again and except for local appointments, I will not venture too far until June 26. I am to be interviewed on 3ABN again. My wife, son and his family will be home on June 4. I can't wait to see those little girls. The fun is about to begin.

I have been home only one weekend since sometime is February. I'm tired of traveling for now. It feels like I am forever putting out second rate material. I don't have time enough to really work something to a higher standard. People are gracious, but I need more time to download God's special messages to His people. I'm worried about the keynote address that is mine to deliver at the ASI Convention. There is but two months left and I haven't begun to think about it. I am also scheduled to do a series on the Holy Spirit in Spokane, WA, in August. That isn't prepared either. On the other hand, the Lord has never let me down. I've never been struck dumb, or have experienced such stage fright that I was paralyzed on stage. I assume my weariness is not wearying the Lord. Therefore, it is  up to Him to supply those needs.

It if wasn't for faith that God will see me through, I'd lose all hope of success. Life is so interesting, but way too busy. Martha, of Martha and Mary fame, was concerned with things that pass away--good things, necessary chores, a busy schedule. But Mary concerned herself with the "one thing needful." She sat at Jesus' feet and absorbed His word, that which alone will endure eternally. That's what I want, don't you?

Dom Rep

I'm sitting in a hotel restaurant in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. It's the only place I can find WiFi for free. Barbara Taylor, Leasa Hodges and I are here to do a New Beginnings DVD training.

The training went well. Having never participated, I was kind of left to do my blind best. I made a couple of gaffs, which I can see and admit, but my self-justifying nature can argue quite effectively. I decided not to make things worse. The people, 500 of them, were super receptive. At the end of the program the great majority committed to use their new material to do evangelism within one month.

Today, we were suppose to have a board meeting with the Country Life project, but because Steven Leach is getting married this weekend, the board was cancelled and we are left to do next to nothing.  We have an appointment for lunch with the Conference President, Pastor Leher. He has new ideas in relation to the Country Life Ministry. Pastor Leher is the board Chairman. We will hear him out, but frankly, I'm not so encouraged with the Country Life prospects. I love Ydis and Maudlyn and Rebecca, but in my mind, it is beginning to feel like time to call it a day. We'll see.

Anyway, the weather is pleasant, the ambiance is soothing, the rest is welcome (I slept eleven hours last night.) I preached Friday night at a young doctor's baptism. I had prepared a sermon for it, but when the time came, which was exhausted by everyone else, I decided to preach from the top of my head on a totally different subject. (It was after nine.) I was surprised at what God will do with nothing.

I was suppose to preach at the eleven o'clock service on Sabbath, also. Again, I got squeezed out because we had more material than time. I was ok with it. Who needs the extra stress.

Next week I will be in New York doing a week of prayer. It's a great life, but what will the fruit be of all this "work." If feels like shooting in the night and hoping to hit something. In the end, I have no choice. I must leave it with God to do the aiming.

I will see my wife, Jason and his family in two weeks. What a blessing.

Prayers Answered

Last weekend, I preached at Copper Mountain, Colorado. From there we, Beverly, Hayley, Leasa and I, drove to DayStar Academy. We had a board meeting on Sunday. It wan't an easy board meeting. Unfortunately, the team was divided, not on the principles, but on the implementation of the principles. As a result, there was another change in the leadership of DayStar.

I truly appreciate Chris Anderson and his family. They gave 110% to making DayStar succeed, but in the end Jerry Harris was returned as the leader. I certainly do not appreciate Jerry any less than Chris. The pain that these changes generate tear me up, but we do our best with what we've been given. May the Lord help us.

You may be interested to know that my computer came home. In my last blog, I told of leaving my computer at the Atlanta Airport Security. For seven days, the tracking service reported that they did not find the computer. I assumed it was lost forever, but I must admit to praying agonizingly for that machine. On the 8th day, I rec'd a phone call saying it was found. On the 9th day it was on my desk. Isn't God good. Yes!

I have nothing but gratitude in my heart.

So says the Preacher to his Tribe.

Lost Times Two

Greetings to all. I'm back home one more time. Arrived last night from Chattanooga. I was at a Wildwood board meeting. I, and I assume many more, have been praying a long time for this board meeting. It had the potential for being an all out battle.  Praise the Lord, it wasn't.  It was long, it was stressful, but it was a great success.

I left Wildwood around 10:30 AM. My flight out of Atlanta was only at 4 PM. Plenty of time. Right! I figured it would take three hours to the airport and I should be there two hours ahead of flying. So I had a half hour of grace. I decided to pay Steven Grabiner a visit at OCI. I stayed a half hour longer than I had budgeted, but plenty of time. Right!

When leaving OCI, I thought, "I know a short cut to HWY 75. So I took the short cut, but instead of turning south on 75 I turned North. (That is not unusual. I am directionally challenged. Ask my wife.) I thought nothing of it. My mind is always churning over a dozen things at a time. One hour later, (notice, one hour later) I saw a sign that said 42 miles to Knoxville. "Oh no." I had been going in the opposite direction for one hour. That means (I know, you know what that means) that to get to the starting point, I had to drive one hour. I didn't have two hours to lose.

I turned the car around, prayed a prayer of submission and apology, and I asked for a miracle. Surrendered to the inevitable, I decided to do all I could thinking that maybe the flight might be delayed in answer to a knucklehead's prayer. I drove 80 MPH all the way. There were police everywhere, but they seemed preoccupied with some other law breakers. Now if you do the math, you know it was impossible to make my flight. I lost two hours, I had to stop for gas twice--once because I was running low, and once to fill the tank because it was a rental car, I had to return the rental car, I had to take a tram to the terminal, I had to go thru' security, I had to go to ticketing, and I had to find my gate . . . Guess what? I made it with eight minutes left before the flight. Except that the flight was delayed. I praised the Lord for the miracle, but really, the Lord didn't have to delay the flight too. That was a bit overkill.

That was "lost" number one. Lost number two is: I lost my new computer. The last time I saw it was in security. I only realized my loss when I got to work this morning. I made a claim from the airport security, but they haven't found it yet. Because the computer was a gift, I will wait to give the airport a chance to come clean, then I will go out and buy the same model. It was my fault. Bummer! You can pray with me if you care (no, no that's appealing with too much emotion) if you have time.

Talked to my wife this morning. She is in Africa at her project with three granddaughters and her friend, Laural Bates. All is well except that I fill sick at heart for losing my computer. God knows where it is. God can do anything. He can restore it to me if He wills. I submit. It was my fault and it would be totally of grace if the thing should somehow reappear. God is a God of grace, yes?? Yes. So, I hope.

No Time

Would you believe me if I told you I don't have time to blog. Well, I don't, but here goes anyway.

Three weeks ago, Janet and I left for Florida. It was vacation time. Usually, my vacations consist of taking time off to do a week of prayer or something similar. This time we went to Steve and Carrie Klaus' condo in Bradenton Beach, Florida. It was heavenly. Steve and Carrie treated us like royalty and the weather, the beach and the ambiance was perfect. We had four heavenly days.

While there, we decided to contact Janet's sister, Dale and Sylvio Cristo. We knew they lived in Florida, but we knew not where. It turns out they live in . . . guess where?-- Bradenton, Florida. We could not have been more surprised. We spent two days with them biking, and soaking and talking, and of course, eating. Wonderful.

From there we navigated to Uchee Pines where I Chair an annual board. The board was easy and the fellowship was great.

Then on to the OCI Retreat in Cahutta Springs, GA. That was one of the best retreats I've attended. I had the opportunity to preach one sermon, which was well rec'd. As a matter of fact, I felt the Lord did something special for and thru' me that evening. I've been thanking Him ever since.

We spent three days at Denzil and Donna's house in Clinton TN. (We also spent a night with Don and Rumiko Johnson. Great hospitality.) You can only imagine that kind of home (Denzil's) in a dream setting. Beautiful, rich, immaculate, and relaxing. Denzil offered me his car to drive (once)--a Mercedes 550 sports car. I have never driven a faster car in my life. I hardly dared push it. Anyway, we are blessed.

We then attended the Southern ASI Chapter Convention. I preached twice there. Again, the Lord is very gracious toward me. My whole life is filled with gratitude. What more can I say.

Tomorrow, I go to Washington DC. Ted Wilson invited me to a special meeting on health. A day later, I fly back to Denver only to fly to Rhode Island for the Atlantic ASI Chapter for the weekend.

Now can you see why I don't have time to blog?

Fire, Flood and Blond Hair

I beg your pardon,

I never promised you a rose garden.

Along with the sunshine,

There's got to be a little rain sometimes

Life is full of blessings because Jesus is "the orderer of all our experiences" IHP 265. Yet, some of those blessings come in disguise. On Sabbath morning we woke up to our second biggest greenhouse on fire. We lost about one third of it. It appears like the corn burner malfunctioned. It burned the shed down, the $15,000 corn burner and the plastic. We might have put the thing back together quickly except that we need to have a building permit to do that.

On the same day, the basement of the church flooded. The church really does't need anymore messes. It is in state of remodeling and we are meeting in our Village Assembly room. 

On top of that, my lover had her hair dyed. She looks good, but as usual her hair had to turn orange before it could be fixed. 

We leave in the morning for a five-day vacation in Florida. 

Blessings to all.

Dis-ordinary

I managed a weekend without having to speak. Believe it or not, I enjoyed that. I just went to church like an ordinary person. (As a matter of fact, that's what I am--an ordinary Joe.) I suppose preaching doesn't make me dis-ordinary, un-ordinary, or extraordinary either, but it does keep an extra amount of stress on me. The day was peaceful and dreamy. Janet and I watched a Christian movie after Sabbath called "Faith Like Potatoes."It was about a Scottish African farmer who was forced to move from Zambia to South Africa and to start over again. (The movie is based on a true story.) It was quite moving and realistic. The part where the farmer runs over his nephew with his tractor breaks your heart. Anyway, they exemplified faith where the rubber meets the road.

This week I preach in Copper Mountain. Then on Sunday Janet and I take a six-day vacation in Florida--around Tampa. Some friends of ours are letting us use their house. They are farmers in Michigan. The Sunday after that we have a board meeting at Uchee Pines, followed by the OCI Retreat and the Southern Union ASI Chapter. We get home on the 16th of April.

Our Lifestyle Session ends tomorrow. Very interesting. My wife played the role of Director for the past two months. She made wonderful changes and we wish we could keep her. Unfortunately, she is bent on going back to Africa on April 25 for one month. (Better than three.) She will return with Jason till after the National ASI Convention.

There you have it. Even life on the fast track can be boring.

Our Mission team arrives from Dominican Republic tomorrow. They've had a very successful evangelistic thrust. (I can't give numbers yet.)  

I'm trying to prepare a sermon for OCI. Sometimes it just doesn't get easier.

Lean hard on the Lord. When He says, "without Me you can do nothing," He means it.              

So says the Preacher to his Tribe.

Columbia Union ASI Chapter

The weather is unseasonably warm, like summer in Northern Ontario. I'm not sure whether we are suppose to bask in its warmth or to dread global warming. I guess I'll just bask. Why not, life is short.

Janet and I spent the weekend in Vienna, Virginia, just outside of Washington, DC at the Columbia Union ASI Chapter. It was a good weekend. Not too much stress. The meetings were good--Ivor Myers and Henry Wright. I like Henry Wright's preaching. (That isn't to say Ivor Myers isn't good. He digs a lot of information out of the Bible that few people would ever see, but his style of preaching is a bit condescending. Perhaps it is cultural. Henry Wright uses similar approaches, except not so pronounced.)

There were many people and there was strong participation. The offering was weak, but I think the leaders included too many projects for the size of the congregation.

On Saturday night, those who were interested in joining ASI got together and everyone shared something of their ministries. We got to bed at midnight. (Bear in mind, the time sprang forward that evening as well.)

Janet and I don't need to travel for one and one half weeks. Isn't that cool? We get one weekend at home this month. Actually, we don't mind traveling, but it is hard on one's sleep and eating habits. Starting on the 25ft of this month, we will go until the end of April.

Am I making a difference? Only God knows.

It was  a blessing seeing David Fournier and Arwyn in Vienna. Too many people around to really enjoy each other.

Joshua, Texas

At the ASI Winter Board in Ontario, California, I spoke on the topic of "It is Time . . . To Be About our Father's Business." The upshot is that we are living in the Antitypical Day of Atonement. In the Old Testament that was the day that everyone of God's children "afflicted his/her soul" before God. They searched their hearts to confess and forsake every habit or hint of sin in their lives. They attempted to present Israel as holy before God through the righteousness of Christ. All this prefigured the state of God's people just before the second coming of Christ.

You know, dear ones, it is really hard to preach such messages and not be influenced by the thought. I'm convinced the time has come to be purified of sin in the fullest sense of the word. It is time to bring every habit into line with God's will. It is time to sacrifice every worldly inducement, every worldly ambition, every worldly aspiration to compete for position, things or money. We can't wait until the national Sunday laws are passed to think of internalizing the word of God. Lord, help us.

Last weekend, March 2-4, Janet and I spent at the ASI South West Chapter Convention in Joshua, TX. The whole weekend was very pleasant. There were many personal friends there that we knew from other places. Cute little Monika Moore was there with her husband, Jim. (Some of you might remember Monika from Dunlap TN.) Her parents were there also. Mike and Teresa Zygmunt were there, Ron Wolsey . . .

The speakers were Ron Halverson and John Lomacane??? John L's testimony was awe-inspiring. Amazing life and guidance from God. I got to share what ASI is about and the new things that are happening. It seemed to me a long way to go at great expense just to talk for a few minutes. But I am assured that my presence, as ASI President, is important. (Honestly, my supposed importance escapes me. Besides, I don't know how to act important, do you?--Please advise.)

All is well, anyway. This weekend, we will land in Vienna, (don't get too green with envy) it's Vienna, Virginia. As far as I know, we will be meeting with the smallest chapter in ASI. I believe some people (those who don't have the privilege of traveling so much), would envy my "privilege", but truly, as much as I appreciate the honor, it sure would be a blessing to stay home to walk the mountains a little more.

So says the Preacher to his Tribe.

ASI Winter Boards

Sometimes I wonder if I am alone so unsure. This weekend, Feb 23-26, Janet and I went to Ontario, CA for ASI's Winter Board. There wasn't anything to worry about except that I am the President, I am the Board Chairman, I was called upon to preach the keynote message and to give a president's report to the board. (There must be something wrong with  my head/heart.)

I've always felt that the sermons I preach at ASI should be spot-on applicable, but the best I could do this time was prepare a sermon for ASI during the very last week before going. For me that is risking too much.  Amazingly, the sermon turned out to be one of God's gifts to me. It seems He took my poor effort and made it resonate within the hearts of those who heard. (Except for Rusty McKee who slept through it all. In Rusty's defense, he had gotten up at 3AM and run seventeen miles that day.) I can't but praise the Lord for His mercy endures forever.

The Missions Inc. board was grueling. This is the body that apportions the offering to chosen projects. You couldn't imagine how agonizing that process is. I would say that 90% of the project proposals are worthy  of the full amount asked, but there isn't that much money. The total amount requested was over 12 million dollars. That, of course, is about double the usual amount wanted. One entity asked for 6 million. Harold called them and told them that wasn't going to happen. He tried to coach them to ask for considerably less, but they said that they had prayed and the Lord had led them to ask for 6 million. Amazing, the Lord led them to ask for 6 million and the Lord led us to say no to their request. Anything wrong with that picture?

This left 6 million to share with the 81 projects remaining. Bear in mind, we only expect to raise a little above 1 million dollars this year. This is where the agonizing begins. We went over the list of projects four times. Each time we either dropped a project altogether, or slashed the amount they asked for. In the end we funded 36 projects of 82 and almost everyone got much less they they deserved. It's hard. It's painful. It is also, providential. I was happy to be a participant. I saw the integrity, the honesty and the sincere desire to do more for more people.

One of the most poignant moments was when Harold, the Chairman, made a heartfelt appeal to the board that we not allow for any favoritism--not even the slightest appearance of it. Frankly, that isn't easy. Some people have invested huge amounts of money in ASI and in the mission projects. With their money they have invested their time, energy, and lives. How deserving they are of pulling stripes  when needed. On the other hand, how necessary that we continually be reminded to play by the rules so that no embarrassment occur to ASI.

I am happy to say that I have perfect confidence in the Missions Inc. process and the integrity of the members that form its board.

The main ASI board happened on Sunday. I was board chairman and needed to give a president's report. All went well. I remained comfortable throughout the whole experience and we finished 50 minutes early.
We aimed to finish at 1PM. At noon we had only gone through 8 of our 14 items on the agenda. By 12:13 PM we were done. Everyone seemed pleased, but none more than I.

God uses fools to confound the wise. He uses the weak to befuddled the mighty. He delights in raising the poor from the dunghill and placing them among princes, and if it ever goes to their heads, He is well able to abase. It's a ride, but I wouldn't get off the roller coaster for anything in the world.

This week, I'm on my way to Texas for the ASI South West Chapter meetings. A whole new round of prayers must storm heaven from my side and yours.

So says the Preacher to his Tribe.