ASI is God's Problem

Sorry it's been so long. Lots to do and nothing happening. Well, I suppose anything can be interesting if it is written well. (Now we need to look for someone who writes well.)

Hey, did you all read Jason's blog of Sept. 3. Wow! The driving scene is like an action movie and the star of the movie saved the day. Things like that should happen to liven up things in my dotage.

Restoration Intl' just shared their third annual family camp meeting at EVI. The attendance was down a little. Labor day weekend is a factor; school started for some, is another. The economy isn't helping anyone, etc. Whatever. Everyone appeared to have a great time.

Many of our staff went up to the meadow for a corn roast last week. The corn was awesome, the fellowship, even better. We have a great family here at EVI.

I've been going up the mountain to pray quite often, lately. This ASI presidency weighs heavy on me. Not because of the extra work. It hasn't been anything to speak of yet, but I truly feel incapable of meeting my leadership responsibilities. For example: I am to lead the way. I am to come up with a vision that will inspire the ASI members into action. Well, I am the most un-visionary character you ever met. However, I am in position, therefore, God has to be my vision. Period. If God doesn't come through, then forget me.

Also, I need to speak three times in Las Vegas on the 16th of Sept through to the 18th, on health evangelism. Not exactly my forte, but praise God. I prepared one sermon today. Truth is, I'm going to pray my way through this. I'll let you know as God works.

An elk in our neighbors yard. We have elks in our field every day.

This is our own EVI Michelle. Meechee and I are great friends,

My wife in the mountains. I put her on an airplane yesterday. As I write, she is about four hours from landing in Dar Es Salaam. I'll miss her. She comes home in Dec and I intend to visit her in Nov.

This is the headstone for the young fella who died at EVI August 16. May we all die the death of the righteous.

Second Chance

Five couples from Eden Valley are spending a weekend in Silverthorne, Colorado-the Roeskes, the Hueys, the Katsmas, the Bates and the Fourniers. We just decided to get away. The house we are living in is a palace, actually, it is more like a wildlife museum--amazing--their are stuffed animals everywhere and the furniture is unique to Colorado. The folks who live here, Randy and Sandy Bright use the place to teach people about nature and animal biology.

We are not doing too much. We went to church at the Copper Mountain Chapel yesterday. That was good. After lunch, we rode a ski-lift up to the top of the mountain. After Sabbath, we played games and just sat around. This morning we cleaned up and watched one of those Christian movies called The Note. Made me cry for one and one half hours. I hate tear jerkers, don't you? I think my wife is watching it all over again--a gluten for punishment, or is that glutton? In any case, if you need to clean your eyes watch The Note.

The movie might have been called Second Chance. It struck me.

(You know, artists are generally know to be melancholy. Strong emotional feelings drive strong responses. A writer definitely writes better when his mood is either very high, or more likely very low.)

I'm not saying that I am an artist. As a matter of fact, I think I am anything but melancholic. But like I said, the movie struck me. It was about a note that washes up on shore written by a passenger on an ill fated jetliner. The note is to "T". A lady who writes a column for a magazine finds the note and tries to find "T". It appears that everyone who sees the note is inspired to a second chance.

A few years ago (as I've said before) I was sunk. It just came clear to me. God gave me a second chance. He should have cast me aside. It is only of grace that He keeps bestowing honors upon me. Go figure.

So says the Preacher to his Tribe.

The Bright Side

German countryside.

Meetings in Germany

Local town in Germany

Tree outside my room in fall colors already. Cold and rainy.

ASI inauguration. On the left outgoing pres. on the right incoming .

I've finally found a moment so that I can write this blog. Sorry guys for making you wait so long. The last two weeks have been a whirlwind of activity.

My son came to Eden Valley while I was still at the Oak Haven Convention. When I came home we had a great week together. Mostly we ate tomato sandwiches as much as we could. EVI tomatoes are the best. My Lover came home a week later sicker than I've ever seen her. We drove to Sacramento and the ASI meetings like that, but there she crashed. Finally, I have to get a prescription from doctor Emerson for anti-biotics, which did the trick. Praise the Lord.

In Sacramento, I met with two brothers, my three children, nine of my twelve grand children, and one niece with her family. I didn't have all the time I wanted to visit with everyone, but the little time I had was ultra special.

As you all know I was given the opportunity to preach at ASI three times on R by F in relation to the Three Angel's Messages. You cannot know how many misgivings I had going into those meetings. It seems I am never satisfied that I have the right material. But what I had was what God gave me. So, I went forward with the little I had. After every meeting I felt that God's Spirit was there to promote Himself. I'm so thankful. The last time I was asked to preach at ASI (that was in Dallas, TX) I literally gave up on the sermon I had prepared and preached more or less from the hip that Friday evening. I haven't been happy about it since. For that reason I was worried about my next performance. What can I say, sometimes the Lord humbles, sometimes we are better prepared for a blessing. Can you see how God prepared me three or four years ago to bless me this time? I can see it.

The Lord delights in confounding the wise at the hand of fools. He loves to humble the mighty using the weak. He grants the base things of this world power over the sophisticated. So He did at ASI. Of all the people He might have honored to be president of ASI, He chose me. Do you know who He chose. Two and three years ago, my usefulness had run its course. I was, in my own eyes, the biggest failure I'd ever met. It pretty well seemed like I had failed on every front. Going to Africa to help my wife was seen as the most merciful thing to do to others and myself. I could finish my course quietly and out of sight. Today, I am being blessed with a great honor as if I was somebody. At ASI I was caught completely by surprise. My heart by turn shrank and rose. Shrank into depths of despair then rose to heights of, should I say it . . . better leave it unsaid. I thank God for expressing confidence in me, but you all better pray for me. Except by a sustained miracle I am sure to fail.

The day after ASI I was suppose to chair a board meeting for OCI. I couldn't. I had to leave for Germany that morning. In Germany, I preached the same messages plus two and gave my testimony to some of the most humble and genuinely Christian people I've ever met. Tho' the weather was cold and rainy, the experience was great.

Unfortunately, I came home to our little David. He died three days later. I prayed a lot for him, but the Lord indicated that it is better this way. I accept that. The family understandably wrestles more with that concept. David is safe. I've never been more sure of anyone's salvation. He was baptized a few weeks ago and told me he didn't think to win this battle, but that it was worth it for his family's sake. Like Christ, he was willing to die to see others gain eternal life. He as a great witness, and only 17 years old.

A few weeks ago I was overjoyed to be able to announce to my wife that her container was gone. Yesterday, we found out that I made a mistake on the paperwork and I am causing her no amount of grief. That is bad and I feel terrible for the mistake I made, but there is bright spot in and through it all. If someone had made a mistake that was to cause me that much grief, I would be tempted to put them through a knot hole backwards. Tho' sincerely troubled, my dear wife has shown no temper or one sign of remonstrance toward me. It's a huge witness to me of God's grace in a person's life.

So life goes on. We'll fight and win tho' we lose a few battles. God be praised.

Tomato Season.

Special Kay just walked into my office with a two-pound tomato. Jason and I pretty well eat only tomatoes sandwiches. We are not even tempted with anything else. Our tomatoes are out of this world, as a matter of fact, you'd say they taste like the came from a valley called Eden.

This may be my last entry until mid August. We leave for Sacramento on Tuesday and then I go from there to Germany till the 14th.

All is well. The weather is hot, in the 90's. It hasn't rained as much as it was lately, but it threatens to every day. My wife comes in tomorrow with two of our grandchildren. Miracle or miracles, by God's grace I managed to ship Janet's container yesterday. This is one thing she will not need to deal with while here. The last time she visited, we gave her no rest. I think this time will be stress free, except of course that she is married to me. That's enough stress for anyone . . . I guess.

Jason is here from Africa. He's been helping Ignacio on the farm. They are plowing with bad equipment. Finally, we borrowed a plow from Sunrise next door. They don't have the best equipment either, so we are managing to break it every time we take it out. Jason feels that our inexperience is contributing to our little streak of bad luck here. No doubt.

Our young cancer patient isn't doing well. The prognosis says he will die within a month, perhaps two. He wants to be baptized. I will begin Bible studies with him tonight. Obviously, I don't intend to focus on doctrine and prophecy. He needs to be ready to meet his Maker. Not a bad idea for all of us. Get ready, get ready, get ready.

Listen dear ones, the end has come. If we can't read the signs, we are blind. I'm actually amazed that we are in no greater trouble or distress over it. The Lord is merciful, but it looks to me like everything will deteriorate and will not get better.

Our farm is producing an amazing amount of food. Our last farmer's market netted $1,200. The farm team is working their hearts out.

Finally, our roofers are here today. I hope they stay for a while. Yesterday, we talked to a couple of people, husband and wife, about demolishing seven of our trailers. They came down from $1,500 to $1,000. That is good, but we are a little unsure about hiring them. Pray for us.

Love to all.

All in a Week's Living

I'll be leaving the day after tomorrow--Friday. I'll spend the weekend at an Oak Haven convention in Michigan. I get to speak and to sit on their board. It's always a good time.

Thought I would write before I left.

The week has been hot with evening storms. Last night, I spent a half hour with our 17 year old lifestyle guest. He is fighting sarcoma fourth stage. My heart goes out to David, but he doesn't seem to pity himself. We talked of spiritual things and he thought he might lose the battle with cancer for his relative's sake. Already, the man who brought him to us four months ago has become much more religious. This man has since married David's cousin. This cousin became very angry with God when David's mother died of cancer ten years ago. She seems to be softening considerably. David is delighted to have a part in it. It seems to be worth the whole ordeal. Impressive!

There is still a boy in the great sufferer. He bought a small remote control helicopter and proceeded to demonstrate how well he can fly it in his room.

We are all grasping at straws to find a treatment that would bring healing to him. Personally, I am looking for a direct miracle. I deeply long for David to live and I am petitioning heaven for that miracle. Please pray with me. (Last week I met a lady who had come to EVI with cancer. What I remember about her was that her husband hovered over her and wouldn't let anything the least bit stressful come her way. He gave you the impression that he would break your arm if she suffered anything untoward. Anyway, they came to donate some equipment they had bought to fight cancer. The dear lady, that I thought was going to die, has been cancer free for two years. What do you think he thinks of us now? He's as docile as a day-old puppy.)

I'm working also on the papers to send my wife's container to Africa. We are close to seeing it gone, but the closer we come to the departure date, the more obstacles the Devil throws in our path. We are shipping a tractor. Customs demand that we show the original title for the tractor. The problem is, Colorado does not issue titles for tractors. We can't produce one out of thin air. That's the kind of hurtles we face.

I am one sermon short for the ASI National Convention and the German camp meeting. The idea is that I need five sermons in all and I have four to date. Not to worry, I have hundreds of sermons. It's a matter of choosing one that fits the occasion. Stress!

My Vice-president was scheduled to leave tomorrow for Hungary. Come to find out, the airline changed her ticket without telling her. She, according to the airline, was meant to fly from NY to Budapest today, but needed to leave Denver tomorrow. How do you do that? They re-scheduled her for Monday and upgraded her to first class. Good deal. That should happen to me sometime.

Yuli and Michelle are planning to leave for DayStar and Monument Valley tomorrow morning. We've had a blast. I'll miss them. Yuli preached to the EVI staff this morning. Very good sermon. Maybe he's missed his calling. Maybe he should take a vow of poverty and become an itinerant preacher like uncle Frank. (Preaching doesn't pay much.)

Blessings to all.

Ramblings of a Tired Preacher

The ASI meetings are beginning to weigh heavy on my heart. I'm trying to pray more. Now I know that whatever I say doesn't amount to anything except the Lord takes what I say to the hearts of the people. Sometimes I wish I was more confident about what I am going to share, but then again, that might leave me, well, too confident. I rarely come to the place where I think I've got a cracker-jack sermon. Sometimes, I am totally disgusted with my own efforts. It's amazing that the Lord can bless me at any time. But, He does.

Usually, when I am ask to speak in a place where I am more or less intimidated, I don't do so well. I do well when I am perfectly relaxed. (Lord, leave me in my comfort zone.) Do you guys ever feel like that?

The talk of the week is the weather at EVI. Every day starts sunny and hot. By midday the clouds begin to gather. By evening we can expect a weather watch and a damaging storm. We've never seen so much rain here. Everything is beautifully green, but the hail that accompanies every third storm or so is frightful.

In two weeks my lover will be back. I'll be home one day from a board meeting and convention at Oak Haven, and then we will have four days to prepare for the ASI Convention. (Then, I leave for Germany from Sacramento, can you believe it?) It's cause enough for divorce. Good thing she still loves me . . . I think.

My wife has been suffering from dizziness at night, in bed. She says that when she turns her head in bed, she gets nauseous. She wants me to ask the doctors about it. My guess is she suffers from vertigo. I've had that experience before. There is a little bone in the ear area that when displaced disturbs the equilibrium. She needs to roll hard on the floor till the little bone goes back into place. (Serious! Why are you laughing?)

Denis Priebe will be preaching at EVI this weekend.

Yuli and Michelle Petov, from London, are here and doing well. Yuli is working full days on the farm. No doubt, he is well appreciated by the farm crew and for sure by me.

All is well. The whole world is falling apart and I am snug in the Lord. It seems unfair, but I suppose everyone could enjoy what I enjoy. Hope you are.

So says the preacher to his tribe.

Lots to do

All the Maranatha workers are gone. They did a great job. What a blessing that my Vice-president has such good contacts. We hope to do it again before too long. We want to get started on our new Lifestyle Center. If you have a million dollars or part thereof, please send it our way.

All the windows are replaced at my house and the siding and the house is newly painted. It looks grand. Now, all I have to do is clean up an inch of dust on everything. Never mind, it's worth it. When the Maranatha guys took my cement back steps out, they found two snakes and tons of eggs. (I believe I wrote about that.) Well, my big snake is back and just hanging around the house. he's huge, about six feet long and beautiful colors. It's a bull snake, good for keeping the mice population down and for killing rattlers. So, I keep him/her as a pet. He/she gets in the way sometimes--under foot.

I'm spending the holiday weekend cleaning my shack and if I can, I'll work on the yard a little too.

Julie and I spent nearly two hours on Skype yesterday. We had a long intimate conversation--very close.

We have a young cancer patient at EVI. David is only 17. As a matter of fact, his birthday was on Sabbath. He's been with us for three sessions already and we are determined to keep him until he is healthy enough to go home. It's a slow heartbreaking process. He has fourth-stage sarcoma. In essence, he should be dying soon, but our protocol is helping him to not deteriorate. I pray for him all the time. Please pray with me. I believe God would be glorified if he should be healed.

Our little Michelle Fournier Petrova should be here with her family in two days. I hope they contact me about their arrival, otherwise I don't know when to go fetch them at the airport.

This week, all of EVI will spend two days doing a work bee on the farm. Then, I promised my wife I would start working on shipping her container. Lord, there is a lot to do.

Blessings to all,