Prayers answered!

Thanks for praying on behalf of Pastor Sideth and family. Below is a quote from an e mail dated Dec. 18th. The Gallants minister in Cambodia, and they sent this update.

"Pastor Sideth and his family are leaving Calemet Hospital to return to their home in Kampong Chnang. He is still without some of his speech and memory capacities, but he is doing remarkably well for severity of the accident. Thank you for your prayers for they really have made the difference in this man's recovery."

I wish for you and yours a very merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

PLEASE PRAY

Some of you know that on 2 separate occasions, I made short term mission trips to Cambodia. We partner with the national church and Bible school.

Here's a special need from our current missionaries in Cambodia - Tim and Tiffany Gallant:

One of our Cambodian National pastors was in a moto accident this past Friday. Pastor Sideth has been diagnosed with high-blood pressure, and apparently this caused him to faint while driving his moto. He sustained a head injury which caused his brain to swell, and he is now under care at the Calemet Hospital in Phnom Penh. Please pray for...

* wisdom for the doctors to know how to best treat this head/brain injury. Several years ago, Tim's father sustained a similar injury. Without the expert care of the physicians, he would not have survived the accident. So it is very important that Pastor Sideth gets the best care possible during these critical days after the accident.

* the Lord's healing hand to be upon Pastor Sideth that the swelling may go down and that he may regain conciousness without any lasting effects.

* the family of Pastor Sideth, his wife and son, that they may know that God's grace is sufficient for their husband/father's healing.

* for a miracle to happen in the recovery of this strong national leader. This is a desperate situation and we know that true healing can only occur through a mighty miracle of our Lord.

Thank you for your prayers, and please pass this prayer request on to any other people who are able to pray for this urgent request.

God Bless you all,

Tim and Tiffany Gallant
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The picture is of Pastor Sideth. Thanks for praying

MAN I LOVE TO HUNT

Well, after several hunts and a couple unsuccessful shots at deer, I finally dropped a buck on the last day I hunted!

Jason was home from school, so he got to come along with Chris and me for the morning hunt. He agreed that the ranch is an awesome sight! We spotted deer within the first 5 minutes of leaving the truck.

After watching the first several deer, we continued on to another ridge. There we saw a small buck and I considered taking this 2 point. At about the moment I considered sighting him in, he bounded out of sight.

We walked a high ridge and a larger (3 point) buck was in an opening with a few does. We checked the range (250 yards). Yep, this one is the one.

I sighted in, but couldn't seem to hold completely steady, because after the first shot, the deer simply looked confused. Must have been wavering in my aim more than I thought. Rack in another shell and shoot again! This one caused the deer to hunch up, take one step and fall. Successful hunt!

He wasn't the 5 point I had hoped for, but he was a nice buck - or as Chris would say, "Yeah, he's alright I guess!"

The only pictures taken of the event were on Jason's and Chris' cell phones and Jason's digital. Will post a picture when I can load a copy:-)

Home for the holidays

Yesterday, Heather arrived home from college in Indiana. Tonight, Jason comes back from school in Miller, SD. Tomorrow, the Wiley family will gather with us at the Schultz home.

Reva and I will wake up earlier than the others. I'll get the turkey in the oven. Then, we'll roll out homemade rolls together. WOW! I love Thanksgiving. This year it means even more since Heather and Jason are away at school

The Schultz family will get a Christmas tree (not a holiday tree:-) on Friday and decorate the house for Christmas. I hope anyone who might check this blog has an AWESOME Thanksgiving.

Please take time to pray for those serving our country and away from family. Please pray for those that have an empty place at their table because a loved one died. May God Himself be part of all our festivities during this time to reflect and give thanks.

The Nativity Story

The theatrical trailer of the film - The Nativity - hope people will have the chance to see the AWESOME story.

What a day

Today, we said our "temporary" final goodbyes to Gwyn Regan. WOW, what an event. People came to the church on Friday to help set up. We had overflow seating in the basement, library, main entrance and in 2 large areas upstairs. All were wired with video and sound feeds so people could catch the funeral.

It seemed like people just kept arriving. We had crews covering the parking lot and overflow lots secured. We had greeters and ushers at every door and on every level. The place was PACKED!

What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful girl!

Gwyn, age 15, was killed on Tuesday night when she went off the shoulder of the road, overcorrected and spun into the path of a Chevy Suburban. She and her family have attended First Wesleyan since about 2000.

In the midst of tragedy, God does amazing things. I told several people that "it seems like when life is at its worst, the Body of Christ is at its best." How true! So many people helped and showered the family with love and support. What a fitting tribute to God's love for Gwyn and her family.

Please pray for Michelle (mom), Katie (younger sister) and Shawn (dad).

We had the chance to share the Gospel message during the service. Gwyn knew and followed Jesus. What a comfort to have hope for eternal life with Christ.

Successful Hunt

WARNING:
If you're an animal rights activist, you might want to discontinue reading this post immediately.
But, if you love to hunt like I do, read on and check out the picture attached.

On Monday, I took the afternoon off to hunt with Chris D. We hunt on the ranch his wife's family owns. By the way, I feel EXTREMELY BLESSED to have received an invitation to hunt with him on such an AMAZING parcel of land.

Well, on Monday evening, we came upon a couple small herds of deer. One herd was bedded down on a hillside. We had an advantage (other than having rifles that can reach the kill zone at about 600 yards:-) in that the wind was blowing across us and not taking our scent to them. Thus, the only challenge we faced was getting closer without being seen.

We ambled over several ridges to get closer. (Oh, the reason we did this is because there appeared to be a HUGE buck with the herd) So, after practically wearing ourselves out traipsing up and down hills, we finally came to the "magic" ridge that was above the herd.

We crawled to the top (cactus REALLY hurt your knees) and saw that the deer had gotten up and started down the draw. We were now at about 300 yards.

Sure enough, the one deer was a really nice buck. Chris graciously asked if I wanted to shoot that particular deer - (did I mention that he was a really nice buck?!). I told him to go ahead. He drew down and shot. The bullet hit and the deer staggered and fell. Shortly after that, he rose to his feet again and stood there! We waited for what seemed like forever (probably about 2 minutes).

The shot caused all the rest of the deer to run around, but they still didn't know where we were, so they weren't running off. Another nice buck appeared at about the 400 + yard range and I drew down on him. Unfortunately, I missed (because the wind had risen to nearly hurricane force gusts:-) My shot caused Chris' deer to start walking away. Chris took one more shot before the deer walked out of site behind another small ridge.

What do we do now? We decided to give the deer a chance to lie down - and probably die because he had been hit hard. We went back to the truck to retrieve some warmer clothes (remember the hurricane gusts), our knives and some water. We had only planned to take a "short look" on these ridges, so had left much of our stuff in the truck.

We walked into the draw, and as we approached the spot where Chris shot, we saw the buck bedded down very near where he was first hit. Chris took one final shot and we went to check our success.

As you can see, the buck is a beautiful 4X4 mule deer buck. So, the hunt was successful - sorta. Chris got his, but I missed mine.

Actually, the land is so beautiful, I couldn't bear the thought of not continuing to hunt for another buck, so I purposely shanked my 425 yard shot. - If you believe that, I've been authorized to sell you a parcel of the ranch:-)

A time to mourn

Looking at my blog, I realize that I'm still learning about the cyber community. My last post WAS AUGUST FOR CRYING OUT LOUD.

Much has happened in a few short months. Many of them pale when I consider the events of Tuesday, November 14th.

I took the morning off and went hunting with a friend. We shot a beautiful buck the night before - will post pics tomorrow - and I passed on several that morning. We came back to Rapid with rain falling and temperatures dropping.

About 5:30, I took Christy to gymnastic practice at the YMCA and then went to the church to prep for a meeting. Pastor Chris called me looking to get ahold of the Regan family.

He soon called me back to let me know that 15 year old Gwyn Regan had just been killed in a car accident. The news came like a kick in the head. Gwyn is a smiling 15 year old who attends First Wesleyan with her mom, Michelle and sister, Katie. Now, in a moment, she was swept out into eternity!

We went to the hospital. The board vice chair conducted all the business at the meeting and I went to be with the family.

Gwyn was traveling east on Catron Blvd. bypass. It appears that she hit an icy spot and fishtailed. After going off the shoulder of the road, she overcorrected and swerved sideways into the path of an oncoming Chevy Suburban. Officials say she died immediately.

Please pray for Gwyn's family. We're planning the funeral for Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at First Wesleyan in Rapid City. Gwyn's mom is Michelle, her dad is Shawn and her little sister is Katie. They all need prayer, love and support in the days and weeks to come.

Please pray for Pastor Chris and me too. We will somehow need to speak a word from God's Word to bring comfort and hope. We need help from God's Holy Spirit for direction!

Man, life is short! Reminds me just how vital it is to KNOW JESUS! GWEN DID, and for that, we rejoice in eternal life.

Old Friends in new places

Man, WHAT AN EVENT! Jason and I have been at the "Leadership Summit" at the Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois. Bill Hybels, James Meeks. Wayne Cordiero and many more were absoultely AMAZING! It will probably take weeks to process the information!

We experienced an unexpected blessing and connected with old friends. On Friday night, as we came out of the service, we connected with my brother and sister in law - Dan and Reenie Bickel. While they waited for me, they ran into some of my old friends. When I rejoined them, it was time to greet dear friends that have been off our radar for about 12 years.

Dave and Leann Gormong brought their daughter Kristen with them to the Summit. I had been on staff with David in Bartlesville, OK for 2 years. They were some of our dearest friends in Bartlesville. We rejoiced with them when Kristen was born in May of 1990. They rejoiced with us (and stood by us) through the whirlwind adoption of Jason after he was born in September that same year. Both Jason and Kristen were dedicated on the same Sunday.

We worked side by side when our Senior Pastor was ill and ultimately died on Christmas of 1990. Then, we both left for other ministries in the spring and summer of that year. We kept in contact for awhile. We even made it a point to meet once when we were both in the Chicago area. But, as sometimes happens, we lost track of one another.

What a blessing to have friends from all over who love and serve Jesus! I always enjoy seeing friends and renewing connections. What a blessing to connect with old friends in new places. Of the 6000 + attenders, God allowed us to cross paths and renew our friendship.

We exchanged all our pertinent contact information. I'm guessing it won't be another 12 years before we connect again!

Looking forward to attending Rob Bell's church, Mars Hill, in Grand Rapids tomorrow morning. We drove on to Grand Rapids from Chicago following the final session this morning.

GETTING THE "RIGHT" WRONG NUMBER

I had a series of interesting phone calls yesterday. It seems the church’s second phone line’s number is only 1 digit different from another family in Rapid City.

That’s not necessarily that unusual, except when you get a wrong number phone call from a family in Kyrgyzstan!

They called several times. Their daughter Regina was coming to Rapid City as a foreign exchange student. They hadn’t heard from her. They dialed a number they THOUGHT would connect them with her host family. Instead, they got First Wesleyan.

Lyz (our office manager) and I tried to find the host family and help connect this young lady with her loved ones in Kyrgyzstan. Our hearts went out to this family. Having a child far from home in a strange land and, up to now, no contact had to create anxiety!

The city’s school administration put us in touch with Betty, the foreign exchange coordinator in Rapid. Betty helped us connect with the designated host family (sure enough, their phone # was only 1 number different).

PROBLEM! The host family wasn’t sure they were going to get a student. On top of that, the coordinator wasn’t expecting students to arrive yet.

To make a long story short, Betty ended up heading to Rapid City Regional Airport and picking up Regina. Regina had arrived with no one to greet her, but help was on the way. No one was secured to house this girl, but help was on the way.

HAPPY ENDING!

I hope to meet Regina at some point during her stay in Rapid City. Mostly though, I’m glad we didn’t simply disregard a wrong number from people that didn’t sound like me!

I don’t believe in coincidence. God must have been holding an anxious family close to His heart when they “accidentally dialed the “right” wrong number!

Well, we came through the first of three major events for our current trip. We celebrated my parents' 50th anniversary this past weekend. On Friday, we had a family dinner at Mountain Jacks (suffered through with prime rib:-) My brother, his wife, Amy and daughter, Hannah along with my sister, her husband, Rick and children, Rachel and Nate - joined with my family and dad and mom. We had a wonderful dinner and great time together.

On Saturday, we set up the basement of the church. Later, about 60 people gathered for a catered dinner to pay tribute to my mom and dad.

Reva and the children had a chance to meet some of my family they had never met. Dad and mom had an awesome time. We shared many smiles, memories and some tears. What a legacy to celebrate 50 years and have all your children celebrate 25 or more years of marriage.

Sunday, after church and dinner with family, we went on to Lafayette. We expect about 30 people in on Monday for a family dinner and about 60 in on Tuesday for a family reunion.

More - plus pictures later. I'm posting now because high speed access is now available.

Picture one is of my parents on their wedding day, June 30, 1956.Picture 2 is of Reva's parents (married August of 1946) and her in the early 60's.

WHAT A YEAR!

What a year this is! Our oldest daughter, Heather, graduated from high school and will attend college this fall. Jason enters his sophomore year(note the cool pose) and Christy (SECOND FROM LEFT) joins the ranks of middle school and enters 6th grade.

This year, we also celebrate my parent's 50th anniversary. We celebrate Reva's folks' 60th anniversary. Somewhere in there, we celebrate our very own 25th anniversary. What an amazing year. God is good - ALL THE TIME!

Next post will include pictures of my parents and Reva's parents!

A New Normal

Today, I listened to KTPT, “The Point,” on the way out to family camp. A group of 43 people (associated with the station) recently returned from a short term mission to Sri Lanka.

People talked about this life changing experience. They ministered to the people and helped build an orphanage. One theme came through time and again: “How can I go back to ‘normal’ after being in a place like that, seeing the things I saw and doing the things I did?”

What a GREAT question!

Yesterday, I talked with LaVina (who, by the way, just returned from Cambodia on Monday). She taught in the Bible school at Phnom Penh for 2 weeks. She noted that it’s been difficult to somehow return to “normal.”

Participating in a short term mission changes your perception about almost everything. All of a sudden, things seem different. A dinky house doesn’t seem so dinky after meeting a family that has 10 people sharing a 10X12 living space.

You hope that you never again take blessings for granted. Things like: When you turn on the water, you can drink it without boiling it; Air conditioning, soft beds, clean streets, fast food places, medical care readily available – everything that we consider part of life. These things aren’t reality for most of the rest of the world. Even if they are, most couldn’t afford them.

Having been on several short term missions myself, (the West Indies, India, Mexico and 2 trips to Cambodia) I relate to the dilemma. How can things ever go back to “business as usual” after experiencing something so life changing?

Not only that, but it seems absolutely impossible to adequately relay your experience. Somehow, normal now seems “dull!” Why can’t people relate? Why do they look at me with the “There, there now, you’ll get over this soon enough!” look.

But, what if we don’t want to “get over” it? What if we want everyone to somehow experience what we experienced? Maybe then they’d understand! What if we want them to REALLY understand that we’ve changed as a result of our experience?

HOW CAN WE ADJUST TO A NEW NORMAL?

If we don’t come to a new normal, we’ll simply go crazy. Here are some thoughts for people desperately seeking a new normal.

· Keep in mind that ministry in another country and culture under difficult circumstances is very intense. However, that doesn’t mean God isn’t doing REAL ministry here and now!

· Not everyone WILL understand and appreciate your new perspective. Let God bring them to that place – when, and IF, He so desires.

· Do what you can to continue making a difference. Give in new and sacrificial ways.

· Invite someone to come with you next time. Perhaps they’ll need to find a “new normal” too!

· Pray for the field you visited and the people that live and minister there. Ministry doesn’t just occur while you’re there. You can still return, daily, through the power of prayer.

· Recognize the temptation to think you’re now somehow “more spiritual” than other mere mortals. Pray for God to deliver from any budding element of spiritual pride.

· Thank God for the new perspective He’s opened up to you. Never look at some of the same “little” blessings the same way again.

· LISTEN! Is God calling you to something?

How about you? Have you had experiences that made it tough to somehow get back to normal? How has God helped you establish a “new normal?”

Yesterday morning, a dear friend died. Rev. R.L. Gowan lived a long and full life. He died peacefully, at home, at the age of 91.

This man spent his entire life serving others while serving God. He loved people and had a passion for sharing Scripture wherever he went. He distributed Bibles, Testaments and books to help people discover a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Once, I had preached a message on the theme, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation for all who believe. . ." During the message, I noted that the original word for power is the same root word from which we get the word, "dynamite." It means "explosive power."

Well, Rev. Gowan went out and had some bumper stickers made. "Carrier of Dynamite" became his trademark.

I thank God for his influence on my life. He always listened and gave godly advice when requested. He also PRAYED FOR ME, my family and the church.

Though I grieve our loss, I celebrate his gain. He now KNOWS the power and glory of the God he loves.

Sideline Experts:

On Saturday, June 3^rd, Jason, Christy and I went to Sioux Park for a soccer game between the Sioux Falls “Spitfire” and the Boulder “Rapids” professional men’s soccer teams.

While we were sitting there, with one of Christy’s friends and her family, enjoying the game, people were “pumping” the crowd by throwing out all sorts of freebies. We caught 3 water bottles – YEAH! But, that’s not the story.

Directly in front of us was a man with several of his friends. It looked as if he was a soccer player too. He seemed to personally know many of the players on the Sioux Falls team.

Sioux Falls scored early, but went on to lose the game.

Throughout the game, this fine upstanding young man had advice for EVERYONE in the game. No one seemed exempt.

• The ref couldn’t make the right calls
• The line judges were making “pathetic” judgments

After all, why would anyone think the officials on the field were better positioned to make calls than this “sideline expert” in the stands? He even had “encouragement” for players on the Sioux Falls team.

• They missed plays they should have made
• They passed – only to have the opposing team steal the ball

What encouraging words did he offer? He shouted, UNACCEPTABLE repeatedly. He reminded them that they should be winning, because shortly into the game, the Rapids had a player red carded and leave the field. That put Colorado at a (10 players to Sioux Falls’ 11) disadvantage. Who can’t win with one extra player?!

Have you ever noticed the same thing happening in life? Sometimes, people on the sidelines shout the loudest about how “players” and “refs” should do their job. The world teems with “sideline experts.” You know the type. They have all the right answers and can point out all the mistakes and inconsistencies from their vaulted position off the field.

Here’s a more penetrating thought: Have you ever been guilty of being a “sideline expert?” I have – far more often than I care to admit. At those times, I try to remember one of my favorite quotes. Teddy Roosevelt said:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

How about you? What thoughts can you throw my way on this?

Grace and peace

The people have spoken

Hey everyone, just wanted to let you know I have created a blog and look forward to sharing, communicating and keeping in touch with your lives and ours. Have a great Easter season. He is risen!