Howdy folks,
The trip from Cody to the Canadian border took two days. We fought a crosswind most of the way, which slowed us down. After few days in Regina visiting with friends, we drove to Moose Jaw for the services at Calvary Baptist Church. Pastor Butt had arranged the service so that we had time to present some special music and a cowboy poem. Folks in the church remembered us from our visit with Pat and Nadine Armstrong last spring. We enjoyed their fellowship and appreciated the opportunity to minister.
We arrived home late Monday night tired but thankful for the many blessings we received during the past six weeks. During the tour we conducted nine church services in addition to performing for two days at the Cowboy Entertainer Gathering in Townsend, MT. Our journey covered two states (Montana and Wyoming) and we drove 4,231 km (2,629 miles).
Since arriving back in Cochrane, we have unpacked the trailer and repaired the hail damage. For the next few weeks we will assess our tour and prayerfully consider where the Lord would have us go in the Fall. There are many small churches in Montana and Wyoming where our ministry would be well received.
While we will certainly enjoy our time at home, we will continue to seek the Lord’s will for our Fall tour. Your prayers on our behalf will be important to the success of our ministry.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
SMALL BUT FAITHFUL
Howdy Folks!
It doesn’t seem possible, but we have come to the end of this tour. New Hope Southern Baptist Church in Cody, WY was our last stop before we start our homeward journey. Pastor Larry and folks at New Hope gave us a warm welcome and let us set up the trailer in their parking lot. The church is located in a quiet residential area and we were quite comfortable.
To say that the church is small would be an understatement. It is a remodeled house with a small addition built to accommodate a Sunday school class. The sanctuary is only about 600 sq. ft and they can squeeze about 30 people inside. In the past several years, they have had few special events and the congregation has dwindled to only 12 members. Hopefully, we have been able to be a source of encouragement to these faithful few. They did their best to invite others to the service and we even got a write-up in the Cody Enterprise the newspaper founded by Buffalo Bill in 1899.
During our stay in Cody we learned that there is an active campground ministry in the RV parks and campgrounds. Cowboy church services are held during the summer. At present, however, there is only one couple doing these services and they are praying for 10 more people to come and help them with this ministry. We promised to keep in touch and pray about the possibility of being involved in this ministry next summer.
On Tuesday, July 13th we start our homeward journey. Although we are looking forward to getting back to Cochrane we are saddened to leave the work here in Montana and Wyoming. Because of the positive responses of the churches and the many invitations to return, however, we know we will be back again. Over the years, each tour has brought new insights and challenges, but never any doubts about why we need to stay on the trail sharing the Gospel message wherever He leads.
On the trail for Him,
Mike & Suzann
It doesn’t seem possible, but we have come to the end of this tour. New Hope Southern Baptist Church in Cody, WY was our last stop before we start our homeward journey. Pastor Larry and folks at New Hope gave us a warm welcome and let us set up the trailer in their parking lot. The church is located in a quiet residential area and we were quite comfortable.
To say that the church is small would be an understatement. It is a remodeled house with a small addition built to accommodate a Sunday school class. The sanctuary is only about 600 sq. ft and they can squeeze about 30 people inside. In the past several years, they have had few special events and the congregation has dwindled to only 12 members. Hopefully, we have been able to be a source of encouragement to these faithful few. They did their best to invite others to the service and we even got a write-up in the Cody Enterprise the newspaper founded by Buffalo Bill in 1899.
During our stay in Cody we learned that there is an active campground ministry in the RV parks and campgrounds. Cowboy church services are held during the summer. At present, however, there is only one couple doing these services and they are praying for 10 more people to come and help them with this ministry. We promised to keep in touch and pray about the possibility of being involved in this ministry next summer.
On Tuesday, July 13th we start our homeward journey. Although we are looking forward to getting back to Cochrane we are saddened to leave the work here in Montana and Wyoming. Because of the positive responses of the churches and the many invitations to return, however, we know we will be back again. Over the years, each tour has brought new insights and challenges, but never any doubts about why we need to stay on the trail sharing the Gospel message wherever He leads.
On the trail for Him,
Mike & Suzann
Monday, July 5, 2010
TEN SLEEP COWBOY CHURCH
Howdy Folks
Wow! What a week this has been in Ten Sleep, Wyoming. Daily temperatures reached 105 F, we joined in their July 4th celebrations, went to a rodeo and held cowboy church on the rodeo grounds. We were surrounded by the rodeo stock and, during the service they ran wild horses into the arena. What a setting for a cowboy church! Cowboy hats, jeans, boots, and spurs were the attire for the day. This is cowboy country and we felt the cowboy church was a real highlight of our tour.
The Ten Sleep Southern Baptist Church has only about 30 members. They draw from the ranches in the area, as well as the town (population 305). The church has been without a pastor for quite a while but now has an interim pastor. There are also several competent and active deacons that serve the church. We were invited back next year and, if we are in the area, this will sure be a stop on our tour.
We leave for Cody on Tuesday, July 6th, for our last service in Wyoming. I have been given some names and contact information for event organizers in the Cody area (including cowboy churches). Hopefully, I will be able to contact these people and book some engagements for 2011. It seems that doors continue to open to our ministry in the U.S. as we continue to reach out to the churches in the rural areas and smaller communities.
Please pray for us as we start the long journey back to Cochrane. After nearly six weeks on the road, we are getting tired and are looking forward to getting home to rest. While this has been one of our better-organized tours, the number of performances and services has kept us very busy. Remember it’s your prayers that keep us on the trail.
On the trail for Him,
Mike & Suzann
Wow! What a week this has been in Ten Sleep, Wyoming. Daily temperatures reached 105 F, we joined in their July 4th celebrations, went to a rodeo and held cowboy church on the rodeo grounds. We were surrounded by the rodeo stock and, during the service they ran wild horses into the arena. What a setting for a cowboy church! Cowboy hats, jeans, boots, and spurs were the attire for the day. This is cowboy country and we felt the cowboy church was a real highlight of our tour.
The Ten Sleep Southern Baptist Church has only about 30 members. They draw from the ranches in the area, as well as the town (population 305). The church has been without a pastor for quite a while but now has an interim pastor. There are also several competent and active deacons that serve the church. We were invited back next year and, if we are in the area, this will sure be a stop on our tour.
We leave for Cody on Tuesday, July 6th, for our last service in Wyoming. I have been given some names and contact information for event organizers in the Cody area (including cowboy churches). Hopefully, I will be able to contact these people and book some engagements for 2011. It seems that doors continue to open to our ministry in the U.S. as we continue to reach out to the churches in the rural areas and smaller communities.
Please pray for us as we start the long journey back to Cochrane. After nearly six weeks on the road, we are getting tired and are looking forward to getting home to rest. While this has been one of our better-organized tours, the number of performances and services has kept us very busy. Remember it’s your prayers that keep us on the trail.
On the trail for Him,
Mike & Suzann
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