Monday March 13, 2006

It Is Good To Be Back!

Friday

We had a good nights sleep in our own bed and were on the road again by 10:00 AM.  Our first stop was to pick up my repaired laptop, then to Marietta to take the chapel to Newtown Square, PA.  We stopped for fuel and took time for a hot dog before the final leg of our trip to the Philadelphia area.   

Cerwin and Chaplain David Hoy set up the chapel, while Trisha and I did some touch-up cleaning on the inside.

Trisha served us a delicious Italian supper.  Her Italian mom even made homemade noodles for the meal! 

Chaplain David Hoy told the Spruce Street Baptist youth about his and Trisha’s ministry to truckers on the Transport For Christ chapel at Petro Stopping Center, Elkton, MD.  Following that, the young people proceeded to their evening activity, and we enjoyed coffee, dessert, and wonderful fellowship at the Hoy’s house before getting a good nights rest.

Saturday

We were out of the house early to take the chapel to the Pancake Breakfast at Aldan Union Church, Aldan, PA.  This event is part of their week-long Mission’s Conference.  The morning is designed as a time when church members have opportunity to get to know their missionaries on more personal terms. 

David and Cerwin set up the chapel steps.

We were parked across the street from the church, and many people took advantage of the beautiful weather to visit the chapel and hear about our ministry to truckers.

Many children, some adults, even a few seventy and eighty-year-old women, enjoyed that Cerwin encouraged them to get a “trucker’s view of the world” by sitting in the cab of the truck.  A favorite of the children was blowing the air horn! 

Trisha was busy at the TFC display in the church, David was in the living quarters, and I greeted people as they entered the chapel area.  One of the benefits of attending a missions conference is the added financial and prayer support the chaplain and ministry receives.  This is the main reason we have a chapel just for promotional work at churches, schools, fairs, truck shows, etc.  (Working chapels stay parked at truck stops where chaplains serve on a daily basis.)

After the last visitor left, we prepared the chapel for travel, and lingered over a late (2 PM) lunch in an Irish restaurant with David and Trisha.

We pulled into our Marietta office about 4:30 PM.  When we got home, I was disappointed to discovered my Internet was down.  (When I finally had time to call the D & E technician on Monday afternoon, I discovered it was something to do with the electric being off for a short time when we were away.)

Sunday

Sunday was a different kind of day, weatherwise.  We traveled through rain during most of the trip to Ohio.  It was a good morning for reading and listening to tapes.  David Hoy called on the cell phone to comment on God’s goodness in giving us sunshine and warm weather the day before! 

My favorite trucker enjoys driving as much as I enjoy riding in the passenger seat!

When we arrived at the Christian school near Kidron, OH, to park the chapel, we were surprised to discover that someone had wrapped our car in toilet paper!  There was some kind of sporting event there during the weekend, and I guess someone thought our car looked like it needed to be decorated!  I collected the rain-soaked toilet paper as well as I could, but by the time we got to our first stop it had dried, and we were amused that our berry colored CRV, was now speckled with tiny pieces of white toilet paper!

Our “toilet paper speckled car” – before going through a car wash – when we got home last night.

We are grateful to the Lord for safety during the MANY miles of travel the past four days.  Thanks to those who prayed for us.