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Part 3 of 3

Make-A-Wish Convoy

Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12

Our view as we left Burle Industries.

There were lots of people along the route even though it was a cool, breezy day.

The largest crowds line the bridges and roadway as we approach Brownstown.

Nice car!

Exiting Route 222 at the Brownstown ramp.

We see so many people we know when we get to this area, but I did not see my Facebook friend Fay Good Hess until I looked at the people around her in the next two pictures she took of us. Her husband is the man in black – next to the pole – and she is next to him, taking a picture of us…

…maybe this one!

Thanks Fay for permission to post them on my blog.

Actually, I’ve known Fay since she was a little girl – long before Facebook.

This picture was taken by our TFC friends Gene and Rose Gehman – in the same area.

Hey, we know these people! This is Cerwin’s sister Velda and her husband, Mel.

Approaching the town of Akron.

Main Street in Ephrata.

The last turn – from Route 322 to Route 222 at the east end of Ephrata.

It is always strange to spend an hour waving to large groups of people, then come to the end of the route and go back to normal – without anyone sitting along the road.

Chaplain Jake and Jane’s son, Jesse, took this picture of us as we went up the ramp to Route 222.

~~~

Thanks everyone for the encouraging waves, thumbs up, and shouts. Thanks also to Fay, Rose and Gene, and Jesse for the pictures you took of us.

~~~

Remind me each morning of your constant love,
for I put my trust in you.
My prayers go up to you;
show me the way I should go.

Psalm 143:8 (Good News Translation)

Part 2 of 3

Make-A-Wish Convoy

Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12

Banners on the trucks.

When Jesse saw the helicopter, he asked to wait in line to get inside.

There were clowns of all shapes and sizes.

They are important to the day, because they collect funds during the convoy.

We got back to the chapel in time for the first devotional service at 10:00 a.m.

Chaplain Jake and Jane Wise ministered to a full chapel. Counting children on laps and people standing in the back there were thirty people.

Jake challenged us with the verse concerning faith like a mustard seed, and Jane led the singing.

Afterwards Ian spotted the M & M guy and wanted a picture with him.

These clowns wanted in on a picture as well.

I spotted the Turkey Hill cow who was giving out small containers of iced tea.

Chapel visitors between services.

This young clown/juggler could get this “thing” going by swinging it back and forth, throwing it in the air, and catching it.

The 11:00 a.m. service was full, but not quite so crowded.

About 12:30 p.m. – after many more visitors – we prepared the chapel for travel and waited for the convoy to begin – and watched the activity from the cab of our truck.

The scene in front of us.

The convoy began promptly at 1:30 p.m.

Our position puts us in a perfect spot for worship services, and then later to view the early trucks leaving the lot.

I am not aware that this vehicle entered the convoy. It appeared that he was monitoring the trucks as they left the lot.

~~~

We were just told that it is our turn to join the convoy. Come back tomorrow night.

~~~

God has given each of you a gift.

Use it to help each other.

This will show God’s loving-favor.

1 Peter 4:10 (New Life Version)

Happy Birthday

To Our Favorite Jared

Jared and Lincoln the Raccoon

We Love You

Grandpa & Grandma

Part 1 of 3

Make-A-Wish Convoy

Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12

It was Jesse, Jared, and Ian’s first time to go along with us on the Make-A-Wish Convoy. They had to get up early, as we picked them up at 6:30 a.m.

The gathering place for the “more than 300 trucks” (the amount I read in a newspaper article) who would participate in the convoy.

The boys enjoyed helping to set up the steps.

It was nice that all I had to do was take pictures this time.

A pleasant break – the lollipop lady.

It’s much easier to work after a bit of sugar!

The steps

The TFC crew on duty: Chaplain Jake Wise, Volunteer Chaplain Bob Russell, and Cerwin.

I must tell you a funny story. Cerwin walked away to look at some of the trucks, and I took the boys for a walk. When I came back, some TFC literature (see table) was blowing around – some under the chapel. I teasingly said to Jake and Bob, “Hey you two. You are supposed to be in charge here. The Bibles and Highway News are blowing away.”

Their reply: “We were watching the trucks arrive”.

On another walk I stopped to visit with our friends Marv and Fay Sauder. Marv was attaching this banner.

The boys loved seeing Stinger.

The driver, I think his name is Zane, autographed their flyers and hands.

Then we headed for John and Karen Rissler’s big rig because I knew their boys would be glad to give our boys a “tour” of their truck. The open door you see is the back entrance into the cab.

Jared, Ian, and Jesse and the Rissler boys.

There is a shower to my left, and the top bunks come down at the push of a button.

A nice Mount Joy Co-op Truck

More tomorrow night.

Be alert, be on watch!

Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

1 Peter 5:8 (Good News Translation)

Foxes & A TFC Banquet

We weren’t far from home – on a two-hour drive to Northumberland, Pennsylvania, for a TFC banquet – when Cerwin noticed these foxes.

They appeared to be young siblings, but I expect the mother was not far away.

Cerwin turned around and drove back for a better view.

Do you think they noticed us?

It was a beautiful evening, with skies that looked a bit threatening now and then.

We saw it coming – a heavy downpour.

Then it was over and we were in sunshine again – enjoying a beautiful drive on Route 15 along the Susquehanna River.

It was great to see our TFC friends from this area.

Giles Wickham blessed us with two gospel songs.

Suzanne Gautsch was his very capable accompanist.

Chaplain Jim gave a challenge for some of these men to consider serving as a volunteer (or staff) chaplain at the Frystown or Harrisburg chapel.

He has a great voice and included a song in his message.

~~~

Cerwin also gave a ministry update. I forgot to take a picture of him.

God does not want us to be in disorder but in harmony and peace.

1 Corinthians 14:33 (Good News Translation)

Gospel Concert at Ephrata Business Center

Thursday, May 9

Because of our schedule, we rarely go to a concert or event that does not involve our church or TFC, but this seemed like a good, relaxing dinner concert – and it was. It was a fundraiser for Strait Paths Ministries (Steve and Dorcas Stutzman).

It was interesting to be so close to home – in a room of 600-plus people – and recognize only a few of them.

Garment of Praise opened at 6:00 p.m. They are one of the best acapella quartets in our area.

Following a delicious buffet dinner, Ryan and Friends (ventriloquist) entertained us for awhile – mostly at the expense of Steve and Dorcas Stutzman.

Jeffrey was the only dummy that Ryan used on this night.

Jeffrey said his one big dream was to sing with Garment of Praise. Look at his face. You can see he is having a good time.

Oh, he did use another “dummy” – his little son Max. Ryan’s wife is standing in the background.

The little guy had no idea what his daddy was doing as Ryan switched from his own voice to a baby voice – with Max telling his dad what a wonderful father he was.

The Stutzman Family closed the evening with challenging songs and thoughts.

It was good to hear them again. We had them at TFC’s Lancaster Dinner Concert at the end of March.