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The New Chapel For Pilot/Flying J

Frystown, Pennsylvania

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I thought it was time to give you another update on the chapel construction.

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The volunteers from Living Waters Chapel have been a great help to Cerwin and Glenn.

Cerwin said that he has never built a chapel so quickly. This was only begun in early February.

The cabinets came in on Monday, March 26.

The next day they were putting them in place.

Looking toward the chapel area from the living quarters.

The chapel area.

Staining and urethaning trim.

Most of the cabinets have been installed.

They are getting down to the final details for the interior and are ready for the electrician, those who will install carpet in the living quarters and vinyl flooring in the chapel area, and crown molding on the interior.

Cerwin has also scheduled the sandblasting, painting, and lettering for the exterior.

Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom.”

John 18:36 (New Living Translation)

Traveling Home From Louisville

I love the quiet of driving through the country – even if we are on an interstate.

Going through Cincinnati is not relaxing and quiet, but I liked this scene as we entered the city.

I am fascinated by barges. It looks like this one is moving a load of coal – or something that looks like coal.

Truckers always get my attention – and prayers.

After getting settled in at a motel in western Pennsylvania, I told Cerwin I needed a short drive through the country before supper.

He asked where I wanted to go. I looked out the motel window and said, “Let’s see what’s over that hill.”

 This is what we found.

I love being able to stop and take interesting pictures.

We almost missed this sign on Route 985, then realized what it was and turned around to investigate.

I was surprised that it was so close to a road and between someone’s yard and a farmers field. I expected the rescue site to be out in the hills somewhere.

I like the memorial statue.

The miner appears to reading a Bible.

On the other side of the narrow country road these Holsteins grazed contentedly with no knowledge of the miracle that happened a few hundred yards away.

We continued driving on a few more country roads, having no idea where we were going, and soon saw evidence that this was coal-mining country. 

Whether in the country or in town, springtime was everywhere.

I love traveling, but it was good to be home again.

Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation.

The old way of living has disappeared.

A new way of living has come into existence.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (GOD’S WORD Translation)

Saturday at the Truck Show is Always Busy

March 24

Visitors from our home area.

This couple is hoping to serve with a trucking ministry in the near future. I made sure to get their contact information.

Most of our visitors were from the USA and Canada, but we also talked to people from Germany, Australia, Holland, and the man from Taiwan.

At the end of the day, Gary and Pearl headed home to Ohio (he was scheduled to be on the Lodi, Ohio, chapel in the morning), and we went to Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium for the 13th Annual National Day of Prayer for Truckers.

After prayer by Chaplain Joe Hunter, president of Truckstop Ministries, our friends Jerry and Sharon Benson sang a few songs.

Truckers United For Charities provided hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, drink, and a few other things – for a donation.

Papa John’s Stadium is where many truckers park who have come for the show.

It was a beautiful evening.

As we prepared to leave, these guys eagerly posed for me.

Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking.

Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out.

Romans 12:2 (The Message)

A Highlight of the Truck Show

For Me

Was meeting Ron and Spencer

On Thursday when I walked the show truck lot for the first time, I was surprised to see the truck that I had photographed at the 2011 show. Inge (Highway News Editor) had chosen March 2012 to put this truck on the cover. What fun to show it to them.

Spencer modeled his Hoffman t-shirt behind the sleeper where there is a painting of the truck – the painting is on the cover of the March 2012 issue.

Spencer is too young to drive, but loves going to shows and helping to keep the truck polished.

I went back to the truck the next day to get more information about the men and the truck so Inge could do a followup in the next issue (May) which will soon be available to pick up in truck stops or locations where the Highway News is distributed.

Ron and Spencer are Christians – and neighbors – so they were delighted that the truck was featured in our literature.

This is what it looked like when it was a working truck for Hoffman Transportation, Channahon, Illinois.

Ron told me that he and a son did the custom woodwork in the sleeper and cab.

What a gorgeous Peterbilt. Look for the May issue of the Highway News for more details of this truck.

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation.

James 1:12 (New Living Translation)

More Photos From MATS

Friday, March 23

Our first visitors were representatives from Roady’s Truck Stop ownership team whom we have known for many years. Bob Lee (left) and Bud Mistifier (right) introduced us to a new company rep.  

Jordan Rissler and his parents Paul and Michelle came early while waiting for a vendor to open so Jordan could claim his prize – a remote control car. 

They were going to take it to their truck, but it had begun raining, so they came back and stored it at our booth, while visiting other exhibitors.

The weather had changed from warm and sunny to cold and rainy.

I think it was this day that there was a tornado warning for Louisville. The shrill warning sirens were ear-splitting.

We found out later that a tornado touched down about thirteen miles from the Expo Center – which was only five miles from our motel. One house was totally destroyed and a few others had roof damage.

I met Resie and Leon again, this time they were waiting out the rain under an outside roof.

It seemed like a good time to go back to North & South Halls to see more trucks.

I liked these seats.

Back at the TFC booth.

These visitors prayed for us – especially for TFC. That was nice, because it was usually us praying for someone.

We enjoyed meeting the Rissler parents (Jordan’s grandparents – see photo earlier in this post). We have met each of their five sons (three were here at the show), but had never met them. 

A highlight for Cerwin was meeting Ron and his son from ALTL whose company donated a trailer to TFC. It was used to build the International Chapel #2. He was pleased to see photos of it in operation.

Freedom is what we have—Christ has set us free! Stand, then, as free people, and do not allow yourselves to become slaves again.

Galatians 5:1 (Good News Translation)