Dear Friends,
I Timothy 1:12 "And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13. Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 17. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen."
Wow! What a summer we have had. The Lord has led us on the roads of Indiana, North Carolina, Michigan, Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, South Dakota, Wyoming, Kansas, Minnesota, Colorado and New Mexico.
In North Carolina I experienced the Redneck Tour of Destruction (pic 1). Never have I watched races like these: cars pulling campers, boats or trailers, school buses, cars racing in reverse and every unusual vehicle that could run. I also got to witness the breaking of the chassis and dropping of a motor on a Monster truck.
We also had the honor to visit the Memorial Marker of Shubal Stearns who pastored the Sandy Creek Baptist Church from 1755 until his death in 1771. Sandy Creek became a Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother to more than a thousand churches! The first meeting house was built in 1762 and the present log meeting house was built in 1802 (see pics 2-4).
My wife collected handfuls of shark's teeth from a driveway, and we watched stingrays from their boat dock. My wife will never get in that water!
Oh, and in North Carolina at Hico Baptist Church we were visited by the police at 1:30 in the morning. They were just making sure it was okay with the church that we were parked there.
On our way Michigan, the air conditioner's compressor blew. That is not the sound you like to hear while traveling, but we were so thankful to the Lord that it was nothing worse. We could still travel without an air conditioner but God provided cool weather during that time. God prepared a mechanic whom everyone called trustworthy. He told us we needed a new system, but he could not get to it while we were still in Michigan. However, I told him we were headed to Ohio, and this Mechanic told us of the place where he had trained not far from where we would be parked. We were able to call ahead and schedule for our truck to be worked on. The estimated cost was $2500. God blessed. A wonderful couple in our home church sent $500, and while I was scheduling a church in Missouri, the Pastor asked what was happening in our travels. When I told him of our air conditioner problem, he said their church had been blessed and they were praying about what to do with the blessing. They passed it on to us! God is so faithful!
In Beavercreek, Ohio, while preaching Revival Meetings, we had an outside Fourth of July concert. Crowds of people came to the church parking lot to watch the fireworks and left with tracts on their windshields. After the concert as we were watching fireworks we were able to visit with an 80-year-old lady about the Lord. She said she had been saved all her life, but she couldn't remember a time she had repented and asked the Lord to forgive her sins. This was her first time hearing that it was something she needed to do. She did not make that decision. She did love the location of the church and since she did not go to church, she said she just might make it hers. Our prayer is that she does and comes to know the Lord as her Saviour. Oh, and in Beavercreek we were also visited by the police! We set off the alann ... this must be our year of police visits!
While we were in Illinois, we enjoyed some time with our Pastor and church family. It is always a joy to spend some time with them.
This year was the 47th year anniversary for Faith Baptist Church, Johnson, KS. They gave me the honor to preach. What a joy to be their pastor for four years in the 80's and see how His people have grown over the years. Bro. Bob Phillips who started the church also was in attendance. It was a great day.
God gave me the opportunity to fly to Backus, Minnesota to preach and sing for their block party and church services. That blessed church is 120 years old and still reaching people for Jesus.
This week I enjoyed a refreshing ride in the mountains of Pagosa Springs, CO with Pastor Adam Albach, his son Sean and daughter Moriah. It was a beautiful day to spend time with friends (pic 5)
Of all the roads we have travelled, our favorite will be when we travel to Heaven! We are thankful for those who have been saved thus far who will join us and then for decisions made by those that are already headed there with us.
His servants,
Greg & Sandy Waggoner
Thank you for your faithful support of Prayers!