Sept 27, 2015

Friends put together this montage for us.

Dear Praying Friends,

A wonderful California couple that comes to Western Indian Ministries to serve – especially with the construction on the campus -- lost their home in the Butte fire this month.

This is their story from FaceBook (used with permission):

September 5: We’ve been chosen as Missionaries of the Month for our church. Preparing a report.

September 10: Fires raging in California. The Butte fire is of concern. We are listening to the scanner. Sections of this fire are almost six miles from us as the crow flies. Church family have evacuated. Their homes are gone.

September 11: Packing our vehicles. What a dilemma. So many precious mementos reminding us of brothers and sisters all over the world.  Pray.

Sept. 11: Denise and I and Brandi and Caleb (two of our grown children) are bone-weary, but ready to leave. We had one hour warning from the authorities.

Sept. 11: 4:45 Caravan evacuated.

Professional photo by John Slot.

Sept. 11: PM: Safe at a friend’s house.

Fire has burned 64,000 acres. Is 10% contained.

No word when we can check on our house.

Sept. 12: Worshipping at church. Such an outpouring of love and support!

Sept. 12: Got to pray with service providers and evacuation staff today before going to our property.

Sept. 12: Pictures of the burned down house, yard, and equipment shed full of tools for the Construction business. Hard to post. My strength comes from the Lord. Pray for all those in the fire zone.

We know of 8 who have lost their houses besides us. – all families in the body of Christ.

Sept. 13: Forgot to pack clothes. Need to go shopping.

Professional photo by John Slot

It appears that our house became the firebreak and every other home south of us was saved. God is providing for us. Our insurance company will allow us to be our own contractors for the rebuild and has even listed Loving Touch Design and Remodeling as an approved company to rebuild other homes lost by the fire, which would allow us to employ members of Christ family to rebuild theirs' and others’ houses. I pray that it can be said that, "the 'faith' is strong with this one" and that on the end an agent of evil will repent and return to the faith declaring " 'HE' saved us, 'Christ' saved us all.”

Leaving for the mission as scheduled on Wednesday this week. All Glory and Honor and Praise to our God and more thanks than I can express to all of you.

The Lord will provide a new home.

Sept. 14: The Butte Fire has been called the 15^th largest wildfire in CA history. Mountain Ranch is a former historic mining town of about 16,000. Residents feel responsible to protect the town. Used tractors to create a firebreak around the historic town center.

Sept.14: God has a purpose for your pain, a reason for your struggles, and a gift for your faithfulness. Don’t ever give up.

Sept.15: Still burning, but God sent rain on Rosh Hashanah! Firefighters are gaining control.

Sept.16: Leaving for Western Indian Ministries. A group is coming from PA to work on the dorm.

Sept.17: Seven cats still missing. Chickens gone.

Sept 18: When you feel you’re drowning in life’s situations, don’t worry. Your lifeguard walks on water.

Sept 19: Shared in church at Tse Bonito (Navajo Nation) how the Lord has blessed. Our insurance is great. We will be able to replace our home and contents (and Caleb’s and Brandi’s trailers.) People have donated so many things. Our CA church took an offering. An amazing amount! God’s blessings overflow. We’re sharing it with others who have lost their homes.

Sept. 19: Heard that the chinchilla died. Denise is at a Women’s Retreat. When the camp heard about our house, they paid her registration. Praise the Lord.

Sept. 19: Fire is 63% contained. Has destroyed hundreds of homes. Might have been started by a power line coming in contact with a tree.

 

Sept. 20: Lost my prayer shawl from Israel. Garfield is back, along with two more cats. Isaiah 43:2 HE is always with us.

Sept 21: Was just hired to rebuild another house lost in the fire. Will work out with us hiring this brother in Christ and his family/friends as builders. His insurance money pays us for him to build his home with us supervising!

The whole area looks like this now.

Sept 21: All glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as He demonstrates His love for His children in the midst of crisis. Just learned that two trailers have been donated so we can live on our property as we rebuild.

Sept 23: Tons of work getting done this week at the dorm at Western Indian Ministries.