Wow – only three more days of riding and we will be there! It is amazing how fast it has flown by. God has been so good to us on this trip — we are riding in beautiful country and the weather is hot but not brutal as in some of the years past. We do pray for all of those in Missouri, Oklahoma, Alabama, Texas, Virginia and Georgia that have been devastated by the storms. Our team has kept up with all those who are suffering. Chaplain Tim Moore, Josh Mayfield and other families in Virginia were without electricity and water. One of the men on RFTW reported that his wife called to report that their home and their son’s homes were leveled today. We are praying for all!
We had the great honor of sharing with the men and women in the VA home / hospital in Tuscaloosa, AL today. Chaplain Moore reports many were blessed by the cards, letters and gifts made by children from the Capital Church in Raleigh,NC; Christian Heritage Church in Amarillo, TX; CrossRoads in Petersburg, VA; Crossroads to Recovery in Bakersfield, CA and My Father’s Vineyard in Pensacola, FL. We will have pictures later but for now the picture of the building will have to do.
I also want to include the picture of three of us Chaplains (Chaplain Moore took the picture) of a man who was at Normandy during WWII. It was such a blessing to hear the stories but he was blessed to be able to tell them. There are so many heroes out here that have been overlooked.
We were blessed to have Diane Carlisle with us tonight in our devotion. Her late husband, Bill Carlisle was used by God to confirm my place on RFTW in 2006. I wish I could tell you more but for now, let me just say that this man who served in Vietnam died a horrible death due to Agent Orange. After we visited that first year, we annually met and had a picture together and exchanged a gift. He rededicated his life to the Lord, been sober for two years and was blessed to renew his relationship with his son, Mike (a M25 / Hard CORE M/M Minister). Thanks Diane for blessing our team and keeping our traditional picture alive (Bill was with us in our hearts).
Justin Snodgrass did a devotion tonight – a great job and the Lord was truly with us. We sang a worship song that filled our room, We truly left the room thanking God for His presence and His grace that has been with us on this trip.
Please view our video – I think Chaplain Moore will bless you with his presentation.
Thank you for all your prayers – we certainly covet them.
Until tomorrow night –
Shepherd, Gary Burd
I have been so touched by reading and listening to your posts. God bless all of you for taking a stand for the veterns of our great country. We are in prayer for you throughout your journey. Who knows, maybe God will bless us one day to go with you! God bless!
Pastor Tammy Hayes