Bethany's Creative Rendition Of A Day in the Park Near The Open Door



Danger on the field

It was a bright afternoon, in the park. Almost perfect--too perfect--as my friends and I enjoyed the thrill of spinning through the air, as we hung on the merry-go-round,  waiting to loose our noodles.

Then it all happened so fast--too fast. He kept pushing faster and faster. I tried yelling for him to slow down, but the excited shrieks of my compadres drowned out my cries. Everything seemed to slow as I watched Markell tumble, no, fly off the spinning merry-go-round. My mouth flew open in shock.

"NOOOOO!!!!" I yelled--that too seemed slow. I ran to his side. "Come on, man, speak to me! Hang in there!" Bullets flew over head, and--wait, bullets?!
Markell grasped my arm and groaned. "There's--there's no time...leave me!!!"

I shook my head vigorously. "No!" I jerked my head to the battle field where my companions stood in the distance. "Medic! I need a medic!" I looked in the opposite direction where the enemy was closing in. I stood, hoisting Markell up with me, draping his arm on my shoulder as I began the perilous trek back to the trenches--why the others hadn't moved yet was beyond me.

"We won't....make it..." Markell coughs.

I ignore his protests and dig my feet into the ground as I take another heavy step. Behind me, I hear the enemy forces catching up--to much ground to cover in so little time!
"Leave me!!!!" Markell wails, jerking free, flailing onto the ground.

I drop to my knees. "Hang in there, man! We can do it, we can--"

Markell stands, brushing the dust of his denim shorts, grinning sheepishly. "I'm okay," He huffs.

I blink. "W-what? Oh, yeah. Right." I pat his shoulder as he remounts the merry-go-round. "Don't push it so hard this time, BJ!" I shout to BJ, who had been pushing the go-round.

The Lord's Accuracy & Be Careful What You Ask For

So, Evelyn and I don't really spend much time talking about what we're going to do on these trips ; until we get a few months out and we have to start organizing things.  We were having one of these conversations when Eva feels led to suggest giving a $500 donation to the fire department (they have added a new bay and exterior siding).  We both agreed to consider it and moved on. 

Well, I don't remember if it was a few days or a month, but we were sitting at the kitchen table when the phone rings; Evelyn answers.  A woman who is part of a sewing group wants to donate some dresses made from pillow cases.  Well, after a couple weeks and some more phone calls it was time to talk about meeting her and picking up the dresses.  In one of the calls she mentions the group wants to give a "sizable" donation.

What to guess how much???  Yes, $500!

We have to be more careful what we ask for.  Suppose I had asked for a million or Evelyn may have asked, "Lord, please provide half-a-million dollars so we can build a new 'Open Door'".

We are blessed that the Lord would show His goodness to us - hallelujah!

Donations Are Coming In

The Lord blessed us with a good trip to Maryland where we picked up some donated clothing and a few household items.  Nothing really to report regarding details; we are grateful the Lord is moving in the hearts of people and that we are able to gather that which the Lord provides.

Interest Spreads

The Lord has blessed us with more workers. A small band of believers from Lee’s Chapel Baptist Church have a puppet ministry. We believe this should fit in well for the children and youth in Rhodell. This past Sunday Evelyn and I were invited to speak to the congregation at Lee’s Chapel about the work the Lord is doing in Rhodell. Evelyn opened with a song, I spoke, Evelyn closed with a song (it really was more exciting than that but I‘m not going to try and “capture“ that in this small entry). We were well received and people seemed to appreciate the information. Pastor Kenneth prayed with us and for us when we finished our talk.

Evelyn and I were touched by their effort to make us feel welcomed. Those of you reading this may not have a full appreciation for what happened next. Pastor Kenneth spoke about heaven. Now the reason this is significant is the book I’m reading by Ted Dekker, titled “The Slumber of Christianity” focuses on heaven, and our pastor recently focused his message about heaven. I have reason to believe the focus of our trip this year should be on the hope of heaven.