From Sea to Shining Sea

Two weeks. Four time zones. Six churches. Nine states. Over 8,000-feet elevation change. And more than 3,700 miles. That’s what we’ve covered in the last two weeks. We’ve literally been coast to coast, and I admit, our bodies are starting to feel it. The toll that elevation and climate changes have on the body is unmistakable, but through it all, God has kept us healthy. There have been a few headaches and some sinus struggles but nothing serious, and for that, we are extremely grateful.

Our time in Texas was fruitful. We had the opportunity to share our burden in three churches. We met up with some dear friends from another church in the Dallas area and had dinner one evening. And we even stopped by Buc-ee’s. For those of you who don’t know what that is, it’s a chain of convenience stores in Texas, and like all things Texas, they do it BIG. It’s like a convenience store, souvenir shop, restaurant, craft store, and more all rolled into one. They’re huge! Seriously, though, we had a sweet time at each church we visited and felt so blessed by the welcome we received.

On our way from Texas to California, we did a little sight-seeing. As we traveled from Texas to Kingman, AZ, we stopped off at the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest. What an amazing sight this was! We had the opportunity to walk the trails and explore this beautiful area. We even met up with a family who had spotted the crosses on the back of our RV and asked if we were Christians. This gave us the opportunity to speak with them about church and to be an encouragement to them.

After spending the night in a church parking lot in Kingman, AZ, we woke up to a gorgeous view of the mountains. From there, we visited Red Rock Canyon in Nevada, which is a 13-mile scenic drive with overlooks, hikes, and more. Because we were both a little tired, we mostly did the drive, but it was breathtaking. When we were done, we drove a few more hours to South Lake Tahoe, CA, where another church graciously allowed us to camp out in their parking lot.

On Saturday, we made it to our “home away from home” for a few days at Big Valley Bible Baptist Church. Jason was able to assist the pastor in some tasks that afternoon while I caught up on paperwork and preparations for the weekend.

Sunday was a busy day. We had a great time with the people at Bible Fellowship Baptist Church in the morning service. Jason gave his testimony and told about our call to Wales during the Sunday school hour, while I had the opportunity to teach the children’s class. The people were so kind and generous, and within the church walls, there was no evidence of the persecution currently against the churches in California. After dinner on the grounds, we said our farewells and made our way back to Big Valley, where we spent the evening service.

Again, we were welcomed with open arms. Jason was able to present our ministry, and we had one of the best Q&A sessions we’ve ever had. At the close of the service, I had the privilege of playing the piano for the offering time. After church, we went out to eat with the pastor’s family and another family from the church. There was a lot of laughter and many shared stories. By the time we got home, we were tired but in good spirits.

On Monday and Tuesday, we enjoyed the chance to be still for a bit. We’ve spent so many days on the road that it was nice to not be moving for a while. We used the time to catch up on some work. Jason made phone calls and was able to book several meetings. He was also able to go out with the pastor to help him reach his personal goal of leaving a Bible tract at every home in the city. It was a productive—yet restful—couple of days.

On Wednesday, we drove to Atwater, CA, where Jason was, once again, able to present our burden and preach the Word of God. It was a sweet service, and the people made us feel so at ease. The pastor and his wife took good care of us and allowed us to stay the night in their parking lot. Once again, it was a joy to see another church obeying God and gathering together despite their government’s orders. How blessed are those who stand up for what is right!

Thursday, we made our way south and ended up in the Kings Canyon National Forest, where we had reserved a campsite for the night. After getting settled in, we took the opportunity to hike among the Redwoods and to view the largest living tree in the world, General Sherman. Words simply cannot describe the size and majesty of these trees. You can crane your neck back as far as it will go, and it’s still nearly impossible to see the tops of the trees. And they are so wide around, groups of people can take shelter within the splits rising up from the base. It’s so amazing! The entire time we walked, all I could think was, If the creation is this magnificent, what does that say about the Creator?

After a dark and quiet night at our campsite, we did another short hike—this time to see the third-largest living tree in the world, General Grant. It was another awesome sight, and it was so refreshing to have the time to walk hand-in-hand and witness God’s grandeur. Then, it was back to the RV for more driving. In a few minutes, we should be arriving at our overnight destination—a rest area in Boron, CA. Lord willing, tomorrow we’ll make our way to our next stop around Phoenix, AZ. We’ll be in that area for the next week and a half or so, and then it’s on to Kansas.

As you can see, we’ve been staying busy, and God is continuing to bless. Thank you for your love, prayers, and support. We truly need them. Please keep praying for Wales. We need the Holy Spirit to move the hearts of the people and open their eyes to their need for Christ. Also, please continue to pray for the Downeys and the other pastors and missionaries working in this difficult field. God bless you!