DAY EIGHT

I have learned some things along the way. I have learned that there are certain road signs that do not help your courage. On the way up to the Grand Canyon yesterday in the dark I saw signs for deer and elk crossing. That's not so bad, but then there was the sign telling of mountain lion crossings for the next ten miles. Well, I kept my eyes out! Then on my way down to Prescott for the Arizona Campmeeting I saw the wonderful sign telling me that the next twelve miles had just been freshly flushed with oil. Oh, I just love driving on fresh oil! It saves on lube jobs I think! My time at the campmeeting was really fun. I ran into Ralph and Darlys Robertson, which was pretty neat. But then I spent an hour with John Martin, pastor at Holbrook Indian School. We talked about his ministry to and through the kids at the school. He spends a great deal of time with them just building connections. They baptized 16 last year plus three Profession of Faith and they have baptized 15 already this year. Then he told me about one young lady who was struggling with her decision during a baptismal service. Afterward he talked to her and asked if she wanted to be baptized. She said she did and then she went outside and talked two of her friends into being baptized as well. As he shared that story his eyes filled with tears and his passion for the kids was clear.

Then I had a chance to talk to Shannon and Justine who were manning the Sabbath Keepers Motorcyle Club booth. This is based out of the Kingman, AZ church where Shannon is a deacon. This club has chapters in several cities and reaches out to bikers in many venues very successfully. He shared with me that the Kingman church has a strong prison ministry as well. I was glad to visit with him as Jack Robinson, the Kingman pastor, was busy. I was also unable to connect with David Hakes from Flagstaff so I will have to spend more time with him via emails.

I was also happy to see Frances Wightman there and when I left I stopped by her Fountain of Youth Salon and Day Spa. What a wonderful setup she has there along with her son, Lonnie. We had a wonderful lunch in a Mexican restaurant and she sent along a goodie bag with an orange, apple, peach, nuts, and banana bread. Not a bad deal huh?

Then it was off to Holbrook Indian School. Most of the staff and crew are gone for the summer, but I did run into Steve Alred from the Sacramento Central Church with a group of students doing a mission project down there. That was fun. You'll also see a picture of Dave Bernier who is a general contractor in Sacramento. The older gentleman is Harold Bigger who is a volunteer maintenance man at the school. The white building is the church and the tan building is the Girl's Dorm. The whole campus is very clean and inviting. They have about 300 acres to work with. Holbrook is a school for boarding students only and John Martin has really built some strong relationships with the kids. That is the key for all of us is it not?

Tomorrow I'm off to Albuquerque and Roswell, NM. That will cover about 440 miles. Today was easier with only about 320. Weather was good. It was dry and not too hot. The heat is coming over the next few days, but at least the big storms are moving on ahead of me. I'm thankful I'm not in the upper middle states right now. Big tornados there. That's it for today. Thanks for checking in.