What does a weekend journey with D & D look like? You have the opportunity to live out, on the spot, the subject of your messages. In this case, My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect (maturing) work, that you may be perfect (mature) and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:2-4).
Come along with us as I recap last weekend’s travel journeys.
This trip to Amazing Grace Baptist Camp in Ottawa, Kansas where Denise was scheduled to speak for their Spring Ladies’ Retreat started with booking airline flights for the wrong date! Thanks to our daughter, who is fulfilling the administration side of D & D Ministries, she caught it as soon as I sent her the itinerary.
Arriving at the airport in good time, we noted that our outbound flight was a bit late. Found out later that he had been taxiing on the runway in Charlotte for an hour.
We had a tight window between flights, so we needed to hustle to our next gate. . . until the notification came on my phone that our flight was delayed until 3:30. Then in a few seconds, delayed until 5:30. So we calculated the time . . . Denise was not going to make it speak Friday night.
We were informed that an earlier flight was scheduled, so we were told to check at customer service in Charlotte. We did. That flight was full and there was a long stand-by list. We were sweetly encouraged by the attendant to just keep what we had.
What do we do? We got lunch and found two rocking chairs in the atrium and sat in the sunshine realizing that our loving, sovereign, righteous God was accomplishing His perfect will. Why get disturbed and bothered? It was totally out of our control . . . as is all of our life.
Whitney kept the camp informed of all our schedule changes, and the Lord had another speaker prepared for Friday night who was already attending the retreat. That was God’s appointment.
While we waited in Charlotte, Denise studied. I had the joy of meeting Zvonimir Ivišić, otherwise known as “Big Z,” who played this year for my UK Wildcats. I had passed him on our way to get lunch but didn’t stop to speak to him. When he passed by the second time, Denise alerted me, and I jumped up from my chair to meet him. Standing 7’1”, I felt really small!! Although he is transferring to Arkansas to play for Coach Cal, it was fun to meet him.
That event led to a long conversation with the man seated near me who is a progressive Lutheran pastor.
Having finally landed in Kansas City, we were transported to Amazing Grace Camp by Jeremy Green, the General Service Manager. What a blessing to meet my brother in Christ and to hear how God had brought the Greens from South Carolina to Kansas to serve Him in this greatly needed ministry! The work of God and the family of God are awesome!!
The drive from Kansas City to Ottawa was over an hour, so we arrived at camp around 9:00, and got checked into our room. Denise went to the snack/coffee shop to mingle with the ladies.
Saturday, Denise was able to speak from James 1:1-4 in two sessions and end up with a brief Q & A time. Denise loves hearing the hearts of various ladies, to learn of their burdens, and then to pray with them. She intentionally goes to where the ladies are, eating with them, sharing a cup of coffee with them and/or being in their activities.
You ask, what did I do at a LADIES RETREAT? Well, that’s where D & D Ministries comes in. We are a team. What a blessing it is to travel with Denise, and she with me. I help her get through the airport with her luggage, make decisions that she doesn’t need to make, and then help in whatever way possible once we arrive at our destination.
In this case, so the program director could attend to other needs at camp and Elizabeth, the coordinator of the retreat, could sit in the sessions and glean from the Word, I offered to run the power point for my wife, all the while, praying for her to be God’s useful vessel.
After lunch we packed up and headed back to Kansas City. Guess what? Yep, our flight to Charlotte was delayed! While we waited, I had the opportunity to catch up on the phone with one of the leaders at Boones Creek Bible Church as well as counsel with a hurting, discouraged pastor.
We are rejoicing in the goodness of God because our flight from Charlotte to our home was delayed 10 minutes. Because of folk on the KC flight who didn’t need to make tight connections were willing to stay seated on the plane, the help of the individual seated on the aisle next to me, the moving walkways, and the ability to hustle, we made it to our flight home with one minute to spare, and that was according to the flight attendant at the desk!
Rolling into bed at 1:00 a.m. Sunday was so refreshing!!!
Often times I remind myself and others to “Enjoy the journey!” Indeed, we should because the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day (Proverbs 4:18). The LORD, our Shepherd, is always leading us in righteous paths for His name sake (Psalm 23), and we can trust Him with our lives. Sometimes the way is rough and unsettling, but He is never shaken, and we are never forsaken (Isaiah 41:10; Hebrews 13:5-6)!!
What a joy to serve the Lord together as we seek to remain faithful to the end as we live the Christ-life for the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31) awaiting the Bema (1 Cor. 3:11-15; 2 Cor. 5:10).
Want to travel with us as we enjoy the journey?
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