Lonesome Cowboy Blues

 

Ever get the “post holiday” or “post event” blues?  I think we all must to some extent, at least that’s what I tell myself as I sit here writing to you and recounting the many blessings of God that we have received these past weeks.  I have absolutely nothing to get the blues, or the blahs over, yet there is that niggling sense of something undefinable that is keeping me on the edge of unrest.  So, my mind begins to look around for “reasons” and it takes me a bit of pondering and praying to figure it out.  “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1)  “For it is God that works in us to will and to do His good pleasure.”(Phil 2:13) “…without Me (Jesus), you can do nothing.”  John 15:5, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;”  Phil 2:3  “Let your light so shine before men that others may see your good works and glorify God who is in heaven.”  “To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”  Col. 1:27  “Odd” says I to myself, “there is no mention of my name, or even one little ‘I’ in there.”  We have been so caught up of late in “busyness” that perhaps I have forgotten that it is God’s ”business,” not mine; God’s works not mine; God’s glory, not mine.”  This missionary stuff can get pretty heady at times.  Surely you can understand because, I would guess you suffer the same temptation to claim your job, your teaching, your life’s bent as your own.  But, it isn’t.  So, before I go on and tell you about what has been happening, may I ask your forgiveness for often not thinking, or acting, as if the Jonah Field ministry, the fruit born of your investment, the appreciation, the love, the glory and praise–belongs to the One who calls; the One who sends; the One who sustains us, gives us hope, does us good, always?  And, even as I ask, I know that I am forgiven and this is just one more step in the learning process of one of God’s beloved children.  I hope you can look at yourselves that way too.

Just some news blurbs: 

The week before Christmas over 300 cookie baskets were baked and delivered to the Jonah Field workers.  Ladies from 1st Baptist Church, Big Piney assisted the women of Fellowship Baptist in baking the cookies.  Contributions from the bake sale at the Senior Center added to the numbers.  Included with the cookie baskets was a brochure providing information about the local Christmas celebrations, dates and times.  It was reported that some of the churches had visitors at their services over the holidays.  On Christmas Eve, the Big Piney Oilfield Chapel hosted a Chili Feed and Devotional Service, then on Christmas Day prepared and served a full dinner and afternoon of games.  A total of twelve people attended both nights.   The camp was nearly empty, but the ones who remained and had somewhere warm and inviting to come appreciated so much what God provided. 

January 12th was the official opening dedication.  The Chapel was “mostly done”, and the Opening Dedication luncheon was moved up to a nearby building (owned by Dan Alexander, who also owns the camp,) due to anticipated attendance.  You know how it is when food is involved!  Dan and his wife, Diane, have been so helpful and encouraging in getting things done in preparation for opening.  They attend a local Mormon congregation.  Please keep them in your prayers.  The luncheon was followed by a dedication service at the chapel.  Between the luncheon and the dedication service the chapel hosted over fifty people, and the afternoon open house welcomed many more browsing through.  John Bird, the President of Oilfield Christian Fellowship came up from Houston, Tx but the record for traveling the furthest went to retired missionary, Charlie Hardie who came from Alabama, via Siberia, and gave the dedication address.  The mobile chapel, which NAMB funded for ministry in the Jonah Field (and around the state in the Energy Industry) was unable to make the trip from Casper due to refurbishing but the Crabtrees are looking forward to getting out in the field, hopefully into some of the other man camps that are springing up. 

Since the dedication we have been here at the camp Chapel every afternoon and late into the evening.  We’ve been able to meet the workers coming and going in the afternoon and are passing out invitations to the Chapel daily.  So far we’ve only been able to provide hot showers for guys whose water is frozen (imagine that at -2,) play host to a number of curious lookers, and try to work out some scheduling.  We will be having Chapel Host/Hostess training and already have two volunteers excited about the prospect of spending time here, just being available to anyone the Lord sends our way.  I tell them we are looking for Ethiopian eunuchs–the eunuch part not being essential of course; just anyone whom the Holy Spirit has begun drawing to Himself.  One little guy last week asked me what a eunuch was…so perhaps I better think of another illustration.  Sunday, the 20th we began morning devotional services and an evening Bible study.  Just one of the things we are trying to see if its the direction God wants us to go.  The local churches don’t have much impact on getting people out of the camps to church, but it is our hearts desire to see them move from just visiting the chapel to being actively involved in a local church.  Ideally we want to be able to partner with churches near their own homes to be able to work together in ministry to the field workers who are here, and their families back home (wherever that may be.) 

Speaking of volunteers, do remember that we are always ready to welcome you.  If you want to go on vacation and dedicate a couple days to working for the Lord at the same time, don’t hesitate to give us a call.  The weather is incredible in the summer.  The area has incredible offerings within a short driving distance (Wyoming short that is.)  And besides, God Himself always shows up when willing hearts make themselves available for His use.  You would be blessed. 

We are looking forward to seeing the Courters in March, and the Leonards in late January.  They are bringing love from home we know and when they return they will bring our love with them.  (Of course the skiing is really the attraction but we get the benefits of it in seeing them.) 

Between Playoff Sunday, and SuperBowl Sunday we will be hosting a children’s group from Big Piney who want to learn about missionaries.  We look forward to making them feel special as they tour the facility.  Please keep them in prayer, and us that the Lord would bear fruit.  We are hoping that some parents might attend out of curiosity.

We are headed for the Wyoming Evangelism Conference the 21st-23rd in Casper.  In February we will be coming home for a week, and then in April we will be heading for the Regional Prayer and Revival Conference.  In September we have been asked to come back out and speak (and cook) at a retreat on the Oregon Coast.  We did the same retreat last year and were blessed with some real prayer partners and some potential vacation hosts and hostesses.  Other than those trips, we have nothing scheduled outside Wyoming but are hoping to make several trips around the state sharing about the Jonah Field Ministry and hopefully generating interest in the churches here to begin participating in outreach to these folks.  Any and all creative ideas are welcome by the way; but of course the easiest way to think of what can be done here is to come out and take a look yourself…hint, hint.

Prayer Requests:

Pray for specific direction in ministry.  What will work, what won’t, to bring glory to God.

Pray for the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace among those involved in the minstry.

Pray that God will reap the fruit, and that we all will be able to enjoy the harvest.

Pray for the evil influence that pervades this area.  Another suicide the other day illustrates the dearth of hope that there is here.  It isn’t even apathy, its a grinding kind of darkness that just smothers the heart. 

Pray for provision for ministry needs…I know beyond a doubt that God provides well for what He initiates and approves.  Oftentimes though, we think we have a ‘need’ and it just isn’t, so please also pray that we will be discerning and wise.

Pray a hedge of protection around the missionaries who work on this field…the Christian ones that is.  We have suffered much persecution, and have fallen into the darkness ourselves on occasion.  Please pray also for Larry Mizell, Ed Bryan, and Mark Hensley-these men are the primary pastors responsible for field supervision of the missionaries. 

Please mention these names to the Father:  Matt (Oklahoma) , Troy (Kansas), Mike Wyoming), Ken, Kelly Syd,(Missouri) Ryan, Jeff,(Wyoming) Norm, Brandy, McKenzie, Ronnie, Dan, Diane, Riley, Ann, (Wyoming) Martin, TJ, Matthew, (California) Cody, Mindy (Wyoming).  These are all people we have met who are in need of the saving grace of Jesus Christ.  If you will bring them to the Father, when He reaps His harvest, you will be storing up treasure in heaven.  Did you know that?

And finally, when you worship, as you praise, as you give thanks….ask the Father to give YOU the opportunity to share His wonder with someone.  Be specific. And be watching for Him to answer.