August Greetings in the Joy of Jesus!

Thanks to your prayers, August was an amazing month of ministry and blessings!

Melva and I just returned from working on a fire near Meeker CO. I’ve been on fire assignments almost constantly for 7 weeks and Melva was able to join me for the last week. She is serving as a trainee Information Officer and I was a Safety Officer. This allows us to minister together as well as earn some college money for the boys. (Christian colleges are wonderful but expensive.)

Fire Ministry:
On a fire in SW Colorado, I held a service for a small group. Afterward, several men came and requested Bibles and prayer. One was Hector, a 41 yr old ex-New York City policeman. Hector told me of his life with drugs and alcohol. Then he shared his need for help. I shared the simple, wonderful plan of salvation and as I prayed a “sinners prayer” Hector responded to Jesus!

The past two weeks I served on a fire in NW Colorado. I held two chapels after shift. 10 firefighters came the first evening although it was very late. As we met I passed out firefighter NT’s to those who asked. Once again I gave away all that I had been able to carry! I gave away some Fellowship of Christian Firefighters (FCFI) helmet stickers as well. Several days later one of the firemen who had attended pulled me aside. “How many Bibles do you have?”, he asked. I told him that Melva had just brought me a fresh supply. “I’ll take all of them”.

It turns out that as soon as he had put the (FCFI) sticker on his helmet, other firefighters began asking questions. He had been able to share Jesus with them and show them his Bible. They all wanted one for themselves! The last night in camp I held another chapel. This time 15 firefighters attended, including several from an inmate crew. At least one responded to Jesus’ invitation. I came home with the names and addresses of firefighters who asked me to send New Testaments to them.

Many of these firefighters aren’t believers yet. They come because they’re interested in the Lord and a fire setting isn’t as threatening to them as a church. Your prayers and financial support allow us to do this ministry. Thank you sooo much!

Writing Ministry: The International Bible Society has asked permission to use an article I wrote on firefighter Bible distribution. Plus, on the cover of one of their catalogues is a Christian leader who claims that I was the first person to ever share Jesus with him. Yeah Lord!

Answers to Prayer and Requests: The Lord has done so much in opening ministry doors. Please pray that we will be obedient and effective witnesses for Him. Thank you for your prayers for rest and encouragement. Even though we work 80+ hour weeks, the refreshment of the Lord has been there! Please pray for God to raise up solid leaders for our college ministry Please pray that the ministry finances continue to build back up again. We know that our Provider is sufficient.

In Memoriam: One of our dearest Board Members, Barry Cecil went to be with Jesus last month. May the Lord bless his wife Jane and the family, and raise up others with his heart for the Lord!

Thank you for your prayers and financial support. May the Lord bless you abundantly!

Rick and Melva