What a Wonderful God We Serve!

“Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples!
Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wondrous work.” (Psalm 105:1-2)

Do you enjoy testimonies? I love to hear and tell of our Lord’s amazing grace! Here’s a few from December.

1. The phone call was unexpected. We were being asked to return to Oklahoma to conduct a “Celebration of Life” for Don, better known as “Bubba”. I met Bubba for the first time in October when we were holding services near Guthrie OK. John, a faithful Gideon brother, asked me to join him in visiting Bubba in the hospital.
2. We shared the gospel, and Bubba told us how the Lord had shown Himself to him, and that he had indeed given his life to Jesus. After we prayed, he asked if I would lead his memorial service someday. Little did I know it would be a little over a month later. At his service I had the privilege of sharing how we met, and the gospel message that Bubba and I embraced.
3. After returning, our Saturday Night Worship group was blessed to deliver Christmas presents to several families in need. When I asked one family, what we could pray for, their teenage daughter responded, “that we might have enough food and clothing”. That touched our hearts deeply. We’re helping them this week.
4. We visited the assisted living and nursing homes to sing Christmas carols. A special blessing was having folks from 3 other churches join us! After caroling, we enjoyed a BBQ dinner and shared the Christmas story from God’s word.
5. At the beginning of December, we started our ski area chapel services and after-work Bible studies. Over 40 attended our chapel service on skis and snowboards last Sunday!
6. Other unexpected phone calls were from a woman who attended our college Bible studies in 1976, and a couple I performed a wedding for on skis for over 45 years ago. They all called to let us know that they were still actively following Jesus!

Upcoming: Lord willing, I will pray with our ski school staff on New Years Eve, continue teaching skiing 2 days a week, lead our Saturday Night Worship and Sunday ski area chapel services, and ski area Bible study. In February we will host our annual Evangelical Pastors and Wives dinner, and at the end of February, I’ll help lead worship at the High Ground men’s Bible/ski retreat in Beaver Creek. Please pray we can use these opportunities to share Jesus!

Family: Each week Melva and I get to visit, via zoom, a family chat with all our sons, daughters, and their families, from London to Los Angeles. We get updates on their week and pray together. What a blessing! Over Thanksgiving we travelled to Edwards CO to share a few days with daughter Rebekah, son-in-law Nick and granddaughter Kai. We were able to attend Kai’s soccer practice and school play which was a treat. Son Steve, his wife Annie, and grandchildren Samuel and Abigail flew in as well. Nick fixed us an amazing dinner. We have so much to be thankful for!

Finances: Early in our ministry we felt the Lord leading us not to try to raise funds. Not that it was wrong for others to do so, but just not us. So, our policy has been to do what He calls us to do, share the vision and blessings He’s given, and trust Him to be our provider. He has never let us down.

This fall was another example of His faithfulness. A local service organization sold its building and unexpectedly gave us a large gift. They said it was because they had seen what we do in the community. A family made a gift to our Philippians 4:19 benevolence fund just as it was running out before Christmas. And the list goes on and on. We are sooooo grateful for the Lord’s provision and surrounding us with each of you who pray for and support us! As the apostle Paul says, “Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.” (Philippians 4:17-18).

Prayer Requests: For the anointing of the Holy Spirit as we share in word and deed! For our son-in-law Stephen in London as he has been sick. For Melva and I to be willing and able to pace ourselves. For my knee to hold up during ski season.

Your faithful prayers and support have sustained us through 55 years of ministry. Thank you!

May you have a wonderful, Spirit-filled New Year,

​Rick and Melva