8-23-2004
Dear
Friends,
Wow......
SO much happening......
The
"work day" last Saturday was an absolute blowout. Not a single person
showed up! *chuckle* But that was ok, because God had something else in
mind anyway, so the day still was used by Him in a cool and mighty way *grin*.
The
story....
Last week,
a friend of mine who had recently rededicated his life to God, relapsed into
alcoholism and kinda disappeared for several days wandering the streets and
couch surfing. When I got the call on Friday afternoon that he had been
found, and was passed out at another friend's house, I hit the door running. I
made West Boise from my place at the ranch in 45 minutes, NOT something I
normally do or would advise, can I tell you that? (Normally an hour and 15 min
trip). And with one of my tires so worn out that it has steel showing too. NOT
good. But I knew that if I didn't get there quickly, he might disappear again.
So I prayed hard, and made time. And God was with me.
So I
got there in time, bundled him into my car, and brought him back up to the
ranch and let him crash here for the night. Saturday morning, he and I talked
for hours while he went through withdrawals - he was desperately sick. We spent
time talking, praying, quoting scripture, and seeking God. And God was with us.
And no one showed up to interrupt us with wanting to work. Which was very good,
and a total God-thing.
But we were
reading Psalm 18 together, and there's a verse in there that,
honest-to-goodness, talks about how God rescues us to a "spacious
place" (NIV) "because He delights in us". And it was like the
voice of God speaking directly to both my friend and myself, reminding us that
HE was taking care of us. My friend just couldn't get over how quiet and
spacious the ranch is, and commented on it several times BEFORE we read that
verse. But God was just like telling him that He had things under control and
was taking care of him, even while he went through the consequences of his
sin. It was so amazing and comforting. It truly was. That God loves us, even
when we stumble, and is willing to lift us back to our feet again. And not a
single other person showed up the entire day. That just blew me away. God had
it all planned perfectly. We might lay our plans, but in God's hands rests the
final say on what does and does not happen. And I am thankful.
But pray
for my friend. He is still very sick and struggling, but making progress.
Different friends down in Boise (he is back at his own place now, sober, but
still very sick) have been stopping by to check on him and pray with him and
read scripture with him, and that is helping everyone grow. He too has a vision
to reach and train youth. I believe he is someone that I will grow to enjoy
working alongside, and with, in the coming months and years.
But that
also means that NOTHING physical got done up here Saturday. So if anyone wants
to come help this coming Saturday instead, I would sincerely appreciate the
help *laughter*. With the weather that just changed into fall-like this past
weekend, I am suddenly VERY aware of the gun I am under. There are 10 or more
of us that have either already decided to, or are seriously considering,
wintering here and work on the inside of buildings while the snow flies
outside, and so far, I think I have enough wood cut for heat for about ONE
day........ That's just a touch scary to me.......
What else
is happening....
Helped
another friend move last week, in between several small computer jobs that I
did, some one else that also shares a vision for working with children
and survivors of the abortion holocaust. That was good. It is always good to be
useful in the hands of God.
My rock
rabbit fares well, for those of you that have asked and want to come see him. I
was watching him the other day and I decided that his face looks like a rat's
face that hit a wall at 50 mph. Think of a scrunched rat face, with big
eyes and HUGE ears... *helpless shrug*. Sorry if I have confused you yet
further.... *chuckle*
Went to a
funeral last week of one of my students from when I taught at Cole Valley
Christian High School. That was sad, and hard, but peaceful too. He had been
dealing with a brain tumor of some sort, and it finally caught up to him. He
enjoyed life. And now that he is in the presence of Jesus, released from the
pain he endured down here, well, in some ways I envy him *soft chuckle*. He had
asked God to forgive his sinful life, and had given his life to God/Jesus, just
like I have, and I know I'll get to see him again someday. But I have
work here to do yet before I go home. I hope that when my time comes, I can
truly say that I lived a full life, and touched many people for God.
But that
also got me to pondering, just how little we simply appreciate life
sometimes. When I considered who else it might have been, the important people
to me in my life, it was very sobering, and I had to go to God and thank Him
for each one that is special to me. And it reminded me to always try
to affirm each of my friends, and to always let them know how much they
mean to me. And all you that support me in prayer and friendship on this
newsletter list, I appreciate you too. Thankyou. And I am thankful to my
family for the time I got to spend with them on the reunion. That was very good
for me.
My aunt
Margery, a single lady, and a retired missionary of 50 years in the heart of
Africa, came to visit me today and get a tour of the ranch. It was good to see
her, and hear her pray, and talk with her. Just to hug her was a treat in some
ways. I have always admired her, and her willingness to be used by God in
reaching out to a people that are overlooked in so many ways.
Oh, my
daughter Vanya's birthday is the 31st this month. She'll be 5. I miss my little
girl....
And another
HUGE 2 answers to prayer. :-) I have been praying hard for 2 things.
Housing to put these possibly 10 staff people in for the winter, and for a
lawyer to help us get the property properly secured under lease-option so that
we can start investing in this place instead of just being under a rent
agreement. And God answered both prayers. A lawyer in Eagle is going to sit
down with us to work out a satisfactory agreement, and someone donated to us a
mobile home, and then 2 weeks later, the $2500 to move it up here, where I plan
to cut it in half, patch the ends and winterize them, and make two studio
cabins out of it. Already have a house mover who has agreed to move it
too! Now I just need the $200+ for building permits to place them on
foundations, money to finish renovating the insides and build the foundations,
and someone to help build snow roofs over them in a way that makes them
attractive, and not trailer trashy looking.
But God is
so good to me. I am so thankful that He put me up here. I can't think of
anyplace in the whole world that I would rather live right now other than right
here where I am. It is a dream I never thought could be a reality. And He is
still helping me work out details and other loose ends of my life, and that is
good too.
But gotta
run. Is getting chilly here this evening, and I need to eat supper, chop some
firewood for a fire tonight, and get some work done. So........ Maybe I'll see
some of you this coming Saturday?
In God's
service,
Tim
Benedict
Thorn Creek
Conference Center and Children's Ranch
21 Yellowpine
Boise, ID
83716
208-392-6723
tbenedict@bigskytel.net