7-8-2006
Dear
Friends,
Another
week has gone by, and still no signed contract for the ranch.....
But first
things first :-)
The Open
House on the 4th of July was very cool. We had about 30 people here (16 of which
were children - it felt like camp all ready *chuckle*), we had more food than
we could stuff ourselves with (and answer to prayer), and about 25 of us all
caravanned to Idaho City to see the fireworks that night, and it was all very
good. We really enjoyed the day, there were some very cool God fingerprints
throughout the morning getting stuff working, and people seemed to really enjoy
themselves. Our inverter (converts battery power to house power) fried about a
month ago, and Tuesday morning, I asked God to help me get one of our
other dead inverters going (that someone had given us after it quit
working for them - in the hopes that I could resurrect it). Well Tuesday
morning after praying, it suddenly started working after being cantankerous for
me previously. That was an answer to prayer. There were other things too
that day, like getting the pool ready for kids to splash in, etc. and so
forth.
We've
gotten tons of projects started and done in the last several weeks too.
Swing sets set up, plumbing fixed, the pool plumbing figured out and repairs
started, the electrical power infrastructure worked on and expanded and
repaired, etc and so forth. We also had a major pipe just suddenly crack and
burst Wednesday morning (wee hours of the morning) and flood the downstairs of
the house and ruin some carpet.... Frustrating.
So thanks
for praying about the open house. It went well.
Alas, not a
penny was donated though, so this week I have started my manuscript job once
again, to try to catch rent up and pay off personal debt as well. It means
I will not have time to focus exclusively on the ranch for the rest of the
month, but I gotta do what I gotta do.... My own personal integrity demands it.
Also this
week, both television and radio interviews with me about the ranch will be
broadcast around the world, and the word will be out about what we are
doing.... This is kinda cool too *chuckle*. God is good.... all the time....
And about
the contract....
We
presented a contract to the ranch owners almost a month ago. They didn't like
it and said that they would have their own lawyer write up a contract of his
own (which I have yet to see/receive). I received a message from the owner
tonight on the phone telling me that if I didn't present him with the $10,000
earnest money agreement by Wednesday, he would sign an agreement with someone
else (and evict us). So I am very confused. He has not presented either Pastor
Ambrosio or myself with a contract of his own, won't sign the contract that we
presented to him, yet he is still demanding that we deposit $10,000 in
non-refundable earnest money into escrow by Wednesday.... Who can tell me
what's wrong with this picture?
So could
you please pray that God works this situation out somehow? I feel like I am
missing some piece of the puzzle, or that there has been a misunderstanding
somewhere, or that somehow, things just got kittywampussed.
To God be
all the honor and power and glory. Tomorrow, we will be seeking His face in
prayer here at the ranch and at Clear Creek Fellowship church, seeking his
(God's) discernment, blessing, and power in this situation.
It was
interesting even to me, that this evening as I was driving home from dinner at
a friend's house, I suddenly got the overwhelming urge to tell Karen (friend
from George Fox University here visiting this week along with her kids), that
now was the time for prayer battle concerning the ranch. When I got home, the
phone message from the ranch owner was here waiting for me, and had been left
at almost the exact same time that I had felt the call to prayer and fasting
finally about the ranch contract. Up until now, I have had peace about the
contract, and have moved forward in faith, and have seen some really cool God
fingerprints. But tonight, I was feeling a VERY strong call to prayer and
fasting concerning the contract. And so I shared it with Karen. And then I got
home and heard the message. So even in that right there, I know God is in
control, and has things under control, but now it is our turn to stand up and
PRAY! The word "battle" does come to mind.....
In Him, my
Lord and my Savior *soft smile*
Thanks,
-Tim
www.bighouseministries.com
Tim Benedict
Thorn Creek Conference Center & Youth Ranch
21 Yellowpine Lane
Boise, Idaho 83716
208-392-6723
timbenedict@peoplepc.com