10-19-2004
Dear
friends,
So I know
it's been a couple weeks since my last update. A lot has happened here!
My brother
James got married in Cortez Colorado almost 2 weeks ago. I rode the bus down
since Vanya wasn't able to come with me. We had a wonderful time though as
family again down there, and Kimberly (James's new wife) sang a song at the
wedding that made everyone cry, it was so special and beautiful. I liked how
they did it. So full of hope for a beautiful future together. It warmed my
heart.
My sister
and her new 2 week old baby were also there. Scotty. 6 weeks early. Tiny little
thing. I got to hold him quite a bit so his mom and dad could rest or do other
stuff. I liked that too...
Then coming
back from there, I rode up with my parents who were on their way to see friends
and family in Washington. They will be back down here to visit for several
weeks next week. But we had lots of good conversation on the trip that I really
enjoyed. It was good to spend the time with them. I liked that, and in some
ways, really needed it.
It was just
plain a good trip. And now I'm back here.
It snowed
here this morning, just a couple hundred yards up the mountain behind here. It
was very beautiful in the trees. It was cold too *chuckle*. Rained/snowed all
night long last night. So I could really see my breath when I went out this
morning. But I have been scrambling to get the conference center foundation
wall stabilized over the last week, and today me and a good friend managed to
get three 14 foot long/tall, 12 inch diameter, posts under all the
in-trouble main joists in the shop area under the conference center, so
that even if the foundation wall does give away completely, the building will
not collapse. I have also been digging out lots more dirt from the already
collapsed section, trying to get the pressure off the remaining sections and
get it clear so that a new foundation can be laid. But those posts were
heavy!!! Can I say that? Me and my friend both were Quite sore by the time
we got the last one paced. But oh what a relief to get those posts finally into
place, and the porch roof on the backside of the center also stabilized enough
to work under it safely, even if the snow does hit. God kept us safe today (and
last week), because some of it was kinda dangerous work. God is good
*thankful smile*.
Tonight, I
helped out a neighbor up here wire up his new alternate energy system. That was
kinda enjoyable too.
I have not
gone hunting this year. Am still in process of getting good refrigeration and a
freezer system set up.
I also
finished fixing the corral last week, and built a dam in the stream to create a
small pond for water for the corral. I am ready for a horse now, and hay. I
know several young people have been praying for a horse here, as have I, that
the kids can ride. Anyone know of an older horse that is mellow and good with
kids that might like a new home up here?
I have
continued my personal ministry stuff too with different people, and have been
grateful to be used by God in helping pray for 2 different people just this
past month that have now apparently been healed of cancer, both serious. Both
of them have the doctors' stumped *chuckle*. But isn't that just like God, to
use things of Him to confound the wisdom of this world? God is truly good.
What
else.....
Some
financial issues that I had laid before God many months ago have worked out.
That has been a blessing. I am still operating in total faith, and working odd
jobs just to make ends meet, but God is proving Himself faithful also. Several
people have stepped forward to help support the ministry dream of the ranch
here, and that has been a true blessing from God.
Something
that has really struck me hard about something Christ said, was "pray
therefore that the Lord of the harvest send forth laborers in to the field,
because the fields are ripe". The reality of that verse has never hit me
like it hit me this past weekend. Part of it is simply this ranch right here, I
need staff. And so many of the people that originally told me that they wanted
to be involved and move up here, have moved on, and I am still
here plugging away. Not that I'm complaining because I love it up here.
But to top it off, I had offers/requests just last week from 3 different places
to take on other ministries that desperately need help. All three of them
involved leadership and administration. What's up with that? Can you tell me
what's wrong with this picture? Where are the workers????? There's only one of
me, and yet so much need. Pray that God sends forth workers into the harvest!
I have
noticed though, that in this whole process of building the ranch, I am learning
who my true friends are too. Kinda cool. Several have just kinda appeared out
of the woodwork to bless my life, and I am truly thankful for them, while
several others have simply disappeared back into the woodwork, and that makes
me sad. It was just kinda eye opening for me. Interesting.
But I am
sore tonight *chuckle*. Working with my hands, making progress on a call in my
life, it's all good. It's all good. And I am slowly getting caught up too on
old projects and debts that I owe people from before the divorce. That feels
good too, to be making progress there.
Pray that I
can focus on what has to happen, each step of the way. Things happen slowly
here when I am by myself and I have to be in Boise several days every week
working. Right now, I am just trying to finish getting the place ready for
winter, then for retreats and camps and conferences. That is the immediate
goal, to get the conference center side of things operational and get some cash
flow moving in something that resembles a true budget, so that we can expand
later into the other things that are also heavy on my heart. Can you pray for
that for me please? Thanks.
Pray also
that I have wisdom and hear God clearly when He has me ministering to and
speaking into people's lives.
Thankyou
those of you who have encouraged me, supported me, prayed for me, or have
simply been my friend. It is appreciated.
To God be
the glory for all things good.
:-)
Sincerely,
-Tim
Tim
Benedict
Thorn Creek Conference Center
21 Yellowpine Lane
Boise, ID 83716
208-392-6723
tbenedict@bigskytel.net