9-22-2004
Dear
Friends,
God is
good, and I am thankful :-)
So much
happening!
Guess
what! Last week, I learned how to drive a big rig *chuckle*. Driving home
one night after lots of rain, coming across Alder Creek pass, there was this
dump truck pulling a flatbed with a backhoe on it, slid off the road and stuck
in the mud. I hadn't seen a car the whole way, so I hollered out my window to
the guy and asked if I could help in any way. He said yes, and the long and the
short of it is, that he taught me how to drive a dump truck, so I could
steer it out of the muck as he pulled it with a chain behind the backhoe which
he got down off the trailer. Learned all about air brakes, and
building/maintaining pressure, and the spring brakes, and all that stuff. Was
pretty interesting. But we got it out ok, and he drove on. I did get to
simply tell him that God watches out for those that HE wants to walk with. The
guy thanked me for stopping and everything, and told me that if I ever wanted a
prime rib dinner, he would pay for it. Was pretty interesting. And just after
we got it out, the rain started in again, and hard. God's timing was just
perfect.
Anyway.
That was just a side note, but one that I thought cool :-)
I have
continued to meet my neighbors in the Valley of the Pines here, and I think I
have met most of the year-rounders now. I live in the midst of a mission
field.... Am trying to establish bridges to each of them. It's good.
Work on the
ranch continues! I got my first solar panel installed yesterday and it works!
Charging batteries has commenced! What a good feeling..... Who would have
thought I would derive so much satisfaction from such a simple thing as having
steady electrical power. With that solar panel, full-time power is one step
closer to reality. And a neighbor has offered to sell me some of his extra deep
cycle batteries to augment the battery bank that is already operational here.
So that was cool.
We have cut
more firewood, and have been busy cleaning up the dead stuff that is fire
hazard. Lots of wood. Was able to let a friend from church have a little bit of
the dead stuff to heat his own place with this winter (no electricity or phone
- he and his family are farther back in the woods than I am!) But he also, once
we showed him the ranch here, and explained what we are doing, committed to
helping out with it, and then actually DID help out that afternoon with some
stuff. What a blessing!
This last
Sunday, I mentioned the ranch in church, a praise report mostly, and that I was
praying for 2 horses (the right two, that would work well with kids), and
this couple that is new to the church came over to me afterwards and offered to
take care of the horses for me once the horses show up. I thought that was pretty
cool and a total God thing *chuckle*, as I have limited experience with
horses. The guy is also a carpenter and his wife offered his services (?) to
help out with some things up here. So I invited them to lunch up here next
Sunday afternoon just to see the place. It's kinda neat :-) Next step is
to contact that place over in Oregon that was on Focus on the Family recently
and see if they have 2 horses, unless someone else donates 2 first, and then to
find hay for them. The stable and corral up here could be made functional in
one good afternoon of work I think.
I also
spent about 5 hours Sunday afternoon and evening starting to dig out
by hand the back foundation behind the conference building where it has caved
it (the building I am so concerned about for this winter). Am down almost 5
feet, and man oh man is it heavy goopy muck. No wonder it is putting pressure
on the foundation!. 10 feet to go. And let me tell you, this home boy was one
sore puppy that night (still am)*chuckle*. My back and shoulders ached so
bad..... I have had a lot of input from people on how to stabilize that
structure, and I think a workable plan is forming in my mind, but it's
going to take a lot of work, and I would still like the input of a qualified
structural engineer.
Monday, the
first half of the donated trailer came up. We will actually put a foundation
under it and level it up probably next week sometime. But progress is progress!
:-)
Also started
laying out ranch stuff on paper finally, current status, mission statements, phases
to become operational, budgets, staffing needs, just everything. Feels good to
have that finally started. I mean I have a lot of it already in my head, but it
needs to be on paper where other people can see it and read it and identify
with it and help. Several people specifically commented after the last
newsletter, that it sounded like I had a real scattered focus. So in a
nutshell, the youth retreat/conference facilities in operation first. Then the
unwed mother's home and youth homes, in whatever timeframe God works it out.
I'd like it to go REALLY fast *grin*, but God's timing is not always man's
timing, so I will be patient. In any case, the sale contract, the non profit
stuff, and the county paperwork all proceed, and that is a good feeling also.
But I am feeling SO overwhelmed too..... *laughter*. But I am NOT complaining.
I'd rather all this be happening than to just be sitting here doing nothing.
Over the
past several weeks, there have been a number of different men and
women from the area who have come up several times, to either work or provide
input, or simply just to pray together about the project. What a blessing they
have been.
And several
people have helped out financially too. That has been a true answer to prayer,
and has allowed me to focus more energy on getting this place ready for winter.
Several people have also committed to supporting me financially, people
that I hadn't asked or in one case even met. It's kinda humbling in many
ways. Makes me more aware of how I spend money and my time, because it's all
GOD's money, given for HIS work.
And all the
old-timers are saying that this winter is going to be a doozy.... So I'm
working hard... I'm told that in especially extreme winters, bear
fur goes to jet black instead of the brown/black mix that it usually is in
normal winters. And apparently, all the bears around the area have coal jet
black fur this year, that is a half inch longer than normal..... Several got
into some bee hives about a mile down the road last week.... So I am taking
heed.... It's been down in the mid to low 30's each night here for several
days now. It's already cold and this is only September?! Argh! SO much to do!
The big
thing that has been convicting me lately is that verse about having the same
mind that is also in Christ Jesus. As I meditate on that verse, it has become
pretty painfully apparent to me just how far I am from having that mind. It's
been an interesting thought journey. I so totally need God/Jesus to just fill
me, and empower me to live in Him minute by minute, daily.
God has
used me to minister to and/or talk at length about spiritual things with a
number of different people these past 3 weeks too. That has been truly good and
enjoyable. Pray for them. And pray for my alcoholic friend down in Boise. I am
concerned for him, and believe that he is supposed to be a part of this project
here as soon as he and God get back on the same page together...
Just
continue to pray that God meets my daily needs, that I can accomplish
everything that needs to be done, and that He continues to lead the right
people here to help out at the right time.
Sincerely,
-Tim
Tim
Benedict
Thorn Creek Conference Center & Youth Ranch
21 Yellowpine Lane
Boise, ID 83716
208-392-6723
tbenedict@bigskytel.net