Sunday July 26th 2015



I met an amazing young lady this last weekend. Her name is Whitney Wilber and for her Senior Project she has chosen to direct the 2015 Rodeo Bible Camp in Union, OR. This "Senior Project" is required for all seniors at Imbler High School. Her folks, Dale and Rene Wilber have been involved in this ministry for around 15 years so this is not new to her and she has the belt buckles to back it up.


Rodeo Bible Camp is designed to help teens ages 13-18 learn about and broaden their relationship with Jesus while working on their rodeo event. In years past this event has touched many young men and women and brought them to a loving relationship with Jesus as well as promote Rodeo. This years camp will be August 10-13 and will be located at the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show grounds in Union, OR. Rodeo Bible Camp is known for its positive atmosphere and incredible staff of volunteers and each year includes some big name rodeo personalities.


Rusty Iron Ranch donated 85 books to this years Rodeo Bible Camp and their volunteers. I encourage you to check out their website and please support this event put on by the Northeast Oregon Christian Cowboys. This is a non profit organization for those looking for a tax deduction. For more information call Whitney at (541)534-4065 or go online rodeobiblecamp.org

First Leg Complete! On to the Next!

This first little journey up through the center of Idaho and around the Inland Northwest was awesome. I met so many awesome people this week and the Lord blessed this trip by opening doors to meet new friends. I gave away a total of 1450 books to a variety of people.
I am back in Boise to load up another batch of books for the next leg. I met with Pastor Mike and Roger, a buddy of mine, for lunch the other day. They are so encouraging and it was nice to touch base with them.
Cowgirl missed me pretty bad on this last trip. I probably missed her more! She barked for about half an hour when I got home and wrapped her paws around my leg growling and barking. I got the point. She does not like being left at home. Sure wish it wasn't so hot so I could taker her with me!
I am still not sure which direction I am going next at this point. It is looking like I might head to LaGrande to meet with Dale and Renae who do a Rodeo Bible camp. He has come alongside to help distribute the books at the camp. Will post more as God reveals the direction to me!

Fishing Finally...

Nick, Lori and I went out fishing on the boat all day yesterday...

and yes I do own a pair of shorts... discarded the boots and jeans and shocked the world with those white legs. Kind of wondered why it took so long for the fish to start biting. They must have been blinded by the glare! They are not that pasty white anymore. More like a bright lobster red color! Lori warned me about that! We caught a lot of bass. Mostly small ones but each of us caught a keeper and then Nick had to catch a big one. Lori and I will probably have to hear about that for the next 10 years now! It was a nice one. Wish now I would have taken a photo of it. It was probably a 2 1/2 to 3 lb smallmouth. I think it may have been blind in one and couldn't see out of the other though. It was a good time. Afterwards we had dinner with their three boys and their families. Nick and Lori have been blessed with a big beautiful family and a handful of grand children. Lots of laughs!

Here is a shot of a couple of hogs. Sorry about the quality, it was a long shot in a moving boat with the camera phone but these were nice whitetails.

Lake Pend Oreille!

Tuesday I got into Sandpoint and have been staying with my good friends Nick and Lori. Nick and I have been best friends since high school. When the three of us get together it is just fun. I mean laughing so hard that milk comes out your nose kind of fun. This is the view from the deck. Pretty tough to look at this every morning.

Bill, Wayne and Bruce at the Bonner Gospel Mission in Sandpoint

On Wednesday I went to visit the folks at Bonners Rescue Mission. When I walked in the faint smell of wood smoke intermixed with bacon lingered in the kitchen. There was a guy back by the sink doing the dishes left over from lunch. he introduced himself as Wayne. I talked with Wayne for about half an hour waiting for the CEO of the outfit, Corky, to finish up with a meeting. Wayne is a very likeable guy who resides there at the mission. There is just something about him. When he smiles it is like the love of Jesus permeates from him. We got on the subject of fishing and well, I think Wayne and I will have to have another meeting over on the Clark Fork!
Corky is a character himself. We visited for about an hour. He has a quick wit and has some really good stories. I thoroughly enjoyed visiting this Mission and left them with 30 books. Corky and his team are top notch and really make you feel at home.

Bill and Phil Altmeyer

Thursday I stopped by the Union Gospel Mission in Spokane. I met with Phil Altmeyer, the CEO and President of the Northwest Gospel Missions.  He runs a pretty tight ship there at this Mission. It was one of the busiest well run outfits I have seen even in comparison with the corporate business world. I was thoroughly impressed at their organization and the services that they provide for homeless individuals. Sonny gave me an extensive tour of the Mission, it's history and their current expansion project. I came away with a completely new perspective on what these missions do for the homeless community. The city of Spokane should be very proud of this Gospel Mission in their community. I left 210 books there with Phil and the folks there at the Union Gospel Mission in Spokane.

On my way back to Sandpoint I dropped in on Russ from Teen Challenge out by Airway Heights. I visited with Russ there for about a half an hour. I left him with 50 books that I believe will help him with his ministry there at the addiction treatment center for men.

10,000  Book Tour Begins

The farm has been sold, the books have been ordered and printed and the 10,000 book giveaway to the Rescue Missions has started!

 

Yesterday I dropped off a box of 85 copies of "The Skies Are Not Cloudy All Day" at the ROC Rescue Mission in Lewiston and another box of 85 at the Salvation Army in Lewiston. My sister Jenny sent off 170 of them to my new friend Amy down in Belton, Texas. She and her friends have taken it upon themselves to distribute these books to the prison and rescue mission in her neck of the woods!

 

It was a perfect end to the day when my cousins/hunting partners Anna and Barry cooked an awesome birthday dinner for me. My favorite too! Pastor Barry makes a killer Pico de gallo which we had for a late lunch and then for dinner we had cast iron chicken with potatoes and carrots with a side dish of grilled zucchini squash. For desert Anna made a cherry cobbler. Mmmm good stuff! My cousins Debbie and Jim stopped by to join us for dessert. Good times.