Tour Scrapbook

Tuesday, August 27
We were humbled and honored to be sent off by a "great crowd of witnesses" who prayed over us in front of our buses before we departed on the "Mission Possible" tour. What an awesome experience!

As we traveled to a 4:00 interview in Abilene at Hardin-Simmons University, Laurie called Rusty to thank him again for the tremendous job he headed-up to make the impossible task of converting the buses into reality.

But no sooner had she hung up the phone than the Hilliard's bus started flashing warning lights and buzzers like a Christmas tree and the bus lost power. Charles steered the bus to the shoulder of I-20 in Clyde, TX - about 20 miles east of Abilene.

But the Lord was directing even in this...for we broke down 5 minutes away from Laurie's adopted parents from church when she was in the college ministry at Elmcrest Baptist! So, Jerry and Charlotte Palmer helped get to a diesel mechanic in Abilene and generally just encouraged us!

Meanwhile, the parents of Charles & Laurie's bestman (Mark Smith) also came to the rescue. Guinn & Janice Smith pampered us with a refreshing swim and dinner at the country club before we headed to an RV park for the night!

We were sure thankful for the refreshment of the evening, because the night was so very long. Avery was up still suffering from the effects of strep throat. Then as Laurie finally got Avery settled, she herself came down with the stomach virus.

Wednesday, August 28
The interview with HSU which was canceled by yesterday's bus trouble was rescheduled for this morning. We met with Charles Richardson and Britt Jones of HSU's Range Rider alumni magazine and shared all we knew God had planned for us on the tour.

Good thing we didn't know everything...or we might not have ventured out! As Laurie's illness continued, she also felt oppressed in her spirit and wondered "What have I gotten us into?!" After prayer and Scripture reading, she felt the burden lift and was able to get some much needed rest...until the bus buzzer kept going off!

We hobbled into Odessa and went straight to another diesel service station, where we left the Hilliard's bus.

As we finally arrived at Immanuel Baptist, a welcoming committee of men and women met us and just hugged on us! They assured us that God is going to be victorious through all the sickness and bus trouble...because they had been praying for us and this night for 6 months!

How true it was! God did bless Laurie with added strength and His Spirit was obvious in the concert. Afterwards, the leadership gathered Laurie and Sharon at the alter and committed the entire tour into His capable hands!

Wow! What an oasis this blessed church family was in the midst of our initial struggles! Thanks Lord!

Thursday, August 29
We found out that the bus troubles were actually in its safety shutdown system. After a couple hundred dollars worth of tightening electric connections, Charles hopped into his bus to head for Midland. But there in his seat was a business card left by one of the men from Immanuel Baptist! A scribbled note stated that he had prayed with the mechanic over our bus! (I bet that was a first for that mechanic!)

We ministered tonight for a moms group at First Baptist, Midland. After the concert, the Hilliards took their bus to fill up with diesel. A man in a truck pulled up and asked if we'd just been at FBC. He stated that his wife had seen us and was really blessed. As he left he handed us $200 for "diesel money"! Wow! There God goes again just assuring us that He is going to take care of us everywhere we go!

Friday, August 30
This morning as the Hilliards cranked their bus, it started but would die as it gained air pressure. So we couldn't go anywhere. As I was on the phone with the mechanic, a man from Whitesboro - John Bussey - pulled up with a set of tools. He helped us take off a part that would disengage the safety shutoff system. Yet another example of how God provides!

We finally headed out of Midland bound for Carlsbad, NM, and arrived there late at night with minimal bus trouble along the way!

Saturday, August 31
We spent the morning in worship of our Creator as we walked in awe of His grandeur displayed throughout Carlsbad Caverns!

Then we headed north to Las Vegas, NM where we dry-docked at our "home away from home", Wal-Mart.

- Charles