Another Cowboy Missionary! ~ ~ ~ ~ Trip To Moldova Part 5.

Mix could speak English and told us that he had been playing Country & Western (i.e. Cowboy Music) in the Saint Petersburg clubs, when he accepted Christ as his savior. Later I explained, even to Pat, as he was a generation younger than I that there was Tom Mix the famous Movie star called “The Singing Sheriff’ crossing over from silent screen into “The Talkies”. (See Olive Stokes Mix’s Bio of “The Fabulous Tom Mix)”

We became friends with him and gave him some of the books. Before we left, we traded telephone numbers with him and promised to stay in touch. A couple months later, he called and told us that he was going to be in Minsk and would like to see us. He had contacted the WOF office and they were going to give him some more books, for his outreach down south.

Down South … … … I have to throw this in here.

The Wife of my youth, when she came back with me in 1995 and I had learned our Survival Russian with apparently the local Accent, as there was not any laughing, when we tried. Even to questioning us about saying, that we did not understand Russian. The boys told Pat and me, on our way back to Minsk that the Russian spoken in Moldova had a different sound to it, compared to that in Belarus. Pat and I noticed that and referred to them having a Southern Accent. Of course, we had to explain the different … almost dialects spoken in the States.

I am not sure when ‘Caller ID’ came out here in the States, Nevertheless, Never seeing it before at home, I was impressed to see our hostess and her son look at the telephone to check who was calling before answering it. That was the only area seen and only in Chisinau that the former USSR was ahead of us in technology.

Our hostess, as I wrote about earlier, made sure we were home in the evening or made sure we knew to go about getting there, when we wanted to continue with what we were doing at “Sun Down”. She parked her car in a garage she had rented, as you did not leave your vehicle on the streets if you wanted to keep it whole!

We never question what she did during those hours and she never spoke about it herself.

One evening (Apparently a night off.) as we all were having dinner; she started questioning Pat and I about our calling and finally around to our families, as the boys interpreted for us. She was ok with Pat’s wife and family being in Minsk and we would be returning within the week. Nevertheless, when she found out that my wife was in the States and I had committed to three to six months of being there, (It wound up to being four.) she really got into the Questioning. She wanted to know what was wrong, and I had to work hard at convincing her that we were happily married, with Pat confirming what I said. Best be it known to you, that I was extra sure of never being alone with her. Pat teased me about it several times and back in Minsk, we could laugh about it. It sure was not funny at the time.

We had accomplished quite a bit and were satisfied that the mission was fulfilled and that our successful quests for contacts were made for the Saws eventual return.


Our hostess took us to the train Station and we thank her with additional cash. We said our good byes with a handshake and we boarded for our twenty-two hour return to Minsk, as I was relieved.



Next week More Ministry in Minsk.



Be blessed, 1 ©2008

Preachers In An Insane Asylum! ~ ~ Or Crazy Preachers!

‘The Book’

Loved of The LORD, There does not seem to be any Chronological Order to this ‘The Book’ so far. Writing as given Direction for now, then some order when it is put together to be published.

We continue, this week, with our ‘Mission Adventure’ and one of our trips to a ‘Mental Hospital’! I have to tell you that when Pat told the Ministry Group he had made arrangements to visit the ‘Clients’ in the local asylum, it was hard to hold a straight face. At first it was ‘Mission Impossible’ to me.

The young folks in our crew seem to be happy about the opportunity. The paid interpreter was always happy no matter where we went to minister. Keeping my mouth closed and again trusting God to receive The Glory was by this time a disciplined routine. At least until Pat and I were alone to discuss it more in depth.

My Mother had a nervous breakdown when I was 10. She found herself admitted into the State Facility for patients with mental disorders and problems. Family and friends housed my siblings and me for a little over a year. This was the nearest situation to the mental issue per se in my experience.

My wife and I were a part of some meetings about demonology and had an understanding about how to recognize and then minister when confronted by the enemy. Nevertheless, we did not pursue it any and was blessed not being called to that ministry full time, though found ourselves there several different times. Always blessed by seeing the results, yet we never really looked for those kinds of opportunities.

With the apprehension leaving in stages, we easily gained entrance to the hospital. Patrick arranged our meeting before hand and we moved into sort of an assembly room. Here many of the patients were waiting in what seem to be great expectation. At times radical behavior consisting of erratic physical actions and/or vocal exclamations ensued, of which some, learning later, were Russian expletives.

Our group taught the patients and encouraged them to sing, Russian Praise and Worship songs to The Lord with us even with the outbreaks of extreme conduct. Patrick would preach, with the translator interpreting in between the songs.

We had one and a half hours to minister and then lunchtime for the patients. Patrick promised that we would pray for healing and other needs. When the singing was over the patients wanting prayer then formed a line, immediately almost without any direction.

Everyone wanting prayer received it from Patrick and myself, as others in the group would interpret and of course agree.

I am writing this as, if being some kind of expert in Demon possession and oppression, yet keep in mind the experience in the past, had been sporadic and only at a few different occasions. To tell you the truth I am still glad that God had not called us to full time ministry in demonology and practice, though those times, for sure, were examples to trust Him now. At this time, I was not comfortable at all, probably why, so much success. To God Be The Glory!

There was one young woman that was convinced that the devil owned her soul and she knew she was bound for hell. She was coherent and cognitive to a certain extent, yet periodically showed signs of multiple personality disorder. She had been abused over the years and been taken advantage of. The Holy Spirit gave direction for the right questions to ask.

She answered the questions with her understanding of Whom God was and what she guessed HE would do when asked. The ‘Addresses’ of where the quoted Scripture’s were, flowed almost magically. Continually guided to refute her premises with the Word and those with me would look up the scriptures, when quoted and showing them to her, in a Russian Bible, as confirmation of what God had said. (Was Saying.)

Her right hand crippled over the years, we learned, by a gradual response to her proclamations of the bondage to the devil’s influence over her life. The only way to describe it is to take your left hand and pull the right thumb tight as you can to your wrist with your left thumb. See picture below.

After forty-five minutes or so, we were making progress, having come against the evil influence whenever it hindered in Jesus’ Name. The other patients went to lunch, as Patrick now join us in prayer and agreement.

She finally came to a place to understand that the influence would not have any power when she renounced it in Jesus’ Name. We continued binding the enemy and loosing the understanding and she confesses Jesus as her Savior and The Lord of her life.

Explaining that now she was a child of The Living God, we encouraged her now to see HIM as The Great Physician too. I took her right hand in both of mine and given direction to come against the enemy’s bondage of her crippled hand, in Jesus’ Name.

You might be wondering about being redundant about using Jesus’ name, Nevertheless, every thing that was accomplished while being over there was done in Jesus’ Name and for HIS Glory!

Satan was bound and healing was loosed, we all watched amazed as her hand started to straighten itself and in two or three minutes it was normal. We all rejoiced with her, as she was now thanking God and giving HIM the glory. She had gained full use of her hand and now she shook hands with all of us to prove the completeness of use.

We encouraged her to read the bible we gave her and to be where she could hear The Word taught to strengthen her in her walk. Romans 10:17 So then, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Saying good-bye and promising to come back again in a few weeks, we left the warmness of the facility and were never bothered by the two and a half feet of snow. We waited the hour for the next bus back to our part of town, laughing and rejoicing in what we had seen God do that day.

There were several patients had confessed Christ through Pat’s Preaching and as far as we were concerned it had been a ‘Mission Accomplished’. To Him Be The Glory!

Next week Back to Moldova & ‘Mix, The Russian Cowboy Missionary’!

Be Blessed, DP ©2008

A Baptist’s Loss Of Salvation

'The Book'
Loved of The Lord, I cannot leave Moldova with out writing about what happened a couple years later. You know how I get into writing about Denominations or the lack of the same!


In the CIS or the former USSR there are two Denominational affiliations. One is the Baptist Union and the other is the Pentecostal Union. Keep in mind that when Stateside Baptists sponsor a mission it would not be to support a Pentecostal Union Church and visa versa.


Probably the mainstay of both Unions over there is neither are what you would call, ‘Once Saved, Always Saved’. In fact, there are minor differences, yet the main one is ‘Talking In Tongues’ and you already know which one does and which one does not. Can you see the smile on my face as I am writing this, knowing some of you have gasped and return to holding your breath?


This is a story (Told to me as being true.) of a Preacher that was Pastoring this little Baptist Union Church made up with a Congregational Government. The preacher was driving the Church Car downtown to take care of some Business. The church and congregation was quite a ways out of town and on his way home one of ‘The Sisters’ had spotted him coming down the street, recognizing the Church Car. She started waving, yelling, while jumping up and down, while the Preacher pre-occupied with the matters before him and windows rolled up, drove right on by, never seeing her.


The next day there was a impromptu Business Meeting called and the Preacher found himself fired, without any income, without a car, without a Church and with out his Salvation. Now even you Armenians have gasped by now and are as incredulous as I was. When I asked how that could be, I was informed that Salvation was held in the Church. Therefore, if you did not belong to A Church you were on your way to hell! I had to throw that in, in case some of you were falling asleep reading the making of ‘The Book’! (Grin)


Until next time … Be Blessed, 1 ©2008

Faith Under Pressure Part 4 (Trip To Moldovia)

'The Book'

Loved of The LORD, I will again back up a paragraph or two to lay out a little more ground work. Remember when I arrived in Minsk I was told that I had two weeks to be orientated and would then find another place to abide. See: Sunday, January 6, 2008. This trip was taken before that first two weeks were up.

The first move was to the flat owned by Olga Korbut (Four Times Olympic Gold Medal Winner)

This is where Patrick’s & ‘my newfound’ friend Rich Lived. He worked for a US Company that was working with the Belarusian Government for Agriculture and I believe something to do; with Toxic waste clean up. Nevertheless, they had offices all over. He became aware of our adventure and mission to Chisinau and said he would do what he could to make a connection down there for us.

When the four of us got off the train, we started to look around for someone who was looking for us and not a hundred feet and we heard this, maybe middle thirties, woman hollering in our direction as she was making a b-line for us. She came right up to me and excitedly started talking fast to me in Russian and before I could get out a ‘Ya ne pony mi yoo Paroskie’ all the way out, (I do not understand Russian.) the boys started explaining that to her.

We found out that Rich’s office there in Moldova had contacted her and had given her a description of us and she spotted me right away. You can see in the last post that I had a full beard and with the topcoat and 'Ushanka' hat. (That is a traditional Russian winter headwear. Ushanka is roughly translated ‘Hat With Ear Flaps’) I was told that I looked like a Russian Gypsy Wood Cutter, but that would be an oxy-moron. Gypsies do not chop wood, … they steal it!

Talk about being blessed … She had a car and a four room flat and she was going to put us up and drive for us in the daytime for a hundred US Dollars. All we had to do was buy the groceries. She took us to the open-air market and we were going to be there about 5 or 6 days, so we bought a few vitals and headed home. She introduced us to her son who was an older teen, and Pat & I slept in a double bed in the guest room, the two boys slept in the son’s room, one in the bed and one on a mat on the floor and the son slept in his mother’s room. As strange, as it was to Pat and me, it must have been the norm in special situations; the boys never mentioned that to us nor we to them.

That evening Pat and I took her to dinner, so we could express our gratitude. The strangeness of our arrangement grew each day, while at dinner she explained to Pat that her husband had been killed a couple years before, not really saying how. He was apparently high military and so were her parents. When we offered her bread, she emphatically refused it, as she emphasized needing to keep her shape. Which I had noticed was in very good condition. Somewhere in the conversation, she let us know again that she would run us in the day time and we would have to make do for ourselves in the evening, as she had business appointments then.

The next day we went looking for Pat’s connection and to make some contacts for the time they would establish a beachhead there latter on. I think it was about two years later Pat had received his teaching credentials during the trips back home and Jamie was administrating in Belarus. Then they accepted the opportunity to open another school in Chisinau. That is another story in itself!

The preacher we were looking for had moved and a neighbor explained where he had started a church and off we went. When we arrived, he was not there, but we met another preacher, who was looking for him, too. Mix as he called himself was a missionary sent out from an established faith church in St. Petersburg. He was looking to see if he could help rent the first preachers place, so he could hold meetings there too. I will write more about Mix Later on.

We finally placed the rest of the books and we had found a few other ministries that we conferred with about the work and the fruition of the same. One was a Baptist from Texas, who had a small congregation of about thirty or forty people. When Sunday came, we made sure that his Church was one we visited. It was an on fire group and we really enjoyed our fellowship there.

More next time. Be Blessed, 1

©2008

Faith Under Pressure Part 3 (Trip To Moldovia)

Pat Took Picture of Gena, Andre and Me

Loved Of The LORD, We paid the porter for our Chi (Tea) then and for the next morning and got comfortable. Pat and I got the bottom bunks and the two young men, Gena and Andre were happy in the top two. There was a fold down table under the window. We left it up all the way, as it was stacked with our provisions for the trip.

We sang to The LORD and laughed about many of the crazy situations and issue involvements that it took to get this far. I have no doubt that they would have made Pat & I hang it up had it happened back home.

We had all just fallen asleep when we made the first border crossing into the Ukraine. The stopping of the train had us almost awake when Immigration banged on our compartment door. Pat understood most of the conversation between the Officer and the … let me just refer to them as ‘The Boys’ for now on. I was catching the gist, by the inflection of their voices and the body language. I knew there was a conflict developing and informed later that the Officer wanted to go thru our bags. This is where Pat put his foot down, because of the effort to exploit a share of anything found as payola to let us pass. Here was a reminder of my several adventures crossing into Mexico again.

After finding out that, we were not to be intimidated and his time to check all the passengers for pass ports and visas running out the Officer move on to the next compartment. It was an hour later after the boys explained everything before we got back to sleep.

Waking up early and taking turns with all the passengers on our car to toilet privileges, the porter had brought our hot Chi and we partook of some of the provisions we had brought. BTW! The bath had a sink with cold water and the toilet itself was a straight hole to the railroad ties below. I took note not to be walking along side of the tracks outside of town when a passenger train was passing.

Later that day we crossed in to Moldova and stopped again for Immigration. Remember that Pat and I did not have a visa for Moldova. The citizens of the former USSR only needed their passports and had access to all the Confederacy of Independent States. i.e. Called the CIS for short.

We opened the door in response to the rap and were in anticipation of anything that could possibly happen. When the, older this time, Officer asked for our passports, he glanced at the other three and when he got to mine he did a double take on mine as he looked back at me a couple times with a smile on his face. My passport picture was of me clean-shaven and now I had a full rap around beard. He wished us all the equivalent of, ‘Have a pleasant trip’, as he handed us all back our passports and then said, Das ve danya, as we closed the door.

The boys were incredulous at Pat and I having skated through that issue so smoothly! Pat & I, aware of the boys un-belief played it for what it was worth and gave everybody the look that we expected it to happen that way. To GOD be The Glory! Later when we were alone, Pat & I discussed how surprised we were too! Nevertheless, we BOLDLY ENTERED Moldova and were inspired to believe GOD for anything. We will talk about some of those things next time. … … © 2008

Faith Under Pressure Part 2 (Trip To Moldovia)

Loved Of The LORD, as you who are following this story know; one of the main reasons for me to make this adventure was to encourage and help the Saws get down to Moldovia (Now called Moldova). We needed to make an explorative trip to see where they would set up a camp to operate. Pat had made a contact in Chisinau the Capitol City and the contact had requested some books in Russian by Word Of Faith authors … Preacher/Teachers for his little Church.
So we started to put “Irons in the Fire” to get thing moving, My experience in my walk with The LORD is that it being a ‘Joint Venture’ that we start finding doors to go thru and HE Will open them before us. (Yet of course knowing that if it was not to be HE would use the Philippian Stop Sign . Php. 3:15)

Because of the conglomerate organization we knew the Brother that was in charge of the ‘Churches Of Faith’ organization and we set an appointment with him. Talk about a Gracious Servant he loaded us down with the latest works of all the well-known Authors. We had to stop him from loading us up anymore, as there were only to be four of us to make the trip and we had to pack every thing by hand.

The next thing was to get Visas for the Ukraine, as we had to travel thru there to get to Moldova. That was won kind of wrestling match, as their Embassy bureaucrats made us labor, getting appointments and then finding out that we needed different paperwork and on and on for almost a week. That in itself was a cakewalk, as we made many trips to the Moldovan Embassy, as they did not have a working telephone and every time we went there … no-body home! Nevertheless, we received the Ukrainian Visa the afternoon before we left on the following day. Oh what a hassle getting the train tickets, as all visiting citizens of other countries had to pay an arm and a leg to ride. We had the two young Belarusian men from the Saw’s Bible study running interference for us all thru this ordeal. They finally bought four tickets for nationals, as they were going with us. Do not believe that we question them how that came to pass, as we did not really want to know.

Not having a Moldovan Visa, we decided to chance it and make the trip anyhow. We had to have the Ukrainian Visa, as we were already aware of all the stories of non-Visa traveling passengers who were thrown off the train at the border and waiting for a returning train to return them to Minsk. We knew that GOD had designed this trip and HE would get it done!

By the way, we had to go on this assignment at this time, as the Pastor of the NonDenom Church was taking his family back to the San Diego area for some R & R and Pat was going to be Pastoring while they were gone. That was only to be for a couple weeks, which developed into several months, which is another interesting story in itself. We smiled many times, about what the Sponsors back home would go thru should they find out what we were doing.

We finally boarded our train the next morning and were off on our twenty-two hour ride to Chisinau. Now what I need to remind you is about when the Saws got to Moscow and said that they were on their way to Moldova, the response was, “It is a long train ride to Moldova!” 12 hours to Minsk and another 22 to Chisinau!
We will pick up on this next week! Be Blessed! ©2008

Faith Under Pressure Part 1

Loved Of The LORD, need to give you a little more of this “Won Preacher’s” Domestic Ministry to lead into the next Story. To preface even this portion, I have to go back three decades to re-commitment to The LORD, as my Savior and making HIM LORD of my life. Remembering seeing seasoned believers watching me (And Helping me grow.) with a big smile on their face. Myself being blessed and basking in the deliverance from Alcohol, Tobacco and a Filthy Mouth partaking of that Real Live Zeal for GOD and HIS Ways, that never shadowed by the neophyte finesse that was always present. I always came forth with a “Praise The LORD!” at Every opportunity, never intimidated by who may be present. Laying hands on and praying at the drop of a dime.

Today I still enjoy being around a Fired Up Baby Christian and love to love them and encourage them, as they Splash all over me, while having that same grin on my face as those present thirty years ago watching me.

No Doubt most of you know about ‘Brother Andrews’ “GOD’s Smuggler”. That phenomenal work “Open Doors” accomplished getting Bibles into the USSR and China since the fifties is a ministry classic. Still going strong and are continuing that ongoing ministry even today, getting ready for the 2008 Olympics. What a blessing for us to have a part in sponsoring a brother who was smuggling bibles into China back in the Eighties.

Said all of that to say this: In that first fifteen years or so being a part with the FGBMFI, when Demas was still alive, (A men’s Global Parachurch Organization) we found ourselves somewhat smuggling food & clothes into Mexico. The reason was that Mexican Customs &/or Immigration wanted ‘Payola$’ or at least a cut of what we were taking in. Enabling us to minister to fledgling churches, orphanages and even just setting up on the street, feeding, and clothing poor people while one of the brothers published The Gospel in Spanish.

On one of our trips, we were taking a Van in to a little Church for their use in the ministry. Something was wrong with it and it was barely making it up the hills on the way to San Diego. We stopped at several Gas Station Garages and trying to fix the problem, put on a new coil, a new fuel pump, filter and several other things to no avail. We were always in a caravan, when the van started to fail the driver and his partner would raise their arms out the windows signaling for prayer, and in turn, the rest of us in the different vehicles would do the same thing as we let them know we were in agreement with them. That must have been a sight to others on the road. They have no idea of who we were or what we were doing.

The van did not have current tags on it and going up one hill a CHP was passing all of us up on this two lane road and got stuck behind the van. No arms out this time, nevertheless, we were all praying and after what seemed like 10 minutes, the CHP passed the van up with out stopping it. Talk about the Praising The LORD!!! As if The Lord put Blinders on him, to never see the expired tags!

This is longer than I thought, so let me finish with this. In San Diego and with all these new parts the van finally quit. I pulled up behind the van and we joined our hearts and minds. With the hood of the van up, I started to jiggle different things on the motor while making the comment, “The only thing I know what I was doing is just laying hands on it and believing GOD would intervene.”

While doing this an experience came to mind about me having a an old Studebaker doing just about the same thing. What I finally figured out after several days of it trying to quit going up a hill was that the fuel line had a tiny pebble it front of the fuel filter. Keep in mind that we had replaced all of those things. I started to trace out the fuel line and when I reached the gas tank I found a kink in the line that only let a nominal amount of fuel get to the pump, but when there was a demand from the pump still only a metered amount would get thru.

That was the day that another verse of Holy Writ became my own personal promise. Let me paraphrase.

John 14:26. But the Helper Himself, the Precious Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My Name, He will teach you ALL things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I Taught you! said to you.

How many times HE has brought to my remembrance things HE has taught me in the mechanics of construction, using the same words again, ministering not in the traditional way and too many more to mention.

Next week our trip to Moldova and how I tie this above to it.

©2008

Cowboy Missionary Activities

Loved Of The LORD, as I go along I will drop in different activities that a Cowboy Missionary find themselves doing, this post being one. You might find this bizarre, yet it makes a general point to what follows.

While ministering in our own ‘Hood’ (Neighborhood back Home) some of the homeboys would tell me that they were going to a different town to get away from the influence of their peers and the supply of their addiction that was always stumbling them. Nevertheless, when I would see them months or years later, I would hear the same stories repeatedly. Finding themselves in a different place it was only hours, if not minutes that they would hook up with the same type of crowd.

This must be typical with almost any kind or type of crowd. Missionaries are not any different, especially when the turf is open, thirsty, and hungry. The former USSR having been closed to any Spiritual happening for, … (what was it, … 80 years?) was really open to any Preacher, Mystic or Charlatan that had a god type message. One could spot the SLC Boys, even without their bicycles. They were there on ‘Humanitarian Aid’ Visas.

The Saws being there less than a year had already made connections with several evangelical groups. When I arrived on the scene, they were in the process of setting up a conglomerate organization to pool information, mostly on how to thread the needle of Belarusian Bureaucracies and use the different resources that were available.

It was amazing to see how Baptists, Pentecostals, Word Of Faith, Salvation Army and several others including the “NonDenom-Denomination” that I wrote about earlier were coming together to Publish The Good News, of course in their own flavors. Hadley being somewhat affiliated with them, back home and Pat had hooked up with their Minsk Church and were all a part of it. It was working Great and The Ministries were contributing, mostly on how to go about registering with the (Government Agency) ‘Ministry Of Religious Affairs’. The SLC crowd had it figured out at the get go, as to skipping the Missions Registration and starting out with the Humanitarian Aid premise, and almost (If Not Outright) covertly introducing their Doctrine with their dispersing of aid. While discussing this during a meeting, it appeared as a possible way of skirting around the Biggest Hurdles and propagating The Gospel!

Soon there were containers coming in on a regular bases, and Pat somehow had us plugged in to the un-loading and stocking of clothes, foodstuffs and Medicine and in turn we partook of some of it to help in our Ministries. Everyone was generous and blessed to share!

Keep in mind that this was working great for the four months I was there. Yet for a closing note on this post; when my wife and I returned the following year, we found out that the ND-Denom had pulled out of the “Ministry Organization”, because Word Of Faith were a part of it! Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face, I was incredulous! The prejudice that was in The States finally made it self known in Belarus! How Sad!

OK Next week, some stories about the different ministries in action. i. e. Some Good News!

©2008

Missions: Hands On Training!

It must have been early evening when our train left Moscow, because I believe, it was early morning when we got to Minsk. Hadley and his crew were there to escort Ulia and to meet me, and Patrick and his family along with the gang that they had assembled to whisk me off to the Belarusian Daily happenings after I thanked Ulia for all the help..

The Saws had continued their domestic ministry of inviting people back in the States , mostly young men and women, around fifteen to twenty+ year olds, to their home even here in Minsk. After every Bible study there was always refreshments that ranged from different kinds of fruits to some times even big sausages that they would boil then serve hot later in the evening. You could watch them put on weight, especially the young men, as the economy was in hyper state of inflation and the Saws were partakers in ‘Seedtime and Harvest’ (Gen. 8:22) or sowing & reaping (2Cor. 9:6 & Gal. 6:7) depending on what Scripture you would explain their prosperity.

Their Children were impressed that they were living from the Giving that was generated from the limited deputation they generated. It was coming in regular intervals from diversified sources. Baptist Churches, Assembly Of God Congregations and different Friends, Relatives and Spiritual Associations involved in their support! Talk about The Body Of Christ being in one accord, and it was phenomenal in their situations.

So many times in The States, you would find the different factions warring with one another, because of Doctrine, Perspectives and Petty Dogmatic Beliefs.

Patrick was in charge of the design for the ministries per se. Buying Russian new testaments, tracts and what ever was needed. Jamie has told me that she kept track of monies, that were coming in and I know she was influential in the specifics of how it was being spent and getting done. She told me that they were functioning fully on about $500 USD a month, including, housing, food, Ministry and social travel and entertainment, that always included those who were being ministered to. All of that along with Visas and what ever it took to function in the bureaucracies of the strange laws and double standards of the former USSR. It does not take you long to learn to partake of the national economy and prices for the Locals when you are working on a limited income. There always seem to be enough!

Speaking about their economy, Inflation was so bad that they had added invisible Zeros to the only currency that was printed. It changed at least 3 times during those four months I was there. The 100-ruble bill was 1,000 rubles and before I left, I think it was a hundred thousand rubles, even tho it had only two zeros printed on it. The locals changed what money, oh yea some of my Russian is coming back. They exchanged their not needed ‘Dingy’ into $USD so it hung onto is value. I was still able to go to the Opera, Ballet, Circus and other forms of entertainment for the equivalent of an American dime. Jamie always seem to have some project lined up for the “Youth Ministry” and since I was a part of the Ministry, I also got an adequate education in ‘Culture” that I would not ever had at home. The following year my wife and I had to pay $1USD for the same thing, they had printed bigger denomination bills, and the invisible Zeros had disappeared. She was so pleased to having seen so many Operas and Ballets by the best professionals of those countries. Jamie was still at work educating the poor and providing some interesting outings!

BTW! Their bills look like Monopoly money and when I commented about it, I was told that a toy manufacturer had printed it for them. The following year it did look a little more sophisticated though.

Another step of Faith, the Saws were walking in, was they believed GOD to be their ‘Great Physician’, as not having any kind of medical plan, even if you had it, trusting their medical facilities in the former USSR, would have been a quantum Leap of Faith in itself. I was told that years ago their youngest daughter fell out of a hi-Chair and her shoulder was thrown out of joint. It was terribly painful and it took a hospital visit to get it back in shape. While playing in one of the many parks and thru a little horse play, her shoulder jumped out of place again. They knew what it was from their previous experience. Even with the grotesque look of the situation, she did not seem to be in much pain and this former Baptist, Now Bapticostal man laid hands on his daughter with the rest of the family in agreement and watched GOD restore it to its proper place.

Having a part in his Mentoring, the only thing better for me than hearing about it, would have been watching them do it!

A quick note on their Medical field: Their hospitals were like walking into the 1940’s in The States. One of the head Pediatricians who was also a Professor at one of the medical universities became a very good and dear friend of ours. She was a part of those who we were ministering to. My wife & I loved her and her dedication to the children of need in her country very much. A year or two after we came back home she was chosen to visit some of our hospitals here in the US and we were told that she cried when she seen what was available & used to help our disabled children here!

By the time I arrived in Belarus the Saws had close to a year under their belt and I will have to come back later to fill in how Jamie came across a job opening teaching young children of bureaucrats that were from many different countries. They were assigned to their Country’s Embassies &/or working for companies that were under contract to the Belarusian Government to help them get their post Soviet Bureaucracies and Banking Systems up to speed. Now they were ministering, as Tentmakers in the true sense of the term. (Now even with the Title &/or Office!) With this background … track record … other doors were constantly being opened that has taken them to many places that HE has brought them to. This also allowed Jamie to continue in her called ministry to Women in general and Children specifically. She was doing a phenomenal job at this during the day, now generating a steadier stream of Ministry Revenue. She was also a major player to “The Youth Ministry” in the evening!

My assignment was to go with the Saw kids, as they did some of the shopping & delivering messages and ministries that made each one an important part of what was going on. I was told I had two weeks to learn my way around and where different people lived, as the 3 girls needed to be back in their own room, that they had given up for me, instead of camping out in the main room of their 3 room flat. The youngest, being a boy had his cot in the entry hall with the shoes, wraps and umbrellas. Them chillens, sure impressed me, jumping on a motorboose, Tramvia or disappearing below the snow on a meetro (Underground Train) like gophers and having us pop up somewhere else on the other side of town. Keep in mind this was a city of about 2 million people and a great accomplishment for kids from about 14 to even the boy of eight who also had directions dialed in.

I had a need to learn as fast as I could and they all turned out to be great teachers, as they would show me milestones and monuments to tie it all together. I do not think I ever really got lost, tho they might differ with me.

The City had certain street crossings under the street and they would have shops &/or temporary Kiosks where you would be able to buy some of the things that only came available at different times. Since you had to walk about 20 feet down and then back up that 20 feet on the other side of the street. When I had enough Toilet Paper or some other necessities, I gave thought to watch for the cars and when clear jot across the street without all the Up & Down. The first time I did it, I did not pay attention to a Guyee (Police on foot) that had a car pulled over and was doing his thing. I just stepped on the opposite curb, when I heard this loud and persistent whistle being blown. I had a hunch that it was being blown at me and I tried to ignore it and picked up the pace when I then heard this angry yelling still coming in my direction. I incredulously look back over my shoulder and saw him yank his arm motioning me to come to him. He was yelling at me and pointing to the street corner that I had just crossed and I shrugged my shoulders and used two of the Russian words I had learned. Nyet Parooskie, I said over & over again. (No Russian) and he finally slapped his left wrist with his right hand cupped like a bracelet, yanking his left arm like he was going to drag it down the sidewalk and I said, “OH!” He responded with a Sarcastic Ponimyish? (Understand? That I learned later!) & a final “Nyet Parooskie” almost spitting and waved me on down the sidewalk knowing he had adequately warned me. Nevertheless, to say, I very seldom jay walked above ground unless in a “BIG” hurry after looking way up & down both streets.

Next week we will look at some of the Ministry that was going on, including Bible Studies and also praying for the sick and disabled. Oh Yes my newly made friend and roomy for my first move.

©2008

Cowboy Missionaries That Are Not Cowboys!

How far do you have to back up to get continuity? I will fill in this gap, as The Book progresses;

To Continue:

We met this family in a Church that “we found our selves in”, (A Story in Itself!) and to us they were believers … yet not judging, they seemed some what nominal to us. We tried every thing not to fellowship with them, except outright rudeness. Every Sunday and I mean ‘Every Sunday they invited us over to their house for dinner and fellowship. Now I did not need to Talk about GOD all the time, yet our conversations were always mundane and secular. When we would interject something a little bit spiritual, it very seldom got much traction. Nevertheless, we kept plugging along. And AND A N D we soon ‘Knew’ that GOD had put us together. And we became really good friends!FAMILY!

This Church was basic Fundamental, Evangelical, Non Charismatic, where we could probably be labeled as Pentecostal who had served in a light … well Charismatic Denomination for over 20 years.(That said, They were not a Denomination) … (You figure that out, tho It will eventually be a part of The Book too. See : Where Do I Fit In The Body Of Christ? VI (2nd Para.); Below.)

After a couple of years, now finding ourselves singing from hymnals, and being directed by The Holy Spirit, our friend found himself in a fuller relationship with God and in more light in understanding Spirituals. 1Cor. 12:1 ff.

He told me one evening, that God knew that "I would never step foot into a Pentecostal Church and that is why HE sent you to me!"

Sometime in 1993 or 4 a couple on Deputations visited, the Church on their way to China. (Going to China will become an interesting portion of the Book later on.) My friend’s wife received the calling during this visit, yet he wasn’t going to have any part of it. Our Pastor’s wife told her to just start praying and believe it or not … Oh Yea, you’re a believer, within 2 months he was called to the Republic of Moldova, former USSR. I can still hear him now (Writing and) Singing, Moldova, Moldova, I hear the cry from Moldova! (Which was a completed song by the time they left.)

When I asked how he was going to get support … IF … When it came in, he had found a support group that were not a Spiritual Covering yet collected & dispersed support revenue and for lack of a better term “Cowboy Missionaries”. This had no reference to Cowboys per se, it meant those who were on their own, going into the Mission field.

This group was Aviation Missionaries that dropped Scripture & Tracks into Villages in Mexico, until the laws changed that prevented them from doing it. It evolved into what it is today and the Acronym ACI now stands for Assisting Christian Individuals, International.

Click on their Link (above) and Take a look at what is available. If you have any questions, Email Nancy Hagerman, She will be blessed for an opportunity to assist you in getting started as a Missionary.

Funny now, as I Googled , there does not seem to be anything that uses that term for that meaning. As a side note, should you know anywhere it is used like this, I would appreciate hearing from you.

Next Week “Cowboy Missionaries On The Go ©2007 !”http://www.bigdadgib.net/2008/01/20/good-baptist-cowboy/trackback/

The Unique Way To Missions

Loved Of The LORD,
So many times, as we have been ministering, I have been asked about the process to be involved in Missions. All I can say is that the way GOD took me,(And later The wife of my youth, with me.) was contrary to any Church &/or Group Mission ways that I know about. Most Missionaries have to drum up support to so much a month, (around $20 - $40 thousand a year) before they are sent. This might be a new term for you, but to go along with that"Special Uniqueness" of our calling, we found ourselves a part of a special breed called “Cowboy Missionaries”. Below is a portion of a very Good article on the normal Deputation process. Check out the link for the full article!

Missionary deputation is often looked upon as "the pits," a horrible experience through which fledgling missionaries must pass in order to become "real missionaries." "If only we could avoid deputation," say some who claim that otherwise they would consider missionary service. Ernest D. Pickering, Th.D.

In July of 2007 we were up in the Yosemite area for a Special Retirement Celebration of one of our former Pastors and some friends from down here in So Cal were staying in the same Lodge with us. During our conversations, our Mission trips were shared in passing & I was “Told” that I needed to write it down so other people could partake of it too. Here it is in the middle of November of 2007 and I find myself writing another chapter of The Book.
I have to back up and tell another story for background before my own story, as this is really a step of faith. Next week … Same writer, Same Blog! 1 ©2007

The Secret

Loved Of THE LORD,

Well this has been a busy & exciting two weeks and running to catch up on many things including this Blog.

The Love of my life, who is The Wife of my youth and I were up in the Salt Lake City Area visiting love ones after a phenomenal 3 day business training & Writer's Conference. I will make reference to it soon, again time being a factor.

On returning to this love of writing I find a comment to the last post (Sunday, October 14, 2007) that make reference to The Secret and a couple other things that seem to fit right in here at this time.

Katch writes, “‘The Secret’ is a very clever commercialisation of the Law of Attraction. - “YOU ATTRACT WHAT YOU FOCUS ON” is not a new phenomenon.”

I am reminded of the unjust steward of Luke 16 who was commended for being shrewd, V:8. There is nothing new under the Sun, Eccles. 1:9; and no doubt the world has access to The Truth of Scripture and Science with no restrictions to capitalizing on any of it. I think what is disappointing, is that The Church labels those very same truths, as 'New Age' (It is.) and will not have any part of the very same things that JESUS taught.

Katch continues, “For me The Secret and all that I researched and read following on from viewing this DVD has brought me back to my starting point as a Believer.”

AND ... The (Continuing) 'Good News' is that even a Secular Publication is used to speak to Believers on where they are at and where they are going. Even the 'Practiced' Truth will still lead to Hell, should The Blood not be appropriated by faith. Another sermon for another time. ;-)

Katch Quoting Phil.4:8, then saying, “There is so much in Scripture for us to take note of and practice in daily life which includes how we conduct ourselves in business and our working life.”

Yes, Phil. 4:8 was delivered to me many moons ago, as a Rx to good mental health, by a Precious Former Pastor of mine, and I am always still looking for 'The Good Report' to meditate on, in all things that HE places before me. So many portions of Scripture “Just” seem to come in focus at the appropriate time, which evidences and confirms The Holy Spirit’s direction and my awareness of being in HIS Presence.

Katch, “When you have written your review of Joel Osteen’s book “Your Best Life Now” have a read of the review on …”

No doubt someone(s) in 'The Traditional Church' has labeled Joel Osteen's teaching and writing, as something watered down &/or blasphemous when only looking at a minute portion of the total ministry.

I was told by a young brother yesterday that Joel Osteen did no teach on hell or homosexuality and was reminded that I was called on years ago for not making my first and foremost issue in introducing JESUS to someone that HE Was GOD. My response was, that to me it was more important to introduce my LORD as a friend and to Know that The Word Of God and The Holy Spirit were more than capable of revealing That Truth, as well as the needed others to a neophyte believer in due time and order, as HE saw fit. Joel probably has that same assurance and peace that GOD is calling The shots there too. After all something is going on for that Ministry to be the biggest in the US.

Nevertheless I appreciate any comments and in this case, … was apropos and content for this post. As always I am excited to hear what HE is doing in believer’s lives.

Where Do I Fit In The Body Of Christ? VI

Loved Of The LORD! To finish up this chapter I Might as well throw this out there too. Almost 30 years ago, my Sister & her Hub, were going to a 4 Square in Central Cal, which made it easy for us to move into the "Word Of Faith" Camp. When we were re-committed we were attached to a painting contractor, who subed work from me. We not only became close friends, he eventually became my Apostle Paul and his wife & he were a part of WOF, also, down here in SoCal.

Now this camp, I guess you could say sect, was maligned as, "Blab It & Grab It", "Name It & Claim It" and were teaching more than the 'basics' of what the 2007 internet hit ‘The Secret’ touched on, yet from a Scriptural perspective and in more depth.

Because of my own personal studies I watched them close and as even today, I still do not agree completely with any preacher/teacher today in every aspect of their position, which I believe has more to do with The unique Personal Relationship than anything else; and really did not find anything that far out of line and even that could be explained as personal perspectives ... &/or preferences, which at that time, I could even see why they saw it that way. WHEW! How is that for a run-on?

Nevertheless, the church we were attending … was part of a group of the same name, who called themselves as "Non Denominational", who are really as much as a Denominational Sect as any that easily come to mind.

Here is where we found ourselves 'called to' for so many years, and they classified WOF Teaching along side of Blasphemy. Anything that I would minister that had WOF catch words, would always be received with distrust, doubt and even disgust, so this taught me to teach the same things carefully using other words, different ways, so that the ministry would prevail.

At the time I wrote this back in late 2006 I realized at this place in my thoughts, that I was writing what would eventually become this book.

I said all of that to say this, I believe that I needed to remain low profile on most of these things, as far as my involvement in business went, unless directed to be/do other wise, by The Holy Spirit.

"The Secret" seemed to be coming out of the closet, (my perspective at the time) and I thought it would be interesting to see how it would be embraced, in the proclaimed or be hushed in the standard business Paradigm that we were partaking of.

There seems to always be a tie , that will not allow your Spiritual Life be separated from the daily activities of the rest of one’s participation here on this world.

‘The Secret’ seemed to go quickly back into the closet, as far as business went, though most would still acknowledge it should it be mentioned. How many were practicing it thereafter and even now is hard to say.

BTW! "The Secret" would have been held in contempt by The Church Sect we were still a part of and as I have told others before, that even as near as a year ago, I would have been highly skeptical of it, because of my indoctrination there in that assembly.

S O I will continue to Minister & Encourage others to be aware of how we are programmed & use Scripture to explain it. I did it at Business Opportunity Meetings on a regular basis and it was accepted; though I needed to memorize More Scripture to reference, for sure. Should you have questions, reference what you would like scriptural backing to.

My Business mentor at that time who was also becoming a spiritual son could not understand the concepts and when I tried to encourage him by pointing out words he uses (Neg. that pops us out of ‘The Maze’) he would returned with, “that was the first time I used that word” and he tried hard to "Remember" not to use that /those word(s) around me. More of works, than walking in it. IYKWIM? i.e. out of a man's mouth = the abundance of his heart. He also seemed to get offended when I pushed the issue. Oh Well! You can lead a horse to water, but a pencil must be lead!

FATHER let me not be arrogant in what you are teaching me and open to all that YOU have yet for me to walk in! In JESUS’ Name!
And BTW! Again! I just remembered (as I was writing) that I studied and taught for a season (15 yrs ago), 1 on 1, BSs etc. "The Natural Mind by Natural Man Vs The Spiritual Mind According to Scripture" I found this to be embarrassing that with all that above, as I realized I was just starting to really walk in it. That that teaching back then, had the Sub-conscious in it & the works!) :-[ I believed it … yet was not Faithing It! IYKWIM? I did not know how to put a stop to the vicious circle!

Funny not Ha Ha It wasn’t till the 2^nd time I read Joel Ostean’s “Your Best Life Now” (Reminded now that I need to do a review on that book too.) that I had been teaching this for years, yet, still was not walking in the fullness of it. Even being told, “Sure … that is what you had been teaching us for years.” :-(

Now to walk in what HE puts before me and not let my mouth, really … my way of thinking pop me out of ‘The Maze’ prematurely. To encourage others to taste and see, How Good GOD Is! More next week.

Where Do I Fit In The Body Of Christ? V

We enjoyed the cruise and did not even get off at the three different ports we visited. A well needed change of pace. Tho I did not need the extra pounds that I wound up with.

To continue:

1^st of all to (Probably) blow you away, I know by The Scripture Itself that the "Traditional Church" that the masses of Christians go to today, does not even remotely look like the 1^st century Church, that is described in the New Testament. Catholic, Pentecostal, Baptist, Methodist, C of C, Anglican. Nazarene, Episcopal, Sectarian, & even the cults that say they are the real Christian Church, et al. The 1^st church did not sit in rows and look at the back of heads, while one up in front (elevated or not) told the rest, ... what GOD was saying. ANOTHER Chapter later on.

I find the early Church Sitting or standing or doing both in a circle, facing each other, if not on their face, and GOD Speaking thru them & to them. 1Cor. 14 pretty well covers this, at least as I read it. Here we see only one leader and HE being The Head of the Body, as The Holy Spirit is manifested in the different believers. See 1Cor. 12:7&11 … well shucks! Read the whole chapter!

I know that out of the gate I became Exclusive even Sectarian and putting our LORD in the box of how I met & I came to really know HIM, for the 1^st time. HE Stayed in that box for many a moon, until mentors & of Course The Holy Spirit led me into more Truth.

I see & walk in The Truth that I have at the time and it takes a jolt to be able not only see someone else’s perspective and to be able to appreciate that they too, have an unique encounter that becomes a filter (like I have, yet really different.) that they see HIM Thru. And of course, also what The Holy Spirit is saying thru The Word and The Body when assembled.

Almost 30 years ago I was having a conversation with my pastor (At the Time) and I said to him that I believed that The Word Of GOD was a many faceted Jewel and that two people looking at it from their position saw something different as to their own unique relationship with The Living GOD. (As The Holy Spirit Revealed it to each one.) It was the very same Truth, yet to & for the individual. He said that that was not so and I was able to see that was what had been revealed to him at that time. Not to elevate my self, as the man taught me many things about The Word and our LORD, that was also part of the process. He also was a Giant when it came to grace and he walked in it and disbursed it to all he met!

That step of Faith, i.e. saying that to him allowed The Holy Spirit to reveal even more. What I had already been taught did not change, yet each time I allowed HIM to reveal more light it all started to make … really make more sense. All I know is that the more I learn, only reveals how much more there is that I do not know!

Need to put this to the presses and to hit the sack! More next week GOD willing!

GOD Bless

Where Do I Fit In The Body Of Christ? IV

Chapter Two --The Maze: Loved Of The LORD! In the late 70s thru the 80s & into the 90s “Men’s Prayer time @ our home on Tuesday evenings. Another chapter: in itself. I believe it was in 79, One of the brothers had a vision about me being in this maze over & over again and before I would find my way out with that victory, I would just pop out of the maze every time before finishing it. When I asked him what it meant, he responded that he did not know.

Knowing that it had to do with “The Evil Sin Of Unbelief” and even preaching about it at different times, I did not see the fullness of it until June or July of 2006. I knew at that time, that I would grab a hold of GOD’s Promises and walk in that belief for a short season, yet still knowing that it was my mouth that would throw the promise, away. When things did not seem like it was going in the right direction I would get bombed out & say out loud with my mouth, “Well I Guess That Is Not Going To Happen!” which was proof that I did not really believe whatever that promise was, was for me.

In Other Words , I did not know the importance of, 1^st of all, continually thinking about it as having ‘Come 2 Pass’ (future) 2^nd and just as important the necessity of walking in that Truth with my mouth day in & day out.

Now do not get me wrong. I do not mean lie about what was happening at the time, YET keeping my eyes & heart on the vision and always speaking of it, as what is. (i.e. in the present tense!)

Then probably the most important was the necessity of being emotionally positive about it, especially should there be something negative trying to come against it, which was and is always the case.

No Doubt there will be some of you, who will question the source of what I am walking in, yet it is all scriptural, comment for the References should you desire.

Now I am not going to try to get you (Who read this) to see &/ or believe what I have come to be believing, Yet I will encourage you to check out The Scriptures for yourself and walk in what The HOLY SPIRIT reveals to you. (Acts 17:11) More on this next week. BTW! Yesterday The Lovely Marilyn (The Wife Of My Youth) and I boarded “The Monarch Of The Sea for four days of Cruising (And Eating!) the left coast of SoCal & Upper Baja. (Knowing that there will be more lessons here too!

Where Do I Fit In The Body Of Christ? III

There never seems to be enough time to do all one has planed. So it is so easy to put it all off, because you cannot get it all done. There comes a time, Eccl. 3, when one needs to put the things they have been taught into Action and go beyond just teaching & encouraging others. WOW how the truths that I have taught for 30years, all of a sudden seem to make, not only more sense, yet reveals how much more there is yet to partake of.
Hang on, more to come! Chapter 2 next week.

Where Do I Fit In The Body Of Christ? II

Ok, a day behind, yet not a dollar short! To continue on from Friday the 7th of September.

I want to thank The Wife of my youth, The Lovely Marilyn, who has stood by me, supported and encouraged me in so many ventures and adventures in nigh unto 5 decades + of Marital Learning & Communication. Also my Family, the natural & spiritual children who have contributed to who I am. To those Brethren who were so instrumental in challenging the box, (way of thinking), that I had bound My LORD JESUS in. And my good friend and Sister in The LORD, Kath Salomons, who was an associate I was working with in the educational field for nigh unto 10 years who we met face to face for the first time last Nov, 2006. She has been an encourager and thought provoker for so many years and will proof read & edit this new enterprise that is now before me in its entirety. MOST of all, Special Thanks to my GOD & Savior, The LORD JESUS, The Anointed SON, for saving me and patiently teaching me to seek HIM for direction, in all endeavors.

Next week, more to come!

Where Do I Fit In The Body Of Christ? I

Ok! Loved Of The LORD, ... I'm Back
How many people that I know … and so many more that I do not, have a lost feeling about their place, i.e. “Where they are to function” in The Body Of Christ?

For so many years knowing that I belonged by The Word Of GOD, yet always questioning the place I would find myself in.
Oh do not get me wrong, there are always times that I would be blessed & know where I was, was GOD’s will, yet people’s response or reaction to the things I would say or do, seemed to leave doubt.

Knowing that I was a leader from an early age & also knowing that you always served an apprenticeship period and paid your dues, kept me strong in my pursuit of GOD’s will for my life and understanding HIS Word.

Even writing this today, I have known that I would be writing it for some time, just as now it is being manifested and you might say, that I am “Taking the bull by the horns” and “JUST DOING IT”

More on its way!