Servant of God: Returning to Ronan… Week 1!

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Returning to Ronan… Week 1!

It is only fitting that our first “long” trip with our new trailer was back to Ronan. For those who remember, we went to Ronan 4 years ago with the youth on a mission trip. It was definitely a God-thing because we were planning on going to California that year until three days before the trip when the city we were heading to ended up having a drought and their well ran dry… within a few days we needed to find a new location and a new mode of transportation since our bus broke down. God provided us with a new (used) bus and a connection with a little church in Ronan, Montana that jumped at the opportunity to have help with the VBS they were planning. On the trip, Matthew and really connected with the people and we have remained in contact with a few of the families throughout the years… and have been back to Ronan a few times since the first trip.

The trip over to Ronan, Montana was quite the adventure and we arrived a lot later than we planned. So, we ended parking at the church and sleeping for a few hours before heading over to Brandy’s house (where we parked the trailer during out time in Ronan). It was so much fun being able to catch up with Brandy even though she was insanely busy running her in-home daycare and preparing for a family reunion the following weekend. We would catch spare minutes to hang out with her when she was working on little projects… unfortunately, I never grabbed my camera and took any pictures with Brandy or her parents… I also didn’t get any pictures of the time visiting with Jim and Josie since it was just in their house and not out and about like in the past… next time I will be better about getting pictures of even these moments…!

Sunset on the drive over...

Running out of gas... at least we had cans since we were trying to get to Freddy's for $1.00 off in Spokane... we made it within miles of the gas station...

Finally stopping for dinner at one of the few restaurants still open... Dennys

Of course, I got pictures when I was hanging out with Jen and Levi’s family… something about kids that reminds me to take pictures… they grow up so fast. We loved looking at the pictures from our first couple trips when they were so little… so I had to capture memories from this trip as well. For the most part we just fit into their life… hanging out with them as they lived life.

One day I went to the lake with Jen and the kids and we visited while the kids swam in the lake… the next day she had to drive a couple hours north to pick up one of the youth from summer camp so I went with her and Hadassah and took the opportunity to visit with her and enjoy the beauty of the drive.

Nehemiah at the lake...

Enjoying the sunset...

Love these three kids...

Uriah, Hadassah, and Nehemiah

Enjoying my quiet times at Brandy's...

This was my view out the window...

On Sunday evening, we went to the church to participate in the young adult ministry… where Jen leads a cooking class. This week we made a stir-fry which was delicious. Jen went to culinary school so she is an amazing chef. Only one other young lady came but the fellowship was amazing. Levi even joined in the fun and we made desert- chocolate and huckleberries which was amazing. Afterwards was youth group so they enjoyed partaking in the food during their lesson. Jen sent us all home with lots of leftovers… yummy!

Jen leading a cooking class...

Making stirfry... lots of it..!

Levi took care of the desert...

Youth love trying out the food in the evenings...

Isiah and Matthew... hanging out afterwards

On Monday, I went over to visit with Jen for mutual encouragement while Matthew went with Levi to his softball game. Jen rarely has these moments where she doesn’t have the kids home and can spend time with a friend… so it was a rare treat for her. It is amazing how we it off so well our first trip in Ronan… and even though we may be so different… she is amazing in regards to caring for a garden and making home-made food and me not so much… yet we have a special bond. I love these moments talking with her and encouraging her and feel encouraged by her as well… if only we lived closer to one another.