Pastor Kelly Snyder drove me back to Greensburg, PA  to check on Dad in the hospital after the Sunday Homecoming meal and events. We sang, quoted scripture, and Dad prayed for us. Upon returning to WV the Lord honored his Word with revived hearts and EXCELLENT attendance the rest of the meeting.

Once Dad stabilized in the hospital and Mom got situated in the parking lot with her motor home, my family traveled 3.5 hours late that night to First Baptist in Belmont, WV. Pastor Kelly Snyder’s wife, Lisa, had been in a head-on collision Friday night: both cars totaled but all riders got out uninjured! We knew God was up to something. Another Pastor’s son in Ravenswood, WV lost his wife and 2 children this week in an auto accident. Please pray for the Parson family. Believe me, God has had everyone’s attention. In Lisa’s case the airbag did not deploy. In Dad’s case, his defibrillator did not fire. Our trust is not in technology but God!

Who would ever guess that rubber bands would become the craze among kids these days? When I sorted through the ones my son has collected and traded for, I laughed. A rubber band is no longer just a rubber band. It’s a work of art! I realize that that might be “stretching” it a bit but hey! Let’s “band” together as believers and go forward for Christ – the One who stretched out His arms on the cross for us. (Can you find the cross?)

After driving 430 miles from NY toward WV through the torrential rains and flooding conditions throughout the east, we stopped overnight. Friday, my father, Dr. Ron Merrill, collapsed. Heart rate in the 20’s. Nauseated and vomiting. We had no idea that his pacemaker/defibrillator was not functioning. Honestly, we thought he was going Home “with his boots on.” Symptoms looked at first like another stroke, but then slow movement was regained. Paramedics immediately transported him to Mt. Pleasant hospital then onward at 95+ mph (Tricia got in on the ambulance ride!) to Westmoreland Regional, south of Pittsburg, PA.

Hanging between Heaven and earth with a sporadic heart rate of 40-81, a temp external pacer was attached through the groin with the instruction to “not move!” Can you imagine Ron Merrill not moving? Saturday we waited nearly 4 hours for a new pacer implant: his 7th. All sites have been used up. The leads (wires) were extremely tangled, his pacer was upside down. Fortunately the leads were usable or an external unit would have been attached to his chest. The new pacer was inserted and literally glued in.

While the electrical side of Dad’s heart is “fixed,” there is concern about the weakness of the mechanical part. The heart should pump about 60% of the blood out. Dad’s is operating at about 15%. From here every moment counts.

“Randy, you’re a servant of God and this is God’s truck. It’s my job to help keep it running!” Juan’s pulpit is his auto mechanics shop in Kingston, NY and he preaches with wrenches and grease. Since Christ saved him a few years ago, Juan has dedicated his service for God. His cheerful spirit, wisdom (both spiritually and mechanically) and love for God are contagious. God has used him marvelously in our ministry over the past 2 years and each day we start up the truck we are reminded of one who exemplifies Galatians 5:13 “by love serve one another.”

This marble house was home to the railroad tycoons who lived lavishly here and in their trains. Thankfully we aren’t pulling something like the Vanderbilt Mansion we saw in the Hudson Valley of NY.

Pastor and Mrs.  Sheldon Roblyer  faithfully serve on the big hill near East Lindley south of Corning , NY in a beautiful way. How refreshing it was to fellowship with their people and meet many folks from surrounding areas who came to to the meetings. Visiting the homes of several of the members convinced us of the genuine love for God and inner beauty these families have.

The people, under Pastor Roblyer’s direction, have restored and beautified this old church building. The church-wide fellowship was displayed most beautifully. But the real beauty of this church is that these people are worshipping God in the beauty of His holiness and it’s showing in their lives.

We huffed and puffed up the winding hilly road from Kittanning to New Bethlehem and made our way to Dora, PA where Ken and Betty Alt have served faithfully for nearly 2 decades. God has blessed their work abundantly both physically and spiritually. We had an excellent meeting with visitors each service. The spirit and enthusiasm of the people encouraged our hearts.

We also had the opportunity to witness to and visit many folks in the area as well as see some amazing sights – nearly 80 deer at night, the Heathville hill, the hydroponics tomato plant and the “bug man,” (See Malchijah’s post “Bug Man”) but the best sight was seeing the newly paved parking lot full of cars and the pews filled with hungry people.

We were thrilled to park our “new to us” rig next to the church’s beautiful pavilion. The serenity reminded me of the hymn “Blessed Quietness.” We pray for continued blessing on Pastor Alt and the church as they impact the community for God.

This week I was instructed in my schooling to create a bug chart – collecting bugs of all types and learning how to pin and label them. Wouldn’t you know that God would put us in the tiny crossroads of Dora, PA where one of the few “bug” display artists in the world has a studio directly across the street from the church. It’s like a Bug Zoo. He has an incredible collection of thousands of exotic, tropical and local bugs with absolutely fascinating patterns on the wings and bodies. Grandpa and Grandma Merrill even bought me a tropical butterfly in a frame that matches our new “house” and I got to give the “Bug Man” a butterfly tract about our awesome Creator!

Have any of God’s little creatures bugged you lately? I’d be delighted if you’d send one my way… dead, please!

Malchijah

God saw fit to move us out of the mobile house we’ve called home for 5.5 years. After fixing broken shackles, springs, blown tires, slide-out issues, beam work and more we decided this beautiful unit was ready to take a permanent vacation. We’ve been praying about it for months.

• On Friday, Aug. 27, we posted our Alfa fifth wheel on Craigslist.
• On Saturday it was sold!
• On Sunday morning Tricia shared with me a funny verse she read in her devos (Josh. 15:3 “fetched a compass”) I said “We sure need direction!” Sunday night after church we looked on the internet for a mobile unit and found a repossessed 2005 Carriage Compass in GA.
• On Monday we called to check availability. We then delivered our Alfa to Aiken, SC and drove 200 miles to see the Compass — garage kept, like new, a little shorter, a ton lighter, right tires, right configuration. God was in it! By midnight we were too! God had burdened 2 churches and an individual to share gifts for our ministry in advance that made up the difference. It’s another miracle! Our list is huge. Our God is awesome! Please pray for safety and repair-free travel for a few weeks anyway.

From tacks to nails to staples to tape, it’s pretty obvious that this sign near Hagerstown, MD has been host to much more than just the lonely stop sign on top.  Though the pastor’s job is to protect his flock by warning them of danger ahead, this signpost reminded me of those who hang on the pastor in many churches. This often leaves its mark on the man of God. Try this week to support your pastor and lift his load! 1 Thes. 5:12-13

My buddy Kyle, a camper at Camp North West, gave his testimony at the final campfire service then told me personally, “I believe God wants me to be a pastor in the middle of New York City!” Several campers offered their lives for Christian service in various parts of the world. Who knows what God will do with one totally dedicated to Him! I’m just thrilled to inspire young lives to serve our awesome God.

We had a great week at Camp Northwest in Mossyrock, Washington. Moriah and I flew out from WV, ministered to the fine flock at Westside Baptist in Eugene, OR and then drove to WA for the week of camp under the direction of Greg Kaminski. The Kaminskis have directed the camp for 31 years. Thousands of lives have been impacted by the power of Christ. This week many young people were saved and numerous other commitments were made.

This year’s theme “Under Construction” gave us lots of opportunities to encourage these campers to build wisely.  In the 9 times I preached we discussed issues like “The Builder of all things – God” – Heb. 3:3-4. Clearing the Land! Building an Altar! Building with Excellence! Building Godly Character! The BAM Builder Boys – Bezaleel, Aholiah, Moses …and Building a Tower!

Here’s a shot of the flag raising ceremony where I played my pocket (travel) trumpet each day.

For 34 years the Rotz family has run an amazing camp for kids near Hagerstown, MD. Today, at their request, we had the privilege of ministering to well over 300 campers, counselors and parents. This was a great opportunity to share the gospel through preaching, playing our instruments, skits, juggling, volunteer involvement and more. Only God knows where the SEED fell and will germinate today?

Jessica Rotz, who’s love for the Lord beams through her smile,  gave our Team a tour of the Camp (pool, carousel, Old Western town, swings, zip line, boat water  slide, ferry, and the rope bridge). The campers earn rewards and pass levels to move on. Mattaniah, Marc and Randal tried to bounce each other off the rope bridge but fortunately they all survived – dryly.  See antietamrecreation.com.

While ministering in Pond Bank, PA, some men from the church gave us scenic tours of the area, including the unique multicolored sand pits, Promise Lake (a draining abandoned mine pit 70+ feet deep), Falling Springs (where a river flows out of a rock and U.S. presidents have fished) the historical Iron Furnace at Penn State, and the incredible wooden pavilion built with laminated wood at the Mont Alto State Park (founded in 1875). America is beautiful. God has shed His grace on thee.