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Friday, June 29, 2007

after dinner

If you are starting to read this and didn't read my first post, read it and then return to this one. Dinner was phenomenal! But onto better things...Trac II Bikes posed as a huge challenge in that not only was the length of the trip an obstacle that had to be overcome, but a 9-mile, gravel uphill was also on the agenda. The first day we set out to do 63 miles. At the end of that day my butt was pretty sore but no sweat. I think I consumed approximately 4000 calories which included 4 Snickers Bars and 7 bananas (among other things). The following morning we woke up, ate breakfast and then headed out beginning with the 9-mile uphill that everyone referred to as "Misery Hill". However, God brought to my mind the scripture "Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? He who has clean hands and a pure heart." Ha---but what was funny about this was by mile #4 I was beginning to sarcastically question in my head: "maybe I don't have clean hands and a pure heart cause I am definitely struggling with this hill" This was really tough in that it took a total of 5 1/2 hours for our entire team to complete the 9-mile stretch. I was to the point where I was praying for God to give me a "gradual graded hill" rather than the steep one that I was currently pedaling. Through it all God showed himself strong. More than anything he taught and reemphasized that my calling is to "come and die to myself" and depend on him for absolute certainty and strength. I'm constantly amazed by His grace and perhaps one thing He has continually taught me out here is that He wants me to be absolutely convinced of his love for me just as Paul said he was convinced that "neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor death, nor anything in all creation can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus."

Fortunately, there were only 5 "crash and burn" incidents throughout the entire trip, one of which occurred because a bear ran out in front of this tiny 15-year old girl. The Pacific coast was incredible and the Redwood Forest was gigantic.

God is teaching me:
*He is so infinitely wise and in complete control!
*Humility
*The freedom that is in Him.
*That I absolutely and undoubtedly need Him...His love is better than life!
*I'm learning what true intercession is and what it means to intercede for others.

More of what God is doing here at the ranch:
* A girl on my Trac II team who was struggling with depression and cutting herself experienced the freedom that is in Christ this week---I can't tell you how transformational the love of God is!
*We are expecting 27 Israeli students to take part in the second session of Second Wind in two weeks.
*God is restoring the hearts of children to their parents and parents to their children as is stated in Malachi.

I'm having a ball and I appreciate your prayers and mail...thanks

Travis

We welcome ya'll to the JH Ranch!

Hello GBC family! I'm pretty excited Eric Campbell set this thing up so that you can be informed about what all God is doing around the globe, particularly this summer. Jarren and I are doing well as I am sure he will contribute to this blog in the future; however, I probably see him more at home than I do out here. It's kind of bittersweet to know that my time here at the Ranch is almost expired, but the Lord has definitely taught be a lot out here this summer.

For the most part I have been working on Programs Staff at the Scott River Lodge (this is just a "hyped-up"job title that basically means I do most of the maintenance work around the lodge). This is a new addition to the JH Ranch this summer in that the Husband/Wife Programs spend their entire week off the ranch and at the Scott River Lodge. It's an amazing place and it's incredible to see God restoring and strengthening marraiges out here. In fact we as a staff have been lifting up a fellow staff member's parents who had been separated for 2 years and were currently going through a divorce. A few days ago this staff guy informed us that his older brother randomly called him the other day to inform him that his dad had come back home and that he felt the Holy Spirit literally healing their marraige! Praise God! It's times like these that God just graciously shows us how soveriegn He is!

As most of you know already (because of mom) God opened the opportunity for me to lead Trac II Bikes this past session of Second Wind, which concluded yesterday. During this program, myself and three other coaches (2 females and another male) led 39 high school students on a 109 mile bike ride to the Pacific Coast...and this is where I am goin to leave you hanging...the dinner bell just rang...I will conclude at a later time. Know that God is doing amazing things out here, in Africa, in Montana and of course at Gassaway Baptist Church and I cannot wait to hear all that is going on back home!
God Bless,
Travis

Africa

So, I made it to South Africa although I can't say the same about all of my luggage. Despite that, I'm having an amazing time. It's been exciting from Day 1. It was snowing in Johannesburg for the first time in 26 years. My first day in South Africa I spent with high school age students who were training for the Olympics in a variety of sports. We traveled to a local AIDS Clinic where we helped serve lunch and talked with many of them as well. I spoke mainly with a father whose daughter was recieving treatment. He shared a wonderful testimony about trusting in God for everything. He himself as cancer among a few other health problems and lost his eldest daughter to AIDS already, but he still had such a strong faith in God which has helped carry him through.

I arrived last night at the clinic I was arranged to work at, so today was my first day. ACTS stands for AIDS Caring, Training, and Support. I'll be able to describe it more in detail the longer I've been here, however, they have a website, www.actsclinic.com, where you can read about most of the things they deal with. We started off the day with the staff meeting. There a brief message was shared about putting your trust in the Lord. Afterwards, several hymns were sung in Zulu. They were beautiful, but I didn't understand a word. My day was mostly spent taking vital signs of the incoming patients and getting to know the facilities.

Well, I would like to ask for prayer for the first clinic I was at, Oasis, a developing ministry in Pretoria. It has only been there for a couple years and is looking to expand its building, staff, and services. South Africa as a nation could use prayer for the turmoil that it has been going through. For the past 28 days, there was a strike at all the hospitals. With little health care available, people have been suffering and have had no places to turn to. Thankfully, it will end on Monday. Please just pray for my safety and for me to be a witness through service since I can't communicate with most of the people I'm working with.

I would really like to thank all of those who have been and are continuing to pray for me. It's very comforting to know that I have support at home through this. Well, my time is limited on the computer so I have to go. I love you all and God Bless.


~Tiffany