Dolly's Diary

 March - April 2010

 

 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver (Prov. 25:11)

When I signed off my diary in February, we were parked in the parking lot of Union Church in Fulton, Kentucky where Terry and Brenda Pulley are ministering. We had arrived on Tuesday afternoon and were scheduled to be at the church for their Wednesday evening service. Tuesday evening we Pulley's and Guy and Faye Upton as we went out to dinner. What a joy to fellowship and discuss the things of the Lord. Wednesday was spent at our desks in our camper getting ready for summer activities and studying. Then, we set up and got ready for the evening service. There was a good group of folks out for a Wednesday night and since there were some children there, Lee got out some of his "gospel" ropes and whips. We then shared our ministry up-date concerning Bible Doctrines to Live By, Inc., and gave some prayer requests. Lee brought a brief message from the Word of God. All in all, it was a good service and we left rejoicing at renewed fellowship with friends and meeting some new folks and being able to share what the Lord is doing at Bible Doctrines and encourage their continued prayers for our ministries.

Fay and Guy Upton

had a great time of fellowship with the

Pastor Terry & Brinda Pulley

 

 

We left on Thursday morning after being served a wonderful breakfast by Brenda and headed towards St Louis, Missouri which was our next scheduled meeting, Sunday, March 7^th at St Louis Bible Fellowship. After driving awhile we decided we would go to New Florence, on I-70 and check out the motel we had reserved for our speakers for our Cowboy Family Bible Conference. Just as we were Vernon Schnaath. He said he and Judy would meet us at the motel and we could have dinner together. We were pleasantly surprised as we didn't know anyone knew our plans. However, Lee had called Neil and Diana Schnaath to tell them we wouldn't arrive on Thursday as we had originally said and what we were going to do. Because of heavy traffic it took us longer than we had thought to get to the motel, but when we arrived, Vernon and Judy were patiently waiting for us. We checked in and then went to get something to eat. Had a good meal and even greater fellowship with Vernon and Judy. They have been such good friends and we enjoy spending time whenever we can with them.

Vernon and Judy Schnaath

leaving St. Louis, my phone rang. It was

 

The motel was comfortable and we were warmly received by the managers, wife and daughter. They took good care of us and we knew we had made a good choice for the speakers: Les and Iris Feldick; Eddie and Jane Piper and Gary and Lori Miller, to stay.

 

Neil and Diana Schnaath. We are so thankful for the GPS that guided us right to their front door. But, first we had to stop and greet the mules! Diana had to leave for work (she is a nurse in St Louis) so we went out to eat with Neil in the evening. Lee needed a place to get some studying and work done so we had asked Neil and Diana if we could park there for a few days and they graciously said we could. We made ourselves right to home and took over their dining room table with our computers. I had brought the paper work and tax forms needed for Bible Doctrines so began the task of getting those done. Lee worked on the summer scheduling and his studying. We spent Saturday there and in the morning we were joined by Vernon and Judy and Pastor Rick Owsley and we spent our time discussing and planning for the Cowboy Family Bible Conference to be held in June at Vernon and Judy's place. We had a good and worthwhile discussion and then spent some time in prayer. It was a good planning session. In the afternoon, while Diana slept I did some of our laundry. That was nice to get that done. We had a super time of fellowship with Neil and Diana and they made us feel right at home.

Neil and Diana Schnaath

Friday morning we left New Florence and went to Marthasville and to the home of

 

St. Louis Bible Fellowship Church where Pastor Rick and Faye Owsley minister. Diana drove separately so that she could pick up their son, Christopher and Neil's mother, Virginia Schnaath. We got to the church, set up our display and got everything ready for the service. Lee preached the morning message and I gave a brief ministry report. It was a good service and it was good to again renew fellowship with old friends and meet some new folks. It is so good to see churches growing and new folks being added. Praise the Lord! We stopped on the way back to Marthasville and had lunch. Vernon and Judy joined us as well as Diana, Christopher and Virginia. So, we had a good time of fellowship and good food.

Pastor Rick and Faye Owsley

Sunday morning, we rose early and drove with Neil into St Louis for the services at the

 

the original grave of Daniel Boone. (His remains have since been moved to Kentucky.) He was buried across the road from his wife's family home. That was an interesting trip and we appreciated their taking the time to do this.

Daniel Boone's Grave in Marthasville, Missouri

In the afternoon, Neil and Diana took us to see

 

Monday we spent at Neil and Diana's continuing on our projects until evening time when Diana, Lee and I went to Washington to have dinner with Rick and Faye Owsley. It was a good dinner and relaxing time of fellowship and discussions.

 

Grace Harbor Church in Mt. Pleasant, Illinois where Lee would be speaking to the young people at their Wednesday night youth activities, "The Gold Miners." We arrived at the home of Pastor Gary and Lori Miller in the afternoon and were able to pull into their yard and set up for the night. We enjoyed meeting and getting acquainted with the Millers and their family and had dinner with them before going to the school facility where they meet for the youth activities on Wednesday.

Pastor Gary and Lori Miller

Tuesday morning we took our leave and headed north towards Chicago. We drove until we were tired and then found a Wal-Mart parking lot and camped for the night. Wednesday morning we continued on to

 

It was a most enjoyable evening with the Millers. We especially enjoyed the emphasis on the Scriptures that was being taught to the "Clubbers."

 

staff and friends of BDTLB for our bi-annual Prayer and Planning Retreat for the Grace Revival to be held in 2011. We gathered for dinner at the Das Essenhaus on Friday evening. We were all were excited about the prospect of another Grace Revival for Evangelism and being able to spend time in prayer and planning. We did spend time in prayer after dinner. The fellowship with the Lord and fellow believers was wonderful.

Grace Revival Prayer & Planning Retreat

When we left Chicago, we drove to Middlebury, Indiana to meet

 

Saturday morning we met again after breakfast for a planning meeting. We did have a productive meeting and lots of discussion on decisions that have to be made. Although, it was discussed we did not come to a decision as to where to have the next Grace Revival Conference. Several suggestions were made and will be looked into by the staff. Pray that the right spot and right decisions will be made. We praise the Lord for those that were interested and came to the meeting and for all their input into the planning and preparations. Much work needs to be done and the plans need to be bathed in prayer.

 

After having lunch together we said our farewells and started "home." We will only be in Grand Rapids a few days before starting on our next trip, but we will enjoy our brief stay at home.

 

While in Grand Rapids we concentrated on getting some advertising and preparation done for the upcoming Cowboy Family Camp in June. Also, Lee spent a great deal of time getting the motor home ready for travel. We hadn't used is for a year so there was much to be done.

 

^th and headed for Evansville, Indiana. On Sunday we were privileged to share the ministry of Bible Doctrines with the folks at the Grace Fellowship Chapel. It was so good to see these dear folks again and have a great time of fellowship with them around the Word of God. This the church founded by our BDTLB Board Member, Denny Walters. He is so greatly missed since his going home to be with the Lord. After enjoying a lunch and a good visit with our friends we made our way to the Triple T (Tri-State Youth for Christ) headquarters about 4 miles north of Evansville.

Grace Fellowship Chapel

We packed up the motor home on Saturday, March 20

 

Brother George Dooms, his wife Mary, and their daughter, Tami. While there we were able to minister conducting youth rallies in 8 different counties and 8 different churches. Actually when we include the youth rally in Evansville we were in 9 counties. The rallies were conducted by George Dooms and then Lee gave the Gospel message using his whips and ropes. I didn't attend the first few nights because I had caught a "cough" that just wouldn't quit. So rather than go out in the evening air I stayed at the motor home and worked on a mailing we were preparing. Each night they came back with good reports and praising the Lord that teens were trusting Christ.

George, Mary and Tami of TTT Christian Youth Ministries

We parked the motor home, plugged in and were ready for a two-week time of ministry with

 

I did go along the second week and want to share one especially exciting meeting. The pastor had called George the day before and said he didn't think there was any interest but George told him we had it on the schedule and rather than stay home and do nothing we would go ahead and come to the meeting. It was to be in Illinois at a Free Methodist Church.  So, we went. It was about 5 minutes before the service was to start and no one but the pastor and his daughter had shown up. Then, the doors opened and 35 teens arrived. Needless to say we were excited! The greatest part was when the invitation was given 12 of those teens stood to their feet indicating they wanted to trust Christ as their Savior - AND we almost canceled! That would have been terrible. But, praise the Lord they were each dealt with individually and will be followed up by the pastor as well as by Triple T. Needless to say we were ecstatic and excited as we drove back to Evansville.

 

All in all there were 39 teens that trusted Christ during that two week time frame. It was well worth all the time and effort that went into planning and scheduling. We had a wonderful time of fellowship with the Dooms and praise the Lord for their faithfulness in ministering to teen-agers. They have had a Saturday night youth rally at Triple T every week since 1966 and have faithfully witnessed and won teen-agers to Christ since then. We thank and praise the Lord for their faithful example. They are a great challenge to us to remain busy for the Lord.

 

We left Evansville early Easter morning and drove back to Grand Rapids. Again, when we arrived home we spent our time in preparation and planning for the summer ministry of Cowboy Camps.

 

On Sunday, April 11^th, we enjoyed ministering with Pastor Jeff Shirley at the Volney Bible Church. This is a small church in Michigan but they have a large youth ministry there. It was a joy to be with them. We have never been here at this country church but what it was evident that here are a group of saints that love the Lord and faithful to the work of the Lord.

^th we were at the Beacon Light Community Church in Muskegon, Michigan with Pastor John Shyne and wife Cynthia. Again, the fellowship and time spent in the Word was great. The "Trail Riders" - Cowboy Gospel Music - Carl and Clay Schutter gave an inspiring and enjoyable ministry in music and testimony. It is really great to be in a church that is on fire for the Lord and to

The Trail Riders

Then, on April 18

Pickin' with old friends, John Potter and Jack Flutte

minister with friends.

Pastor John and Cynthia Shyne and John Shyne Sr

 

On April 20th we packed our car and headed out again. First we drove to Troy, Ohio where we stayed in a motel and then on Wednesday morning we met some friends, Paula English, John and Norma Potter,  from the Community Bible Church for breakfast and fellowship. We also went to visit a gentleman that we had known when we lived and pastored in Tipp City but had not seen for many years. Jack and Lee got out the guitars and played and sang a few tunes before we headed on our way to Springfield, Ohio.

 

Grace Bible Church where Lee would minister on Wednesday night where Marv Wiseman is the pastor. Ron and Joyce Gannon graciously offered us to stay in their home for the night. We had a good service. There were a good number of folks out for the "pot-luck" and Bible study. We were able to give a ministry report and Lee brought a Bible study for the folks. After the service, Terry Fisher came with us over to the Gannons and worked on Lee's computer. He had been having difficulty receiving and sending some e-mails. We  appreciated his help very much.

Pastor Marv Wiseman

We arrived at

Grace Bible Church of Springfield, Ohio

 

 

Thursday morning there was a Men's Prayer Breakfast and Lee was invited to bring the morning's Bible study. He reported that they had a good time in Bible study and fellowship.

 

When he returned to the Gannons, we packed up our car again and were on our way to River Valley Ranch in Millers, Maryland. As we were driving through Hagerstown, we decided to get a room and some rest. So, we stopped at a motel, had some supper, and called it a day. It is surprising how tiring travel can be.

 

River Valley Ranch. This is a large youth camp that Lee's Dad, "Nevada Steve," participated with each summer. It is a western youth camp. We got there and the LaLone Family were already there waiting for us. These were the young people that traveled with us last summer and they came to RVR to do some rope spinning with Lee for the folks in attendance at the "Camp Alumni Reunion Days." You can go to our Lee N Darlene Homoki Facebook and see all these pictures.

The Lalone Family

Friday morning we got up early and drove to

 

Jon Bissett and his sister, Tina Blackman who had invited us to this reunion. They were so kind  and we felt the Lord's presence - knowing something of the work of this ranch in the training and salvation of hundreds of young people during the last 60 years. How we praise God and to have the privilege of having had a small part with Lee's father. 

Darlene and Tina

We had a brief fellowship with the Camp Director

RVR Director - Jon Bissett

 

Friday night we went to dinner at RVR and had a super time meeting and seeing some folks that we had not heard from in many years. Many of the folks had brought pictures to share and we spent a great deal of time reminiscing about past times at RVR. After dinner we went to the Old Time Meeting Tabernacle and there they showed some videos of the beginning of RVR and had one with a lot of pictures of Lee's Dad driving the stagecoach. It was most enjoyable.

 

"Chuck Wagon Breakfast". Some of the folks rode horse back up there and the rest of us got on the hay wagon. That was fun! The breakfast was cooked and served outdoors in a clearing between some fields and woods. There were about 80 people in attendance. Again, the fellowship was warm and we enjoyed seeing and visiting with those in attendance. Lee and the LaLones did a lot of rope spinning while we were waiting for the food to be prepared. That was enjoyed by all. After breakfast there was a brief program at which time Lee had been asked to speak for a few minutes about his Dad. All in all we had a joyful time and we praise the Lord for a camp like this that has and continues to faithfully present Christ to children and young people.

Drew LaLone Spinning the "Butterfly"

Saturday we again met in the morning at RVR for a

 

In the afternoon we went out to lunch with the LaLones and Horsts and our fellowship continued. We said our farewells to the LaLones (at least 3 of these young people will be traveling with us this summer to work in the Cowboy Camps) and went back to the Horsts for a little time of R & R. In the evening Joe and Dottie, joined by their daughter, Diane, took us out for a Chinese dinner. We retired as soon as we got back after dinner because we had a busy day on Sunday.

 

Valley Bible Church in Stephens City, Virginia where Cal and Judy Louder pastor.  We were warmly received and felt right at home. Lee did the cowboy ropes and whips for the Sunday School hour. Then during church service, I presented a ministry report and Lee brought the morning message. The people there were so friendly and we left rejoicing in making some new friends. After the Morning Service we went out to a Chinese buffet for lunch with the Louders and the Atheys from the church.  It was indeed a morning that we enjoyed and appreciated. Praise the Lord.

The Atheys

Sunday morning we got up at 5 and were on our way by 6 to go to the

Cal and Judy Lowder

 

 

Clearbrook, Virginia to the Grace Bible Fellowship Church. This church is co-pastored by Jeff Conrad and Dennis Bayliss. They had a good crowd especially since they normally do not have a Sunday evening service. Lee did a few of his rope and whip tricks and then played his guitar while Carl Burleson played his harmonica. That was fun. After the evening service they served some refreshments and we had a time of fellowship. Since they have a Prophets Chamber there in the church, we stayed right there for the night. Then, in the morning some of the folks picked us up and we went to a local restaurant for breakfast before starting for home..

Carl Burlison on Harmonica and Lee with Guitar

After lunch we drove to

Pastors Jeff Conrad and Dennis Bayliss

 

 

Though we have been busy, we praise the Lord for each opportunity to share His Word and to share the ministry of Bible Doctrines. Now, we are back in Grand Rapids and we have lots of preparations to be done for the Cowboy Camps as well as several meetings in various churches during the month of May.

 

We ask for your continued prayers and support. Pray for the campers and staff members. Our prayer is that we will see many campers come to know Christ and those that are Christians grow in His grace and knowledge of His Word. God bless you. We pray for you and ask that you pray for us.  Thanks