Another life change. Hope will leave for Highlands College in less than 2 weeks which means in order to keep the trio going I will join Bobby and Faith on the road. We’d love for Justis to join the trio but as of right now, Justis is not hearing harmony parts like the other kids did. He can certainly sing well but just doesn’t hear the harmonies...yet. We’ll work on that.
This past weekend, July 17-18, we all traveled together to Texas and Louisiana we were close to Texarkana and had opportunity to visit Bobby’s mother, Tena, after not seeing her for 19 months.
Hope and Faith returned from their High School Missions trip on Friday and then early Saturday morning we left for Atlanta, Texas, stopping to check in to our hotel in Texarkana on the way. We spent time visiting with Pastor Neil Adams and some sweet, hard-working sisters, Lennie and Vicki. These ladies made a huge spread for us and we were very appreciative.
We had a great service and afterward, more good fellowship. Our discussion led to the events of 2020 and Pastor Neil told us their little church, The Church at O’Farrell, never closed. Bobby asked him why and Pastor Neil’s reply was perfect: God told him not to. He said that he read Psalm 91 to his congregation and stated the Church believes the Word of God or they don’t. He told his congregants that if they wanted to stay home, they could, but the church itself would not close.
Here is what happened as a result: no one in their congregation got sick. As well, the little church had 8 salvations and 5 baptisms. One of those salvations, Chris, was at the concert Saturday night. Chris told us his story of how he’d driven past the church early on a Sunday morning to go hunting. Afterward, he passed the church building again on his way home, noticing there were cars parked in front of it and thinking it was strange since churches were closed. But a moment after passing the church he said “something” told him to turn around and go back to the church. He did. He went inside and asked to speak with the pastor. Chris and Pastor Neil had a conversation which led to Chris accepting Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. He reported to us that he’s been to every service since that day. Pastor Neil told us that Chris brought his son and grandson not long ago and the son shared with Pastor that his dad is changed. “All he talks about now is God and church stuff.” He doesn’t cuss anymore and he’s happy. Chris says he doesn’t know that any of this would’ve happened if that little church had been closed.
We had another great visit with our friends at Victory Tabernacle in Ida, Louisiana, and met some wonderful people at Center Cross Church in Longview, Texas.
On Monday we took BBQ and all the fixings to Bobby’s mother in Texarkana and spent some much needed time with her. We also spent a few hours with longtime friend, Elizabeth, and her family.
Trying to get home as quickly as possible as Hope wanted to attend a gathering at our church tonight.
Blessings from The Bowen Arrows.
