DAY SEVEN: Thursday, 2/11

Hebrews 12:1—"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us."

No one knew for sure if the car would be ready in time for tonight’s race. The crew showed up early in the morning to get  the car set. By evening, all finishing touches made. Pastor Bobby Dean said a prayer for safety and a good race. As we sat in the stands we saw the “21 k” car come out, all we could think was…AWESOME!!!

Due to the smaller size of the new engine, Randy opts to be placed in the rear of the pack. We definitely had no chance of winning, but Randy knew that win or lose, his purpose for being here was on the other side of the track. When realization set in, seeing the pain in his eyes was hard on all, the crew put their hearts in to this event believing that God would give them a good run. We were saddened and disappointed but through it all, our focus was still on the lost souls. So, we go home without placing but knowing that we handed out tracts, Bibles and pamphlets, furthering the gospel to the world of racing.

Thank you to all, for your prayers for safe travel, for confidence in spreading the Word, and for safety for Randy. We had a wonderful time of fellowship here and even though it was colder than normal, we know God was here in it all and all the glory goes to Him.

 

DAY SIX: Wednesday, 2/10

Psalm 1:3, 6—"They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction."

Satan was really trying to work against God's work this week with bad weather and problems with the race car. Our main purpose in coming down to this race was to share the Good News to Randy’s fellow drivers and their pit crews. We set out a table of Bibles, tracts and pamphlets and had many opportunities to share Jesus with people.

Tonight our crew was set and ready for the first night of our feature. Two laps into the practice run “21k” blew an engine!!!! What a heartbreak for Randy and the crew as they scrambled to find out what went wrong. The reality of what happened set in as they hung their heads in disappointment. The crew set about to start taking it out and replacing it with a spare engine. I is smaller than the former engine, but it would work to do the job. 

Little did we know that God knew what was to come. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get the new engine installed in time to run tonight. Our hearts were heavy, but we still knew our purpose here this week was more important than the engine in the car or the race itself. In the midst of the race a huge wreck took out quite a few cars, and Randy would have been right in the center of it. Had he raced tonight, his very life may have been hanging in the balance. We rejoiced in the fact that God was in the center of it all.

Later, as we recapped the night, Randy told of the opportunity to talk with a woman who encouraged him for his boldness to set up the table and share Christ with others. We knew then that people did take notice of what our race team was doing and knew that there was a presence of God.

 

DAY FIVE: Tuesday, 2/9

Today started out exquisite! Awesome to see the sunrise just above the ocean. Unfortunately, the weather forecast does not agree with the racing schedule for tonight. The rain set in around noon and set us all in a scramble. Randy isn’t racing tonight but it was a time for hot laps and practicing. 

As for the ladies on our trip, the rain does not seem to interfere with the their shopping schedule! So, due to a rain-out, we will ALL set out for a shopping spree.

Please be praying for the weather to change to clear skies and sunshine so that the work for Christ can be accomplished.

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DAY FOUR: Monday, 2/8

Took a day to sight see and visit the HUGE flea market. Our group has had an awesome time getting to know one another better and finding our way around here. We took walks along the beach and just enjoyed the much, much warmer air of Florida.

 

DAY THREE: Sunday, 2/7

Woo!!! Hoo!!!  We saw a break in the weather and we were off. Twenty miles down the road, we saw clear roads and very little snow. Had a nice drive down and arrived at our home away from home…on the beach!!! Now, to relax and get set up at the house.

 

DAY TWO: Saturday, 2/6

Rise and Shine!!!! God is so good!!! Roads cleared and trip was on!!!

Our guys were up and at ‘em early, clearing the parking lot and walkway for our departure.

Breakfast at Bob Evans and we blew out of Waynesburg, PA. God cleared the roads for us and we were on our way to clearer paths and keeping our sights on the prize. Yesterday's storm was only a mere setback while each states' D.O.T. cleared the road ahead of us.

 

DAY ONE: Friday, 2/5

After much prayer and preparation, trucks loaded up and crew ready for travel.  We headed out from Tuscarora Nation.  Little did we know, Satan was working his wiles on the road ahead of us. Just south of Pittsburg a fierce storm set in and the roads became treacherous.

Randy felt it necessary for our safety to settle in for the night and wait out the storm.  Roads shut down and states all around us were in a “state of emergency."  First task was to find a hotel where we could park the truck and trailer.  Minor setback when trying to go up the hill to the hotel. The truck started to slip on the slope and the trailer fishtailed, leading us to believe that we weren’t going to stay there for the night. On to the next hotel. More hills.  Finally, we decided to park the truck and trailer in a Big Lots parking lot and transport the crew in shuttle-style to another hotel. 

After dinner we settled back at the hotel only to face more of Satan's attempts to discourage us. The electricity went out due to the heaviness of the snow.  Yet it only would go off and come right back on. Lights flickered through the night, but the LORD saw us safely through.

What Satan used to slow us down, only brought us to our knees to seek God and realize that HE was in control of everything.