Wyoming 2007

We arrived back on Saturday night...

2007-06-25T16:59:00.001-05:00

We arrived back on Saturday night, June 23, at 8:55 p.m., safe and well, thanks to the Lord.

Sunday morning we presented our trip to the church and it seemed to be a blessing to those who were there. We sang a few songs, gave testimonies, and showed a video that gave an overview of the trip.

It's Monday and probably most of us are still tired but we'll catch up on our sleep this week. Our trip reunion is scheduled for Saturday night, July 7th. That will be a fun night for everyone as we review the trip by watching more video and looking at pictures.

We had hoped to post more pictures and video but we were so remote we were not able to get an internet connection even through a cell phone.

Thank you all for praying for us.

2007-06-23T22:51:00.000-05:00

2007-06-23T22:49:00.000-05:00

We are settled in Rapid City...

2007-06-23T00:39:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone. We had a great stop at Mount Rushmore today.

We are now settled at the Rodeway Inn in Rapid City, SD. Yes, we know, it was supposed to be the EconoLodge. Long story here...and very interesting. Fired manager, no rooms at the EconoLodge! Hmmm. Well, they got us rooms here at the Rodeway Inn and we'll only have to pay half the cost of the rooms because it was their fault.

We ordered pizza and celebrated.

We'll try to post again tomorrow...until then.

Video on the bus. We have just left Casper, WY. Sorry this video is so short, but videos are large file sizes. All is well:)

2007-06-22T15:50:00.000-05:00

Last night's testimony service...

2007-06-22T15:19:00.000-05:00

Here are a few pictures of our testimony time last night. We even trusted them with matches.

We're on our way home...

2007-06-22T08:34:00.000-05:00

Good morning everyone...we're finally on the road home. We left the camp at 6:35 a.m. (mountain time zone), and at this very moment (7:34 a.m.) we're cruising through the bustling metropolis of Pinedale, Wyoming. The bus is relatively quiet. There are a few blank stares, some are already asleep, and a few are playing video games.

Yesterday was a great day. We actually finished all the (giant) logs they had laid out for us. According to the camp director, Mr. Dean Loftus, no work group had ever done as much as we did. If you know your wood here's how much we cut and stacked: 45-47 full cords. That's just a number of course. You'd have to be here to see how much that is. For those of you who don't know "cords," here's the number in cubic feet: 5,760. Wow. Everyone worked so hard. You'll hear more about that on Sunday morning.

The picture you are seeing is part of the celebration we had late afternoon yesterday when we finished the task. At the beginning of the week we weren't sure we'd finish and it was a jubilant celebration. Not all the wood we cut and stacked is in this pile you see. We took a lot of it around to cabins and different places around the camp and stacked it there.

We'll try to post again today as we travel to Rapid City, SD. We should be seeing Mount Rushmore tonight. Sorry we haven't been able to post much since we did not have a connection to the internet.

2007-06-20T17:19:00.000-05:00

2007-06-20T16:53:00.000-05:00

Another update...finally...

2007-06-20T16:31:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone...we have been literally out in the middle of nowhere without "connectivity" as you might say. So, sorry we have not been able to update for you. But, here you go...

We have been working hard and everyone is really, really tired. Today we worked in the morning and this afternoon we are in Pinedale, about a one hour drive from the camp doing laundry and a little shopping. We have an internet connection through Travis' phone so we are now able to post to the blog.

The camp director said we are doing a really good job in our woodcutting. We have cut and stacked more wood than any other group...everyone is staying focused on the task and is working hard. Yes, that means everyone. I know some of you parents were worried about that. When we say everyone, we mean everyone.

You can check out the camp website at www.redcliffcamp.org. That should give you a feel for where we are and what the camp is like.

We hope you enjoy these pictures. We leave on Friday morning and arrive in Rapid City that night. We should be able to post an update along the way again.
Please keep praying for us.

2007-06-20T16:22:00.000-05:00

2007-06-20T16:18:00.000-05:00

2007-06-20T16:14:00.000-05:00

2007-06-20T16:07:00.000-05:00

2007-06-15T22:30:00.001-05:00

On our way to Red Cliff Bible Camp we toured through Yellow Stone National Park. Here is a picture of us as we were leaving the park at about 8:30 Mt. time. We had a great day, spirits are high. (Elizabeth begs to differ) Right now we are passing Jackson and the grand Tetons.

2007-06-15T22:18:00.000-05:00

We had been on the bus for over 24 hours and we were very tired. Everyone slept like a baby last night. Here is a picture of some of us in down town Cody right before we left this morning.

On the bus.

2007-06-15T10:22:00.000-05:00

Cody!

2007-06-15T10:07:00.000-05:00

This morning we got up, packed our stuff, and ate breakfast at Grannies. We are on the bus headed for Yellowstone National Park. Here is a picture of us on the main st. of Cody at 9:00 am.

We have arrived in Cody!

2007-06-14T22:56:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone. We are in Cody Wyoming at the Buffalo Bill Village! We arrived at about 8:43 p.m. We ran a little late because we had some bus trouble in the mountains today. We'll tell you more later about that.

It's running late and we are having some technical difficulties getting Mr. Bingham's laptop connected so we'll post some more pictures and maybe some video tomorrow. The Lord gave us a great and safe day.

PD and Mr. Luke Bingham

We're in Buffalo, Wyoming...

2007-06-14T14:46:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone, we are in Buffalo, Wyoming. Everyone is in good spirits and we're right on schedule to arrive in Cody before 7:00 p.m. The weather is cool, the sky is blue, and the deer and the antelope are playing. You remember that song right? We really are seeing antelope. More later.

Wednesday Night

2007-06-14T10:32:00.000-05:00

Group picture from Wednesday night. Tried to post this last night but had technical difficulties. If we can keep the cell-phone modems working we may be able to post a few times a day.

Can't wait to get to Wyoming!!

2007-06-14T10:01:00.000-05:00

Just East of Rapid City

Not just a mission trip, also an adventure...

2007-06-13T10:37:00.000-05:00

Just looking at this map is a little scary. We're traveling this far the first day? From Green Bay to Cody, Wyoming? Well, yes...yes we are.

Look at how much of the US we will cover in one day. This won't be just a "mission trip," it will be an "adventure." So off we go at 9:00 tonight...pray for us.

Pastor Dave

This is a sample video to see if it would work...

2007-06-12T12:22:00.000-05:00

Looks like it worked. You can all expect to see some videos in the blog. Good job Mr. Bingham, except we're all a little surprised at the depth of your affection for Coke.

This is our ride...

2007-06-11T16:54:00.000-05:00

OK, I wish it was working out differently but, well, this is our "ride." We tried every way around it--planes, trains, automobiles (well, not the cars). After finally realizing our church bus was the best way, we even thought about taking seats out of one whole side of it so we could spread out. But to do that we'd have to get our bus registered as a "Recreation Vehicle" AND we'd have to paint it. Seems like a lot of work for a little bit of extra comfort doesn't it? We'll just have to remind ourselves...this is a mission trip (not a vacation). We're supposed to suffer a little remember? And at least it's not our old bus, right?

Pastor Dave

It was our last pre-trip meeting...

2007-06-11T08:13:00.001-05:00

Sunday night was our last pre-trip meeting. We covered the usual...our theme...medical forms...schedule stuff...Q & A...and the not so usual...chain saw safety. Yes, to the guys delight (and one lone, brave girl), we're going to get to use chain saws. Mr. Bingham got out my chainsaw (yes, it's a Stihl) and talked about the importance of not fooling around. We intend to bring back every appendage we leave with. Chainsaws can be very safe when used with great caution. Well, two more days and we'll be on the road.

Pastor Dave

May we never see God the same...

2007-06-09T17:57:00.000-05:00

Here is the book we'll be studying together...

The Knowledge of the Holy, by A.W. Tozer. Everyone going on the trip gets a free copy, and though there is some tough reading in it, anyone can know God better from it. The author uses much Scripture to explain the attributes of God in a way that makes God very understandable. I was amazed at how much I did not know about God when I first read it in 2001.

Here's a quick quote. Read the whole thing because the last third of this is the best:

"God knows instantly and effortlessly all matter and all matters, all mind and every mind, all spirit and all spirits, all being and every being, all creatureehood and all creatures, every plurality and all pluralities, all law and every law, all relations, all causes, all thoughts, all mysteries, all enigmas, all feeling, all desires, every unuttered secret, all thrones and dominions, all personalities, all things visible and invisible in heaven and in earth, motion, space, time, life, death, good, evil, heaven, and hell.

"Because God knows all things perfectly, He knows no thing better than any other thing, but all things equally well. He never discovers anything. He is never surprised, never amazed. He never wonders about anything nor (except when drawing men out for their own good) does He seek information or ask questions." (Page 56)

And this God loves us?! This God wants the best for us? How can it be?

If we don't understand the nature of God we will not be able to love and serve Him in the way we should. May we never see God the same as we study our Bibles and this book during this trip.

Pastor Dave

We're gettin' ready...

2007-06-08T16:13:00.001-05:00

Every time I start planning a mission trip I'm sure it just won't take that much time this time. I'm wrong every time. But it is slowly coming together...the Mission Manuals are done! Seems like a small task but they are big part of getting ready to go. The lanyards are in too. Nice, huh?

I'm looking forward to next Wednesday night when all 40 of us lumber out of town in our church bus, pulling a trailer. We're going to have a great time together serving the Lord and getting to know Him better. May the Creator of Heaven and Earth use us and change us as we serve Him.
Pastor Dave
Bay City Baptist