Reflecting this past month as we currently travel back from our worship outreach to Carlisle Pennsylvania. Tune in towards the end for details of our time there. Let’s just call this month’s newsletter an update-or better yet a 100% PRAISE REPORT!  I am not sure if we have ever put out some prayer needs in one month’s report, that all came back answered before the next month. By faith we dropped our nets again (as Jesus instructed), and along with your faithfulness to hold the ropes a little tighter and longer with us, it brought some solid returns. God is good (let’s hear ya) and All the time ??? you got it, God is good! 

#1 Mexican customs situation: Our team of colleagues in Mexico, sat down to a round table discussion where the issue of crossing donations was addressed with the new customs administration. Due to special favor with one of these colleagues, a high ranking senator was included in this meeting!  Once he heard about how long my partner and I had consistently and frequently crossed the border, and learned of how many tons of food crossed with us, the senator made one call to the head customs supervisor, on our behalf. While there are changes being made in paperwork and procedure with how donations are to be crossed through customs, we were given exclusive favor to continue doing so at a much reduced import fee, until we are able to get all of the required paperwork and formalities approved! The rate is still twice what we have been paying in recent years, but it is far from the 5x fee we’ve been paying recently. The truly amazing thing, is that this permission was only extended to 4 of us, out of the many individuals and organizations who cross donations at any given time. Mind you, this is the busiest border crossing in the world!  Wow, thank You Jesus!!

#2 Wayne’s special border crossing pass situation:  Not a situation anymore!!! The renewal application was finally approved, while we have been out of town, and his new Sentri card is waiting in the mail back home! (We happen to be writing you from 36,000 feet above the desert, 900 miles from reaching the west coast and at 412 mph ground speed – according to the captain’s flight tracker at the moment).

#3 Housing situation: Speaking of “back home” where Wayne’s pass is awaiting him, we return to a new address (see below – be sure to write it down)! That’s right!  God, in His perfect timing, also provided the perfect home for us to continue refuge in, after being in the same apartment for the last 12 years. Not only that, He had some surprises in store. We have rented a house to share with our longtime dear friends, and pastors, Gary & Jane Goodell. So many amazing reasons, too many to mention here, for how perfect this will be for all of us. But one big one is the ability to afford living here in San Diego. Prices have skyrocketed in the last 12 years since we last signed a lease. We are very excited to see what God is going to do with combining our already likeminded ministries under one roof. And the funny thing is, we are moving back to the community in Pacific Beach where the 4 of us first met and staffed a church together, 23 years ago. And the four of us couldn’t be more blessed or adore one another more.

#4 Truck repair situation  (Not mentioned in last letter but some of you knew and prayed): That’s right, one more test to follow, was our big flatbed ministry truck breaking down in the MIDDLE of our move. Thankfully, though fully loaded, we were able to get it unloaded and driven to a service shop without too much additional excitement, other than a careful maneuver by Wayne, and a close follow by Carol in a vehicle behind. The transmission was failing, and ultimately not going to deliver another pound of food until addressed. Again, thankfully, the total repair was covered by warranty work done on the transmission in prior years. You might say it was a blessing to conk out when it did, just shy of the guarantee expiring.  (You just never know what God knows!) 

#5 Carlisle PA travels: Seems like things went into full ‘warfare’ mode, as we arrived on the east coast, with all the above stuff going on, team members having major issues, and Carol’s mom getting very sick, right as we landed. We knew the gathering in Carlisle would be powerful. And it certainly was! Our team anchored the AllTribes House of Prayer (ATHOP), along with several other teams. We’ve hosted or been involved in many a conference over the years, and we can honestly say, something different occurred in this gathering.  Deep relationships were launched, and a new level of commitment to the Kingdom of GOD came forth, as partnerships were developed, and hearts were both challenged and refreshed. Praying on the land of the former Carlisle Indian school, was deeply sobering. We look forward to the fruit of this Arrows of Glory, War Cry conference. The ATHOP, and Arrow school of worship that Carol was involved in, will net many Kingdom rewards in the future, all glory to GOD!!! Thank you for praying!!!  

p.s. Watch for updates about another worship and prayer outreach in our near future. Also see more photos, by our photo journalist partner Christopher Hornaday, to be released soon from the War Cry event. 

NEW mailing address for VOB:              

VOB Ministries 

PO Box 99057

San Diego, CA 92169