Faith and Trust

Ron Crawford has a very personal illustration to share during his Bible study tonight with the Rock Island (high school) kids. The study happens to be about faith and trust.

He'll tell them the story of how his truck burned up last night on the side of the highway. Hauling home his lawnmower and grill after an evening at the mission, somehow the lawnmower ignited in the back of the Avalanche (that had the plastic liner). After he saw the flames, pulled over and ran to the back of the truck to try to pull the lawnmower out of the back of the truck, an angel pulled him back to say, "it's not worth it. It's just stuff." Within seconds the vehicle was engulfed in flames.

What's left is a shell of a vehicle - scorched and melted.

Also gone - the lawn mower, the grill, and "the office" he carried along in his vehicle - phone, Ipod, camera, along with some other stuff. Irreplaceable. Yes. Insurance. Yes. But still - it's a blow, especially for an inner-city missionary.

Ron and Sue are smiling, and you know what Ron will be telling those kids tonight? He'll tell them he knows God has his back, and he's putting his faith and trust in him to provide for every need.

Interestingly enough, Ron had to flag down a half dozen cars before anyone would stop to call 9-1-1 for him (and since HIS phone was incinerating inside the pickup). But while the truck was burning and before the authorities arrived, someone across the highway with a video camera stopped to film the "news" and sent it to News 9. It aired on the 10 pm news.

Osvaldo, who is about 12 or 13 years old and helps with the Underground elementary program, saw it on television. The image of Ron's burning truck kept him up worrying all night. He and his cousin, Stephanie, drew this picture for him.

Osvaldo was very very happy to see that Ron was safe this morning (and got a ride to work!).

Happy Birthday Doug!

Hugs are the best presents!

Generosity keeps feeding Oklahomans

The following appeared in The Oklahoman, June 7, 2006. Cross & Crown buys food from the Regional Food Bank to feed our families who come for prayer and help. We're so excited and grateful that the Food Bank reached it's goal.


The Oklahoman Editorial




THE NEED for generous Oklahomans to open their pocketbooks and their hearts never ends. That's proven true this week as one agency finished up a fund-raising effort while another is just beginning.

The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma announced Tuesday it collected more than 300,000 pounds of food and $210,000 in cash during the annual Feeding Hope food drive. That's more than double the donations raised last year and a tribute to the caring nature of the people of our state.

Food bank officials said the donations will help the food bank provide more than 1.6 million meals. That's heartening, considering many Oklahomans don't know when they'll get their next meal and summer is a particularly difficult time for the hungry.

The reality is that fund raising for the food bank, United Way and similar groups is ongoing. The needs often are changing but always constant. Storm season can leave many in need of housing. Economic downturn leaves many families in need of food. Sudden illness or accidents can leave the elderly unable to prepare themselves food. Children find themselves in need of a warm, loving place because of domestic violence or abuse.

Oklahoma has many places to turn for help, and many depend on the continued generous support of our citizenry to continue as a safety net for those who need it. We're grateful to the people and places for their support of charitable causes. And we're fortunate to live in a state where helping neighbors in need isn't a burden but an opportunity embraced.

Underground

An awesome summer program kicked off today with the elementary Underground program. It might have been near 100 degrees outside today, but in the basement at Cross & Crown it was cool! Games, crafts and an awesome Bible time led by Chandy Stout.

More than a couple of dozen neighborhood kids are involved in this program. The high school version also begins this week.

Please pray for these kids and Chandy their leader and her team of volunteers!