The Crow family is home for the holidays, or at least will be once our two college students come home in a couple of days. We will work in our home church with the Christmas program this coming Sunday and then fill the pulpit in the pastor's absence the following Wednesday.
The past month has been one of constant breakdowns, not for the truck, but for other equipment. Our trailer will be in need of more and more repairs as time goes on since it is probably near the end of its usable life as an evangelist's home. It has given us seven years of service and we are grateful for the opportunity that it provided for us to have the family together.
As we were on our way back from our fall round of meetings, we had a new bearing fail on the trailer. Before I could get the trailer off the road, the failed bearing damaged the axle, leaving us stranded in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Eastland Baptist Church was very gracious to provide for our needs while we were in Tulsa, even including a generous offering to help take care of the repair bill. The axle we needed was unavailable, so I left the trailer in OK and traveled on to MS to get the family home. While at home, I was able to get an axle from a local trailer shop with whom I have done business before. I then drove back to OK with the part, got my trailer and brought it back home.
Meanwhile, Sarah's car broke down. We have been told that it will cost $6,900 to repair it, which is greater than twice what we paid for the car. So now, we are down to one vehicle again. Thank God, the truck is running well.
As I reflect on 2022 in ministry, I am amazed by all that God did. First of all, we celebrated 20 years in full-time evangelism. "Celebrated" is a misleading term because our day of celebration was no different from days when we weren't celebrating. Nevertheless, not many men can say that they have continued in evangelism for 20 years. God has allowed us to be in the number that have been able to be in it for the long haul.
God gave us a truck this year as well. You can find details about it in previous posts. We are so grateful to the many people all over America that generously gave to help meet this need. God was in it from the very beginning.
Mostly, as I look back over this year, I am overwhelmed by the numbers of people that have been saved. The fields all around the world are white unto harvest, and God has allowed us to be a small part of the reaping work.
Please pray for wisdom for us as we schedule the coming year and beyond. Travel costs are higher than they have ever been, and we need God's help as we make decisions going forward. Thank you all for your prayers.
