Well, here we are, the last full day of the mission before we travel home. I can’t say what the expectations were from the team, but I will say for myself it was a very enjoyable and inspirational day.
We stayed at the Camp today, church was hosted at the camp, up in the mountains of Italy which was quite beautiful. We were treated to a feast for lunch, served at about 3:30 PM of course. Ada (Gary’s foreman who we worked with our entire time) grilled the meat above charcoal briquettes in his quickly built clay brick “BBQ”. The meat was absolutely fantastic.
Gary shared several stories today while hosting church here at the camp with the assistance of Raney.
He also shared the story of when he was first looking for the property to start the camp which was very inspirational, “This is the right time”. When he was standing in the building with the realtor, Gary felt this was the right place and the right time, while negotiating the required deposit, it was settled, $5,000.00 Euro would do the trick, Gary wrote the cheque that would start changing so many lives. One hiccup, which Gary did not recommend for others to do, he didn’t have the money yet for the cheque he had just written. To keep it short, he went to his banker who he knew well and was turned down, he then proceeded to try all other possible banking institutions with a variety of approaches and none were successful. He then went back to the original bank, made his pitch once again and the banker paused, contemplated, and said “This is the right time” and the mission on the mountain was in motion.
He shared the story of when he was 15 and baptized and a verse that was shared with him that day that has stuck with him and that he lives by, Ezra 10:4 “Get up, for it is your duty to tell us how to proceed in setting things straight. We are behind you, so be strong and take action.” This verse seemed to land with all of our team, the timing with this was once again right.
For myself personally, Raney Brown has left a mark that will stick with me forever - what an absolutely incredible person. Getting to know just a little bit about this woman and her service throughout her entire life has left me very humble and inspired. She has selflessly given her life to serving God and his people. It’s hard to quantify all her gifts but this “old gal” (and I say that with the utmost respect and admiration for her) is not only a workhorse but her attitude is inspirational. At a spry 68 years old, she led the charge up most hills and literally raced down the hills which our group went, generally waiting for the group to catch up. Her energy however, is not endless, she does get tired, but she just doesn’t quit in what she feels is her service to God. She fed us well, she woke up early, she went to bed late, she drove everywhere, while others slept. She shared that as she ages her memory isn’t what it used to be and she may forget some of us or our names in a couple years but none of us will forget Raney, we will remember how she took care of us, how she looks after the kids, and her mission. I will miss her and her special personality.
The request of us from Gary during his message was simple - Get Up!
We are all able, but do we have the courage?
Tom Braun – Alberta Bound
