I have run out of money and food. That's the good news! The great news is that several people from around the town have provided food for me including that most generous of people, Patti, from the coffee shop. She gave 2 free bowls of porch green chili which she would have otherwise thrown out due to health department regulations.
Mary and Bill Robertson of the United Church fed me yesterday night at church during the Sunday night service. Pastor Bill also asked me to take over the Sunday night service on the 22nd as he and Mary will be out of town. He tried to get me to preach that Sunday morning too but the board already procured a guest speaker. it would have paid $150 too! Oh, well!
Pastor Dawit came up to me Sunday morning and asked me to preach this coming Wednesday night. So, I am currently preparing for that. He is also inviting me over for supper sometime this week.
I am interviewing Jimmy Blanchard, Doug Smith and Kristian Lovelily this week as well for my weekly newspaper column back home.
It's been a tough time starting up here in idaho Spring because I have no idea how to be a missionary. Never had that opportunity at least on a formal basis. But, now I am having people come up to me on the street and asking if I am that guy walking and preaching across America. So, the word is spreading here. Pastor Bill of the United Center told me that I am stirring the pot.
It's been a growing process for me to just lay back and float so to speak and let God take control. Being essentially homeless and jobless with no income is quite an experience. And, I count it as an honor to suffer in some very small way for Christ. I am not experienced in that either as my suffering have usually been the type where I have made unwise choices and had to live with the consequences thereof.
So, thank you Lord for giving me the opportunity to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God and for suffering in a small way for your sake.
I should note too that Bonnie Coffey, a Facebook, friend is mailing me some non-perishable food as well. She has been following my blogs and FB as well. She too is planning on hiking across the country in 2016. In fact, she may be visiting me next month on her to California to pick up Cynthia Welch who will be completing her walk across America soon.
Looking forward to starting finally at the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry on Thursday.
See you next time!
BR Schoenbein
Monday, February 9, 2015
Saturday, February 7, 2015
Interviewing several townspeople for my newspaper column
Interviewing Kristian Lovilie, Doug and Whitney Smith, Jimmy Blanchard and Glenda and Randy Watson next week for my column back home.
Fascinating people!
Went gold prospecting today. Found small slivers of possible gold flake. Tiny tiny!
Friday, February 6, 2015
Met ex- professional boxer
Ate lunch at the Senior Center. Met ex-professional boxer, Julian Maldonado having lunch. He's getting baptized at First Baptist next Sunday. He's going through some real tough times involving his marriage.
Ran into Henry Whitney and he asked me to go alongside Julian to mentor him. Will talk to him on Sunday to see what I can do.
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Summary of whats taking place here in Idaho Springs, CO
Here's a summary of whats going on:
My bible study now has 3 people attending. The study is on Mondays at 6pm at Bill's apt located right downtown in one of the old commercial buildings. Joe and Corie also attend. Last Mondays study concerned the topic of Angels. However, we digressed quite a bit which turned out to be the best thing ever.
We basically talked about God is doing in our lives and other spiritual aspects of life. It was far-ranging indeed! We talked all night until about 11 pm.
Joe is a HVAC engineer so he went over to the house I'm staying at and fixed the furnace. He took me the next day to Starbucks to grab a coffee and then went to the hardware store. he introduced me to Al Moshe who owns a gold mine outside town, Al has lots of stories from the days of the Cold War when he was engaged in espionage for the US Govt. Quite a character! I will be interviewing him for the newspaper back home.
I am working with Glenda Watson, who owns the The Frothy Cup the coffee shop I hang out at. She is developing a ministry involving walking dogs so that senior citizens and the handicap can pet them for therapuetic purposes. Also, working with Glenda to organize a book club which will meet in her shop.
Glenda told me that I am the talk of the town because of my unique mission. Sounds encouraging!
Went over to the Senior Citizen Center located in the 1860s Queens Hotel and ate a free lunch provided for oldsters like myself. Will check into volunteering for them too.
I will be speaking at Pastor Bill Robertsons home group tonight at his home. Then will be speaking later possibly next week in front of his church.
I met with Pastor Robertson yesterday morning at the 2 Brothers Deli. Discussed the meaning of the Gospel. Also discussed the issue of legalism. He wondered if I am promoting that all Christians need to sell their possessions and travel town to town proclaiming the Good News. He was rightly concerned that I may be in danger of promoting a "works" type mission. I reassured him that I am doing this ministry out of love for Christ and in obedience to the Great Commission not in an effort to gain favor or salvation. Pastor Robertson gave me some great advice. And, I appreciated his concern.
Met Julian Maldonado who used to be a professional boxer. He used to fight on HBO and ESPN sponsored events. Years of boxing has detrimentally affected his health and body. Saw Julian at First Baptist last Sunday. He is being baptized there this Sunday.
I met with Pastor Dawit from First Baptist a few days ago at the Deli where he bought lunch. We discussed my role in his church and theology for over 4 hours. He's an amazing man! Has several degrees from denver Seminary and Cornell. He was invited to attend Princeton School of Theology but instead took this pastorate at First Baptist. Pastor Dawit is from Ethiopia. He has a wife, one young son and another child on the way.
Will be headed over to Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry tomorrow at 10am to work.
My bible study now has 3 people attending. The study is on Mondays at 6pm at Bill's apt located right downtown in one of the old commercial buildings. Joe and Corie also attend. Last Mondays study concerned the topic of Angels. However, we digressed quite a bit which turned out to be the best thing ever.
We basically talked about God is doing in our lives and other spiritual aspects of life. It was far-ranging indeed! We talked all night until about 11 pm.
Joe is a HVAC engineer so he went over to the house I'm staying at and fixed the furnace. He took me the next day to Starbucks to grab a coffee and then went to the hardware store. he introduced me to Al Moshe who owns a gold mine outside town, Al has lots of stories from the days of the Cold War when he was engaged in espionage for the US Govt. Quite a character! I will be interviewing him for the newspaper back home.
I am working with Glenda Watson, who owns the The Frothy Cup the coffee shop I hang out at. She is developing a ministry involving walking dogs so that senior citizens and the handicap can pet them for therapuetic purposes. Also, working with Glenda to organize a book club which will meet in her shop.
Glenda told me that I am the talk of the town because of my unique mission. Sounds encouraging!
Went over to the Senior Citizen Center located in the 1860s Queens Hotel and ate a free lunch provided for oldsters like myself. Will check into volunteering for them too.
I will be speaking at Pastor Bill Robertsons home group tonight at his home. Then will be speaking later possibly next week in front of his church.
I met with Pastor Robertson yesterday morning at the 2 Brothers Deli. Discussed the meaning of the Gospel. Also discussed the issue of legalism. He wondered if I am promoting that all Christians need to sell their possessions and travel town to town proclaiming the Good News. He was rightly concerned that I may be in danger of promoting a "works" type mission. I reassured him that I am doing this ministry out of love for Christ and in obedience to the Great Commission not in an effort to gain favor or salvation. Pastor Robertson gave me some great advice. And, I appreciated his concern.
Met Julian Maldonado who used to be a professional boxer. He used to fight on HBO and ESPN sponsored events. Years of boxing has detrimentally affected his health and body. Saw Julian at First Baptist last Sunday. He is being baptized there this Sunday.
I met with Pastor Dawit from First Baptist a few days ago at the Deli where he bought lunch. We discussed my role in his church and theology for over 4 hours. He's an amazing man! Has several degrees from denver Seminary and Cornell. He was invited to attend Princeton School of Theology but instead took this pastorate at First Baptist. Pastor Dawit is from Ethiopia. He has a wife, one young son and another child on the way.
Will be headed over to Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry tomorrow at 10am to work.
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Day 12- Idaho Springs
Attended church at First Baptist this morning. Took communion. Sermon was entitled The God Rush. Pastor Dawit compared the Gold Rush of 1859 in Idaho Springs with the God Rush of 2015. God's truth can be compared to gold.
What can we do as a body to create a God rush?
Joined in the potluck. Food and fellowship was great! Talked to Bill Innis. He agreed to attend my Monday nite bible study. Spoke with Jennifer. She's the town clerk for Georgetown just up the road- my next town on my itinerary.
Agreed with Dawit to meet tomorrow at the coffee shop at 1pm to discuss my role in his church.
Discipled Johnny this afternoon. He's a fascinating man to be sure!
Glenda, the owner of the coffee gave me a free cookie, it was huge! She and I discussed Jesus and spirituality in general. Met Amy Sue who works at the coffee shop.
Working on my writing assignments and preparing for tomorrow's bible study.
Preparing supper. Hot dogs and scrambled eggs.
Pics show Bill Innis who is recovering from being literally run over and dragged for 150' by a semi-trailer on I-70 near Floyd Hill. Lost 60% of his blood volume. Had many surgeries with 5 more scheduled soon. Please pray for him.
Other pics are of the potluck at church today.
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