Surviving the Wild

I discovered if you search in google images for "bus towing a car", you'll find a picture of our bus/RV towing our little Suzuki. Pretty wild, huh? When we see this picture it makes us long to be on the road. The adventure of traveling, connecting with friends, ministering in churches...the call of the wild. Or should I say the wild call of God on our lives?

The reality of what God has called us to do, and the steps of faith in which we take towards that goal, makes my heart race wildly. I don't like roller coaster rides at all, and the one we are on as we prepare for the next season of ministry, is full of twists and turns. It is a wild ride for sure.

Being in the wilderness can be very scary. It also can test your skills and ability to survive. I remember when our son, Jacob, was heavily involved in Royal Rangers and Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship (FCF). He thrived on the survival knowledge he learned; from how to use a compass, build shelters, start fires, and even which plants to eat. He had a keen sense of awareness and I trusted his instincts completely. I told him I would have no problem being lost in the woods with him. I knew he could take good care of me and we would survive the wild.

I'm sure you've seen news stories where people survived experiences of being lost in the wild. They have a story to tell, and the public longs to hear it. People are intrigued to know the details; what they were able to eat, where they hunkered down, and how they tended to their wounds.

We feel lost in the wilderness right now and even have the wounds to show for it.

Our bus is wounded.

We had some severe water damage last winter that caught up with us. Dry rot, ruined carpet, black mold... you get the picture. It needs floors replaced, paint, and who knows what else? Mechanically speaking there are issues as well, including two batteries to the tune of $225 each.

And now, in the process of caring for the bus and preparing it for a new season of ministry, Les is wounded.

On January 2nd, Les was readjusting the heavy-duty tarp over the roof of the bus to protect it from further wild winter weather risks. He slipped off the roof while reaching for the ladder, smacked his head on the roof of my mom's garage, and was knocked unconscious before he hit the ground 12' below.

Bruised ribs, mild concussion, and a broken arm later...we look towards our survival story.


It has been said that you don't receive a miracle until you need one. Surviving the wild is indeed a miracle.