06/07/2026
Let me start by saying how thankful I am for God's goodness and how things work out when we simply trust Him!
This morning, we realized that our catalytic converter had been stolen from our Hope Church Outreach Bus. Cut cleanly off the exhaust pipe and taken for pennies on the dollar by a thief.
Sam, our bus ministry leader was startled by the loud rumble as he started the bus up for a Royal Rangers outing. He called me to advise and then made alternate plans so they could enjoy their trip today.
Every Sunday morning we use this bus to reach out into our community and pick up adults and children and bring them to church. I did not want this thief to cause us to miss the opportunity on Sunday, so I began to reach out for someone to help us get this fixed. I was having little luck and was beginning to work on alternate plans to help us get who we could to church other ways realizing we likely would not get it fixed on short notice on a Saturday.
I reached out to a friend and he immediately gave me the name of a mechanic that may be able to help us. I reached out to John and told him our issue. His response started with, "I am about 15 minutes away, let me run by and take a look and see what we can do."
Really? Awesome!
John called when he got there, updated with a few options and said, "If you can get the bus to my shop, I will be able to get this fixed for you today so you all can still use the bus tomorrow for your outreach."
Really? Awesome!
John and I discussed costs and options and once we decided on the details, John said, "I am good to just help your church and what you all are doing. No charge. Glad to help!"
Really? Awesome!
With the help of a couple of the team members of our bus ministry, we were able to get the bus to John's shop, Curtis Car Care in Crestwood. The work was completed and picked up and our Hope Church Bus will be picking up people to bring to church tomorrow that otherwise would not be able to attend.
Really? Yes! This is AWESOME!
Thank you to Sam, Brittany, Jake and Stacy for your help today!
Thank you John Curtis and Curtis Car Care for all of your help today. May God bless your business! Check them out!!
Thank you God for bringing us another friend of Hope Church when we needed the extra support today.
"God, thank you for mercy that loves us and cares for us at all times.
We pray for this person or persons who stole this catalytic converter from our church bus.
Only You know, God, their full story and what is happening in their life that would make them do this. If it is drugs, alcohol or addiction of any kind, we pray that they will find God and be set free and discover the new life that is available through Jesus!
May the conviction of the Holy Spirit rest upon them so that they feel the draw and love of God and turn their lives over. In our frustration and anger over this act, help all of us to always love as Jesus loves. On the cross, Jesus declared, "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are even doing."
This morning, I was angry that a person would do such a thing. Tonight, my heart is sad and burdened for the condition of a person who I do not know, but pray for with mercy and love. Someones son or even daughter, a prodigal, who is loved, but lost.
Thank you God that You take care of everything when we put You first in our lives and we seek to love like You love. I pray that today reminds us all of the amazing love and care of God, and also softens are hearts to the unknown stories of humanity, with all of the addiction, pain and loss that touches us in times like these. Sometimes, our response IS the lesson God is bringing to us and asking us to pass the test.
