The Weekend Dispatch 3/13/23

Another weekend has come and gone and we have stories to tell and pictures to show you. Are you ready for The Weekend Dispatch? Here we go!

First, we survived time leaping forward again this year. We are traveling into Eastern Time Zone next Saturday so we will leap forward again. In the past, we have traveled into Eastern Time on the same day the time was set to change. That means we lost two hours on Sunday morning. That is Bad scheduling.

The fun began bright and early Friday morning in Semmes, Alabama on the grounds of the Allentown Fellowship Meeting. The meeting was still going on, but we were leaving in order to give us a little extra time to travel and be prepared for revival in Elba.

It took us about 90 minutes to disconnect from utilities, crank the bus, put up all the leveling boards, empty the holding tanks, hook up the Jeep and hit the road. Honestly, by the time we pulled out of the parking lot, I was wanting/needing a nap.

Our first several miles went slowly as we worked our way around from the west side of Mobile to the north side and I-65. After a shade over 90 miles and an hour and forty-five minutes, I pulled the bus into the northbound rest area near Evergreen, Alabama.

I stretched out for nearly and hour before easing into the driver's seat once again. I have been struggling with sciatica pain for the last few weeks and laying down on my left side is the only surefire way to get the pain to ease. Bro. (Uncle) Larry Smith from Ellisville called it the Psychotic nerve and that is pretty accurate because it has been driving me crazy.

Soon after our stop at the rest area, we exited the interstate onto Hwy 84. We carefully followed 84 to Elba and then took Hwy 87 north a few miles to Grace Fellowship Holiness Church.

About 10 miles short of Elba, we heard a loud noise that sounded like an Air Conditioner Shroud coming loose. I was able to pull over and investigate and confirm our suspicion. The #1 (Front) AC cover was hanging on by one screw. It looked like it might be salvageable, but it was too dangerous to get on the roof with the BoggsMobile right on the edge of the lane.

We decided to drive slowly to a safe place to pull over and that ended up taking 30 minutes. We pulled into a gas station and KJo scrambled up top and put the cover in place and taped the corners.

New readers may wonder why Kelly is on the roof instead of me. The reasoning is completely scientific. I can lift KJo up through the escape hatch, she can not lift me. I am sure Einstein had a theory for that.

A few minutes later we were pulling into the church and getting parked.

Saturday afternoon, we loaded in sound equipment, set up and did a sound check. We moved slowly and deliberately with lots of sit down breaks, but we finished the job.

We are so glad to be back with Pastor Jon Isaacs, Sis. Heidi and their wonderful people in Elba. We have had some great services in the past and we know the Lord is helping them and us this week. The revival began with two great services yesterday and we are anticipating even better things this week.

Odie captured some great pictures Sunday.

Thank you for stopping in today.

Davy

No Pictures! Did It Really Happen?

If we have trouble with the bus but we have absolutely no pictures, did it really happen? Yep, it really happened!

Monday we had an unbelievable travel day, especially for our first day back on the road after five weeks. The Lord sent us good help and all ended well, by His grace.

First, we attended the funeral of Bro. Eddie Mooney in Ellisville, Monday morning. Bro. Mooney was a pillar in Ellisville and we were happy to be there in order to be able to pay our respects to his wonderful family.

After the funeral, we cranked the bus, disconnected the utilities, hooked up the Jeep and prepared to roll. 3/10 of a mile later, the right front wheel on the bus locked up on the main city street in Ellisville. There was smoke coming from the brake, but it was not excessively hot yet.

We unhooked the Jeep, directed traffic around us in the center turn lane and began pulling the bus forward listening for a dragging brake or something. After about 20 minutes, we drove a very little further down the road and it smoked again.

By this time, several men from the church spotted us as they were returning from the cemetery and they stopped to help. We walked alongside the bus while KJo drove very slowly until we could get it to a wide spot not blocking traffic.

The brake was not making any sound, but it was getting a few degrees hotter as we went. It sure seemed like brake trouble, but there was a possibility the wheel bearings were giving us trouble.

To diagnose the problem we needed to jack up the right front axle. Four men from two local companies came to help us. One of the church guys owns L&D Scrap and he called two of his men. Another man from the church called Deep Well Energy Services and two guys came in their service truck.

I also called our preferred bus shop in Vonore, Tennessee and between Jeff Rowe working with all of us on the scene, the mess was sorted out and they got us back on the road.

I did a test drive while making a circle back to the church via the interstate. Once we were satisfied all was working, KJo and I hooked up the Jeep and left the church 3.5 hours after we left the first time.

115 miles later, we pulled onto the grounds of Allentown in Semmes, Alabama. We were detached from the Jeep, leveled up and parked in about 35 minutes after arriving.

These are the only pictures we have.

We have no pictures of the BoggsMobile beside the road. Was the trouble all a bad dream? If so, it was a very realistic dream. I cleaned grease out from under my fingernails before going to bed.😍

I sure appreciate Pastor Kenny Morris, Pastor Scott Morris, Bro. Leon Henderson and all the other men from the church and from the companies I named. They all worked together to pull my fat out of the fire! Thank you, brothers! AND Praise God that Jeff Rowe still takes my calls!

Thank you for tuning in today. We will have camp meeting pictures later this week. Yay!

Davy        

Running Water!

Odie has been doing a great job on Mile Markers while I have been recuperating. I appreciate her faithfulness the last two weeks and in the days to come. Thank you, Odie!

Running Water

In most households in the USA, we take running water for granted. To have running water in an RV at all times takes some planning and some work.

1995/96 Prevost XL Vantare' Conversion

The BoggsMobile turned 28 years old a few days ago. Like any old house, there are always things to be done, especially when the old house has bounced down the road for over 400,000 miles!😎

In December I mentioned to you that we were having trouble with the water pump that provides fresh water to the inside of the bus for drinking, bathing and flushing. When hooked up to a water spigot with a hose, there is no pump needed. But when we are using water from our fresh water tank, a 12 volt pump is needed.

The BoggsMobile was equipped with two pumps when we bought it. We never need two pumps, but evidently, the second one was a backup. They are both hidden behind the water manifold and the water lines and the pumps are difficult to work on or replace.

The #1 pump is circled in white below and the #2 pump is circled in blue.

During the first couple years of bus ownership, I messed with the cheap pumps that were there repeatedly. They never gave us trouble on beautiful days. It was always raining, snowing or 10 degrees or 95 degrees.

Several years ago I removed the manifold completely and replaced both pumps with Flojet 5 gallon per minute pumps. These pumps are variable speed and much quieter and better quality than the cheap pumps we had always used.

We would alternate usage of the two pumps and when the first one quit we used the other one. The one that quit was the more difficult to replace so we put it off until a better day.

Last May while we were in Vonore, Tennessee the second pump completely quit. I went to Camping World near Knoxville and purchased a pump. Unfortunately, to save over $100, I did not buy the good Flojet model. I bought the pump Camping World was actively pushing, a Remco 55AQUAJET-ARV.

Jeff Rowe installed it. He was able to install it in the lower position without moving all of the water lines.

The new pump worked fine from May until December. It still pumps water but the pressure switch has gone bad and it will not shut off when you close the faucet.

In December I began looking for a way to install a new pump in a better place. There were three water filters to the left of the pumps that we have never used. I figured out how to remove them and that freed up some space. You can see the filters in the picture below. They are outlined in red.

I removed the filters and while we were in Texas, I put some vinyl boards in place so I would have a secure place to fasten the new pump.

Here is the new Flojet pump mounted in place in Texas. 

For my own information, the model number has been revised on the new pump.

Incidentally, I found the Flojet on sale and saved the original $100. The Remco is under warranty so I will either get money or another pump when I take it back.

This week I had enough strength and a day of good weather. KJo and I wired it up, ran the plumbing and it is working fine.

We were able to remove both the old pumps and their plumbing. For now, we will go with only one pump. Since it is out in the open, replacement with the same pump will not be as difficult.

Owning any kind of RV is as fun as a barrel of monkeys. Owning a 28 year old bus is a completely higher level of fun.😍😂

Thank you for stopping by today.

Davy

What To Say?

What to say? How much to say? 

These are questions we ask often and we are never really satisfied completely with the answer to our own questions. We post here daily and have for over thirteen years and less often for many years before that. To quote our own words right here on Mile Markers,

Mile Markers are a good way to describe our updates from the road. They keep track of our progress as we move across the country. We post about the grace of God, great churches, Pastors, people, revivals, music, family, food, fellowship, fun, our travels and who knows what else.

Yet, there are so many things we say little to nothing about. Although we are public about much, we are considerably private about much more of our lives, because they are ...well...private.

One of the many things I learned from these many years of meeting with you here is that we do have a good number of regular readers that will pray sincerely when they know there is a need. You proved it in 2020 and again in 2021 and 2022.

We average 600 to 1000 people stopping by here each day according to statistics we are given by Blogger/Google. Those numbers are not impressive in comparison to big corners of the internet, but we are not here to be impressive.

There is no competition between us versus anyone. Mile Markers describes a family ministry posting about ministry things along the road. Oh, and lots of pictures! We compile the pictures and information in one place for ourselves and for our friends. Several hundred of you have become our friends in the process.

We have come to understand profoundly that many of you are praying for us daily. That is pretty cool and comforting. Several hundred people praying for us every single day is encouraging.

We will take that! We believe God answers prayer and we need God to help us. That is why we have decided to say what I am going to say here today.

What To Say? This!

I posted a prayer request on January 20 and an update Friday and you responded by praying. Thank you for that from the bottom of my heart. I am asking you to continue to ask God to help. I need His help.

Without being overly dramatic, I must tell you that I was in severe distress with my lungs within 36 hours of finishing the strong round of medicine to help me breathe. By Thursday evening I was struggling mightily to breathe and that lasted into late Friday morning.

I have had absolutely no congestion in my lungs that I know of. I have pressure in my lungs, I struggle to get my breath and my oxygen level goes down too.

Later Friday, I took a dose of medicine and that helped. I have taken a little each day to keep from going into distress. I could take even more medicine, but it is literally killing me in other ways.

There is no way I could preach revival in Texas this week. I hated to do it, but I had to cancel. Pastor RC Betz was completely compassionate and understanding. He sincerely invited us to finish the trip to his church and park there as long as we needed to and allow them to help us in any way they could. May God bless him and his people!

At first, I was hoping we could take one week off and be good, but after consulting others, including Pastors, spiritual mentors, friends and medical professionals, we came to the conclusion the only chance I have of recovering is to take a few weeks off and rest my lungs.

A miracle could absolutely change that and we are seeking that every single moment. Until then, we have regretfully and sorrowfully cleared our schedule for four full weeks. I will not sing or preach for four weeks while we pray and my lungs heal.

Where to go? Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky or Ohio? 

At least nine Pastors and another friend invited us to park the BoggsMobile at their churches as long as necessary. Most of them offered to help in any way possible including help gaining access to whatever medical assistance I might need.

We were completely overwhelmed by these kind propositions within hours and we were at a loss for which way to go. In addition, we always have the option of going home.

Here is a glimpse into our reasoning and conclusion.

1. I had an aversion to going into the extreme cold if I could avoid it.

2. IF we are able to resume our schedule after four weeks, our next eight obligations are in the southeast so it made sense to us to be in that area.

3. I did not look forward to driving the bus at all. Why drive the BoggsMobile over 1000 miles home and then over 800 miles back into the south four weeks later, The 500 miles from Texas to the southeast seemed insurmountable Friday, so 1000 miles of bus driving was out of the question.

4. Some of the churches that extended invitations were 500 or fewer miles, but then we would have been a lot further from our next revivals.

5. Some of the invitations to park at churches came from the southeast, so that is the direction we have been slowly driving since Friday afternoon. 

We have a good handle on where we will park the bus, but we really have no firm grasp on what the next four weeks will look like. Odie may go home and KJo and I may get out of the bus for a few days or whatever.

We will definitely be attending church, maybe even visiting different churches, including some we do not normally get to attend. However, we will go with the understanding that we should not be put on the spot to sing or preach. I have to do my best to allow my lungs to heal.

Here is a question we are receiving. Do you have any needs? Yes, we need God to help us and we are counting on God's people to sincerely and fervently pray for us without ceasing. That is our desperate need and that is what we greatly desire. Please pray for my lungs or whatever the problem is.

The next question we receive is "what about finances?" The inquirer always acknowledges the personal nature of the question, but I understand the simple and authentic motive behind it. I have asked the question of others in similar situations. I do not want to see friends do without when I have the power to help.

Please understand that we are not asking for finances. Yes, we must absorb four weeks with no regular income, but we have an emergency fund. I think this qualifies for use. IF we need, more, I am sure God will be aware and He will supply through His people as He guides. 

We have never asked you for money for our own needs and we are not going to begin now. Honestly, we are fine.

The final question is this. Is there anything at all we can do besides pray? My honest answer. If I knew there was something you could do to help me heal besides pray, I would immediately ask you to do it.

Now, let me tell you one more important thing. The Lord came to me sweetly and powerfully at 7:00 AM Friday morning while I was struggling for every breath. He visited me again at 8:15 AM. I can not describe the feeling. If you know what I mean then you know! He did not calm my breathing, but He calmed me. Hallelujah!

He has been near me since and I can make it like that.

Programming Notes: 

Odie will be posting quite a lot more than normal the next few weeks so please show up for her. I am not sure about A Word For Wednesday yet. We may have to take that week by week. Thank you for understanding.

And thank you for stopping by today. May God bless you.

Davy

The Weekend Dispatch 1/9/2023

This was quite a weekend! We were on an emotional roller coaster from the news I shared in Odie's post Saturday, but there was preaching to be done, people to be helped, miles to be driven and problems to be solved. The Lord blessed and helped as we expected Him to do. Hallelujah!

My parents surprised us by driving down from Ohio for service Thursday night in London. Wow! What a thrill. There were some pictures of them in the Revival In Pictures post on Friday.

They wanted to get home before dark Friday, but they stayed long enough to eat lunch at Sonny's in Corbin and visit with us. We absolutely loved having them.

Pastor Lester Carpenter stopped to see us Friday afternoon. We love this man! He had a great influence for good and for God when I was young and helped us through some tough times. I do not forget that.

The final night of revival was amazingly blessed with visitors, a good crowd of home folks and the sweet presence of the Lord throughout the service. It was so good and we enjoyed every moment of it. Kelly Jo, Odie and I needed His touch as much as anyone there and He came to us. Praise God! 

Two other families that have had huge impacts on our lives visited Friday night.

Bro. John and Sis. Ann Gabbard

Bro. David and Sis. Karen Noe

We sure appreciate friends from home and from the London area for coming to see us in revival. It is an amazing boost when they come.

And we appreciate Pastor Vernon Jarvis and his people for receiving us and loving us. We really loved being there. We always love it! They have always treated us with tremendous kindness and respect. May God bless our dear friends at First Pentecostal.

Several men helped tear down the sound equipment and load it up in the BoggsMobile. I do not think I touched one thing and I know I could get used to that. Thank you, brothers.

By the time we rolled up cords and hoses, attached the Jeep, cranked the bus and prepared to ride, it was about 9:10 Saturday morning. The GPS said it was 147 miles (As a crowbar flies, IF you could throw it that far) to the church in Gruetli Laager, Tennessee, but it took considerably longer to work our way around and get up on top of the mountain.

You have heard the phrase, You can't get there from here, well that is nearly applicable to Gruetli Laager when it comes to a bus, for sure.😊 It was 256 miles and took us five hours.

The last 65 miles or so were not interstate, but 111 south of Cookville, Tennessee was a good road with one steep climb south of Sparta. Once we turned on 399 it was slow going with only two lanes and no shoulder. After several miles I had a long train of cars and trucks behind me so I pulled next to the road to let them pass. 

This church sign was directly in front of us.

I love the message. And I love to lauff at chuch sings. Kneal in Prayer.

The last mile was the same as the previous 13 miles but much narrower. Thankfully, we arrived at the church before the road ran out completely.😎

It had been raining for a couple of hours and was raining as we unhooked the Jeep, parked, leveled and hooked up utilities. I had a problem with one of my electrical cords, which required an extra couple of hours to diagnose and remedy. I first thought it was the bus as I always do.

Yep, the bus is a mess outside, but probably will not get washed this week. We need warmer weather.

Shortly after we arrived, Pastor Roger Peyton and his wife showed up. It was super great to see them again and we look forward to fellowship the next few days.

When we were finally finished, we rolled our equipment across the road, set up and got a sound check. Four hours after arriving, we went inside the bus.

My supper was prepared by the bus chef!

I was in bed by 8:00 PM Saturday and slept pretty good. We had two wonderful services Sunday and we look forward to the next three nights. This is our first time being here so we are meeting new friends. We always enjoy that.

Also, we actually do know people here. We have seen them at camp meetings in other places, but we did not know where they lived. It is always cool when it works like that.😊

That wraps up our weekend. Thank you for joining us.

Davy