Every four years, Liberty and I return to the USA to visit nearly everyone we know in 34 States driving over 19,500 miles in 110 days averaging about 84 stops. We visit all our friends, supporters, and preach in about 19 churches and fellowships. This trip was from mid-April to mid-August of 2024. You can see our route below...
In past trips, since 1990, we have borrowed cars, had cars given to us, and lent to us. We had someone give us a $675 Pontiac in the 90's and a Ford station wagon in in 2000's. Only in 2021, we started renting cars from either Budget or Enterprise. We get unlimited miles in which we add about 19,000 miles to them. On this particular trip, we had three different cars. The red car was used for a short, 200 mile trip when I had to fly to Chicago to attend and speak at the funeral of our Rockford, IL pastor, Pastor David Coke.
As a foot note: Our 2022 Ford Escape got 38 miles per gallon. The 2019 Ford Escape only got 27 miles per gallon. This was a big difference in fuel expense for 1/2 of our trip.
I estimate we stayed in over 60 different beds during the trip.
We filled the gas tank over 54 times
But, really, the most important activity we had was visiting nearly everyone we know, as much or as many as possible. I cannot post all 85 plus photos here, but here is just a few...
We return to the Philippines on August 19th, 2024 for another four years, Lord willing. I can't imagine what the world will be like in 2028 politically and economically. I truly believe we are headed into the Last Days. Things will get harder and someday persecution and trouble will arise. We can only continue to be faithful to God, preaching, teaching, mobilizing, training, and evangelism as we await the Lord's return.
The Bible verse Matthew 24:42 says, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come".
The verse is often interpreted as a warning from Jesus that the return of Christ will be unexpected and quick, like a thief in the night. Jesus says that if the owner of a house knew when a thief was coming, they would keep watch and prevent their house from being broken into. Similarly, Jesus warns that people should be ready for his return because they don't know when it will happen
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