Update on 2007

Well, much has happened since the last time I posted...I know, I'm a bad man. But I promise, I will try to keep this blog up from now on!!

So what has happened? Hmm... Let's recap:

In 2007, Tomes Brothers sustained repeated attacks from the devil, both financial and physical. He wore us down and tried to get us to quit, but this is the ministry that God called us to, and we renewed our commitment to continue ministry.

First, we were preparing to take a trip, and the engine seized. It was going to cost an astronomical amount of money to rebuild, but God provided another way out. There was a bus parked at the Taft Church of God, which had been sitting for two years. It had the right engine, so I contacted the owner. They donated the bus to the Tomes Brothers, as long as we would agree to provide the pastors of the church with a certain amount of money. When Butch and I went to pick it up, we knew we'd have to figure out how to drive it out of the yard where it was. We installed two good batteries, turned on the switch and went to the rear starter switch. I touched the switch and it started INSTANTLY, it didn't even crank over!! I drove it out of the yard, and it was towed home on a flatbed. Pastor Gary, the owner of G&S Truck Repair in Bloomington, CA and his guys removed the engine from that bus and placed it in ours. Yes, it still cost a LOT of money (which we're working on paying off now), but God will provide.

Second, we got the bus back from G&S with the fresh engine in it the day before driving to Klamath Falls, OR. It smoked a lot, but we figured it would clear up. Now keep in mind, we're not diesel mechanics... It got worse and worse, and finally it stopped running about an hour outside of our destination. A man from the church we were going to knew a great diesel mechanic, and we had it towed to him. We did the morning and evening services the next day and rented two cars to come home. The entire right bank of injectors were frozen, so we had all the injectors replaced and a turbo added. Yes, the mechanic checked with Detroit and made sure it was supposed to have one, and had it matched to the injectors. Dean and I rented another car and drove up, picked up the bus and came home in one turn-around trip. It doesn't have quite as much power as the old engine, but it runs GREAT!!

Third, when the bus was at G&S for some maintenance, the throttle stuck open...they put it in drive, and ruined the rear end. It destroyed the ring & pinion gears. So, they had to put another in for us.

Fourth, when we were on a trip, heading toward Sanders, AZ, we had a tire blow out near Barstow. We limped it in to have it replaced. Five long hours later we were on the road. Yes, five hours. They couldn't get the old tire off the rim, and when they did, they couldn't get the new tire on. They ended up having to sell us a new rim and tire.

Fifth, with the economy dropping, engagements dropped to virtually nothing as well. Tomes Brothers do not charge a fee for singing, all we require is a love offering. But for some reason, many pastors don't feel they can afford us. This is something I don't get...

Well, what does all this mean? Where does God get the glory? We now have a new engine, automatic transmission and rear end. Yes, the entire drive train is NEW!! Also, Pastor Troy at New Beginnings Church in Bakersfield, CA donated a beautiful red paint job, giving the bus a great look. The Tomes Brothers went through and had their logo placed, and added some silver paint. Jamie Conrad came by and donated his talent, and airbrushed the eagles on the sides of the bus, and it's absolutely beautiful. Now, as long as we keep up regular maintenance, we'll have a bus for a long time.

So we're excited, God is moving and doors are once again opening.