Time for Fellowship...

A very important part of any ministry is that of fellowship and encouragement.  Tonight we encouraged and were encouraged in the work here, as we enjoyed a meal together.

Chaplain Dennis carves the delicious ham.

The author of this blog was thrilled to learn that her path had crossed with Debbie and Joe Gilbert at least twenty years ago when our daughters played summer league basketball together!  And yesterday, we were reconnected by our mutual friends, Jack and Karen, who work with Debbie and Joe at Adventure Land in Iowa each summer.  Debbie and Joe Gilbert are retired educators from Mesquite, Texas and spend their winters in southern Arizona. 

Here, Chaplain Dennis is explaining to Joe and Debbie, in condensed form, about the ministry we are doing here and around the world. 

Ministry partners, Lucian and Mary Lou Schmidt, were able to join us on their way to the Rio Grande Valley.  It was wonderful to see them again.

Richard McCool, of Life Waters Ministry (God's Helping Hands and Hope Clinic, Eufaula, OK), Don Baker, Lucian Schmidt and Chaplain Jack Gregory. 

Sunday morning at the chapel

We were joined by Jack and Karen's friends, Joe and Debbie Gilbert.

Don brought the message to our intimate group this morning and was just as happy to do so as if there was a room full. 

Jack and Karen Gregory arrive

Jack and Karen, fellow chaplains, arrived today!  We are thrilled to have them join us here for the winter.

Don and Jack examining the best site for them to park...

New rock

Funding for more rock for the drive way and extra parking has been provided by a generous ministry partner.  A local friend and pastor with a dump truck donated his time and truck to bringing several loads of rock to the chapel from the quarry.

Sign of Fall ... Lord of the Harvest

Sally and Dennis hung this beautiful banner on the front porch of the chapel today.

Tuesday Prayer and Bible Study

As you know, Tuesday is Prayer and Bible Study day at The Sycamores Chapel.

At 9:00 AM, we meet for a time of prayer together. We prayer together all the time, but Tuesday mornings at 9:00 is a scheduled time that we make a priority.  We need this time together and we pray for you, ourselves and the ministry here at The Sycamores.

At 6:30 PM, we meet back at the chapel for Bible Study.  This is open to the public.

Tonight, there were five of us and we had such a great time, "iron sharpening iron," in Matthew 25:14-30.  Everyone participated in the discussions and we all learned more.  It was tremendous. What a blessing to have this study time!

Rt 2 Box 2131

Checotah, OK 74426

Tree trimming day

Today, we hired Sean, a local tree trimmer, to trim the lower branches from the big Bois D'Arc tree behind the chapel.  Don got tired of the branches grabbing his hat every time he mowed! :-) Sean did a great job.

And Bro. Dennis did a great job of dragging and piling up the branches. Don drug a few small branches, but that didn't last long before his ticker said, "What do you think you're doing?"  

First really cool day, we will have a bon fire.

Just in case pictures of the buildings being painted all the same color, here are views of the sanctuary from the east side.  We can hardly wait for the new roof which will make it look so much better.

Here is a late afternoon shot of the west side. It is so peaceful here.

The Sycamores Chapel

Rt. 2, Box 2131

Checotah, OK  74426