Snakes, and Prayers…
So at this point in where God has lead us in His ministry/work He has us working within the UXO field. We have nearly completed the first season. I have walked nearly 500 miles with my team, through the Barry M Goldwater Missile Range looking for UXO (Unexploded Ordinance). We as a team have found many items that are considered dangerous, and could / have damaged people had we not found them first. The BMG range is converting back to BLM, so it seems such an important thing, to be able to clear the land and call it safe. I cant get into what we have found, there are munitions there from WW2, and forward.
Our day works like this, we show up for work, drive in “buggies” out onto the range, and walk 8 to 10-ish miles or so looking for UXO. So much more of what we find are things that may not blow up, but can bite you and you will die. In the the time since January, when I started walking with my team, we have seen between 2 and 10 venomous snakes a day. We were told that they would rattle, and only strike if threatened. Seemed reasonable to me, but thats not how it works. I am TERRIBLY afraid if snakes. I really have believed in the past that the only good one is a DEAD one. But in the time we have been walking through BMG, I have been praying (along with a few other Christians on our team) that we would not be harmed by snakes.
I actually pray every five minutes or so as we walk, that NO ONE would be harmed by the snakes we encounter.
The Snakes we have encountered ( every hour of every day ) have always seemed to be in suspended animation. People will stop, scream, jump, or whatever, but the snakes have not moved. I just recently found that there are CHRISTIANS, praying for exactly the same safety from dangers that I am praying for. GOD Is answering that prayer.
Snake Bites, Unexploded Missiles, Artillery Rounds are always there, But God is bigger, and this is where He has placed us. Should I be surprised? No. But I always am 🙂
God seems to be giving us a way forward as Missionaries
and Pastors to the folks that work in this UXO Field.
I have been accepted to school at Texas A&M in the fall, for UXO work to continue. Deborah and I will have to build a bigger bus engine so we can pull a small trailer to have ample living space to bring a LOOM (A necessity). We definitely need your prayers to continue, and Gods provision to keep moving forward. We are blessed Kids Indeed to be where we are and to be called to what we are doing. PLEASE PRAY!
Love in Christ,
Craig and Deborah ..
(PHOTO Credits from Diane Cunningham, a dear sister, and UXO Team Member)