My Trip to Rayville
I promised I’d tell about my trip to visit the folks in Rayville, so here it goes. I flew out by myself, it was like an episode of “the Clampets go to the airport”. On the flight out they treated me pretty good, played the “dumb hick card” and they didn’t strip search me or nothing like that. The flight home was a little different. As I was getting on the plane, I was ambushed by 4 TSA goons that gave me the once over before they would let me board the plane. I think it was a case of “beard profiling” but I can’t prove it. Anyhow, I made it there and home safe and sound. Except for the fact that I can’t hear anything for about a day and a half after flying. It makes my head implode and clogs up my ears. I landed in Kansas City and Pastor McConnell and Jeff Klute picked me up. I could tell right away that I was going to enjoy my time out there. The conversation and fellowship was great right from the second I climbed in there car. I had the blessing of getting to spend time with all of the members CRC Rayville. What a wonderful group of people they are. I have never before ever had the experience of meeting so many like minded believers. All of the men I spent time with truly want to live out the gospel and apply the bible to every area of life. They have a vision for the future that is bold and inspiring. I had the privilage of staying with “Rayvillian” who has commented on this blog before and over the years has become a dear friend of mine, even though we had never met in the flesh. Thanks for the hospitality, brother. I was blessed to spend time with Art and Joyce and their beautiful children. Art and I even got to do some skinnin’ and dressin’ practice one morning after breakfast. Made me feel at home! I spent much time with Pastor Tom and his wife Carmon and daughter Susan. I had the blessing of eating some fine Peruvan cooking at there place. I also had great fellowship with Jeff Klute and toured his shop and learned a lot there. I met Jim Ketchum and mother Jan, the resident poet. Jim was feeling under the weather and we didn’t get to spend a lot of time together, but what time we did was edifing and I look forward to getting to know him better some day. It is hard to put all that went on there into words and I’m sure I’ve left something out. Its hard to describe the kind of love and faithfulness that you experience around these folks. I very much enjoyed the midweek service I attended, they were working through the scripture proofs to their membership covenant. I learned a lot about how God wants us to interact with each other and deal with offenses between the brethern. Of course one of the highlights of a trip to Rayville is Sam and Sadie. What wonderful beasts of burden they are. I even got my turn at driving them and that was a great experience. I’m still talking about today! I hope I didn’t leave anything out, it was a busy 4 days. I want to publicly thank each and every one of you for the meals, fellowship and hospitality. I feel like I made some very special friends while out there. I would ask that everyone keep these folks and the work in Rayville in your prayers.
Pastor McConnell getting ready hitch up Sam and Sadie.
April 29th, 2008 at 6:51 am
It seems that Rayville is quickly becoming a pilgrimage sight. It seems to me that every time I hear the name Rayville, I think of the Harpers in Mama’s Family, they lived in Raytown.
April 29th, 2008 at 10:31 am
That’s another person who’s singing high praises for what’s occurring in Rayville! Troy might be onto something…Annual Pilgrimage to Rayville?
Seriously, Scott and the Shropshires have benifitted from the tangible effects of living in a covenant Godly community: hospitality, love, accountability, edification and lots of good food! Maybe it’s the good food that’s causing the pilgrimage……
April 30th, 2008 at 4:35 am
We would to God that there were many communities where God’s people are keeping covenant locally… let us know where that is effectively happening, we’d like to be in covenant with them.
Scott, we were blessed greatly by your visit. I laugh every time I remember your account of your friend who was working at the bank and reading “Usury, Destroyer of Nations” during his breaks. I’ll not ever forget this! Truly, God has a sense of humor.
Christine, it is the food, but not necessarily for the belly. We receive countless inquiries from His people scattered to the four winds in this country who desire what God intended for us to have: sound preaching, edification and fellowship in the true Gospel. There is a famine in the land, not of bread, or a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord (Amos 8:11-12). Many believers today are wandering here and there seeking the word of the Lord, and having difficulty finding it. If we can be of help here in little old Rayville then let ‘em come.
God bless and keep you in His way,
Jeff
April 30th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Maybe not a pilgrimage (because that implies less permanence) but more of a relocation- that’s more conducive to a covenant community.
And apparently, Rayville offers quite an international cuisine- providing Peruvian dishes! Before you know it, it will offer a global perspective….
May 16th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Blessings Scott, Leah, and tribe,
Thank you for your kind comments regarding Rayville and the people here. We look forward to the next time you and the entire family will get to come, and, LORD willing, I will not be under the weather. I also look forward to getting to know you better, but it seems readily apparent that I have found another like-minded brother in Christ with whom I can build a strong, covenanted relationship with that will glorify Him.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Jim K.