Trip to Plano

The trip to Plano was a good one. The air travel arrangements worked flawlessly in spite of predictions from Gate agents that there would be no seats available. I left DC after work on Thursday and flew to Houston, then connected to Dallas Fort Worth airport arriving a few minutes ahead of schedule. Don, Derek and Nancy picked me up at the terminal, and we were home by 22:30 Dallas time.

On Friday Don and I went over the presentation I had devised, saw it needed some tweaking and then called the Pastor of Grace Outreach Church. He provided valuable tips in polishing the briefing for the veterans for Saturday Morning’s presentation. We got that done and went to drive around the local area—astonishing affluence!

I can’t mention everything obviously, but there is a lot that the Lord packed into this visit. It really puts into perspective what is important. We had quality time together for the first time in several years. We drove around, saw some of Plano, and had lunch with Derek at his school. Friday evening we had a bar-b-q with a few friends of Don and Nancy’s. And I got to meet another one of the Lord’s special modern day miracles: Rosalyn Schlater! Tom Jones who was to introduce me the following morning asked if there was anything he should say. I told him about several of my titles in life and said “Introduce me by the highest title I have held, Christian”.

The Saturday event was well attended: 185 veterans, families, and friends. I met several of the attendees as my way of getting comfortable with the crowd, and then talked in earnest from the slides we had prepared the previous day. It was very well received.

Don’s notes to mom sort of put in different words than I would have used, but the emotional content is no less meaningful.

One last thing that hit me while in Texas is the song. The simple praise song for which I now have he music ".... I will soar like an Eagle"!

Joseph R. Finch

Don & Nancy Finch wrote:

Here is the text of a recap I sent to Mom...thought you should know all that I said.--- Hi Mom I do not forget that you love me and that is a special thing. I am not concerned about my birthday. We had a very busy weekend then as well with our visitors and hosting the Bible seminar. We did manage to have dinner with several friends and one even picked up a cake. How sweet.

I know you have been more than preoccupied with your own woe and I am glad to hear that it is abating. I don't know where to start on Joe's visit, but it that was a great time. It was neat to have him here for more than an overnight bluster and to be able to just talk. But we also had the breakfast on Saturday, which lasted (for us) from 7:30am to well after 10am. There were about 180 people in attendance, men and women and a few kids. They arranged to have a color guard come in to parade the flag across the room and observe the pledge of allegiance. That set the morning off. Because of the microphone and loudspeaker placement they had to have Joe on a small riser in the "front" of all the tables and the screen with his presentation over in one corner. That meant I sat at the controls on the computer and stepped through the slides. That was neat to participate, though sometimes Joe's train of thought (hence the words that came out of his mouth) leaped forward two or three slides worth and then came back. I had to "anchor" him to the slides but at the same time allow him to explore what was germane to the audience. Early on they had asked for veterans of each war or conflict to rise in turn: WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the odd skirmishes (Grenada, Somalia, etc), Desert Storm. All were greeted with respect and cheers and applause. Something they may not have gotten much of. There was one gentleman in the crowd who was a vet of both WWII and Korea. Wow!

Joe was feeling a bit constricted being up on the riser with podium and braved a few steps towards the audience. No ill effects (there was fear of screeching feedback). Soon he was walking around amongst all the round tables telling his story, keeping them in tears of laughter and compassion. He hit home because he is a genuine person with no agenda or hidden motives but to glorify what God has done, and is continuing to do, in and through his life. At the end of the breakfast they asked people in the audience if they did not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and wanted to, they should meet with members of the pastoral staff for counsel and prayer. There were only a few, for most of the audiences were already church members or certainly Christians. Nancy and I set up the bookstore and sold just over 40 books while Joe set up at another table and very personally and meaningfully met with each person, asked about them and what to write. That is what he is doing, connecting with people and exchanging hugs, and encouraging them. While I was packing up the computer a woman came over to explain something. She and her sister had their father visiting with them from Michigan. The two women were members of our church but the father was hardened against the Lord for reasons she did not go into. He refused to go to any church and was adamant about it. However, they have been praying steadfastly for him for years. His visit was almost over, he was to leave the following day. They were able to convince him to attend the breakfast with the topic of this book about a soldier's story.

That day Joe was the messenger for the Message and the Lord touched this man and he accepted Christ as his Lord. This was the veteran of both WWII and Korea. His two daughters were overjoyed and a profound restoration occurred in his life as a result of your son Joe's candid declarations. The daughters were thankful that God answered their prayers through the simplicity of Joe's story from vet to vet. There was also one gentleman that came up from Austin who recognized Joe and the story in Angel's Wing because he went through the identical chain of events only 45 days behind Joe. OCS, Flight School, RVN, CuChi, TayNin, all of it. The first casualty in the book, Donnie Kilpatrick, was a best friend in military school of this man from Austin. His wife and Donny Kilpatrick’s wife were then and still are soul mates. Joe and he talked a long while and hugged. Happy to have survived, happy that they can both reflect on those years but the sting of harsh memories no longer pains them, at least not so much. That afternoon he also gave his testimony in our adult Sunday school class (Saturday) and then again on Sunday morning. He is like a little kid in his enthusiasm and that is contagious. It makes us all realize how Unthankful we get sometimes. Then we had to scurry him back out to the airport to wait his standby turns. He was able to get out earlier than expected and made it all the way home before sunset. What a great weekend. There is so much more, but those are some highlights. Unfortunately, I have to get back to work and let Nancy have the computer. She is working on a project to design and implement a webpage for the school PTA. What a busy girl! She can write about how home school is going, but it is going great!

Don & Nancy Finch

For me a few of the precious moments of this trip were the hour I spent talking to Nancy on the couch, the high quality time spent with Don, quality time with Derek whom I find to be a terrific kid, and a few moments with Rosalyn.

Interacting with veterans and American heroes is always a joy. And we made about $780.00 on the trip. What an awesome God I serve. He blesses my activity by showering me with blessings of people who are really touched by something I have to say and hugs and encouragement from Christians all over.

I think we Baptists call this “Victorious Christian Living”. What ever it is, it is really nice. What a great ride I am getting this year!!

Joseph R. Finch