Brother Buddy Maynard's Visit

We are enjoying having Brother Buddy Maynard, pastor of Truth Baptist Church and founder of Heritage Boys Academy, visit us for a few days. The fellowship has been such a tremendous blessing. Brother Maynard arrived in Holland yesterday at 6:30 a.m. I’m so glad he could come. When he called us on Tuesday night, and I heard that his flight schedule had been changed, I thought for sure he was calling to say he wouldn’t be coming. Well, as it turned out, Brother Maynard called to tell us he would have to come 2 days in advance. That meant we would get 2 extra days of fellowship! I was happy! =)

After Dad picked Bro. Maynard up from the airport, they went to the church building to pray and then visited Brother Mike at his work. Then they came home, and we ate breakfast right away. I made muffins, scones, boiled eggs, and turkey-ham. Brother Maynard told us that his wife prepares the same breakfast for him and on the same plates too! We talked for about 6 hours straight about his recent travels in the Congo. He showed us many pictures and videos. They were very interesting!

He informed us of his work in the boys’ home in Florida. I cried as he told us stories of the things they’ve been through with those boys. The pull of this wicked world is so strong! How I hate this world and the devil! Praise God for men, like Brother Maynard, who are raising boys to have character in this day and age when it is not exalted. This world needs more homes like the one Brother Maynard is running. I truly respect him and all those working so hard in this wonderful ministry.

Brother Maynard told us all about his family, especially his three sons. It was a blessing to hear that there are some godly young men out there. Sometimes I find myself thinking they are all rotten apples. I’m very glad to be wrong! =) I got choked up as Brother Maynard related a conversation he had with his son Clay, who wishes to practice law. When his father asked him why he would want to pursue law when he feels the Lord wants him preaching, Clay emphatically responded, “Dad, they used to preach in the courtrooms of America! I’m going to do that!” All I can say is, “Wow!” with tears in my eyes. If only this world had more young men with such zeal…what a difference we would see. What a drastic change there would be!

We spent the day mostly fellowshipping. After dinner Brother Maynard, Dad, Josiah, and I went street preaching. That was a blessing. When got home, Lydia and I played Skip-Bo while listening to the adults talk some more. Brother Maynard has some amazing stories to tell! Our fellowship has been such a blessing! I’ve truly enjoyed it!

I can’t believe how much we have in common. As we ate breakfast, Brother Maynard and my dad discovered that they were both in the air force. I noticed that Bro. Maynard was looking at his plate funny after we prayed over breakfast. Come to find out, we have the same Corelle Ware that they have back home. We eat the same kind of food too (try to eat healthy). There are so many other similarities. Bro. & Mrs. Maynard and Mom & Dad both have their wedding anniversaries in May. They both have three kids around the same ages. We have the same standards. We even think the same on everything we’ve talked about so far. Dad was like, “Is there anything we don’t agree on, Brother? Ha, ha! =) It was funny!

Now today Dad, Brother Maynard, Lydia, and Josiah are in Haarlem at the Corrie Ten Boom house. Mom is still struggling with her lungs, and I‘m fighting an infection. It’s too bad; I really wanted to go. We so rarely get company, and then when we do, I have to miss out on all the fun. Poor me. Poor Mom. =( I guess it turned out for the best, since we found out when they got home that only Brother Maynard could get in. The place was jam-packed, so Lydia, Josiah, and Dad wandered aimlessly through the old cathedral nearby. Mom and I had dinner ready when they got home. We ate tacos. Yum! Brother Maynard told us funny stories and we swapped jokes and told some stories about interesting restaurant experiences. =D That was hilarious!!!

We had planned to watch Sheffey tonight, but we ended up talking instead. As if you can’t tell, we love fellowship. I don’t think I really realize how starved I am for fellowship until I get it. Suddenly I realize how hungry I am to eat the bread--the encouraging words of a fellow Christian brother or sister--that feeds the soul. Brother Maynard let us listen to some beautiful music by a lady named Abigail Miller. Wow! What a voice and such thought-provoking words! We also heard Bro. Maynard’s boys sing. One song that especially touched my heart was called “I Want to be that Man,” sung mainly by Clay. What a blessing! After dinner Lyd and I played Skip-Bo as we all talked. We ate some snacks and then went to bed at about midnight. Yesterday and today were so nice. I can hardly wait to see what tomorrow holds! =)