At the last WWBC annual conference (in which West Valley Community Church is a member) delegates voted to support a church planting initiative in the town of Sedro Woolley. Members of Fountain Community Church, one of our sister churches located in Bellingham are the primary workers in this fledgling ministry. Below is Pastor Rick Qualls' most recent weekly reports to all the other churches in the conference telling about the progress being made.

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Greetings,
 
This will likely be the last update before I leave for the Philippines. I am on site as I write this, along with three electricians (and a fresh pan of cinnamon rolls!) In a few minutes my son-in-law and I will be heading down the road to pick up two pool tables, a shuffle board table and a bumper pool table. These are being donated by a boys and girls club in a near town. The director of the site just "happens" to be a member of a small group here in the SW area that have been a huge encouragement and blessing to the work at SWCF in many ways.

This afternoon I will be talking with a contractor who will be taking care of some metal work that needs to be done along the side wall. He is another brother that is excited to be involved in the project.

Tomorrow I will be having lunch with Jonas Knudsen, the director of Youth Dynamics in this area. I am sure God has some great plans in mind for the partnership between YD and SWCF!
Thanks for your continued prayers, a lot of work on site will be going on while I am gone.
 
Blessings,
 
Rick

I'm sitting here at home almost exactly 2 weeks after one of the best rides with the worst endings of my life. Most of you know that I was doing some steeple chasing in Eastern WA. I had spent the first night in Colfax and the second night in Omak. I had been hearing rumors of some possible thunder showers on Tuesday but Wednesday morning was beautiful. Clear, cool and perfect for the ride across the North Cascades Highway. One Steeple in Marblemount and then head down Hwy 9 for the one in Carnation and I would have all 21.
 
The ride across the pass was fantastic! My recently purchased '09 Concours 14 went around corners like it was on rails. I was thoroughly enjoying the experience. The Steeple in Marblemount turned out to be one of those little Way Side Chapels. After my obligatory picture for the Steeple Chase, I decided to take a few more since it was such a nice setting. Little did I know these would be the last pictures of my bike in one piece.
 
A few miles past Marblemount I turned left on Hwy 530 towards Arlington. About 3 miles later as I'm cruising down a lovely straight stretch of two lane Hwy at 11:30 am I see a car coming towards me. I see him turn on his left turn signal to turn across my lane. There are no other vehicles behind me or in front of me and I'm just gliding along about 55 mph. I'm watching him but he doesn't appear to be in a hurry to turn in front of me. He says he never saw me. The moment he started to turn I knew I was in trouble. It happened so fast. Barely a thought went through my head as I heard the sound of smashing fiberglass and metal. I sensed my body going through something very violent and then I was lying on the road near the shoulder with people asking how I was and telling me not to move.
 
As I lay there, fully aware of what had happened, I was kind of amazed that I was still alive. The ambulance showed up and transported me to Skagit Valley Hospital and Betty was notified. Surgery on my broken wrist happened about 5 days later and I am hobbling around on a boot that protects a fractured ankle.
 
I truly believe that God acted in a miraculous way that day. About 275 lbs went flying over 20 feet through the air landing on pavement and I was up and talking about it that evening. Recovery is no fun but it could've been so much worse. No road rash, no internal problems. My helmet took the brunt of the damage but it did its job. I would recommend a Shoei Multitec to anybody.
 
I'm not sure how this has affected my feelings about riding. We all know this, or worse could happen any time. And yet we also know that God has a plan for each of us and is able to protect us. I'm trying to learn the lesson God has for me. I still have a bike in the garage and am sure that I will get on it and go for a ride as soon as I am able. Thanks for the emails and visits. I haven't given too much thought yet to replacing the Connie. Maybe, maybe not. We'll see.
 
Scott Schleiffers
Road captain, GNR

Men's breakfast group continues the study of Galatians at their regular breakfast time (7:00 am) on Friday, August 27 and Friday, September 10. Come join us!

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