Flagstaff Arrival and Set Up

The Journey and Separation

Safe Arrival in Flagstaff

The Lord blessed the journey and I arrived safely in Flagstaff. LeeOra, however, stayed in Texas to help with our grandson Calvin's recuperation after his operation. She will stay with our daughter Susan and son-in-law Jason until Susan is finished her teaching for the year. If all goes well we will back together in June. As you can imagine this has been the most difficult part of our missionary experience so far. Thank the Lord for cellphones, texting and Skype.

Spring Snowstorm

I am so appreciative that my friend Pastor Rudy Rios opted to help me make the move to Flagstaff. It was a great relief to my family that there would be someone along for company and to help with the move and any emergencies. Blessedly, all went well on the trip except for a wind and dust storm in Albuquerque, NM. We parked for the night as the 40 mph plus winds dominated the highways. After a two day journey we arrived in Flagstaff. Shortly after Bro. Rudy went back to Texas City, I was treated to 12 degree temps and two snowstorms. The second laid down about 10 inches of pure white beauty followed by brown mud puddles. Flagstaff is just below 7000 ft and has seen snow as late as Memorial Day so I have not put away my warm coat yet.

Home, Job and Fuel

Big Rig and Lil' Rig

I have been busy trying to find a place for us to live and jobs to meet whatever expenses our current support will not. Flagstaff is a tourist and university driven economy and as such prices for rental homes is at about 20% higher than in the surrounding towns. A three bedroom home rents for around $1500 depending on location and age. Even a mobile home rents for $800 or more. I've been looking outside of town but the price of fuel is keeping me from trying to commute any distance. Diesel is now $4.20 at most of the stations in town. Thankfully, the RV park I'm in is close to the store and I'm getting in my exercise by riding my bike for groceries usually 3 times a week. My kids bought me saddle bags for the bike and so I'm not just exercising and saving fuel, I'm also styling.

Flagstaff Churches

I have attended three Baptist churches while in this initial stage of setting up home. The first was an independent fellowship church, the second said Baptist on their website but turned out to be Baptistic having dropped the name from their sign and heritage. The last church I visited was a Missionary Baptist Church of which I was the only white person in attendance. I have to say of all the churches I visited this was the one I felt most at home in. The music was heartfelt and warm, the people were friendly, the Bible was KJV and their traditions were a joy. The singing made my eyes fill and then spill the tears. When they sang “I'll Fly Away” I did! As of yet I have not found a true unaffiliated independent Baptist Church anywhere in the area and only three small fellowship Baptist works. Pray for us as we work through these founding steps and plant a real independent Baptist church in Flagstaff, for the Glory of our Lord and Savior.

In His Service,
Kris and LeeOra Minefee