It's not often that you shake hands with the owner of a multi-million dollar hunting resort who also holds four world record trophies from African hunts who also happens to be a Christian, and who radiates enthusiasm for Jesus; but I'm getting ahead of myself.
Yesterday it was back in the Bug, which was pointed in the direction of Joplin, where Tron Peterson, of Peterson Outdoor Ministries, had lined up a full day's schedule.
Tron is an avid hunter, who formerly worked for a Christian publishing company. Peterson Outdoors provide hunting opportunities and experiences for wounded ex miliatary personnel and people with disabilities. The suicide rate for ex military personnel runs alarmingly high, and along with the physical injuries that many carry there are also the plethora of mental and stress related problems that result from some of the things those who've served in places such as Iraq or Afghanastan have witnessed and experienced. Peterson Outdoors also provide hunting and outdoor experiences for Military Chaplains who minister to those on operational service.
Tron's passion isn't only for hunting, the ministry's focus goes beyond giving those who've had a rough deal a fun time, but the driving force is to see often very broken people come to Christ- and many do. As well as hunting, which is the main activity focus, Peterson Outdoors also provide fishing, and more "extreme" opportunities such as waterski-ing with adaptive equipment that enables even those with very severe impairments opportunities to do things they would never have dreamt of being able to do.
Following an excellent lunch with Tron and his wife Misty, we talked "Outdoors Ministry", saw some dvd's of testimonies and action from Peterson Outdoors events. The testimonies really brought out the lasting effects of going to war, not only in terms of physical injury but particularly the scars of losing friends and colleagues and the difference Jesus has made in the lives of some of those who've attended the camps.
We then moved on to America's largest pheasant hunting resort, "Show me birds", owned, run and created from nothing by Kim Shira. Kim, who has hunted all around the world, and holds four world records for African game he's shot, one of which is pictured below.
Kim, whose property, over the border into Kansas, is extensive has recently set up a "Christian Trail for Christ", aimed at drawing men from the fringes of church life, or non-Christian husbands of Christian wives into an environment that they're comfortable with and then presenting the gospel using activities they can relate to. Trained guides lead the men through a range of activities from chipping golf balls to skeet shooting, rifle shooting, fishing, pistol shooting, bouncing around on four wheelers and crossbow shooting. The guides then draw out and share simple, challenging, evangelistic lessons from each activity. Kim, who has a strong personal testimony of how God has worked in his life over the last few years, is an energetic, enthusiastic man who is building a whole range of facilities for church groups on his land, and offering them to churches and pastors at no cost.
The evening ended up with me attending a meeting of the Christian Waterfowlers Association, an evangelistic and fellowship based ministry working amongst duck hunters. The CWA have chapters accross the States, a website presence, and a large national get-together as well as smaller locally based events.
The 140 mile drive back to Dave's was "fun" in the dark" (Americans have a strange aversion to street lighting or "cats eyes"), and I was relieved when I turned into Dave's drive at midnight with myself and the car still in one piece. Another great day, Tron was a great host, very experienced in his field, and his kindness and eagerness to help were typical of what I've discovered from the Christian outdoors community of America's Southern States.
...... oh yeah, and I drove on Route 66.
...... oh yeah, and I drove on Route 66.
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