Happy Birthday

Last Saturday Margaret and I went to Arundel Mills, south of Baltimore, for a surprise birthday party for our friend and co-laborer Chaplain Hoppy.  Hoppy serves as the Lead Chaplain for God's Trucking Ministry at the TravelCenters of America in Jessup, MD.

Hoppy, on the right, was totally surprised when he arrived at the restaurant and found a group of us waiting for him.
Left to right: Linda (wife of Chaplain Tom), Evelyn, Jerry (head of God's Trucking Ministry), John (a truck driver), and Chaplain Hoppy

Chaplain Hoppy and Me
It was a wonderful party.  Hoppy is doing much better now and able to get around with a cane but makes sure he has someone with him when he ventures out.  He is now legally blind.  Controlling his blood sugar is still a challenge.  Hoppy recently moved into a larger room at the motel where he lives.  He now works part-time on the chapel (which is located in a room inside the truck stop).

Chaplain Tom, me, Chaplain Jim (Retired), Bonna (Jim's wife), Jake (grandson of John and Pat)

Chaplain Tom, driver John, Pat (John's wife)

In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins

AECC Northeast Conference 2007

July 13-14 Chaplains Tom Kramer, "Hoppy" Hopkins, and I went to Waverly, NY to attend the annual AECC Northeast Regional Conference.  We stayed in a lovely Victorian Bed and Breakfast in nearby Sayre, PA, the BriMarie Inn.

My room at the BriMarie

Chaplain "Hoppy", second from left, and Chaplain Tom next to him.
(see more pictures)

Some of you may remember that my ordination was at this conference last year.

The first session was Friday night followed by a time of fellowship.  I gave a presentation about our TFC ministry during one of the Saturday morning sessions.  Lunch was provided by the host church and no one left hungry.  The final activity before we left was communion.  It was great to see some of the folks we met last year.

Margaret and Tom's wife, Linda, did not go with us this year.  They were in D.C. for a Women of Faith conference.

In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins