Gracious folks

Many moons have passed since I took a group on a fishing trip to Lena Lake in the Bob. It consisted of myself, daughter Tracey and two gals from back east, who came recommended by a man I once guided on an elk hunt. Pastor Hodges too, and his cousin, a dentist from Portland, Oregon. That was back before the criminals took over the city.

We hired Virgil Burns to pack everything and was furnished horses for the group. Me and Tracey had our own mounts. Arriving at Virg's outfit early there was Virgil just pulling tight on a mantie rope, I couldn't pass it up. I sez; "Virg someone said outfitting and pack'n was one of the most stressful jobs on the planet." Never at a want for words Virg quirted as he yanked on the rope, "that's why I like it so much!" Having guided for Virg I knew he ran a tight ship--yes-sir-ree there was no leaks in Virgil's boat.

Anyway, I headed out with the group. Virg said he'd be along. About half way to Lena Virgil passed us up with the mules. Yup, Virgi was a mule man. Virgil passed away several years ago. He was one of those characters you always remember.

Lena Lake was just like I remembered it. One of the places that spoke of peace. Virg was all unloaded, of course, and took the short trail to his main camp. First order of business was to catch some trout, which we did with no trouble.

Nice Cutthroat. Nothin' quite like mountain trout for supper. I hear by way of the backwoods telegraph they poisoned the lake. Said it had the wrong cutthroat. Golly Bill, the wrong cutthroat!

So camp was set up and a cheery campfire left us look'n out across the lake at the mountains beyond and marveling at God's creation. One of the gals had become estranged from her husband and she got expert counseling from Pastor Hodges. Next day she decided to follow Christ and was baptized in the Lake. Probably the only person to ever be baptized in Lena Lake. We get a card every Christmas and she and her husband are living happy ever after. And the dentist, he looks at me and sez, "You seem to know all about the woods. I look at peoples' teeth and you and your wife need teeth work." Sez me "I can't afford a dentist."

Before he left for Oregon he invited us to stay at his house and he'd fix our teeth for free.

Well sir, I took him up on it. He and his gracious wife opened their home to us while he did the tooth thing. Can you beat that? Come to find out he was a medical missionary to Africa, spent several months a year there healing people with abscessed teeth and whatever was needed. Just like Jesus did. Healing them and telling them of the good news of salvation.

Yes, gracious folks and then some. A brother and sister in Christ.