For 4 years we were blessed with the "Party Van". This is what the Bible College students called it because the side door did not close right and anyone who sat near the door had to have their seatbelt on (because we would drive down the road with it opened. Hey it let the fresh air in) This van was incredible! If we were not packing 14 people in it, or if it was not hauling concrete to the dump or carrying furniture and surfboards, it was carrying the massive Koinoinia Cafe sign down the street. (The neighbor who owned the plumbing shop down the street knew that we were moving. He said that he saw the sign going down the street bouncing up and down on the van). Let's see, Daniel backed up twice putting two dents in it (the tail light was smashed), Pastor Tim crushed the back roof when he backed into a low overhang, I crushed the side door, and Andrew scrapped the wall in his first date with Kayo. Those are just the ones we know of, only time will tell how many dents Joanna put in it. (Maybe you can write a comment below and tell us if you crashed the van too, that we did not know about. Don't worry you won't get in trouble). The van reminds me of the "Torrent Van" back in California, (some of you remember that sweet surf van!). But to tell you the truth, the "party van" was better, more memories, more incredible stunts. But it is now gone. (sniffle) We "junked" it last week (I didn't even get to say goodbye, sniffle). Rob deregistered it and it was sold for scrap metal. (we got $400.00 dollars for it). We are going to miss old brownie, it was a total blessing. For those of you who know the "party van" please tell us your favorite story below. God bless you and God bless the "party van".
13 comments:
Well, no "secret" crash stories... but that van sure was a blessing helping us move several times. Great example of allowing God's blessings in your life bless others.
Hey!!! I'm a good driver. I never put any scratch or dent in that thing. The other cars - yes, but the brown ghetto van - never! The Sanford & Son van is what I called it (can't you hear the theme song playing.) I was sad that Tom wasn't here to say good-bye to his old friend. He loved that van - I only drove that blessing when I needed to. But God provided, and that was our first "answered prayer" that God gave us in Oki. Thanks to the Ralph & Debe Reedy who said, "It's old, but it runs - maybe you'll have 1 year left on it" God stretched it to 4!! Above & beyond are the blessing of our Father. Good bye Sanford & Son van & thanks for the $400 bucks.
man....i loved driving that van up north....you could just crash out in the "party" seat with the door open and sleep for the hour ride....ah.....relaxing eh
the best time in this van though was when we rammed the weeds back at the girls d house.....oh man that was hilarious....i think that is when we found the "mystical boar"....i thought that truck was going to fall down into the ravine....lol good times good times....miss ya buddy....
I almost forgot about that one Daniel. Yes, I totally remember rammin the weeds at the Girls D house. That was so fun. Then we got stuck, almost went over the Ravine. That happended twice. The first time was with Rob, I had to call him, he was so mad because he was busy, but the faithful friend came anyways. Remember all the weeds stuck under the bumper? Ha,ha, good, good times. I really miss that van.
Just remember we need to use everything we have and give it up, everything used for his Glory, and any ways it will burn someday, so lets use it as much we can in good terms.
lol, i remember getting kicked out of it.
"and anyone who sat near the door had to have their seatbelt on"
shouldnt your seatbelts be on anyway???
Daniel in Sin City
Besides my family no one has known the van as best as I....I remember the day and person who blessed us with the van, that was the beginning of God's blessings that began to pour out on us, that was our first blessing that God started us with.....
Bro,
I remember going to Okuma and searching for wood to start a bonfire. We went up some hills slowly,( I mean slowly) and stopped and searched in an old Okinawans home and asked if we could have some wood they were getting rid of. The old lady was probably scared and did not answer us. I was waiting to hear sirens or cops to come by in minutes, but instead we loaded up some tree branches and anything that was burnable. A few stops later we got some old 2x4's and had the best bonfire making smores and Jessie Spencer saying "Fiya, Fiya" all night long. A total blessing from the Lord. Thanks party van.
"...and Andrew scrapped the wall in his first date with Kayo."
Forget the van, am I the only one caught off guard by this one? haha
But seriously, I remember ever other week wishing I was still in bed while going on base in that thing...
i never did figure out how to fully shut that door... ha..maybe cuz it didn't!
Yeah, that van rocked! I remember jumping into the back when it was full of people. People would always call "Party Seat!" instead of "shotgun" with that van.
That's the van that Keegan and I were picked up in when we first got to Oki. It was August and all I remember is, "What's up with the AC?" Little did I know, the open door was the AC! Then when I left the island, it was the last vehicle I drove. I was blessed every moment in between. Keegan and I have soooo many fond memories of Okinawa and we miss it often and it's because of the wonderful people God put in our paths there. Thank you all!! I'm always encouraged when I check this website. Keep up the GREAT work for the Lord!
In His service,
Mark
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