Trophies of Grace Whitetail Deer Hunt
2001
Tar Hollow State Park, Ohio
Lord of the Harvest Archery Club
It seems like just yesterday that we held our first hunt at Tar Hollow State Park. Amazingly, this was the 9th year for the hunt that is put on by The Lord of the Harvest Archery Club from the Dayton, Ohio area.
Each year we come away, counting our blessings, counting the prayers we saw answered, the people who came to know our Lord, the financial needs met, the number of deer taken. Someone always says, "this was the best ever", but it is always the best ever for different reasons each year. This year was truly the best. Let me tell you why.
Much prayer is put into this event each year but this year we added something. First we made up a daily prayer calendar for the month prior to the hunt. Everyone in the club was praying for specific requests and for people by name every day. The prayer requests were broken down so that the smallest detail was not forgotten. Since everyone in the club works, we arrive at different times on the first Friday evening. However, we agreed that whoever was there by 10:00 p.m., would meet at the fireplace in the lodge for a time of prayer. Most everyone was there by that time and we broke into groups of 2-4. Prayer lists had been made up for each area of the camp. It was so neat as each group went to the area they were assigned and prayed for God's protection and blessing in a particular location. I believe this activity set the pace for the entire week.
This is not to imply we did not some bumps in the road, but we are learning that many times, those bumps are there for a reason, and though we may not know the "why", God does and He knows better than we do.
The first bump was one of our speakers, Tim Quillen of the Allen Company, was not able to come. Due to the events of September 11, he could not get away. God has blessed us with Tennessee Tom Langston. Tom has been coming since the first hunt and what a privilege it has been to watch him mature in his speaking. He shares his heart and he has a heart for God and for the lost. Everyone appreciates his "down-home" style.
Another bump was Byron and Whitney Tabor and their children arrived much later than expected. Their motor home broke down and they had to return home and start over. They are on the road so much of the year, the RV is like home to them. Not having it was difficult for them. We had to do some shuffling around, but managed to get them settled into a room in the lodge. This was Byron's second year as a speaker with us. God is using him and his family in a mighty way to reach an unreached segment of our country.
"Gator" Tim Lainhart, our third speaker, also arrived later than expected, but that was a miscommunication on our part. At one point, we thought we were going to have to tell Tennessee Tom he was the speaker for the week!
The next bump was more of a disappointment than a bump. We had been praying for some specific unsaved individuals who were supposed to be there. We were so confident that this was going to be their time to accept Jesus. But they didn't come. No explanation. We were so sure!!
The week was going well. Everyone was seeing deer. Lots of shots were being taken. And, fortunately for the deer, only some of them were finding their mark. Financially, it looked like we were going to be ok. The speakers were great. The spirit around the camp was good. And even with everything going well, we were depressed. By Thursday, no one had made any decisions for Christ. But Thursday evening, God again proved Himself faithful.
We have commemorative arrows that we give away each year. They are beautifully painted in the colors of the Wordless Book. This year God laid it on our hearts to give one to Ranger Ron. Ron is the only park employee how has been with us since the start. Ron was visibly moved. A short while later (while the service was going on), Ron came back in the kitchen to where a few of the ladies were. He walked right up to them, stuck out that arrow and said "What's that mean". He was pointing to the inscription of Rev. 20:15. They were able to use the colors on that arrow to explain salvation. And before the evening was over, Ron prayed to receive Christ! Though Ron had been around all those years, he had never once sat through a session where the gospel was shared but he saw Christ in people every time he came around and that impacted him! This was a direct result of relationship building! How very important it is portray Christ in everything we say & do!
While they were talking to Ron, Byron was sharing in the evening session. When Byron gave the invitation, three men accepted Christ. God is FAITHFUL!
A couple weeks after the hunt was over, Mike Peters, our club chairman, received an email from someone who had been there. This man wanted Mike to know that he came, not knowing what to expect but left with Jesus in his heart.
I truly believe we will not know the impact this hunt has had over the years until we get to heaven!
But most importantly 5 more souls for the Kingdom of God!
Joy Cornelius
December 2001
