Godsend Story
April 2025:
Our God is an awesome God; He reins from heaven above with wisdom,
power, and love. Thank You Lord!
My name is Elmer Elton (Bud) Baumgart Jr. I heard this quote on a TV show some time ago (“You have enough names for two people”) thank my parents, I was the first child of four. I’m 83 years old and reside near Sioux Center, and most of the time I’m busy with yard work, everyday chores or recuperating from a none-fatal health issues.
My health story; I was not born in a hospital, and until I reached age 70, I was never in a hospital as a patient, only to visit others. At the age 70 ½, (starting in early 2012) I have had continual health issues, to the point I’m forgetting what ailments I did have, and Lord continues to heel me. I’m very thankful for His presents and healing Hand.
Regarding New
Hope EFC history; in the fall of 1992, seven families began praying for a
new church, where the Gospel of Jesus Christ would be passionately
proclaimed. At the time, myself and wife was one of the seven families that
helped pray and attend the infant New Hope EF Church. My mother at the time,
living in Nebraska (a Christian woman with an Evangelical Free membership in
a local church in her area) was also a real prayer warrior for the new Iowa
EF Church plant. Due to health reasons, she never had the opportunity to
attend a service in Orange City, and her soul was transported into heaven on
October 20, 1999.
In the early
days of New Hope, Arlyn Abrams from Beresford, SD was our church planter and
minister for the very small congregation (The pastoral torch of Biblical
wisdom and teaching was passed to Pastor Jeff Whitt in the fall of 1994). In
the early 90’s, one request Pastor Arlyn would ask us weekly, where have you
have seen the Lord at work in your life? It could be large or a small
godsend.
Starting last year, I had spot on my left ear (size of dime and diagnosed as sun damage) that was not healing. The reason you have seen me in church for some time. I have been self-conscience of the looks and staying out of the public view as much as possible. This year, In the middle of April, I had an appointment at the Dakota Dunes, SD for surgery. I’m still in recovery mode and the damaged area is looking good.
I have had numerous godsends in my life, and this is a resent example. In April of this year, I’m planning my trip to the Dakota Dunes, SD knowing my surgery appointment is Tuesday morning. So on the weekend before, I checked the vehicle tire pressure manually and all (4) were within manufactures specification, correct to the pound. (Also, the vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system, TPMS sensors, to monitor the air pressure inside individual tires) all reading was “good”. On Monday AM, continuing the preparation, I had the local CO-OP fill the fuel tank on the vehicle. Upon completion, I went in the sales area to pay and a CO-OP attendant, “Not Helping Me” walked past my vehicle and told me that I may have a nail in my rear tire. I told him, I just checked the tires and all were OK.
Simulated view of tire nail puncture
Thinking I better have the tire checked, and amazingly, the tire had a nail and was leaking air. The tire being round, and the nail having a very limited area of view due to the fender, I believe this to be a divine intervention, and also contemplating why the attendant would be looking at my rear tire? This cannot be a normal earthly observation! One sure thing, this would have been a real problem Tuesday morning or even worse situation on the road, not wanting to be late for the surgery appointment. A delay may have spiked my blood pressure (that’s normally good). I was told “Nothing God does is random”.
The nail in
the tire story could have been report to Pastor Arlyn (early church days) or
anyone today that the Lord was at work using the CO-OP attendant for my
safety and well-being. Also, I’m thankful for the alert employee’
observation and concern for his customers.
PS: The trip was successful without any issues, and also the surgery. Thank
you Lord!
Elmer Elton
(Bud) Baumgart Jr.
Sioux Center, IA 51250
E-mail: Baumgart@mtcnet.net