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July 29th and 30th, 2022 the month was with out rain. Everything was pretty much sun cooked and brown. With all the high prices and recession that was hitting our land we experienced mostly a decline
in numbers all across the board. It has been a very expensive year. I will say we did have a Ranger Derby at our Divisional Race that had almost 3 times as many there has been these past few years before but on average every one has been affected by these prices we see at the pump, store and all across the finances.

The weeks leading up to the Regatta was full with all kinds of activities so only half a dozen boats were built compared to previous years of 16 to 25 boats racing.. We had 6 boats racing. 3 in RK and DR classes and 3 in the AR and ER classes. The evening before the weather was perfect with cooler weather and no rain. The group enjoyed a council fire with Richard Michael speaking. A evening of feasting on a Rib dinner and trimmings for the 22 present. Generally we average about 100 at that meal. Some years more some years just under that. This year the extra ribs were purchased and taken home by the attendees for a next few days Rib o Rama. Thanks Commander Dan for those great Ribs.

Ray and his wife Linda prepared the groceries and had all things prepared and ready to go.

Saturday morning at 6 am I left my house in Ozark to bring the Regatta race stuff and get it setup in time for the Big Race. Forecast was 80% chance of a good wash during the hours of the devotion and races. In my prayers for that event I spoke to the Lord and said God if you would bring a down pour on us during this race than let it be so as we need the rain. Either way we will give you the Glory. Upon arrival I found John Straughn, Rodney Lillard, Richard Michael and Dan Rockafellow's groups breaking camp and getting ready for the big race knowing the rain was on it's way.

This was the first time in my 20 plus years of regattas that I didn't come down to camp. My wife's Mom had passed into Glory the Thursday before the race. My job in Ranger Ministry was modified to make sure Family was taken care of first. Our God is a great God and His promises are Eternal and my Prayer Warrior Milllie, my wifes mother is certainly in a much better place now than we are. We are so blessed as Christians to know that we know that we will see them again in a Glorified body and a perfect place that we can only try to imagine. Yet those of us that are still here have a calling to get accomplished...mine is Ranger Ministry.

At 9:45 am as we awaited a couple more boats to show and the crowd was near 35 or so. Richard Michael shared the Gospel with rain pouring over him and he didn't miss a tick. We praised God in that hard rain and then got busy racing 2 heats of 3 boats each. Passing out plaques as they came in. My plaques were readable in the garage but when the rain hit them the grain raised the carved letters and my best laid plans didn't happen as wished they had. With God's help I will do better next time.

Grace Point, Abundant Life, Branson First and Evangel Temple sent their best to this years race. There is no doubt in my mind if these folk lived in the old testament days and were told were following God's Man Moses out into the dessert they would have been their smiling and Ready for Anything!!!! I love these folk. The rest of you that didn't get mentioned I know God has a blessing in store for you! Thank you one and all.