A Greater Love....

It all started back in 1977 when Bob and I arrived in a little farming town of Newell, Iowa for our first pastorate. One of the couples that were a vital part of our church were Dwain and Lois Holmes (and their 4 children...Dawn, DJ, Dixie, Denise). The Holmes family had an unusual exotic animal farm at their home - snakes being one of the animals that were in abundance! It was during a missions conference that Dwain came forward and told the Lord that if his animal farm would sell, he would spend the time that he did chores in Bible study and prayer. The next morning, a man called and asked to buy his farm! God answered Dwain's commitment that day!
It wasn't long until Dwain and Lois felt the call to serve God in missions. Off they went to Bible School with four little children. After graduation, God called them to Ecuador - and what a ministry they have had for over 25 years.
While we were on our trip west to be with Gary and Pam Stauffer, we stopped at a church in Iowa for their Wednesday night service, which happened to be their AWANA Awards night! While looking at their bulletin, we saw that Dwain and Lois had been there Sunday night to share their work. We got their phone number from the pastor of the church where they were staying, and we were able to meet them for breakfast Thursday morning. What a reunion it was for us! We haven't seen Dwain and Lois for 25 years - but what a wonderful work they are doing for the Lord. It was such a joy to share with them, and see their powerpoint while sitting in McDonalds! They are here in the states until July - rejoicing in the birth of a new grandbaby...Jordyn who was born May 10 and weighed in at 7 lbs 3 oz and is 20' long.
God gave Dwain and Lois a love for exotic animals...namely snakes, and Dwain has captured over 200 snakes in Ecuador which he keeps in containers, or for the ones that are very exotic, he sends them to scientists in Quito who study them and put them on display. Some of the natives there have captured over 1600 snakes for Dwain! Just recently, he captured a snake that has never been cataloged, and it may even be named after him! God knew what he was doing when he sent Dwain to Ecuador....they traded the love of one animal farm in Iowa to a mission field where he still enjoys exotic animals while serving the Lord!