YWAM, Chico, CA - November 2018

YWAM, Chico, CA

November 2018

Leaving Grants Pass, OR and on to Chico, CA to work at YWAM.  This will blow your socks off.  YWAM is located down a 4 mile one-lane road at Richardson Springs.  This was a historical landmark in its day and because of the one-lane road you will find that it was a hinderance to our staying for the entire 3 weeks.

On the last day of our 2nd week, a fire broke out 18 miles from YWAM which we could see at a distance.  It looked to be harmless.  Ended up being the worst recorded wildfire in the state of California in recorded history.  We watched the smoke for one entire day, seemed to be diminishing, but little did we know it was not.  Burned the entire city of Paradise.  At 4:30 in the morning the power went out.  We began to pack and by 11:00 the next morning we evacuated and started driving to our next destination to be in Arizona.  We ended up staying at another YWAM location in California overnight and drove in to Ironwood at Newberry Springs, CA for the night.  They asked if we would like to stay and work the next week which we did and then we continued on to Arizona for the holidays. 

It was a mentally exhausting decision to leave Chico but because of the one-lane road we knew if emergency vehicles had to locate on our premises we would not be able to evacuate.  The road was not wide enough to accommodate our RV and emergency vehicles.  That morning we tried to make a trip into Chico to pick an order from Target, but because of closed roads we could not make it to the store.  The smoke appeared to be lying close to the ground surface and we were driving with our lights on even during the day because the smoke was making it difficult to see.  Several road closings and major interstates were being threatened so knowing we had to travel south on I-5 we had to leave while I-5 was still passable.  

Hopefully we never have to experience a fire that close to our home again.  God spared our home on wheels and gave us wisdom in knowing when to leave when necessary.

Work while we were at YWAM consisted of countertop installation and electrical work in a cabin for Wayne.  Gail helped prepare rooms in hotel for conference and did many, many, many loads of laundry!

Some electrical work that Wayne did in a cabin.

First day when the smoke appeared.

As the day progressed we watched intently.  The fire was just over the ridge.

But nightfall came and we were no longer able to visibly track the fire.

Soot and fire debris on our RV roof the next morning.

Riding in Chico this is what we saw.

Leaving Chico this is what we saw from the RV.

Our car covered in soot and debris.

We hope to never face this decision again and that all SOWERs will be safe under His wing.  Fire is an uncertain destructive force and only God knows the direction it will take.  Now, on to Arizona where we will be with family for the holidays and be extremely thankful that He gave us protection.