Adios, My Friend

Have you ever known someone who makes you feel like a better person having known them? Someone who lives the example that you on your best day would have difficulty measuring up to? Well I did and we lost him last night after a valiant battle with cancer. If you will please indulge me while I tell you about him I would appreciate it.

I met Jake Royall, and his wife Gwen, in 1997. We had just transferred our membership to a Disciples of Christ church in Luling and they came to the church about the same time. He and Gwen were officially "retired" but I soon understood that there was no rocking chair on the porch for them! They had a ministry where they traveled around the country doing repairs at various church camps. They were a blessing to these camps as most of them had troubles keeping the doors open let alone having money to pay for much needed skilled repairs. If they weren't in church in Luling, Texas you could bet the farm that they were at some church camp being the "worker bees" that got things done. I don't know how many years they did this before I met them but this continued until around 2002 when they felt they needed to get off the road. So reluctantly they ended this ministry and headed for the porch and rocking chairs. Hah! You apparently didn't know Jake & Gwen!

During their travels they met a group of retired folks, I believe in Florida, that had started a ministry that they really liked. These people were building Personal Energy Transportation vehicles, or PET's for people in Third World countries. You see, these countries are not friendly to the conventional wheelchairs that we use in the U.S. No sidewalks, very few paved roads, lots of uneven terrain. So they designed a three wheel cart, which you pedaled with your arms, with hard rubber tires. They would build them in Florida and then send them to missionaries, primarily in Central America. They were an instant hit with the disabled population because for many the only way they could get anywhere was at the benevolence of others. The PET's represented independence and dignity to these people.

Well Jake and Gwen didn't hesitate. This was their new ministry! This is how they would serve "the least of these" for God! So with the help of Joe and Karen Svboda, they formed The PET Project, Texas. Jake did most of the work in filling out the application for 501(c)3 status, with a little help from yours truly, and away we went. The next five or six years (forgive me Gwen) they were either on the road getting donations or in the shop building PET's. I don't know the total number built before they had to give it up but I do know that hundreds, or maybe thousands had their daily lives improved because of the efforts of PET Project, Texas.

I could tell you much more about Jake but I think I will close it with a personal testimony. I believe I am a better man, a better Christian, and an overall better human being for having known Jake Royall. I learned much from him and will miss him terribly. Tell our Brother Jesus hi for me!