God looked down from above on His people below.
Red, yellow, black and white how He loved them so.
But many were suffering, poverty their stead
They need clothed, bathed, healed and fed.
How can I help and whom shall I send?
An angel named Vincent bowed low and said
"I know the one. For on earth he is my son.
Mechanically gifted and in love with you, Lord
How about a bus, but please, could you make it a Ford?"
"Ah, a bus," said the Lord, "for portable aid
(with an awning, of course, for portable shade).
Generator, water tank, tables and more
Doctors, dentists and volunteers galore
To wash hair and cut hair and give a baby a bath
To hug them, to treasure them, to make children laugh.
My people in need will see a great light
But rather than white, it will be black with a big red stripe
(now it is purple and gold)
They will be clothed, bathed, healed and fed
But most of all, by the hand they'll be led
To the foot of the cross where my Son's blood was shed
To bring life to the ones whose souls have been dead."
So God sent the vision so vivid and clear.
A bus dropped from heaven
The man saw it from front to rear.
Awakening his wife with such a commotion
He shared what he saw
And they cried, laughed and covenanted
With God in earnest devotion.
It was the birth of a mission – a mandate from God.
"Bringing unto the Saints Encouragement to Serve"
A vision from which they have not swerved.
Ten years have passed since that remarkable day,
(now it has been twenty years)
So much has happened, there's so much to say.
God sent a team of workers to help along the way.
Wanda, (Todd, Tammi, Mat), Tom and Lee
An integral part of the (ever growing) family.
Giving their gifts, their talents and time
Wow, it's hard to make this rhyme
Their labor is endless, their devotion is true
Without them we wonder, what would we do?
Miracles wrapped with dark eyes and brown skin
Call out in silence, "Come back! Don't go!"
"Cristo te ama," we say as we leave
"We'll be back," we cry, wiping tears on our sleeve.
As long as is possible
BUSES INTERNATIONAL will go
Shining the light of Jesus
So all will know
Another angel stepped up shyly
Gladys was her name
She was new
And she was smiling
"Lord," she said, "look how the ministry has expanded"
Now to children, Christmas boxes are handed
Buses are found all over the land
A tangible gift from Your bountiful hand
Vincent and Gladys (hand in hand) united
Beamed at their Lord. They were so excited!
"The work of this team," said the Lord "has only begun!"
The two angels danced and cheered: "Way to go, Son!"
My tale of heavenly conversation may be pure fancy
But not the pride of my family
For my parents, Norman and Nancy
Ken and I, Trent and Tyler, too
Join in the refrain I imagine to be true:
"Well done! Way to go!"
We truly, truly love you so.
