“Go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Teach them to observe all things that I have commanded you.  And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:19-20

We believe that we have been called to use the gifts God has given us to reach unbelievers for Him and to encourage, and build up His Church.

Cotton

I have worked with live rabbits and doves in my show for about thirty-five years now.  Yesterday, I found my latest rabbit dead after serving faithfully for eight years.  Of all the rabbits I've had over the years this one was far and away my favorite, and just as much a pet as a working rabbit.

Eight years ago, when the previous rabbit, Jeremiah, died, my wife, Sue, said she passed a farm every day that had a sign out saying it had rabbits for sale.  She offered to stop in the next day on her way home.  When she did, she discovered that the owner was a former student from her adult education program.  This former student was so grateful for my wife's work with her, she gave us a beautiful, white dwarf male Dutch lop.  The lop was a two year old that was recently retired from breeding.  That same day, she brought the little guy home.  We decided on the name Cotton because of his pure white, fluffy fur.  But I also had in mind one of my favorite literary characters, Johnny Cotton from the book "Bless the Beasts and Children".  I had read this coming of age novel countless times over the years, but had just finished reading it aloud to our youngest daughter, Rose, when we were both home form school sick.  Johnny Cotton, the savior character in the novel, made for a nice double meaning to our new bunny's name.

Cotton adjusted quickly to his role change from stud to magician's partner.  Over the eight years he performed in our show, he did hundreds of shows in multiple states and Canada.  After almost every show, he visited the audience face to face and hands on.  Whether he was interacting with  a Sunday school kid or a prison inmate; a psychiatric patient or a great-grandmother in a nursing home; he was equally gentle, affectionate and non-judgemental.  I often joked that he was the real star of the show.  

Sometime during those eight years, I got a harness and leash so I could take Cotton out in the yard.  He loved it!  He would, like rabbits do, sprint for a few seconds, then stop to nibble moss, grass, wild strawberry leaves, dandilions and whatever else he could find.  Other times he found sticks from our apple trees to chew on.  As he got older, he still enjoyed the yard, but did a lot less sprinting and a lot more laying in the grass.  I told Sue once that I liked our time in the yard because our daughters were all adults, but with Cotton, there was still someone to play in the yard with.  

In the last year or so, he developed an eye infection that didn't ever fully go away.  Recently, it got worse, and he was losing a lot of fur around the affected eye.  Yet he still worked wonderfully  in every show (as recently as five days before he passed) and was as gentle and tender as ever.  On his last day, he came into school where I teach, and rehearsed with my class for an upcoming show.  In fact, he was part of my students' shows over the past eight years as well. Although he will not get to perform with this year's team.

Fittingly, Cotton died when the music teacher was in the class room teaching the students about George Hndel.  The last thing he heard with his long, lop ears was Handel’s “Messiah”.

 

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A Few Testimonies

The presentation was fun and encouraging... The gospel message was clear and encouraging. I purchased your book and just finished it. Your scope is broad and again encouraging. May God continue to bless your ministry. I will encourage others to read your book. -Parishioner of a local church

"Hey, I  wanted to say that was a great message in chapel today! It touched something:) thanks for doing it!" -High School Student  

"We are so grateful that you brought your amazing ministry back to our church this year... The Gospel message you bring applies to all!  It is such a positive, valuable work that you do."  -Coordinator of Christian Ed. UCC Church

"There's no questioning it. This is powerful stuff. It's extremely touching at times, never less than entertaining, and I see a lot of sincere love for Jesus in you guys."  -Dwight Lilies, song writer

The Lord has given you a wonderful window through which to present the Gospel!   - Field Director of Alliance Missions to Paraguay

"What a wonderful ministry to both children and adults.  In past years it has been a struggle to arrange programing that would hold the attention of all ages, but also challenge each heart with God's gift of Salvation.  Thank you for sharing your ministry."  -Sunday School Sup't.

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