PLEASE USE YOUR FULL NAME OR THE POST WILL BE DELETED. INAPPROPRIATE LANGUAGE WILL GET YOU BANNED. PLEASE BE CONSCIOUS THAT THESE ARE PUBLIC POSTS. PLEASE BE CONSIDERATE OF CHILDREN THAT MAY BE SIGNED ON.
Here is an article that I wrote for the 1980 Chase magazine.
Open Letter
Tara Ont., Canada November 21, 1980
Friends & Fellow Foxhunters:
In the last twelve years I have been involved in all aspects of fox hunting, I started out with competing hounds, having moderate success at it. Then through a friend of mine I got involved in judging at trials and also have been Master of Hounds at a few trials.
My wife and I have attended many trials, in the last twelve years and have met many wonderful people in the sport, both in Canada and the States.
We have enjoyed the sport and field trialing immensely and have fond memories of these occasions and the people we have met.
Therefore, I would like to explain to everyone who knows us the reason we quit foxhunting and going to field trials. We felt we should let everyone know by Open Letter in the Chase instead of contacting each individual as there are so many we have gotten to know.
On February 25, 1980 we had a tragedy in the family. My mother passed away. We had been very close when she was alive and her death upset me very much. My mother gave us a very religious upbringing and it had a great impact en my life. But, somehow the message of salvation escaped me for all these years until the death of my mother. On that day, both my wife and I accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour and our two children followed suit a short time after that.
Since then, the Lord has laid a burden on both our hearts to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to tribal people who have never heard the gospel.
On January 20, 1981 we are going to New Tribes Bible Institute in Jackson, Michigan for 1 1/2 years. After we complete our training at the Bible Institute we are going to attend New Tribes Missionary Training Centre hem in Durham, Canada. When that is completed we are going to attend New Tribes Language School in Camdenton, Missouri.
When we have completed the training we plan to go to one of the third world countries to preach the gospel to tribal people. So as you can see, we will not have anymore time for the sport since we will be in full time service for the Lord. My wile and I have never had such a peace and joy in our hearts until we accepted Jesus Christ as our Saviour and we pray that anyone who has not accepted Jesus Christ will do so and have the burdens lifted from their hearts.
Yours in Christ,
Klaas & Betty Jane Vander Heide
[Ed..note: We were fortunate to have met this fine couple last spring when they attended the Eastern Foxhunt. They have been called to a hard field, but it has to be the best rewarding of any vocation and our prayers go with them.]
December, 1980 January, 1981
Foot note March 7/2009.
The good friend mentioned in the above article that got me started on judging and being Master of Hounds is none other then Neil Baker, and it is from Neil that I bought my first and absolutely the best foxhound that I have ever owned.