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EL UVALDE TIMES
April 11,1992
Camp Fires
By Gwen Watkins
Mj Friend...Pops
Cross Carrier
What Does The Cross
Mean To You?
Bill Femald, a cross carrier
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Jesus said: “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” John 12:32 (KJV).
Have you ever wondered what aCross Carrier looks like? Not so unusual. He looks a lot like you and me.
The picture above is of Bill Femald walking with the cross on Loop 1604 in San Antonio. As people are drawn to the cross. Bill tells them about Jesus.
Bill has the quiet strength of a true follower of Jesus. He has the maturity to remain silent and let the cross speak for itself.
What does the cross say to you?
Til never forget the day I was driving from Sabinal to Uvalde. Bob Heiple was walking beside the road, carrying the cross. My first feelings were excitement.
“Oh, look, there’s the cross.”
I had recently met Bob and recognized the love of Jesus strong in his eyes and speech and kind gentle ways.
I pulled the car over and jumped out. I was glad to see Bob, but it was the Cross that I ran to. My eyes began to overflow with tears. I didn’t understand exactly why. Then my hand reached out as I had a strong desire to touch and caress the cross.
A warm glow seemed to encircle us. Surely it was the glory of God. It’s difficult to explain what I felt....except that I knew I was home. I was loved. All sorrow, pain, rejection and struggle left my body. I was safe where I belonged.
If I could use one word to describe what I felt at the Cross that day, it would be the word completion. Totally complete...totally satisfied.
As Bill, Bob, Larry, Mario and others have carried the cross through Texas, California, Mexico and other countries, millions have come running


countries, millions have come running to the cross to meet Jesus. His love radiates from the cross and draws the poor, hungry, lonely, sick and destitute: the humble.
And when they ask Jesus to be their Lord, He gives them eternal life and friendship with God.
Is it just a piece of jewelry to wear about your neck? Are you one who worships it instead of our risen Lord? Or do you hardly ever think about it except at Easter or if you should see a man walking down the road with it?
If you saw a cross carrier, what was your reaction? Were you indignant? Were you embarrassed for the cross carrier ? Or did you judge him and say he must be a fake? Has your heart grown so attached to the things of the world that it’s now cold and insensitive to the things of God? And heaven help you, if like the Roman soldiers, you have the desire to mock the cross.
Or, as you drove past, did your heart secretly desire to reach out and touch the cross, but your pride prevented you?
My little grandson, Sky, when he was three years old, use to point his finger and say, “You’d better think about it”
No, Bill’s no fake. I’ve watched his life and walk with Jesus. Only Bill and God can know the valuable lessons the Lord teaches him as he carries the cross. Not everyone comes running to the cross. Surely, Bill has experienced many of the things that Christdid. Surely many have laughed at him, taunted him, judged him falsely, and rejected the greatest opportunity in the world: Salvation, which Bill offers freely to any who will come to the cross.
Have you ever wondered what Bill
Knock., knock...knock. “Its me.” I call at the front door of Pop’s mobile home.
“Come on in.” I hear him say.
Pop recognizes my voice and as I enter there’s always laughter, a hug, and a ready joke.
Although Pops is blind, he sees right to the heart of people. His special gift is building you up when you feel down. When you’re hurting or confused and think no one in the world could love you, especially yourself, he has a way with words to make you believe you’re the grandest person on earth. He calls it“self-estcem”. He says he has plenty so he likes to share.
Often I tell him how he reminds me ofmy Heavenly Father. For one thing, he’s always home. Next, he consistently believes the best about me.
Jesus is my Best Friend and the Holy Spirit walks with me daily, but God understands our need for earthly friends. Our longing for fellowship with God finds completion when God expresses His Love for us through the heart, eyes, or words of one of His children.
Since I couldn’t visit Pops as often as
The Cross...........
says to those who are drawn to the cross? It’s very simple. This is how he begins:
Pardon me, but can I ask you a question?
“Yes.”
“If you died right now, do you know for sure that you would go to heaven?
"No.”
Would you like to know this for sure?
“Yes.”
"Most people think that in order to get to heaven we must do many good things and that if we arc good enough, God will approve and we will go to heaven, but that is not what the Bible says. You believe in the Bible don’t you?"
“Yes.”
The Bible says that going to heaven is a Free Gift. All we have to do is to accept it. Would you like to go to heaven?
“Yes.”
Angel Food,
(Spiritual Recipes to be shared)
Decide your need for the day. Choose the appropriate recipe and place it with the easel on your kitchen table or office desk.
A set of 33 cards and a small easel for $7.00. If you would like a set for yourself or as a gift, please make your check out to:
Ulmont Blalock --’’Pops”
I would like, and since he couldn’t read my letters, I decided to make cassette tapes for him. They always began with a rapping on wood... “knock...knock., knock. HiPops. It’s me.”
Sometimes the tapes were scripture and sometimes just simple thoughts one shares with a friend.
Repeat this prayer after me: “Heavenly Father. Forgive me of all my sins and wash me clean. I want to start over, Jesus. Thank you for dying on the cross for me. Come and live inside of me and change me. Give me the power to live like you want me to. I receive the free gift of eternal life. I thank you that I now have a home in heaven.
If you meant this prayer from your heart, if you died today, you would go to heaven. Read your Bible every day. It will show you how God wants you to live.
If you would like to hear more Good News about Jesus and the Cross, please write to:
Angel Food Blessings
P. O. Box 313
Utopia, Texas 78884
or call Bill at (512) 966-2325
Angel Food Blessings P. O. Box 313 Utopia, Tx 78884

Pops was introduced to me by another dear friend, his dauther-in-law, Jan. She’s really special.
Pop’s real name is Ulmont Blalock. You may know him. He was bom in 1911 and grew up around Barksdale. He has lived in Uvalde, Del Rio, California and Utopia.
There arc many wonderful stories I could share about Pop’s life... many of his jokes I could repeat. If only I had the ability to tell them like he does.
Truth is, I’m not here to tell you all the things Pops has done: I’m here to tell you who he is to me. He’s a faithful, loyal, friend whom I can trust. And I know he was sent by God to fill a special void in my like.
Thanks Pops for being my friend.
The verse that best describes Pops for me is found in I Corinthians 13:7 (TLB).
If you love someone you will be loyal to him/her no ma,tier what the cost.
You will always believe in him/her, always expect the best of him/her and always stand your ground in defending him/her.”
You may write to Gwen Watkins at:
Angel Food Blessings
P. O. Box 313
Utopia, Tx 78884
FOR YOU
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