Goodbye Prevost BoggsMobile

Hey Friends,

Mom and I had a big week last week. On January 1st, we traveled to Tennessee. Gran and Papaw Morgan and Mamaw and Papaw Boggs traveled with us, too. Once in Tennessee, Steve, Karen, Bro. Scott and Sis. Kim Morris met us there as well. 

The goal was to empty the BoggsMobile of 16 years of life. Jeff Rowe at East Tennessee Luxury Coach allowed us to empty the bus at his shop. Mom rented a U-Haul bought supplies to help make the job easier. 

Wednesday evening, Mom and Papaw Danny picked up the truck and totes and got things ready to go. Thursday, Mom and her army of helpers descended on the Boggs Mobile.

After several hours and lots of hard work by several precious people, the job was complete! Everything was safely loaded into the truck. Thank the Lord  for His help! We thank our family for helping us with the move! We love you!

The BoggsMobile served us well for 16.5 years. Dad suffered from self diagnosed bus induced psychosis the entire time. He worked hard to maintain and keep our home on wheels rolling! There was always a list of issues vying for his attention!

We all loved the BoggsMobile. It was undoubtedly the best travel vehicle we have had. It was a dear member of the family. It carried us thousands of miles every year that we owned it. Oh, the memories that the bus holds for us!

We shopped for a bus for years before ever buying this one. God led us to the exact one we needed. It was an answer to a lot of prayers!

 Dad once wrote, “March 21, 2008 we purchased a 1995/1996 Prevost XL Vantare and drove it into the sunset.” I will never forget that day in Sandford, Florida.

Below are pictures from day 1. Mamaw and Papaw were there that day, too. Also, Uncle Ed and Aunt Nettie Mays came to see us off. The salesman is also pictured with Dad. 

Dad often said the first day he saw diesel at $4 a gallon was the day he bought a bus. Thank God, with His help, we had money for every drop of diesel we needed. 

In the middle of each month, the payment was paid. Dad gladly paid the BoggsMobile off last year. We rejoiced that day!

We owe a huge thanks to Ben Isaacs, Jeff Rowe, and Tim Dillman! These men helped Dad navigate owning a bus! We can never adequately say thank you. Your help means so much to us! Others were there to help right when we needed you! Thank you for your help as well!

Before Dad passed we knew the BoggsMobile days were numbered. Maintaining and driving it was much harder on Dad. I was struggling to get in, out and around in there. It was not super accessible. We were searching for the next best option to make life easier. All the while hating to close the Prevost chapter in our lives. 

I had decided to stay home a little more this year. Trying to make it easier on all of us. The events of November 10th 2024, sealed the deal. We no longer needed the bus!

The Lord helped us, and we sold the BoggsMobile last week. Mom and I have great peace with our decision! The new owner will take good care of it and give it a little TLC. 

Here are pictures from our BoggsMobile move out. 

 

BoggsMobile, you were good to our family! We are thankful that you helped us get through many years and miles. Thank the Lord for His protection! 

We have our share of bus stories that we will always remember, but thankfully, they were not horrific! The Boggsmobile will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Thanks for reading as we said goodbye to an old member of the family! Many of you helped pray for us as we travel across the country time after time in the BoggsMobile. See you next time.

Odie

December 29th 2023 The Day Of The Stoke

 Hey Friends,

I wanted to reflect on a big day in our Boggs Family history. Yesterday the one year anniversary of a day that we will never forget. 

December 29 2023, Dad was suddenly hit with a brain stem stroke. He was loading the bus while in our barn. Uncle Steve was right by his side that day.

Dad suddenly started feeling bad, and within seconds, he was extremely dizzy and could not swallow anything at all. He was rushed to the hospital. He remained in the hospital and in rehab until January 15th 2023.

Mom and I are still so proud of Dad. He was a model patient and worked so hard to overcome his obstacles! He was determined to recover to the best of his ability! Dad was a witness for God, even in his sickness!

Our prayers for Dad's complete healing may not have been answered this side of Heaven, but we are so thankful for the 10 extra months that we had with Dad. we were able to love him and cherish him a little longer! The extra time was an amazing gift! The Lord did many miracles for us to make those months much better! God was merciful to us! 

We still thank God for his goodness to our family! God was our strength back then and he has not changed. He is still with us today!

I cannot say how much we miss having Dad with us every day! Life will never be the same!  We still rejoice in the fact that his suffering is no more! We will go forward by God's grace! One step at a time and one day at a time. 

At this point, we have made it seven weeks, which sometimes looked impossible. By God's grace, we are still standing. A lot of the future is still unknown to us, but we know that God is in control!

Thank you to all family and friends for your prayers and support! Many of you have helped us through another challenging time in our lives! 

I cannot thank everyone by name! I will name my dear Uncle Steve and Aunt Karen. They have been with us every step of the way! Thank you ever so much! I love you both with all my heart!

The BoggsMobile

On the day of the stroke, we were preparing to pull out in the BoggsMobile The plan was to be gone from our homeplace the first seven months of 2023. Things did not go according to our plan!

As you know, everything suddenly changed. We remained close to home for most of 2023. Thankfully, Dad was able to travel a little bit here and there and do one last big fall tour before God moved him home.

On December 29th, last year, we were going to leave home, the plan was to take the bus to Tennessee for maintenance. Jeff Rowe and his guys had worked on the bus for a few weeks in November and December, but needed it back to finish up some projects. Also trying to locate some long standing issues. The bus did not make it there that day.

My parents took the bus to Jeff for some maintenance this summer. He kept us rolling for our final fall tour. The bus did arrive at Jeff shop on December 29, 2024, that's just one year later than originally planned. A driver went to Kansas and picked it up on Saturday. He drove it back to Tennessee and arrived safely Sunday  evening. 

Now Mom  and I will go to Tennessee later this week with some of our family. We need to get our belongings and say goodbye to the BoggsMobile. 

Please keep us in your prayers! We value each and every prayer that is prayed or has been prayed for us! We feel the strength that comes from your prayers! thank you for the text, email and calls of people checking on us. I apologize if I am unable to answer or respond to all of them. We do read the message and listen to the voicemail!

See you tomorrow. 

Odie

Sunday Sanity 12/8

Hey Friends,

Four weeks ago today, my Dad finished his earthly fight. He was a faithful soldier in God’s army. Daddy was committed to his God, family, calling and friends until the end.

Today’s Sanity comes from Jeff Rowe. This is a snippet of a text he sent me four weeks ago. It spoke directly to my heart when it was freshly shattered!

God has brought many special people into our lives over the years. Now, we can not imagine life without them. One such person is Jeff Rowe, owner of East Tennessee Luxury Coach in Vonore, Tennessee. 

Jeff became the official BoggsMobile mechanic. He kept us rolling and took Dad’s calls whenever we needed help on the road. He also helped tremendously with his bus-induced psychosis!

He is not just our go to bus guy, but he became a friend to our family! Often, he took up for me with Dad! This was the last picture Dad took of me and Jeff on July 22nd. 

I have found Jeff is eloquent with his words. I always feel honored when he takes a moment out his busy schedule to send me a text. Often it was exactly what I need in that moment.

Jeff has served our country! Once a Marine, always a Marine. We thank you for your service!

Odie

 “Today is the Marine Corps birthday.   Although your Dad was not in the military he was a outstanding soldier in the most important army.  The army of God.”

Jeff  Rowe 

Davy Boggs Obituary Information

Hey Friends,

This is Odie reporting in from the beach cottage. Mom and I made it home to Waynesville last night. It was so good to spend some time surrounded by family!

Thank you for your calls, texts, comments, emails, prayers, hugs and support! Once again, the family of God has surrounded us. Your kindness and generosity are helping us through a difficult time. Words cannot adequately express our gratitude and appreciation!

On Tuesday, I posted the details of Dad's Celebration of Life, scheduled for next week. You can see that post by clicking here.

For anyone planning to attend the services from out of state. Here is some lodging information that you might find valuable. Thank you to Bro. Jeff Roberts for helping us with this information! He asked me to share the details below with our blog readers

“If you are making arrangements to come to the viewing or funeral for Bro Davy, we have a special rate with a block of rooms reserved at the following hotel. You can get a room for $65 plus tax. You need to request rooms under the block for Dryden Road Church. 

The Hotel at Dayton South

8099 Old Yankee Street

Centerville, OH 45458

(937) 291-0284”

Today, I have Dad’s official obituary for you. Thanks to my Uncle Steve and Aunt Karen for aiding us with this task! Here is a link to the official listing. 

Davy Boggs 

Jan 16, 1967 - Nov 10, 2024

Boggs, Davy, age 57, of Waynesville, passed away Sunday, November 10, 2024, in Wichita, Kansas.

Davy graduated from Waynesville High School, class of ’85, where he served as class president. 

Davy began preaching as a teenager and married young to his great love, Kelly Jo. They traveled and preached on weekends, worked public jobs, evangelized full-time some and pastored churches twice. Their daughter Odie traveled with them everywhere. In 2003, the family committed to full-time ministry with their only home on the road. After wearing out a couple trucks and fifth-wheel campers, in 2008, Davy moved his family into the Boggsmobile, a 1995 Prevost Motorcoach bus. While this complex machine stressed him at times (a condition the family called bus-induced psychosis), it quickly became home to him and remained his home until last week. 

Davy and his family spent much more time away than they did at home, often spending months traveling across the United States spreading the word of God as an evangelist. His days were spent studying and seeking the Lord so he could fulfill his calling to encourage pastors. Davy and his family ministered more than 340 services most years. Davy’s passion was for souls, and he loved to reach for them under the Blue and White Gospel Tent. In fact, he spent more than 800 nights holding tent revivals. In 2016, the ministry had a year of City Reach tent revivals across much of the country. Along the way, Davy and his family became close to many pastors and their congregations; places that became like home, friends that truly became family.

Boggs Family Ministries, under Davy’s leadership, traveled the world spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In 2007, on the invitation of Pastor E. Ade Shobanke, they began traveling overseas to Nigeria. Davy was widely known and loved by the people in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where he preached minister’s conferences, camp meeting services, revivals or wherever he was asked to go. He pledged support from Boggs Family Ministries to the GoodNews Christian School when it was only a dream, and they have continued that support. He believed in the mission of the school and was convinced they are changing lives for good in Abeokuta and beyond.

Another abiding passion and ministry are his many thousands of blog posts at www.BoggsBlogs.com. He used the blog for many purposes: spiritual edification, travelogue, bus maintenance journal, and whatever else his interesting mind beheld and wished to share. Davy also had a regular Word For Wednesday (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKnI-D9DP9CsjD-Eckg9WYp54FQiq8kL6&si=iglopxFJs4plFG1F) on the ministry’s YouTube channel. Archived on the YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@boggsfamilyministries?si=iAqJhjFwxxSNserJ) as well is the much-loved 61 night revival Davy held early in Covid-19. His encouragement and sharing of the Gospel would not be stopped because people were unable to gather.

Davy loved books. Eventually he found a place to keep them out of storage at the Lazy OD Ranch. He has long collected and shared his preacher’s library used as inspiration for his messages, videos and blog posts. Earlier in his life, he enjoyed playing the acoustic guitar, which developed into a passion for the sweet sound of a good Martin. He also loved to eat. When he was home, he had a tradition of visiting Acapulco Mexican Restaurant in Lebanon at opening time almost daily. They referred to him as “Señor Salsa;” he might even drink the salsa straight from the bowl. Many of Davy’s food adventures are documented on BoggsBlogs, including pictures of course.

Davy was faithful, caring, ethical, dedicated and kind. His sincerity with people made them feel like they were his best friend. He loved God’s people and the lost alike. In addition, he was very generous, for he knew God blessed him so he could help others. He kept his hands open to share God’s blessings. In Davy’s words, “We are humbled by what Christ has done in our lives and unashamed to travel the roads singing and preaching that Christ will do the same for all that go to God the Father through Him.”

Davy was preceded in death by his daughter, Ali Elizabeth Boggs. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Kelly Jo Boggs; one daughter, Andrea Eve "Odie" Boggs; his parents, Eugene and Martha Boggs; two brothers, Steve (Karen) Boggs and Tommy Boggs; one sister, Theresa (Jay) Osborn; parents-in-law, Danny and Betty Morgan; sister-in-law, Kimberly (Brian) Roush; brother-in-law, Danny (Jeanna) Morgan Jr.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, church family, and many friends all across the world.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, November 21, at the Dryden Road Pentecostal Church in Moraine. Burial will be at Miami Cemetery in Corwin. The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM Wednesday, November 20, at the church. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to GoodNews Christian School, c/o Boggs Family Ministries, PO Box 28, Waynesville, Ohio 45068 or via the following link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=W8Y7Z82EJPSFA&source=url&ssrt=1731391753627

Stubbs-Conner Funeral Home in Waynesville is serving the family. Condolences at www.stubbsconner.com.

A Travelogue - Russellville to Claremore

I am thankful that we are finished with 500 mile travel between revivals for a while. Last week nearly kilt me. Whew!

This week it was only 207 miles between Russellville, Arkansas and Claremore, Ok;ahoma and that was long enough. It was a great weather day for travel and that makes any travel day extremely better.

We were up later than expected visiting with church folks Sunday night and enjoying it but there was no need for an early start Monday. In addition to all the normal things we do to roll the wheels, I needed to add some oil to the big Detroit.

Once that was finished, KJo turned on the key and the coolant light was on. She told me so we added a gallon to the expansion tank and that satisfied the sensor as I knew it would. I usually need a gallon at least once a year and with the limited miles in 2024l this was the first one.

I always keep 4-5 gallons of mixed 50% coolant/50% water for emergencies. I knew we had plenty with us because that was one of the things on our checklist before we left home. That makes the busy days at home before departure worth it.

Once we cranked, we did the work of the evangelist, flipped the bus around and attached the Jeep. 100 miles and 93 minutes later we were stopped at the Oklahoma Welcome Center rest area.

I went outside and walked a bit to limber up and Kelly prepared a little meal for me there. We were only stopped about 40 minutes, but it was a good stop.

After 207 miles we pulled into Westside Holiness Church in Claremore, Oklahoma. 

This is definitely a familiar stop for us and we are happy to be here. We first came to Westside in the 1990s at their old location and we have always loved it. Bro. Jimmy Millikin is the Pastor at Westside and has been for five or six years. We love the Millikins and that adds to the appeal here.

We parked the BoggsMobile, hooked up the water and electric and then I helped KJo wash the bugs from the front of the bus and the road grime from the Jeep. 

We were about and hour and forty minutes getting all of that completed but I was sitting in a chair operating the sprayer most of the time. I was spent when we pulled in,

That was our travel day and the next three travel days in October should be even shorter! Yay! Today we have a big and intense task. I will tell you about it later.

Thank you for dropping in.

Davy