Pour Out Blessing
I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t be able to take it all in…Malachi 3:10
If you’ve been to a second service since 2020, in the old or the new Church in the
Pines buildings, or attended Andrew’s prayer meetings or other wild classes like those
facilitated by Neil and Ruth Theilke, or Louie and Aggie Saunde, you most likely have
run across Pete and Theresa Lukes. These two have been married 49 years and are
home town icons in Alexandria. They met at Skelly’s truck stop- for those who
remember that hangout from back in the day. Theresa was 16 and Pete was umm…
well… older. Sounds like love at first sight to hear them tell the story but that is not what
this tale of profound heartfelt gratitude is about.
Both Pete and Theresa were born into large families. Pete’s mom had a rare disease
called “ Brittle Bone Disease,” or “Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI)”. OI is a genetic
mutation that affects the body’s ability to make strong bones. Although much of her life
was spent in a wheelchair, Pete’s mom was told that she could have healthy children
yet three of her kids have “OI” and Pete was one of them. Because of “OI”, Pete’s life has consisted of occasions where his bones break for no reason at all, that is without any physical trauma. Pete acknowledges that he has had over several hundred broken bones and some breaks are much more painful than others and some breaks take a long time to heal. Over the years Pete went from walking, to crutches and now to a motorized scooter.
Throughout their life together Pete performed autobody and mechanic work and
Theresa was a homemaker and IT whiz for two local companies. Pete drove a van that
had a wheelchair /scooter carrier attachment on the back and Pete would lift himself into the driver’s seat of the van from his scooter and someone would attach the scooter
onto the carrier on back of the van. This process has worked for many years for daily
trips and vacations.
Throughout the years, you rarely heard Pete complain about his condition but would
hear Pete talk about living his life “in the Spirit” and what that means and where it has
taken him. After he was born again, Pete embodies Joel 2:28, “ And afterward I will
pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy; your old men
will dream dreams and young men will see visions.” These gifts trumps Pete’s illness as
he enjoys telling his testimony to friends and strangers, (Pete will have to tell you the
stories himself) Pete embraces these spiritual gifts and gives the Lord glory.
In the spring of 2025, the vertebrae in Pete’s spine fractured and differing vertebra
broke two times. Twice Theresa called 911 and had an ambulance transport Pete to the
hospital on a gurney due to the excruciatingly pain. Pete’s van was no longer an option
because he could not lift himself into the driver’s seat, so when it was time to be
discharged from the hospital there was no transportation available to get Pete home
due to the necessity of transporting him on a gurney or scooter, and the hour was too
late for Rainbow Rider. Theresa drove Pete’s van with the attached scooter to the
hospital and Pete had to drive his scooter home on the sidewalks with Theresa following
close behind. Both were grateful for clear weather and the medication received at the
hospital which helped with pain during his venture home.
After the two spine fractures occurred Pete was unable to attend Pines. Folks kept
asking Theresa how he was feeling and would he be back. Pete was not doing well
and he missed the church body and the body missed him. Theresa’s dear friend Trina , a Proverbs 17:17 “friend who loves at all times”, and her husband Greg Sandeno, from New Testament Church in Alexandria, where Theresa and Pete attended for 20 years before Pines, kept asking what they could do to help.” They were besides themselves in what was happening to Pete and the lack of transportation for Pete and the stress it placed on Theresa. The Sandenos came up with the idea of a different van that would allow Pete to be lifted into the van and possibly drive it. This seemed like a pipe dream. Trina then approached Theresa about utilizing the Christian based crowdfunding platform “GiveSendGo” for a van. After prayer the Lukes decided to give their consent.
The Sandenos made an announcement one Sunday at New Testament Church about
Pete’s “GiveSendGo” fund raiser. Bill Jarvi, who attends New Testament heard the
announcement and contacted Trina and Greg and stated he’s like to sponsor the fund
raiser at his Common Ground Coffee Shop with soup and dessert. Once the announcement was made at New Testament and Bill offered to donate Common Grounds coffee shop, The event was posted on Facebook and shared 32 times, and the event was presented on the slides in the Pines common area.
A "But God" scenario was working out during this time. Rydell and Gaige Robinson,
another Pines family, started a handicap transportation company named “Enroute.”
Rydell and Gaige were contacted and agreed to provide rides for Pete and Theresa to
the Pines for Sunday services once Pete’s vertebrae started to heal. The joy and
laughter in the Pines common area between first and second services on Pete’s first few return Sundays was overwhelming. You could not get near Pete because so many
friends had to greet and welcome him home. Leading up to September 28, Theresa was approached by all sorts of people wanting to donate to Pete’s van. Theresa was given envelopes of cash or checks plus friends indicated they were making on-line donations. During this time Theresa began looking for vans between the twin cities and Alexandria. When shopping at a mobility conversion van dealership Theresa discovered they only sold handicapped passenger vans and not handicapped driver vans.
Then another But God event occurred. Pines very own Scott Soderholm told
Theresa about a handicap conversation van being sold in Starbuck. It turned out to be
a 2014 Sienna Toyota with only 29,000 miles with a side lift and a driver’s seat that
accommodated transfer from a wheelchair to seat. The seller was gracious. What a
miracle and what a find. The owner stated the brakes and air-conditioner needed some
tuning and Pete’s long time buddy Roylie Fischer stated he would donate his time,
energy, and parts to repair everything the van needed after he gave the van a good
inspection.
Back to the Common Ground party. What a success! Trina and Bill provided soup, bread and Bill sold his yummy specialty coffees. Deb Henningcamp (Theresa’s sister), and Pam Gust donated tasty bars and cookies. People came and went through out the two hours of the event. Theresa determined after the event, there was enough money to purchase the van. UNBELIVEABLE!!!! Roylie true to his word repaired all issues and delivered the van the day of Pete’s son’s performance in Fiddler on the Roof, at the Andria Theatre. Guess who was the proud driver to that performance.
Since the delivery of the van all Pete can do is smile as he explains that he it means to
him to have his freedom back. He can go places by himself and is back meeting with
friends and family. When asked what he was thinking during the immobile painful
broken bone moments Pete reflects that God is true to his word, “…. The Lord will never
leave you or forsake you…” Deuteronomy 31:6.
When Theresa is asked about the events leading up to the van’s purchase you notice
tears forming in her beautiful eyes. She reflects that those who prayed and /or donated
to the cause will never know what it means to her and Pete personally. She states that
she will never be able to repay those who participated in various ways, but God sees
everyone’s generous hearts. She rejoices in her prayers of gratitude for innumerable
reasons.
So, when you are at Pines and you see a beautiful white van in the handicapped
parking space know- in- your- knower this is no ordinary conversion van. This is a van
that brought encouragement and light to the darkest of days and tears of joy to the
recipients. Know that you are the givers of this van that your graciousness and prayers
have changed lives and that the Church body still works miracles.
To Him the glory.
If you’ve been to a second service since 2020, in the old or the new Church in the
Pines buildings, or attended Andrew’s prayer meetings or other wild classes like those
facilitated by Neil and Ruth Theilke, or Louie and Aggie Saunde, you most likely have
run across Pete and Theresa Lukes. These two have been married 49 years and are
home town icons in Alexandria. They met at Skelly’s truck stop- for those who
remember that hangout from back in the day. Theresa was 16 and Pete was umm…
well… older. Sounds like love at first sight to hear them tell the story but that is not what
this tale of profound heartfelt gratitude is about.
Both Pete and Theresa were born into large families. Pete’s mom had a rare disease
called “ Brittle Bone Disease,” or “Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI)”. OI is a genetic
mutation that affects the body’s ability to make strong bones. Although much of her life
was spent in a wheelchair, Pete’s mom was told that she could have healthy children
yet three of her kids have “OI” and Pete was one of them. Because of “OI”, Pete’s life has consisted of occasions where his bones break for no reason at all, that is without any physical trauma. Pete acknowledges that he has had over several hundred broken bones and some breaks are much more painful than others and some breaks take a long time to heal. Over the years Pete went from walking, to crutches and now to a motorized scooter.
Throughout their life together Pete performed autobody and mechanic work and
Theresa was a homemaker and IT whiz for two local companies. Pete drove a van that
had a wheelchair /scooter carrier attachment on the back and Pete would lift himself into the driver’s seat of the van from his scooter and someone would attach the scooter
onto the carrier on back of the van. This process has worked for many years for daily
trips and vacations.
Throughout the years, you rarely heard Pete complain about his condition but would
hear Pete talk about living his life “in the Spirit” and what that means and where it has
taken him. After he was born again, Pete embodies Joel 2:28, “ And afterward I will
pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy; your old men
will dream dreams and young men will see visions.” These gifts trumps Pete’s illness as
he enjoys telling his testimony to friends and strangers, (Pete will have to tell you the
stories himself) Pete embraces these spiritual gifts and gives the Lord glory.
In the spring of 2025, the vertebrae in Pete’s spine fractured and differing vertebra
broke two times. Twice Theresa called 911 and had an ambulance transport Pete to the
hospital on a gurney due to the excruciatingly pain. Pete’s van was no longer an option
because he could not lift himself into the driver’s seat, so when it was time to be
discharged from the hospital there was no transportation available to get Pete home
due to the necessity of transporting him on a gurney or scooter, and the hour was too
late for Rainbow Rider. Theresa drove Pete’s van with the attached scooter to the
hospital and Pete had to drive his scooter home on the sidewalks with Theresa following
close behind. Both were grateful for clear weather and the medication received at the
hospital which helped with pain during his venture home.
After the two spine fractures occurred Pete was unable to attend Pines. Folks kept
asking Theresa how he was feeling and would he be back. Pete was not doing well
and he missed the church body and the body missed him. Theresa’s dear friend Trina , a Proverbs 17:17 “friend who loves at all times”, and her husband Greg Sandeno, from New Testament Church in Alexandria, where Theresa and Pete attended for 20 years before Pines, kept asking what they could do to help.” They were besides themselves in what was happening to Pete and the lack of transportation for Pete and the stress it placed on Theresa. The Sandenos came up with the idea of a different van that would allow Pete to be lifted into the van and possibly drive it. This seemed like a pipe dream. Trina then approached Theresa about utilizing the Christian based crowdfunding platform “GiveSendGo” for a van. After prayer the Lukes decided to give their consent.
The Sandenos made an announcement one Sunday at New Testament Church about
Pete’s “GiveSendGo” fund raiser. Bill Jarvi, who attends New Testament heard the
announcement and contacted Trina and Greg and stated he’s like to sponsor the fund
raiser at his Common Ground Coffee Shop with soup and dessert. Once the announcement was made at New Testament and Bill offered to donate Common Grounds coffee shop, The event was posted on Facebook and shared 32 times, and the event was presented on the slides in the Pines common area.
A "But God" scenario was working out during this time. Rydell and Gaige Robinson,
another Pines family, started a handicap transportation company named “Enroute.”
Rydell and Gaige were contacted and agreed to provide rides for Pete and Theresa to
the Pines for Sunday services once Pete’s vertebrae started to heal. The joy and
laughter in the Pines common area between first and second services on Pete’s first few return Sundays was overwhelming. You could not get near Pete because so many
friends had to greet and welcome him home. Leading up to September 28, Theresa was approached by all sorts of people wanting to donate to Pete’s van. Theresa was given envelopes of cash or checks plus friends indicated they were making on-line donations. During this time Theresa began looking for vans between the twin cities and Alexandria. When shopping at a mobility conversion van dealership Theresa discovered they only sold handicapped passenger vans and not handicapped driver vans.
Then another But God event occurred. Pines very own Scott Soderholm told
Theresa about a handicap conversation van being sold in Starbuck. It turned out to be
a 2014 Sienna Toyota with only 29,000 miles with a side lift and a driver’s seat that
accommodated transfer from a wheelchair to seat. The seller was gracious. What a
miracle and what a find. The owner stated the brakes and air-conditioner needed some
tuning and Pete’s long time buddy Roylie Fischer stated he would donate his time,
energy, and parts to repair everything the van needed after he gave the van a good
inspection.
Back to the Common Ground party. What a success! Trina and Bill provided soup, bread and Bill sold his yummy specialty coffees. Deb Henningcamp (Theresa’s sister), and Pam Gust donated tasty bars and cookies. People came and went through out the two hours of the event. Theresa determined after the event, there was enough money to purchase the van. UNBELIVEABLE!!!! Roylie true to his word repaired all issues and delivered the van the day of Pete’s son’s performance in Fiddler on the Roof, at the Andria Theatre. Guess who was the proud driver to that performance.
Since the delivery of the van all Pete can do is smile as he explains that he it means to
him to have his freedom back. He can go places by himself and is back meeting with
friends and family. When asked what he was thinking during the immobile painful
broken bone moments Pete reflects that God is true to his word, “…. The Lord will never
leave you or forsake you…” Deuteronomy 31:6.
When Theresa is asked about the events leading up to the van’s purchase you notice
tears forming in her beautiful eyes. She reflects that those who prayed and /or donated
to the cause will never know what it means to her and Pete personally. She states that
she will never be able to repay those who participated in various ways, but God sees
everyone’s generous hearts. She rejoices in her prayers of gratitude for innumerable
reasons.
So, when you are at Pines and you see a beautiful white van in the handicapped
parking space know- in- your- knower this is no ordinary conversion van. This is a van
that brought encouragement and light to the darkest of days and tears of joy to the
recipients. Know that you are the givers of this van that your graciousness and prayers
have changed lives and that the Church body still works miracles.
To Him the glory.
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