hospitality

Medium : Pen and ink on Bristol Board Size : 11" x 15 " Year illustration was done : 1987 This rendering of a broken down wagon, is part of a group of Pen and ink illustrations I did for a christian mission , for their pamphlet that was put together to imform the public about their services and ministry to the military members and their families. This mission reaches out to miltary through offering hospitality, Bible studies, holding retreats, and hosting luncheons for church groups. Military soldier who are in training also would come out to the rach to spend the weekend off post, to rest, learn the Bible , get home cooked meals, and enjoy out door recreation. I work as a summer missionary with this mission a couple of summer, helping with up keep of the ranch and helping with conducting the retreats. written by Stephen J. Vattimo

Medium : Pen and Ink size : 11'' x 15'' Bristol Board Date : 1993 This study of a piano was done for a woman who was a missionary with her husband. They served in a Christian ministry that reached out to military personal and their families, through the teaching of the Holy Bible and showing hospitality. They have been missionaries most of their lives. I met them while i was a summer missionary the year I was in college. I went back two more summer to help , and they became my friends. The woman is a gifted piano player, so I was asked if i could do an illustration of her piano for her. This couple have inspired me through their dedication of using their lives to serve God through serving others, that many may know God through the teaching, and living out the Word before others.

Advice learned from fairy tales. Always feed your guests. https://www.instagram.com/p/CN72CZbhEYo/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The Meeting Bell Medium : Pen and Ink On Bristol Board Size : 11" x 15" Year illustration was completed : 1987 This illustration was part of a collection of pen and ink rendering i did for a christian mission, for their pamphlet that was published to inform the community, surrounding churches, and the military post near by, of the services they offered, and about their ranch. Their main ministry is to the military service personnel and their families. They offer a weekly dinner followed by a Bible study. They offer a place where service personnel could spend the weekend at the ranch for free, with meals included. There would also be activities they could partake in , such as going to concerts, going to amusement parks, visiting national park for picnics and hiking. The ranch holds retreat for military personnel who are in training, who want to learn about the Bible , and enjoy good home cooked food, rest, and out door recreation in the country. This ministry also lends it's facilities too near by churches, and to the military chaplaincy, for luncheons. This ministry is a great work of God, share God's word, and love through hospitality. About the bell. I call this illustration the meeting bell, because it sat right out side the activity center, and when ever a retreat was being held, the bell was use to let the guess know when a meal was being served, or a Bible study was about to begin. If you study the bell you can tell that at one time it must have been housed in some kind of church or fire house, by the big wheel attached to it's side, so it can be rung by a rope. Then when it found it's self at the ranch , they must have had a arm clacker manufactured, To strike the bell to sound.

Victory Through Prayer Medium: Water Color Markers on Illustration Board Size 2' x 4' Year completed: 1991 This illustration is part of a collection of artwork I did while in the military entitled, "The Army Years", I served in the Army National Guard for 5 years, and the regular Army for 4 years. One of the main reasons I got out of the military is because I didn't have much time to do my artwork. While I was stationed in Germany I did a few posters, and banners for a German/ American Playhouse, and I was in a European art show. This illustration was done during The Desert Shield / Desert Storm, during this war, many soldiers were afraid that our military equipment would fail to function due to the desert sand. While I was stationed in Germany, I attended a Christian hospitality house, that ministered to military personnel, and their families. I knew and heard of soldiers who died or were wounded in the war, we prayed for God's protection for those we knew were in harm's way. I believe the reason the casualties were low for the collision force is that God gave them a swift victory on the battlefield. No one should think that it was just might, and smart bombs, Iraq had the 4th largest military in the world. The Bible teaches that God causes the rise and the fall of nations. Decoding the symbolism : The " v " with lightning bolt shooting out of it =God giving the collision forces victory over Iraq's military. The large bold eagle with the arrows in its right talon, and with it's left talon open to attack, = the U.S. attacking Iraq. The banner made up of the flag of the collision, tie to the eagle's open talon= The U.S. leading the collision nation in the war against Iraq. The necklace with the cross attached to it, around the eagle's neck = God protect around the U.S. forces, the result of intercessory prayer of Christians. The flag of Iraq illustrated in the shape of the geological area mass of country, being shattered by the lighting = God judging Iraq, by giving the collision power to conquer Iraq and occupy her land. The land mass colored red at the bottom corner of Iraq = the country Kuwait, that Iraq invaded, that was the cause of the war. Written by Stephen J. Vattimo October 12, 2008