Home

...

Here's the story of my path to faith...

JESUS IS THE

LIGHT OF MY WORLD

Greetings,



My name is Danny (Bulldog) Sossman.

I gave my heart to the Lord in 1959. I was born and raised in Southern California.

At the age of 17, I entered into adulthood (I thought) when I joined the Army.

After completing basic training and A.I.T., I was sent to Viet Nam. I had it made

I thought. I arrived in country on 6 Oct. 66, it was hot and humid at the Ton Sanut

Air Base. I along with the other troops from the plane were put on trucks and taken to

Long Binh, the Southern reception center. I was only there for three days before I was

assigned to the 588th Engr. Bn. 18th Engr. Group, in Cu Chi.



When I arrived at Cu Chi I was amazed at how large the Base was. It was the

Headquarters for the 25th. Division, Tropic Lightning. All I could see upon entering

the base were tanks, lots of tanks, on down the road I was dropped off at Battalion

Headquarters, along with six other GIs. About two hours later I was assigned to

A.co., first platoon, first squad.



After stowing my gear I started introducing myself to the few young men that I saw.

Where is everyone else? I found out that I was an replacement for one of the men that

was out in the field helping to build a Special Forces Camp about three clicks from

Cambodia.

Throughout my tour of duty, I went many places in country. I was eventually transferred to Delta Co., which was located on Tay Ninh Provence. The whole Battalion was relocated

there.

First Platoons main job was to open the convoy route from Cu Chi, to Tay Ninh, sweeping the roadway for mines and booby traps. If any were found it was my job to either disarm or blow them in place.

In May of 68, I came home to my young bride. We had only been together for three weeks

Before I went back to RVN. So you see how important it was for me to get back home to my lovely young bride.

My wife was very happy to see me walk through the door, without any warning I might add.

After a few days at home I informed her that I was to Go to Germany for the remainder of my enlistment. No-way!!! She blurted out, you are staying right here in America. She proceeded to contact our Congressman. About a week before I was to report to Va., for shipment to Germany, (all in a matter of two hours) I received two telegrams and two phone calls telling me to stay put that my orders for Germany had been canceled. So I stayed at home with my wife, both of us were very happy. About mid June I received a letter from the Dept. of the Army, telling me that I was to report to Ft. Hood Texas on July 3.

We moved to Texas and I was very happy that we were together. In mid Sept., my wife lost our first child. Two days later I was sent to see the C.O., and was told that I was going to have a Special Court Marshal for being AWOL the day my wife was admitted to the hospital. I saluted the C.O. and left the base, getting home very upset, I asked my wife if she thought that she could make it to California, I wanted to make sure she would be with her family, in case I had to spend time in the stockade. Her response was yes I can so upon telling Jerry our roommate and my close friend, we loaded up our new car and left Texas. Thirty six hours later we pulled into my in-laws driveway. To make a long story short I went to Ft. Ord, and was busted all the way back to Pvt.E-1. I finally was discharged on 29 May 1970, five months after the birth of our first child (a boy).

I did my own thing for a few years; even though I knew I was going against God and his word and eventually we got back into church.

We had a jail ministry, and I was able to visit with our youngest son while he was doing county time and to me these times were very special. I looked forward to the nights I would go to the jail being close to my son and many of the other men, played a big part in changing my life and This I liked.

In April of 1990 I had my first heart attack, and was very scared. I stopped doing everything. Then in Dec of 1993 we moved to Reno, Nv., where we new that we could find a job fairly easy. I found a job and was hired almost immediately. I was washed pots and pans five nights a week in a casino and after being in construction for years, I didnt mind it a bit. A year later I was learning to cook and it was wonderful to finally be able to cook for the big conferences and special events planned with confidence . I was taught by the Exec. Chef John A. This man taught me a lot about cooking and was a great inspiration to me. In 1996 John asked me if I would like to go to Oregon and help open a new casino kitchen, Sure, that is if you think that I can do it properly, but my wife wanted to move back to Texas. Well I moved the family to Oregon, and We started getting hit big time with obstacles. Keep in mind that we had walked away from a very large Street and Prison Ministry.

Many who chose to live on the street, we felt honored to spread the gospel to the lost in Reno. I walked to work everyday, while living there. I would see some people standing on the street corners handing out books, with my back ground I didnt agree with what they were passing out. At times I talked with them and even gave a few our tract. Most didnt want to talk about Jesus so I would go on to work.

Upon arriving in Oregon, our old truck started giving us problems. We pulled our little travel trailer to many different camp sites.

I was supposed to start work two weeks upon arrival in Oregon, but there was a slight set back.

The completion of the new casino was delayed, the kitchen wasnt completed. Six weeks later on June 17, I went to work. I really liked the push we were having on the first week. Not one of the cooks had any idea on preparing such large meals. After teaching them the proper way to prepare these many different meals, opening day finally came. We were really busy, we made it through the first day without any problems.

About five months later I started to minister to two women that I worked with.

THEN::::

I ran full force into the Wild Thing Called Woman, spoken of in Proverbs chapters 5,6,& 7.

A lot of problems started coming about. This Wild Thing, tore me up big time.

In late December I started praying with very deep conviction, asking for the Holy Spirit to guide my every step. To warn me of things that was coming towards me and to give me the word to fight with.

During this battle with the Wild Thing, I kept hearing the scripture found in Jeremiah 23:1;

Woe unto the pastor who leads my flock astray. This scripture kept hitting me hard daily.

Finally at the end of February I gave a thirty day notice that I was quitting.

At the end of March, my wife and I packed our car, sold our little trailer and had given our truck to our youngest son. We then moved back to Nevada, got jobs and settled back into our old routine. One day while walking to the post office, a young lady,(homeless) stopped us an said that she was glad to see us and that she would spread the word that we were back in town.

This young lady also told us that we were prayed back to Reno.

We worked our jobs and held Bible study three nights a week. Leading the lost to Jesus became very rewarding, we held water Baptisms in the ice cold water of the Truckee River, and praise God, a few came out also Baptized with the Holy Spirit.

Then came that day February 25th,1998, I had trouble breathing, I was transported to Washoe Medical Center, where I was told that I had a heart attack and that I was being admitted into the hospital. Three days later on the morning of the 28th, I was wheeled down to surgery for a double bi-pass. With a lot of prayer and my wife with me all the way to the door, I asked for two of our tracts, I went out I never did get those tracts, but my loving wife gave them to the two nurses that wheeled me into the operating room.

I awakened in the recovery room Praising Jesus, and breathing very HOT air, with my favorite girl setting at my side, she never left me except during shift change and to eat.

I never had any pain from the surgery, ( isnt my JESUS wonderful?) We had to move out of Reno, because I was still having a little trouble breathing. So we moved back to California, where for two years I worked at getting my strength back. At the end of April 2000, we made a move to southeast Kansas, to be close to our two grandsons, and our youngest Son. I found a job at a local rest home, (cooking,) I truly enjoy cooking for and visiting with the residence, Ive learned a lot since my surgery, but most of all I learned to put my TRUST in the LORD JESUS CHRIST, Praise God..



Erma (Little Spider) and I were married on September 15,1967. We had a very small wedding, those present were, my Dad, and Erma's Mom and Dad. Oh ya, the most important person, The Judge.