Women's All Time MOney Winner Says "Never Say No to God" Pam Martin Wells went to Canada when God called. By Conny Jenkins Pam Martin Wells Fisher’s of Women Retreat –Canada August 1 – 5, 2006 Perceived as a fierce competitor, in fact, tough might be a word some use to describe seasoned angler Pam Martin Wells. Though partially accurate there is another side to Pam many do not realize. Most view her as a strong, independent woman with well honed angling skills who keeps to herself. You don’t see Pam mingle much with other competitors. She may even seem a little stand offish. Get a little closer and a much different perception appears. The closer look reveals a quiet almost shy side to the woman. A woman deeply committed to her faith. Pam enjoys competition, enjoys winning, and with that comes the limelight. The offers for her speak are a part of that. Pam will quickly tell she does not think she is a very good public speaker. Yet, anyone who has heard her knows whether the topic is fishing or her faith the words come from the heart, making her interesting to listen to. Have her up on the weigh-in stand and it’s like the commercial where everyone stops to listen, change that to “when Pam speaks everyone stops to listen.” Another subject she feels deeply committed to is her faith. It’s her faith that recently got her invited to Canada to speak at a “Fishers of Women Retreat” at Rushing Wind Christian Camp, hosted by owners Arnie and Dee Wolf. Her mantra is “Never say no to God.” Although she does not seek speaking publicly about her faith she believes when asked there must be a reason and can not say no. It’s her shyness that’s holds her back. Pam learned soon after being saved in 1999 that she would not turn down God. Asked to give her testimony for the first time at a Bass N Gal FOCAS meeting she reluctantly agreed. Not feeling good about how she did, thinking she should have said this or that differently, she wasn’t sure she did the right thing. She later learned that out of that meeting one lady was deeply touched, whether by something she said or a combination of events at the meeting. One week later the woman sought out a minister and was saved. A few short months later the women died in a traffic accident. Had Pam’s words made a difference? How would she have felt if she had she turned down the chance to witness that night? When the invitation came to speak at the “Fisher’s of Women Retreat” she knew she would have to go. Never saying no to God, didn’t mean it was going to be easy. First there was the marriage of four years to Steven still in the honeymoon period of not wanting to be apart for five days. The invitation was extended to Steven to join her. Then the timing wasn’t right. She would be squeezed tight for time with only hours between commitments. The iCast convention in Las Vegas was backed up to the Lake Norman tournament, , and then only a few hours between it and the plane to Canada, a roof to replace at home and she’d be leaving her sister to finalize her parents fiftieth wedding anniversary, which they would host one week after her return from Canada. She would have little rest before heading out for the Dardanelle tournament. But no matter the timing, she would go, she would not say no to God. As she boarded the float plane that would take them deep into the woods she pondered what she would discuss as a guest speaker, how much would she talk about fishing or how much of her faith would she share. She wasn’t sure what kind of experience this would be. However, within moments of landing any reservations or preconceived ideas were soon to be discarded. It was to be for both Pam and Steven an experience of a lifetime. They were met at the plane by a group of smiling and supportive people. Family quickly came to mind. It was like family running out to the plane to welcome you home. Gerry Caillouet of God’s Great Outdoors Media Ministries quickly whisked them off for a boat tour to show them where they could fish and spend leisure time. This was a great icebreaker and proved to set the tone for the rest of their trip. Steven said, “All your cares and concerns were anticipated and taken care of”. What followed for the next five days was a simple, relaxed routine. Breakfast, then a bit of social time, men and women separating into worship groups, then some free time to hike, fish, catch up on reading or simply enjoy the Canadian wilderness. Sack lunches were prepared for a simple meal in the outdoors. Then later in the day after dinner more sharing testimonials and experiences, praise, and worship time together. The strangers she may have been apprehensive about were easy to be around, easy to talk to, and she would find them easy to help her make the transition from being shy to a more confident public speaker. I asked her at what point did she realize this was going to be a great experience and she said the moment the float plane landed. Pam said she really did not know what to expect but the experience was so enriching and rewarding that is “exceeded any expectation that she could imagine.” Pam and Steven enjoyed fishing for northern pike and walleye in a nearby area and could have gone to another area and fished for lake trout and musky. Aluminum boats with 9.9 to 15 hp – more than adequate – were provided as well as tackle. Which was good because she did not know what to take to fish for northern pike. She did bring a small amount of tackle and found it interesting that she was able to catch some northern pike on one of her favorite bass baits. Steven found it amusing that while Pam was on the dock demonstrating how to work a 9 inch Shadick by Wave Worms she caught two northern pike. I asked Pam what she brought to the table as a guest speaker. She said her personal experience to not turn God down when he is knocking, to make the commitment. She remembers times she sat in church pews with her fingernails digging in to keep her from walking down to accept salvation. At the time she did not know why she could not walk forward, but says now, “she knows it was the devil holding her back”. Pam says, “Do not turn God down, you may be given a chance again but you may not.” What if the woman at the FOCAS meeting had refused, she may not have had a second chance. She shared with the group examples of times prayer had been answered in her life saying, “All prayers that are in his will are answered, it may not be tomorrow, but it will be in God’s time.” Pam feels this trip was just another example of God knocking and she is glad she did not say no to God. Not having experienced a Christian Camp before both of the Wells were amazed to be around such a large group of people without such positive and uplifting attitudes, no negative comments, and especially no cuss words. Both felt such peace. Over and over Pam expressed the atmosphere and location as being a state of such peace, tranquility and beauty. Another positive she came away with is the stronger bond that was developed with Steven. As they journeyed home they talked about making a more conscious effort to not get too caught up in rushing through life but to set aside at least a small amount of time each day to read and study the Bible together. Pam and Steven attend church regularly, volunteering as substitute Sunday School teachers for young adults. Pam’s testimony can be heard on DVD from God’s Great Outdoors at www.ggoutdoors.org or 1-877-TALKGGO. Steven said the experience was, “Absolutely awesome! From the time you got off the plane until the time you did not want to get back on the plane to leave it was a wonderful time.” Steven a proclaimed homebody said he did not miss home. It was the little things they noticed, like he did not miss his regular, in fact normally constant, glass of iced tea. He didn’t like the taste of lemonade but something there made the lemonade taste better, sweeter. In describing the Canadian wilderness Steven said, “It did not have streets of gold but you could close your eyes and imagine you were close to heaven on earth. God was there, you felt his presence, no doubt”. Pam will return again next year for the ‘Fisher’s Of Women Retreat’ if she has the opportunity. She said for the over forty attendees the fee was money well spent. The float plane, lodging, fishing and meals were all inclusive. She said she did not think anyone could attend this and experience all that goes on and not be touched by God. Pam competes on the Women’s Bassmaster Tour and is a guide at Jack Wingates Lodge on Lake Seminole at Bainbridge Georgia. She is sponsored by: Legend Boats, Mercury, Wave Worms, Costa Del Mar, Tru-Tungsten, Gamakatsu, SPRO, Lowrance, StayN Charge, Mustang Survival, Wingate's Lodge and Hooah. About the author: Conny competes in the Women’s Bassmaster Tour and is a lifetime member of BASS. She is sponsored by LubriMatic, if it pushes pulls, hums or purrs LubriMatic has something to use in it. Seaguar, The Inventor and World Leader in Fluorocarbon Fishing Line - not seeing is believing, Chompers, Triton Boats, and she proudly promotes the new Evolution Jig by Megastrike. Conny is a US Postal Service employee.