Who would ever think it possible to turn Yellowstone Tours into a real ministry? One couple didn’t, but God saw it as quite possible. He just had to convince them of that, and convince them He did! Here is the ministry story of Dan and Cindy Buell, told in their own words:
With the closest church 50 minutes away, we found participating in church ministry difficult, especially in winter. Surrounded by evolutionary naturalists, any religious inroads in our little town of Gardiner, Montana, seemed nearly impossible. We mingled, explored receptive attitudes and analyzed options. Come to find out, God had something much bigger in mind than Gardiner.
We thought about handing out literature. In Yellowstone, it's easy: Pick up a First Amendment sign from the visitor center, be sure not to obstruct any visitors and hand out items. Great idea — but we felt drawn to deeper interaction.
We considered opening Tours From A Creation Perspective. But starting a business? That’s scary! Our only transportation was a 350,000-mile, paint-peeling minivan, and we weren’t about to go $50,000 in debt to compete with local guides. We also lacked funds for the required permits and commercial insurance.
After pondering it too long, we put it before the Lord: “We’ll commit to the labor if You overcome the logistics and provide the funds — in a timely manner.” If it came to fruition, it would clearly be His will.
Meanwhile, we started a Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible School at Livingston Church, which opened many doors. Maybe this Bible school was to be our sole focus, we thought.
Then God sent us the Victoria, British Columbia, Pathfinder club. They stayed at our church on the way to the 2024 camporee. We marked up their map of the area, shared what to look for and wished them a Happy Sabbath. On the way home, our consciences were pricked — they'd miss so much! So back we went, offering to guide them through Yellowstone. The leader was elated enough to give me a huge hug.
We passed out walkie-talkies and caravanned through the park while Dan shared wildlife stories, favorite views and God’s wonderful animal world. What a Sabbath!
While watching wolf puppies, the Pathfinders applauded the experience, saying, “Anything we can do to help you start a ministry tour company, we’ll do.” Our service was valuable — even in a paint-peeling minivan with walkie-talkies? By caravanning instead of carrying passengers, we wouldn’t need a new rig and could halve our insurance costs. Had the Lord just solved our two biggest barriers in one day?
So many miracles followed that there was no question Whose venture this was. Even the catchy name — Cheap and Cheesy Yellowstone Tours, Bring Your Own Cheese — was inspired. On Jan. 1, 2025, we officially opened for God's business.
We asked God to send just the right people. Our first clients were devout Jews. Their small children knew their Torah well. After a full day, we were all “family.” We ended the tour by gifting Steps to Christ with a personal handwritten message inside the front cover, which all our guests receive. The devil tried to interfere when the little girl’s fingers were slammed in a car door, but God protected her. The girl’s fingers hurt but were uninjured, and Mom dove into the book as soon as she had it in her hands.
Our second clients were non-practicing Muslims. They, too, became “family” and not only accepted Steps to Christ, but also expressed sincere appreciation of God’s picture left in their hearts. We still keep in touch.
After one young lady returned home to Florida from a tour with her parents, she attended a Christian summer camp and was baptized. Her dad made it a point to show Grandpa — who shared the story with us — the Steps to Christ we gifted, and Grandpa and Grandma are scheduled to tour with us in June.
To our surprise, though we are “cheap and cheesy,” most of our clients are wealthy professionals — a group we'd never meet outside of the park. Our reach on a personal, and literally global, level has gone beyond anything we could imagine — well beyond standing next to a free speech sign.
That being said, if anyone has an inkling to donate just one day to stand by a sign for God here in Yellowstone, contact us at cheapyellowstonetours.com. We are happy to help you set up for that. The Creator’s seeds will sprout and eternal friendships will be made!
Cheap and Cheesy Yellowstone Tours serves as a ministry bridge, connecting with both Adventist and non-Adventist visitors through shared moments in nature.
The Buells’ well-traveled van serves as the base for Cheap and Cheesy Yellowstone Tours.
Visitors admire the landscape and look for wildlife on a guided creation-focused Yellowstone tour.
