April 2009"And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, whose name is called by the Name, the LORD of Hosts, who dwells between the cherubim. So they set the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart. And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill, accompanying the ark of God; and Ahio went before the ark. Then David and all the house of Israel played music before the LORD on all kinds of instruments of fir wood, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on sistrums, and on cymbals. And when they came to Nachon’s threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. Then the anger of the LORD was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark of God." (2 Samuel 6:2-7)
Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ,
Our men’s program administrator, Cliff Buxton, recently shared a brief devotional with the family at breakfast. Though taken from a different text, it was about the story of God’s people moving the Ark of the Covenant into the Promised Land. I was reminded of a portion of Scripture that has always had an impact upon me and affects the way we minister to others and do business here at His Mansion.
The story is told in our text. The Ark had been stolen from Israel in a previous battle and won back in more recent campaign. David, as the General of the Army, has the delight and privilege of returning the Ark of the Covenant to its proper place, with the people of Israel. Celebration turns to disaster, however, as the story begins to unravel.
As it happened, a well-meaning and probably prosperous friend offered his brand-new cart—a version of our modern day Ford pickup truck—to transport the Ark of the Covenant to its destination. (It was the only wagon of choice as the other manufacturers had morphed into national welfare agencies!) The Ark was being kept in the house of Abinadab who delegated the driving responsibilities to his son, Uzzah. And so this victorious group of men deposited the Ark of God in the back of the truck and headed off down the road.
This was a bit of a party scene because the windows were down, the music was playing and the people going alongside were dancing and rejoicing. Now it seems they came to a place in the road where substantial potholes existed. I’m tempted to think it could’ve taken place in New Hampshire but my Bible knowledge convinces me otherwise. In any case the truck began to rock and roll, the Ark began to tip, and a very alert man laid his hand on the Ark to stabilize it.
But God was not pleased with what he regarded as an irreverent act, and struck the man who touched the Ark, and killed him. Now there’s more to the story, and indeed a far brighter ending, but it is from this part of the story that I feel it important we learn a lesson: The Ark was designed by God and had stays and rings intended to accommodate the Ark being born on the shoulders of men. This was the irreverent act: the assumption that God would somehow be flattered by having His Presence and Power transported around by man’s latest technology.
It is clear from Scripture that God has always wanted to be born in the hearts of His people. The sharing of the Good News that He brings must be communicated from one man to another; from a woman to another; by means of voice and touch. The treasures of the gospel are found when we obey God’s command to love one another and to reach out to another in a physical way. Surely God is more pleased to watch the exercise of strong legs and muscled arms than the sending of money and material by truck, train, and ship, while personally remaining thousands of miles away and trusting that someone else will present the help to the helpless.
It is our pleasure, at His Mansion, daily to walk, dine, work, weep, and rejoice with those broken and damaged men and women that He has given to our care. It is our love, trust, patience, mercy, and perseverance that become the conduits for God to directly touch His creation. This is why we believe that healing in the context of community provides the highest level of therapeutic care and character development for broken men and women.
This concept is the heart of our training and our practice. The newly developing His Mansion Institute strives to incorporate these principles and philosophy. We are offering students the ability to bring their academics into an environment where they can be converted into genuine therapy in the process of living. Actually touching and bearing God’s most beloved creation on our shoulders and not on the back of some brand-new, high-tech truck! This is what makes His Mansion Institute a unique educational and experiential opportunity.
The word is fast getting out about His Mansion Institute and young men and women are already calling, writing, and e-mailing in hopes of being able to get in on the ground floor. It is the entrepreneurs and adventurers who will be chosen to be a part of the first year or two of the Institute. They will be “guinea pigs,” but they will also be the ones who, along with staff, lay the “planks and concrete” in the building of the Institute – not physically, but academically and experientially.
If I was a young man or woman pursuing an education in social work or counseling or some related discipline, I would jump on this opportunity in a minute! If this excites you or would excite someone you know please contact Dr. Michael Tso at dr.tso@hismansion.com or 603-464-5555.
New Projects for a New Season Spring is in the air. Almost all the snow has evaporated and little green shoots are poking their way up through the thawing ground. This turn of events has kicked off preparations for gardening, lawn-care and construction projects. As you will recall, Hank and Cathy Van de Berkt joined our staff to head up agriculture and animal husbandry. Cathy will oversee all of the planting and flower gardens while Hank will be responsible for animals, landscaping, and restacking the ancient stonewalls.
Cathy and her gang are hard at work in the greenhouses starting the new plantings. Meanwhile calves that were sheltered up in the barn for the winter are cavorting out in the semi-warm pastures. The maple sugar syrup season has come to a close. It was not a particularly good one because the weather didn’t behave, as we would’ve liked. This is all part of the rhythm of what life teaches to those who live here and are being healed. Four Graduates Complete the Program
I imagine by the time this newsletter actually shows up in your mail box the latest graduation will have taken place. Renee Glenn, Dan Glenney, Sergey Harmon and Joshua Littlefield have completed His Mansion’s one-year recovery program, and will be moving forward. Renee will be going to our Growth Center in Connecticut, and the 3 gentlemen will join the His Mansion staff.
It’s always an added blessing when one or more of these graduates elect to stay on and serve for a year in various capacities. They already know the ropes, the rules and the rewards. In truth, these returning graduates who are willing to serve for one or two additional years are very much the strength of our program.
This year three of our graduating men have decided to stay with us and serve. A talented artist in his own right, Dan Glenney will serve working on the Building and Maintenance crew. Joshua Littlefield worked with Byron on last year’s gardens and will assist Cathy. Sergey Harman will serve as our Barn Manager, reporting to Hank while also helping Dwayn Merrill on our wood lot. All three will be Mentors in the Men’s Program and we’re very proud to have them coming on as staff members. Still Trying to Unearth an Excavator
Several months ago I suggested some things that folks could donate that we could use in order to maintain the facilities here, saving significant money. I’m excited with the response. Many went digging through attics, sheds, and garages retrieving unused lawn tools, hand tools, nuts and bolts, and pipes and appliances. We are so thankful. I did put the need for an excavator in the previous newsletter but alas, nothing has appeared beneath my pillow!
Seriously, I realize that a fairly new excavator represents a major chunk of change, but I can tell you that such a piece of equipment could do so much here on the property and save us so much that I again ask that you would pray that some retiring contractor or construction company that might be going out of business would consider making us a great deal on a medium-size excavator. Summer Help is on the Way
Every summer we have the joy and privilege of youth groups, parent groups, and retired folks, spending from one week to the full summer helping us in many ways. These groups, I believe, are blessed having been here, but we are also greatly blessed by the work that they perform and the example that they are, to those here for ministry.
Visitors who have either supported His Mansion or who are merely curious have begun to arrive already. We genuinely enjoy and welcome folks to include His Mansion on their summer itinerary. We’re not always able to put up folks who come through overnight, but we usually can share a meal with them and give them a lovely tour so that they can visualize the Ministry as they pray. Those who choose to support the Ministry then have a better idea of how their gifts are being used.
Opportunities to present in churches, conferences, colleges and schools, abound. His Mansion is blessed with a number of capable teachers and speakers who are very willing to visit your venue and share what God is doing and how we approach His work. This kind of personal contact will allow you to partner with us more effectively.
Several have called me and asked how His Mansion is doing financially. As I published in the last newsletter, we ended 2008 free of debt. The first two months are down about 15%. I’m actually rejoicing at that, as I had predicted something close at 25-30%. We did manage to finish 2008 with a bit of a surplus and if things continue about the same as the first two months we should end the year in good shape. Obviously, we had to scale back some things, and cut some things out that we had planned to do, and tighten our belts. You’ve had to do that, why should we expect to do less?
Construction on the new dormitory is now proceeding full bore. It appears with the money we have in hand and contributions that have been promised to us, we’ll be able to complete this building this year, fully paid for.
With new construction going on, and the renovation of an older dorm, there’s much to be done. We can use plumbers, electricians, carpenters, sheet rockers, and many other construction trades. If you’re able to weed in the garden’s work, canning room, help with general cleaning and maintenance, and paint, you free up somebody else that can be used in areas requiring more technical experience and knowledge. Please notify us if you are planning to come so that we can accommodate you in the best possible way.
One of our most pressing needs in the new construction project, is a New Hampshire licensed electrician who would be willing to allow us to work under his license. If you are able to do that able to do that or know somebody who might, please contact our General Contractor at sam@hismansion.com.
These are exciting times. Politicians of both stripes have promised change, but changed from what into what is not clear to me. What is clear to me is that God never changes. His promises are always true. And we are safe and secure when we trust Him.
The economy appears to be in shambles and personal and business income plummets, but the addiction rate and the number of people whose minds and bodies are no longer able to cope in our culture is definitely on the rise. This surely evidenced by the recent “postal incidents.”
We’ve decided to continue pressing onward, admitting as many young men and women in need is we can possibly handle, despite the economic downturn. This month we bring in nine women and twelve men. A large influx of new people is always a challenge. Pray for us.
The glory goes to God that again, all our bills are paid and we owe no debt. It is challenge to express our gratitude for the generous support during these trying times. Your faithfulness humbles me. His Mansion’s missionaries and support teams constitute one of the most unique family and partnerships. With this wonderful team praying for us and sacrificing, we will surely emerge even healthier from this difficult period. Thank you so much!
Joyful in His Service, Stan Farmer
CEO and Co-Founder
His Mansion Ministries
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