December 2008 Newsletter

December 2008

Greetings in the name of Jesus our Savior,

I would like to open with a piece written by Michele, a graduate of the program, now serving as the Women’s Lead Mentor, and the Ministry’s Receptionist. It was taken from an entry on His Mansion’s blog: www.hismansion.wordpress.com.

Letting Go

I awoke this morning to a thin covering of snow on the ground; at last it is winter in New Hampshire. The glory of autumn is a faint memory, and the trees are now bare and stark against the cold grey sky. A few stubborn leaves remain. Dry and brown, they cling to the limbs, refusing to fall to the ground. Refusing to let go. Refusing to give up. I am reminded of how I am often like these leaves.

I see them clinging for dear life to a source that no longer satisfies their needs. And just as the tree no longer gives life to the leaves, my former addictions no longer sustain me. In fact, they never really did. But instead of letting go, I cling to false hopes and promises. Even though I am dying, I cling. Even though I am alone, I cling. Even though every law of nature tells me to let go, I cling.

Letting go looks like death. Falling to the ground to wither and rot seems like the end. But it is only the beginning. Dead on a limb, I accomplish nothing. But broken and willing on the ground, I become one with the dust; transformed into fertile soil prepared for new growth.

The Lord desires me. He desires to grow me into a new creation. He desires to raise me from my pit of despair. But first, I must let go. I must let go…and fall…and rest in His hands. Only then will the winter of my soul experience the renewal of spring.

“I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” – John 12:24

Thanksgiving at His Mansion

This is such a blessed season! To think that we live in a country where a national day of thanksgiving is publicly declared. The family at His Mansion knows how to enter into thanksgiving. For many members of our family, because of their backgrounds and from where God has brought them, praising and thanking God is a no-brainer.

The actual Thanksgiving celebration was a blast! Joan and I had 17 kids and grandchildren at our table, nearly a quarter of the entire Mansion family.

On Thanksgiving Eve we all sat to table and were offered peanuts, oatmeal, and water. Though many were anticipating a traditional meal, others were not. After feasting on this wholesome treat, I retold the story of His Mansion’s early days, when for a period of time we thrived on donated oatmeal and peanuts for all three meals! To add some culinary variety, we would mix donated bacon grease to patties made from oatmeal and pretend it was hamburger.

Following “supper,” the family gathered in the chapel where I showed two trays of slides along with a running narrative of the early years. Every time I run through those old slides (25-30 years old) the pictures trigger hundreds of memories and stories yet untold. (As years progress, I am finding more and more young folks asking me, “What’s that?” upon seeing my slide projector and trays!)

We are all moved to deep appreciation for everything that God has done over 38 years. He has supplied, sometimes miraculously, money, food, equipment, and glorious transformations. In those slides I see present-day missionaries, pastors, schoolteachers, military veterans, and victorious moms and dads.

I want each of you, our partners, to know how much a part of this “Thanksgiving” you are. If it were not for your faithful prayer and support, it could not happen. There are many of you who go all the way back to those “early days,” and you are very special. You were the spiritual “venture capitalists” who invested in a high risk, fragile venture. I am thankful to God for all of you, who stand with us.

On Thanksgiving Day, the tables were heaped with produce from our own gardens and barn: carrots, beans, potatoes, corn, breads, and turkey. We strangled 32 turkeys a week before. Three of those sacrifices sat upside down all brown and crispy on the table Thanksgiving morning. The rest will appear throughout the year.

As we do each year, it’s our joy to post the harvest list so that you may praise God with us and enter into our Thanksgiving and appreciate what God has done. The fact that broken men and women put their hands to the plow, did the harrowing, spread the fertilizer, did the planting, weeding, harvesting, and preserving, makes the blessing all the richer.

Celebrating the Christmas Season

Now we look forward to the culmination, the climax, the pinnacle of the season: commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Ultimately, this is the foundation of all our thanksgiving and praise. Incarnation Day!

For many in the program, a Christmas of love, sharing, and peace will be a first. Anger, separation, drugs and alcohol, fighting and bitterness often marked their holidays. They dread the holiday season because it brings up so many horrible memories. Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and many will experience a peaceful Christmas for the first time.

Each year, members of the family put on a nativity play in the c.1765 barn. Some of the participants could never have imagined that they would be memorizing parts and performing. The talent that is hidden in many of these hurting, angry young men and women would amaze you.

With hogs, chickens, and cattle adding their unique lines, Mary, Joseph, and the wise men will retell the wonderful story. A choir of freezing “angels,” sings the old standards from the lofts. Each year it is a unique and different program. I’ve been a spectator of these presentations for 30 years, and am moved over and over again.

Before the nativity play we celebrate Jesus’ birthday with a special dinner in the dining hall planned and prepared by Long-Term Staff women. Following this, we all gather in the chapel, where we delight to sing Christmas carols and discover who our “secret saints” are, receiving gifts from those who drew our names. Christmas morning, after enjoying a special brunch together, we congregate back in the chapel to be presented with gifts from God’s people – you! – who have so generously supplied.

We are so thankful for the gifts of support for the staff that serve here at His Mansion, and for the money and gifts sent to ensure that all those might have the joy of a traditional Christmas.

Fresh Starts

We have admitted 13 new men and women into the program this month. Please pray for them as they often look at the drinking and partying they are “missing” and are stressed by the rigors of being in a recovery program. The very lifestyle that was robbing them of hope, and killing them, still calls out to them. The enemy does not want to lose a one.

One of our beloved residents graduated last week. Kevin completed 12 months and will be coming back to serve on staff. Kevin is a veteran of Iraq and acquired an addiction to alcohol toward the end of his tour. He came a year ago seeking freedom, and has discovered Jesus, the true freedom. Kevin has learned to trust God and desires to take what he’s learned and begin making a difference in the lives of other men.

Ministry Opportunities

As the new year approaches and you begin to make plans for vacations, let me encourage you to consider His Mansion. We have three Healing in the Context of Community weeks of training scheduled – March 14-20, June 13-19, and October 10-16. (Please note that the January course has been cancelled.) We also have short-term service opportunities available during the spring, summer, and autumn months. We’d love for you to join us as we plant and weed the gardens, chop wood, construct new buildings, maintain old ones, harvest and “put up” crops, rake leaves, or tend to a host of other special projects needing attention.

His Mansion’s Board of Directors:
David McCalmon, Ray Uritescu, Stan Farmer, Ron Donovan, Lew Gervais, Lee McFee, and Becky Russo,
join the entire His Mansion family in wishing you a holy and happy Christmas season.