January 2009 Newsletter

January 2009

Greetings in that Beautiful Name,

We’ve had more than a week of far-below-freezing temperatures, howling winds driving the wind-chill factor to below zero. Then it happened: water began holding in the sinks as if someone had stuck a plug in the drain. Panic sets in when people flush and stuff just sits there!

Far away from the faucets, where drainpipes penetrate the foundation and begin the straight shot to the septic tank, an eventful and enlightening process had been at work. Faucets had been set to trickle so that pressure pipes wouldn’t freeze. Just a drip, drip, drip. Way down there at the transition, ice formed ever-so-gradually in a low spot. Just a little at first; then it piled up on itself and soon choked the pipe completely. “Stuff” started backing up!

At this point there is no other solution but to go to where the obstruction is and apply heat. If that doesn’t work, major surgery is called for! Clear the clog, and “stuff” takes its long journey.

What a parable for our lives. Be on guard. Allow little drips of bad choices (sin), and before you can act, the “stuff” will tantalize your taste buds! I John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This will keep the pipes clean and guard against the accumulation of anger, jealousy, envy, self-loathing, shame, and bad choices which lurk somewhere just out of sight.

This new year may be just the right time to make an inspection of your thought life and behaviors. Are there small trickles of sin being allowed to gather? Perhaps you are already overflowing with “stuff.” Time to put the heat to it. Choose a prayer partner, climb way down there under the floorboards, deep into the crawlspace, and begin praying specifically about the blockage in your life. Focus on it, pray fervently, and confess every known sin with the intent of not repeating them. What a relief to stand by the bowl and watch all the “stuff” do the swirly, and listen to that sucking gurgle, as the system cleanses itself. Confession of sin and cleansing of conscience will make facing the New Year a joyful prospect.

December Challenges

Well, it’s really happened. 2009 is here! 2008 went out shouting. Following the most historic ice storm of the last two centuries plus more than a foot of snow for Christmas, 2008 surrendered. Two members of our leadership team totaled their vehicles on the winding mountain roads: Fritz (Director of Counseling) and Gretchen went off I-89 and rolled over. The car was totaled but other than aches, pains, and bruises, they are well. Dr. Tso was driving the Miranda family to the airport for vacation. They lost control on a stretch of road the locals call “dead man’s curve” and sheared a utility pole into three sections. All were fine, except for the shock and emotional trauma. To add to the excitement, our entire hill, as well as most of our state, was without power. Our outage lasted just over five days. We are so appreciative of the skill, diligence, and sacrifice of our family here. Many folks put in lots of extra, COLD hours setting up and maintaining generators, making trips to the laundromat (for how many people?), and washing dishes for 90+ people by hand – three times each day! We were also without Internet for more than a week. Thank you for your patience as you awaited responses from us!

Although His Mansion ended the year with every bill paid, some things are clear. This year, and probably the next, is going to be tough. Some people are experiencing forced vacations, lay offs, or a complete release from work. The failed market has reduced individual portfolios to a fraction of their projected values. I know that support, having its headwaters in investments, has reduced our missionaries’ support drastically, so I know the ministry will suffer as well. Yet I am confident that He will provide, allowing us to operate with all beds filled.

Families and church leadership are going to be taxed to the max with addicted and emotionally mangled people for whom they are responsible, and not having a place of rescue and healing for addicted, conflicted men and women crying out to them for help, would just add another painful task. Rest assured that His Mansion will continue to reach out to rescue the hurting and to train workers for the harvest. God is our surety.

Current Needs

There are things that we desperately need which, with adequate communication and creativity, may be acquired without a layout of cash. Hard times sometimes present secondary and tertiary benefits. Nationally, building and construction has all but ceased for the time being, and supplies and equipment may become available. Anything that is donated to His Mansion can be receipted for “in kind” gifting. It’s possible to claim significant gift relief and reduce your 2009 tax burden.

His Mansion will only accept items that we actually need and use. We do not resell materials that have been donated in order to raise money. Here’s what we need:

• Medium-sized, operating excavator

• ATV-type rig, so that disabled folks can get around in snow and ice

• Four-wheel drive pickup truck

• Heavy-duty welder

• GENERATORS! 10-50 KW diesel units

• Sizable lots of lumber of all types

• Air compressors and associated tools

• Several high-grade nail guns

• Rubber wheel tractor w/backhoe

• Nails, screws, fasteners, staples, nuts and bolts, clamps, hooks, etc.

• Electrical wire, clamps, junction boxes, tape, etc.

• Pry bars, wedges, nail pullers, axes, shovels of all types

• Chainsaws, tree trimmers, weed whackers, hand saws

• Chop saws, table saws, planers, power equipment of all kinds

• Paintbrushes of good quality and in good shape

• Scrapers, putty knives, related painting tools

• Commercial cookware, grinders, meat slicers, large sheet pans

• Walk-in freezers or coolers, newer chest freezers

• Commercial-grade vacuum packing system

• Late model laptop computers

Here’s a shot-in-the-dark: We need to install a sprinkler system in the new building. Do you happen to own a “Sprinkler System Thingme Company”? Probably not, but perhaps you have a contact that could save us money. Oh yeah, did I mention we need an excavator? Big things, big God. Why not?

It must be noted that under recent IRS rules, the “donor shall determine the value of the value of the gift-in-kind.” If the claimed value raises questions with the IRS, you face the challenge. If your claim is reasonable you’ll not be troubled. His Mansion merely issues a receipt describing the gift(s). This is an excellent way to help us out even when funds are limited.

Work Continues Through the Winter

We are now in our winter mode. Outside projects are buried beneath the snow and ice. The woodlot crew remains active outdoors as our giant furnaces devour cord after cord of wood. Pray for the crews’ safety as they run chainsaws, splitters, and the buzz saw. Pitching heavy chunks of wood around can be hazardous.

Inside, we are renovating heavily used rooms and hallways. Paint pots lying nearby jobs must be watched. Wet paint signs are for real! Carpets are being repaired, window trim painted, door trim and seals maintained. The ladies are hard at work making curtains, napkins, and mending upholstery. This is a good time to repair screens; fix wobbly doorknobs, leaky faucets, loose flooring; sharpen knives; organize workshops; and take inventory. This place reminds me of a beehive, summer or winter!

I’m having trouble remaining focused today, so as I work away at this letter, I idly stare out the window. My eye becomes aware of something that must have a lesson embedded in it. Right outside the office windows is a beautiful, intricate flower garden designed and maintained by Gretchen and her team. Summer days find them scratching, planting, and weeding this lovely spot. I’ve watched them many times, down on their hands and knees, busily tending.

Along with the array of ground flowers and creep that covers the space are several small (2-3 ft. high) scrubs -- the kind that small birds hide their feathery nests in. In one of these bushes, less that two feet off the ground, is a paper maché hornet’s nest more than 10” in diameter! Those ladies worked with their heads less than a foot away from this army of potentially painful critters all summer, yet no one was stung! Now I said there had to be lessons embedded there somewhere, and there are, but I leave it to you to come up with them!

Christian Growth Centers

This being the beginning of the year, I thought I’d highlight the work of our Christian Growth Centers in Bridgeport, Connecticut and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Many years ago we established two multi-apartment houses in these cities to accommodate graduates of our program who needed safe places to live while they try out their wings and get reestablished.

Candidates who qualify may live at a Christian Growth Center (CGC) for reduced rent. The house parents conduct or facilitate Bible studies for the residents. Help and encouragement is offered in finding a job and a church. The CGC’s provide reentry experiences after living in community with them for a year or more. For those going from His Mansion to a CGC, the sense of familiarity, camaraderie, and unity continues while the individual in recovery makes their transition to the “real world.”

The Grand Rapids CGC is our oldest. Dennis and Francis Coulombe were the first house parents and, after a brief hiatus, returned to head it up again. They have two children, Amos and Naomi. The Coulombes attend Forest Hills Chapel.

Ron and Alice Donovan are the Connecticut Christian Growth Center’s house parents. Ron served on His Mansion’s Board of Directors for 30 years before taking over the Bridgeport facility. Ron and Alice attend Black Rock Congregational Church.

When beds are available at either Growth Center, we admit men or women from other programs that have no “finishing phase.” The Coulombes and Donovans both serve by faith, as do all His Mansion staff. Support for the missionaries serving at either facility should be sent to and made out to His Mansion with a note expressing your preference that it be used for the Coulombes or the Donovans.

The His Mansion Family Welcoms New Members

During December we had a heavy intake, bringing eight men and five women into the program here. This provides a challenge any month, but during the holidays it is accompanied by added struggles. We may rethink doing this!

As might be expected, several didn’t last too long. Some leave to return to “friends” and addictions. Some believe they have received enough healing (after a month!) and venture out to prove it. Others want an environment where the focus is on them and what they want. Some are dismissed from the program for continually breaking guidelines and being extremely disrespectful to staff. Proverbs 26:11 sums it up well: As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool returns to his folly. Needless to say, each departure grieves us deeply.

It only takes a week for the “veterans” (those who’ve been here at least a month!) to let their hearts accept their new brothers and sisters. It hurts to see them leave so soon, especially when we know where they’ll likely be in less than a week. Thirty-eight years into this trip and I still can’t understand why they turn around so quickly (sometimes 24 hours!) and plunge into the misery they came from.

Encouragement comes when we need it most, however. There are several “second and third” timers in the program and God seems to be doing a wonderful work. Dan is doing good work and is a positive influence on the newer guys. This is sort of an end-of-the line thing for Dan, but loved ones and staff who have invested in him pled his case. Isn’t it great to have an advocate?

René is another “success story.” The work is being done and she is an inspiration to all of us. René has a lot riding on her recovery, and she freely shares how verbally calling out the name of Jesus was key in her first steps toward humility and healing. My, my! I do love our God-of-second-chances.

Upcoming HCC Opportunity

His Mansion’s Healing in the Context of Community (HCC) has become very popular, and why not? A mere $100 buys a full week of quality training and experience, room and board, and all curriculum materials. The next HCC starts March 14th. Please get your applications in soon. Contact us on the web at www.hismansion.com, or call 603-464-5555.

Praise God, and thank you. His Mansion ended the year able to pay every bill and remain debt free. Please know that we are diligent to be good stewards of your gifts. I know of no other program doing so much for so little.

This will be a challenging year, but God has always provided and each of you has been very faithful. We function at His pleasure and your generosity.

Joyful in His Service,

Stan Farmer