Greetings in the name of Jesus;
Psalm One was the text from which I preached my first message. A brother (Dave Ward) at Groton Bible Chapel in CT, met with several of us young men on Monday afternoons back in the 60’s to help equip us to teach and shepherd.
Choosing a scripture, collecting illustrations and organizing the presentation came after a mini- course in hermeneutics and other unpronounceable disciplines. The final test was producing a message and presenting at what was called “Preacher-boy Services” held on Sunday evenings. Psalm One was my “coming out” message!
Again, so many years later, I’m struck by every verse, but particularly, David’s promise that: “He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.”
That is the promise offered to every broken, damaged, dysfunctional man or woman entering His Mansion’s community. A tree; a tree is filled with vitality. Life abounds within the umbrella of her canopy; bugs, bats and butterflies. These trees are planted. They’re not merely growing accidentally or randomly. They have been planted, which means that they have been transplanted--intentionally! That speaks of security.
They are being constantly fed by rivers of water, which always alludes to the Holy Spirit. A tree that is intended to be productive, bringing forth fruit. The final test is, after all, bearing fruit! I delight in God’s wisdom. The tree bears fruit in season, which speaks of propriety.
The leaves of this tree need never wither. Evergreen, which speaks of perpetuity. Finally, prosperity. Isn’t this what it’s all about, anyway? Getting rich? No, not wealthy in the way of the world!
Think of this: A tree. The dirt of the earth pumped up through the trunk, out to the limbs and on to the leaves. The sunshine touches the leaves and dirt is turned into sugar to keep the tree vital and then gives off oxygen as a bi-product. It’s called photosynthesis, which gives us life!
These men and women that God sends us are far more than trashed out rejects; they can be mighty, productive trees!
I am blessed to share an example of God’s promises taking root and growing:
I was at His Mansion in the New Beginnings (His Mansion’s provision for pregnant women in crisis) program, winter 2000/2001. My name was Holly (maiden name omitted) at the time. I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, whom I placed through Bethany Christian Services with a wonderful family. She is ten years old now and I have a life I am proud to share with her in our letters and phone calls.
After leaving His Mansion, I went on to complete my degree in Social Work at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI with the help of starting out with housing at the Christian Growth Center (one of His Mansion’s aftercare-reentry homes). Since then, I have been blessed to be given the opportunity in my work, to help other women whose lives had taken unfortunate turns.
I want you to know your ministry has blessed me, the baby I placed, the family that adopted her, my parents, my husband and the daughter I am raising with him--and countless other women and children whom I have encountered and with whom I have shared my story of God's amazing work in my life and his amazing promises for theirs. Thank you His Mansion so much for being such amazing servants! I feel it is fitting to thank you on Easter, as your ministry helped me return to Christ, my Savior, a decade ago. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart.
There’s new life here on the hill! An impromptu worship service was held in the chapel one evening and two men in the program were reconciled to God, through Christ’s death. Sunday morning, after church service, a young woman shared with me that she has been born anew recently. After forty years, it still thrills my heart to witness God’s redeeming power.
But there have been other births as well. Eric Davids is a product of His Mansion’s program and now serves as Men’s Program Administrator. Last year, Eric spent time in India where he married a lovely Indian woman named Anu. They returned together to serve at His Mansion. Anu just gave birth to the tiniest little jewel you ever saw! Hadassa was 6 lbs. 8 oz at birth and is doing well.
That’s not the end of our new births. andBinder (we get pretty creative around here as to keep from ever duplicating a name) our largest sow, gave birth to eleven healthy little pink piglets. We have to keep account of them, as there are animal lovers who would sneak them away to the dorms to save them from becoming bacon! And earlier this week, one of our Hereford heifers birthed a wobbly but healthy calf named Wendy. It is incredible to see how quickly she has gained steadiness and strength on her feet as she follows her momma around the pasture to graze.
Another sow, Binder (andBinder’s sister) awaits her turn as she, along with another Hereford heifer, are ready to give birth any day now. Watching God at work in pure nature is such a valuable adjunct to the Bible classes and counseling. Birth, growth, nurture and reproduction, makes for great theology!
Now, a word from Paul…
July is here already and that means it is almost time for our 40th Anniversary Celebration! We are thrilled at seeing so many names on the Attendee List on the registration page. Please help us as we are working to determine how many guests to expect. If you are planning on attending on Saturday, July 30th (and we’d love to have you all come!) but you haven’t registered yet, please make a point to do so by the 10th of this month. The registration link is available from the homepage of our website, www.hismansion.com. Click the link provided and enter the information as prompted. Your name will then appear on the list of attendees.
On-site registration on Saturday, July 30th starts at 10AM and will be held at the tent between the office building and Griggs dining hall. Please stop by this tent when you first arrive on the hill and we will get you oriented for the day and give you a name tag to help all of us out! The His Mansion style pig roast/cookout will begin at noon; make sure you are here in time to be settled in prior to lunch. Food and fellowship will transition over to a more formal program at 1:30, allowing for a time of praise, worship, honor and recognition prior to the events of the day coming to a close at 3PM. The fun and fellowship doesn’t have to come to an end just then though, as you are welcome to enjoy the afternoon with friends in the midst of God’s beauty on this hill.
Friday evening prior to our celebration, Steve Bell and Raging Grace will be performing a concert here on the hill in our chapel. If you are local enough to make the trip here for the show, please join us for the 7PM start. Raging Grace puts on an incredible concert with a powerful message of God’s unparalleled love, mercy and of course, grace!
Thank you so much to each person who has sent in a contribution to our “Share the Story” project that will be unveiled at our 40th celebration. It has been so encouraging to hear many Mansion recounts from past residents/students, former staff, family members and even folks who have never set foot on the His Mansion property, yet have been touched in a deep way by the ministry of His Mansion and God’s transforming work here. The words of one particular story really exemplified this aspect of ministry. A woman wrote, “I am but one of the outer ripples that are the result of the great work of this ministry these many years… Only the Lord knows the fruit that has been produced as a result of the faithfulness of this ministry.”
June has been a great month so far with the blessing of work groups, the majority coming from a good distance away to spend a week or more working alongside our family. Longview Point Baptist Church from Hernando, MS, First United Methodist Church of Port St. John, FL and Parkwood Baptist Church from Rocky Mount, NC were all repeat groups from last summer while Cottage Grove Christian Reformed Church, pastored and led by a former His Mansion staff member from the 90’s, made the trip here for the first time from South Holland, IL. We also have been blessed with retired couples that have been longtime friends of the ministry that still enjoying coming and spending a couple weeks of their summer here with us and helping out in various capacities.
Longview Baptist Church of Hernando, MS First United Methodist Church of Port St. John, FL
Cottage Grove Church of South Holland, IL Parkwood Baptist Church of Rocky Mount, NC
Groups have been hard at work in so many ways here already this summer. The extra hands have been a huge help in the gardens and greenhouses with planting, weeding and harvesting. About 90% of the garden is in and is doing well due to the good mix of sunny days and necessary rain for the natural watering. Soon we will be enjoying freshly picked peppers and cherry tomatoes around the Griggs tables at meals. Volunteer groups have also been tossing wood and stacking piles in the woodlot, building window frames that were in need of repair in the barn and blessing us with their expertise in our Auto Shop and in our sewing room. We love all the help and appreciate the variety of God given talents and skills that we see come onto this hill.
Your next newsletter will be coming to you in mid to late August and we will try to capture in words and pictures (to the best of our ability) the joy and excitement of the 40th Anniversary celebration. I think it will be worth the wait!
Closing comments from Stan...
There is little doubt that we are living in perilous times. The weather systems, huge fires, earthquakes, floods, corrupt and immoral politicians, economic failures, unrest in the Middle East, all point to happenings far beyond our control. But I see God at work here “where the rubber hits the road.”
People are being healed. Families have been reunited. Staff members are finding support. Gardens are lush and animals are reproducing and healthy. Friends and supporters abound. This is going to be a great year. Souls are going to come to faith. Funds will come in. And we shall rejoice!
Summer is upon us. It is during this season that we, as do other ministries, experience the lowest support. The economy, in general, is affecting people’s ability to give. However, God is providing and will see us through. We can proclaim His faithfulness by sharing that every bill is paid and we owe no debt.
Each of you who partner with us is greatly appreciated. His Mansion makes every effort to be good stewards of those gifts. The 2010 audit is available upon request.
Thank you so much for standing with us in this difficult but rewarding work.
Joyful in His service together,
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