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“Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.” Luke 12:1-3
Greetings in the Name of Jesus Christ,
Back at the beginning of May, I awoke one morning with a strange irritation on both sides of my neck. We’ve had an infestation of gypsy moths, which leaves a rash when in contact, and I supposed this was the cause. Not one to break routine, I stumbled from bed to shower. This is where I wake up. Halfway through my shower, I became aware that I was no longer breathing—at least not through my nose or mouth. However, the lacerations on my neck had begun to open and close at exactly my normal breathing rate!
Okay, okay! So I’m exaggerating. I’m pretty certain gills don’t really form that way. But New Hampshire experienced more rain in the month of April than at any period in my life. As you no doubt witnessed on the news, rivers flooded and homes were inundated. Nothing to rival the devastation of Katrina, to be sure, but dramatic, nonetheless.
When you are situated at the top of the world (on our 2000’ hill) the rain falls, gathers up in mini torrents, and cascades down the paths of least resistance. Eventually loose mud, pebbles, and debris are delivered to the great Atlantic Ocean.
At the end of a week of incessant drenching, the terrain is somewhat altered. In the middle of what was yesterday the main road coursing through the campus, a sheet of flat, solid granite is laid bare. Along the inclines, huge ancient boulders are exposed. Along the edge of the pathways deep, ugly gashes mar the surface. Concrete culverts hidden yesterday under two feet of rock and gravel lay exposed like giant straws.
Worms and insects attempt to levitate to keep from drowning and beds of snapper turtle eggs are no longer hidden by a coat of clay. An easy lunch is provided for the robins and crows. Long rows of small tender green sprouts, brilliantly declaring their potential, have been tumbled about, leaving the husks of their beginnings to rot in the sun.
From time to time, life has its way of raining on our parade. Unpredicted storms disturb our attempts to present a cosmetically-altered version to the community around us. So many of the students here for healing have histories of being victimized and of victimizing others. They have engaged in sin so unthinkable to them, that their souls are sick with shame and guilt. Anger, impatience, violence, and self-destroying behavior are the clods of soil and grass under which they attempt to hide.
People who are dying of hidden guilt and shame are critical of others and apt to whisper hurtful gossip and to slander those whom they suspect could cloud up and rain on them. The tongue is such a venomous instrument and the sinful nature is prone to assassinate another’s character, all the while believing that they can inflict pain with impunity because it seems so covert. Sooner than later, these comments made “in strictest confidence” are matters of general conversation and the culprit is exposed. Part of the healing process at His Mansion is the work of the Holy Spirit as He uncovers sin and unrighteousness so that confession and repentance can take place.
Life at His Mansion usually appears quite serene and idyllic to the casual observer. Don’t be fooled. God is faithful to bring the rain! Seldom visible to the outsider, the small tornadoes that twist and pelt with hail strike with great accuracy and effect. Things said in secret are soon heard from the rooftop. Hatred, targeted anger, jealousy, envy, lust, etc., is laid bare like the granite in the road. There it is. It cannot be ignored. Praise God. Healing is the only effective way to rebuild, and healing comes through forgiveness.
There must come a time in every person’s life when they recognize that they have been exposed and their sin is evident and they are aware of the gross disfiguring effect. It is when a person realizes that the love of God produced a Savior to forgive the sin and shame, allowing them to reflect the beauty of His holiness, that they experience true freedom.
O Lord, let the rains come!
Despite the unusual rains, we’ve replanted and a crop is sprouting anew. There’ll be food aplenty and even a giant pumpkin or two. The sounds of saw blades whining, the ring of hammer on nail, and the clatter of diesel engines rival the tranquility of singing birds, attention-starved bullfrogs, and the shrill alarm of the heat beetle high above. Things are alive here on the hill.
Our summer workers have arrived on schedule, along with the barn swallows. Bob and Ada Lanoue and Joyce and Lee Oliver have become invaluable members of His Mansion’s work force. Many of the “small” projects that accumulate on a tattered note pad actually get to the front of the list and are accomplished by these much-loved saints.
We note the passing of one of our beloved summer service saints. Victor Clark, who worked beside Bob Lanoue for the past several years, passed away of cancer last month at the young age of 86. When visiting in Florida during the winter months, Vic had graciously taken me out for eighteen holes of golf, where he consistently trounced me. I looked forward to finally bettering Vic as he grew old and frail, but he up and beat me again, in the final round. He was a special friend and I shall miss him.
We also invite work teams from churches and various ministries to experience healing in the context of community by serving for a week or more during the summer months. It is a great alternative for church and college programs that are now forced to modify their schedules due to the high costs of travel.
The summer HCC course, (Healing in the Context of Community), is well underway. Candidates come from Florida, Washington, Indiana, Illinois, Canada, Austria, and Puerto Rico. Seven of the candidates have indicated their intention to stay on, serving in various capacities. Availability of Interns determines our ability to fill the beds to capacity. It is our goal to add additional capacity as soon as God provides more Interns. Please pray, and share the vision with your churches, children and grandchildren, and other contacts.
The next HCC course is scheduled to begin October 7th. This is at the height of the fall foliage and looks to be one of the best yet. Get the word out and plan on registering early. Visit our newly revamped web page for regular updates on all that is available at His Mansion. www.hismansion.com
Your prayer for this work is vital and God has heard and answered once again. We’ve been talking to the Lord about the need for a female counterpart for the Director of Counseling, Fritz Maurer. Seth and Karen Hilliker have agreed to step out in faith and serve at His Mansion New Hampshire. Seth and Karen actually met while serving here seven years ago. Seth has since graduated with a degree in Automotive Science and Karen completed her work toward a Masters in Counseling.
Karen has earned her national certification and has practiced in the field for ten years. What a blessing to Fritz to have a woman therapist to take on the burdens of the lady students and interns. God is providing uniquely-qualified staff and I’m convinced He is on the verge of moving us out to a wider scope of service that allows His Mansion to provide trained, experienced men and women to effectively minister within the Body of Christ by preparing staff for similar works, establishing new works, and providing an accredited environment where college students pursuing counseling and social work degrees might hone their practical skills.
We do have a bit of a disappointment to announce. The Williams family, (Martin, Brenda, and four children), are returning to Washington State. Martin headed up operations and Brenda the women’s work crew. They will be sorely missed.
Martin and Brenda’s biggest contribution was in the area of relationships. The students and staff love them and enjoy laughing and crying with them. Martin is a gentle yet strong person with a deep compassion for the broken. Brenda has more energy than any six people I know! They are fun and it will be a while before we get over the loss. They’ll be westward bound by month’s end. Pray for their safe passage and the reestablishing of their lives in Washington.
Here is how some of the people here are doing:
Levi entered the program nine months ago and quickly availed himself of all that God has for him. A background of drugs, alcohol, and bouts with the law cost Levi damaged relationships with his wife and his parents. An Elder at his Church, Hope Baptist Church on the Cape, directed Levi to us. Levi’s decision to come here for a year was more a sacrifice for his wife than for him. They have a small child, and this left his family alone out on Cape Cod. Levi’s home church is a model for what church must be about. They have stood behind this couple providing support, prayer, and encouragement during the separation.
Levi has responded to God’s grace and has been promoted to Intern status. After a short trial, his family may be able to join Levi here and continue his recovery together.
Joy moved around a bit growing up and calls Florida and Massachusetts home. Like so many others, life without purpose and unresolved anger drove her to seek relief in drugs and alcohol. That always leads to an even deeper bondage until finally Joy was at her end. Joy arrived six months ago. This is yet another testimony of a soul set free by the love and grace of God. The change in Joy’s life is a source of encouragement to other students. Although only 23, Joy has an unusual level of maturity and openness to seek wisdom from Him. She is not scheduled to graduate until December, but she is already an asset to the program.
Timothy has graduated from the program. Here’s another faith-building testimony. Tim is a local fellow, having been raised in a nearby town. Drugs, alcohol, and pornography contributed to Tim’s social and emotional dysfunction. He has worked his recovery diligently and has a bright future before him now. Tim has been accepted to Word of Life Bible School in Schroon Lake, New York. He believes that God is leading him to pursue a degree that prepares him to be a missionary.
There is another brother who graduated this month and I make special mention of him. His name is Brian. He comes from Arizona and deals with challenges that have been with him since birth. Because his struggles have less to do with bad decisions in life and more to do with learning appropriate relational skills, we have welcomed Brian to stay on with us a little longer to further hone his social skills. He has grown and matured so much that he has a small army cheering for him. He’s an inspiration to all.
When God answers prayer, it is not always easy to see where the answer is coming from. Interns typically come from the US or Canada. Occasionally they come from South Africa, England, Ireland, Hungary, or the Bahamas. Last year we received a gift from God in the person of Toshi of Naugaland, India. Toshi has returned to serve for another year and we are blessed to have him.
This year the surprise came from South Korea in the person of Jana (Jang Ok Kim). Jana hales from Seoul, South Korea. She has a degree in architecture from Yeojuu College. She had been visiting in Canada and folks at the church she attended there recommended she apply to serve at His Mansion. What a wonderful blessing she has been! Her English was marginal and the cultural shock had to be very difficult, yet in a simple way the powerful love of God emanated from her. Jana was an instant favorite of Staff and Students alike. All good things come to an end in time. Jana has returned to Korea, and with her has gone a small part of each one of our hearts. Church in South Korea, send us more!
The list of praises and testimonies could go on, but I’m advised that the letter might already be too long. After thirty-five years of service, this is still the most exciting thing I could possibly be occupied with. There is no greater joy than to see men and women come to a personal faith in Christ and to experience the joy of being set free.
I trust that as you read this report, you are likewise encouraged. You are with us. You are a part of us. Your prayer is of more value than silver and gold. Your letters and gifts provide the motivation and encouragement to keep pressing on. When you put us on your travel itinerary, it is as if one of our own team is stopping by. We love you and appreciate every one.
God has again met our needs. Our bills are paid and we are without debt. In order to grow into the vision that God has set before us, we will trust Him for the increase that is needed. God will provide because you care. Thank you.
Joyful in His service,
Stan Farmer
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