June 2008 Newsletter

Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 1 Peter 2:1-3 NKJB

Our feelings follow obedient action, after a time, and the pleasant fruit of repentance will follow. This dicey list of sinful shortcomings in verse 1 plagues most of us throughout life. The best we can do, at many junctures in life, is to simply “lay them aside” in a step of obedience. “Obedience is better than sacrifice.”

The biggest challenge in the His Mansion program is cultivating a taste for pure milk. Excuses for not feeding eagerly on God’s word all sound like a form of lactose intolerance. My experience shows me that ongoing love of sin – failure to lay aside malice, lying, hypocrisy, envy, and evil talk has ruined many appetites!

Last March I witnessed a 700-pound sow give birth to sixteen piglets. As I watched, I noticed that the strongest and healthiest newborns were the first to begin feeding. Others followed suit. There is a tendency in modern Christianity to either ignore it, or force-feed God’s word, when new Christians demonstrate little desire for spiritual things. It’s no insult to question whether they’ve ever really “tasted that the Lord is gracious.”

Each person arriving in need must be queried: “Do you thirst for God’s supply – His spiritual milk?” We cannot be expected to develop spiritual maturity while constantly under-nourished. While I’m thinking about it, are you hungry for God’s provision? Do you experience a sense of robust, healthy, spiritual vitality? Check out the list and see if it is dampening your appetite. Perhaps you are knowledgeable and know about God, but have never been “born anew” in Christ. A short exam might prove life saving!

Spring/summer has certainly arrived; and so have the black flies! Swarms of 1/16” flies with 2” fangs assault all who brave the fields and gardens. These flesh-eating monsters constantly challenge net-hatted warriors, who gallantly plant seed and cultivate soil.

Byron-the-Gardener has the various plots looking like a horticulturist’s fantasy. Rows and rows of pale green shoots are growing by the day. Peas, beans, onions, carrots, cukes, squash, zucchini, and other veggies are experiencing the miracle of growth. Many of the men and women who help Byron are seeing life from a totally new perspective!

Memorial Day held much significance for our Mansion family. We gathered together to enjoy our annual pig roast, and our kitchen staff did a magnificent job with all the trimmings. We enjoyed many traditional dishes, including pasta salad and deviled eggs, but it’s always a delight so see what new creations they’ve added to the mix. Of course we took time to remember the occasion for which we gathered. Some among our own ranks are veterans, and their service has not gone unnoticed.

Some of our residents expressed a desire to be baptized. We traditionally hold baptisms at a nearby swimming/picnicking spot. We were not nearly as eager to brave the waters in May, so we were very grateful to find a church willing to lend us their portable baptismal. We all gathered on the lawn outside our chapel to witness the profession of faith of seven of our residents and the daughter of a staff member. I’d say there is no better way to spend an afternoon!

We were pleased to witness and participate in the graduation of five men and women this month: Vicky, Charity, Josh, Chris, and Jared. This event spanned two weekends, as it was necessary for Vicky to have her own ceremony. She is a Canadian citizen, and her visa did not extend into the following weekend, which marked the commencement of the others into their new life. She has returned home, eager to complete her education in Biblical Studies at Brier Crest Bible College, which she began before joining us here last year.

We eagerly await Josh’s return later this summer when he will join our team of Servant Leaders, investing into the lives of our new men that which has been implanted into his life by others. It has indeed been our privilege to watch him grow – and to benefit from his musical talent on our worship team.

Charity will stay with us for a couple of weeks in order to participate in our HCC course, before heading to our Connecticut Growth Center. She has found new life, a new outlook, and new purpose in Christ, and is determined to follow Him!

Jared, our resident gemologist, has been cleaned up and polished by the Master Craftsman into a useful, “living stone,” the beginning of a life-long process of refining. Jared will be going to Maine to live and work with his uncle.

Chris has come from a shell of isolation and anger and has begun to share in testimony and song what the Lord is continuing to do in his life. He will be moving to the Connecticut Growth Center to begin employment and independence. God has brought all of our graduates through much healing and we rejoice with them all!

The next two weeks are going to be some of the busiest yet. We’re receiving 12 men and five women into the program. 10 men and women are coming for discipleship training and educational practicum. They come from Virginia, Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, Indiana, Tennessee, California, and New Jersey. Perhaps your state will be represented in our next training! (Wink, wink…)

God has also answered prayer regarding our need for Mentors and Servant Leaders to replace those completing their commitments. The annual turnover of young disciples is a hardship, but it is part of our purpose to train and equip men and women who’ll return to local churches and missions.

Vawn and Karey Edele have been the house parents of His Mansion’s Growth Center (re-entry home) in Bridgeport, Connecticut since its inception in 1999. Vawn, Karey, and their three beautiful daughters, Judith, Miriam, and Naomi, have been accepted by Youth With a Mission (YWAM) and will train in Quebec prior to a mission assignment. They have done a great work and earn our “Well done!” Please pray for the Edeles during this transition.

Ron and Alice Donovan are the new house parents and are already on the way to a full house! Ron has been a member of the Board of Director of His Mansion Ministries for many years and now joins the ranks of the “missionaries.” Please pray for Ron and Alice. They can be supported by your gifts to His Mansion with an accompanying note indicating your preference that the money be used for them. Support can be accommodated by Electronic Funds Transfer if you wish. Contact our office at 603-464-5555 for more information.

Recently, a couple of ladies in whom we’ve made significant investment, decided that they either didn’t need any more help, or they didn’t need God. They chose to leave and left hearts saddened. Their sisters (and brothers) grew to love them and it sets them back a little. It’s not easy for us, either!

Summer is the time for many small building projects. Needs include cupboards, sinks, lumber, doors, and windows. Recently we were offered material in exchange for help pulling a cottage down. Thousands of dollars were saved by scavenging those “parts and pieces.” With the financial crunch, we search for creative ways to be good stewards.

Paul Atkinson, our Corporate Administrator, just ordered a two-year supply of rough logs to be worked into cordwood for fuel. Paul is tenacious in his determination to “stay in the black.” Buying more wood means lots more work, but effort doesn’t get added to the operations expense!

The next 18 months are going to be challenging, financially. We’ll build the new facility for the His Mansion Institute as we have funds and we’ll tighten our belts. Rather than scaling back on how many needy men and women we open our doors to, due to “hard times,” we have committed ourselves to trust our Good Provider and fill the beds. It’s His work. Let Him supply!

It just occurred to me that in addition to rescuing the perishing, equipping the saints, and sending out workers into the harvest, His Mansion offers another great gift to the body of Christ. We provide an opportunity for you to practice generosity! Most of our supporters (you) do it out of a love for God and for those whom He loves. And you are generous!

God is far more interested in generosity than in tithes, offerings, and “dutiful” giving. He delights in our generosity. But generosity requires a greater sense of confidence that the gift is being well used and that the receiving ministry is one of integrity and reputation. We welcome your generosity! Again, we can share that every outstanding bill is paid and we remain debt free. (Remember those who serve on staff and who do so without salary or benefits. You can support individuals you know by including a note indicating your wishes.)