May 2009 Newsletter

May 2009

“Our old man was crucified with Him…reckon yourselves to be dead…but (we are) alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 6:5-11

Greetings in the name of Jesus,

Hank and Kathy Van De Berkt, our new agriculture supervisors, are taking a fresh look at His Mansion’s orchards. Winter is always hard on the trees and the ice storm set them back. I appreciate the process the Van De Berkts’ take with the trees, as it is a reflection of scripture. It would be tempting to await the actual fruit and then care and maintain the trees. But it doesn’t work that way. The trees must first he attended to in order to have less problems with the fruit. It’s a delicate balance.

This metaphor fits well into the healing process of His Mansion. The temptation is to go right at the addict’s problem and try to fix it first. Long ago we paid the price for such folly. Attending to the physical and emotional needs through adequate sleep, nourishing food, and stable family, must precede the demand for good fruit. Crucifixion comes before resurrection!

It is never safe to grab just one powerful biblical principle and bear too much on it. There needs to be a balance, just as it is with those arriving at His Mansion for help. Make the tree healthy and the fruit will be good, but if you attempt to put the fruit right first, there will be a problem.

“God has blessed you with all spiritual blessing in the heavenelies.” How come I don’t have them all? Because I’ve not appropriated them. God waits for us to acknowledge our need and assume the position of “crucified and buried” with Christ and then I’ll be in a position to “seek those things which are above where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.”

In balancing scripture, we try to teach the residents that their “old life” produced no good fruit—and in fact God has sentenced it to death. That sentence has been fulfilled in a substitute, and as the residents agree with that verdict and believe by faith that they died with Christ, the Holy Spirit makes it true, real, and reveals the fruit—the life of the Risen Christ in them.

It’s the season of new life. Some seedlings will grow healthy and strong; other plants will flourish, and then quietly wither. It has to do with attention to the basics.

We’ve managed the largest intake ever in the last several weeks. Watching the new residents get adjusted and begin to absorb truths from Bible classes, devotionals, and Sunday fellowship, you can actually see the “dry stick begin to bud” and pale green and crimson tinting the extremes. Already there are leaves forming on some.
It’s a miracle, this process, and God does it. All we do is poke around, fertilize, and weed! Yes, we counsel and pray. We teach and nurture. Principles are “fleshed out” in the workplace. But the fruit--that blessed fruit--is the work of Christ alone. We are humbled.

In the midst of small disappointments we see great advances. Several men and women are shedding the old bark and committing to grow. Veterans of years past are visiting or making contact, sharing their victories. This seems to be happening almost every week.

Despite the economic downturn, God touches various partners to step up. Here is a great answer to prayer. Several saints have sent funds designated to be used on the “professional and technical” aspect of the new building program.

Last month I shared the need for an electrician with a Masters license to be able to “oversee and sign off” on the job. God’s ways are higher than ours! As it turns out a local pastor of a small church – one not large enough to adequately support his family – has a side business and carries all the advanced licensing we’d ever need. We’re able to use those designated funds to hire him and be completely compliant with the state and local building requirements. This God-sent pastor/electrician will complete the job at half the going wage. How great is that!?

The New Mens Dorm in Beginning Stages of Construction

The one large hurdle left was the requirement for a licensed NH plumber. Here’s more answered prayer. Twenty-five years ago a guy in his late teens, came to the program. He served well and left to train for a career in plumbing. He settled in the area and is now one of the busiest and best in the business. This alumna will fulfill this important role, free of charge. Praise God!

Sam Farmer (my grandson) is the General Contractor and has been an inspiration to the men in the program as well as overseeing a superior job.

The foundation is in and the framers are hammering away. It’s our prayer that the new dorm will house men well before snow falls.

Don Fuller, COO; Stan Farmer, CEO; and Sam Farmer, General Contractor

The building being vacated will be refurbished to accommodate candidates arriving from colleges and universities to study and complete their practicum requirements.

Those students interested in applying for the Fall 2009 Practicum are encouraged to email Dr. Michael Tso at dr.tso@hismansion.com for more information.

“Black flies” are creatures unique to the extremes of Northeastern America. They are the size of a small pellet and have fangs like a cat! Operating in great swarms, they attack the hairline, legs, and arms, biting off great pieces of flesh. I’ve reread Genesis and Leviticus to see if they’re mentioned as one of the curses. No luck.

Walking up the road this morning I spied several dozen aliens at work in the woods, gardens, and construction. A closer look revealed our own people with grotesque nets over their heads in order to survive the dreaded Blackfly.

Although the world around us seems to be going crazy, I am quite encouraged. Laws are being passed that provide new “rights” for gays, transgenders, and criminals. Terrorists are about to be “welcomed” to live in America. Abortion and birth control is offered to our minor sons and daughters without parental knowledge. So where’s the encouragement?

The body of Christ must get back to basics. We must now be “proactive” at how we raise our families. Children must be taught how to sufficiently counter a corrupting educational system.

It seems to me, that as the natural consequences of choices and changes become more and more evident, the myriad of cells of Christian communities who prosper in the midst of it will become a welcoming oasis, where confused, disenchanted, and disillusioned folks can go to quench their thirst. The Body of Christ has the most to offer when times are toughest.

Social justice is a term that has been preempted by the godless, but it is nonetheless a biblical principle. In the decades to come the church must take the lead and give “entitlement” a heart. Pretty exciting times, huh?

Grass is green, leaves are out, geese are here, and life is in great evidence. Children squeal with delight as they chase frogs near the pond. Some of the wives are out with younger women planting flower gardens. Young men are eager to work at the construction project with older men. Life is good and God continues to bless.

Okay, so now-and-then, someone has the sniffles, bruised knees, and torn Levis, and relationships with families back home may be rough. And then there are the blackflies! But despite all of this, men and women smile for the first time in years. Addicts look into mirrors and their hearts are not filled with shame. Ladies with eating disorders are more and more pleased with the reflection they see.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to learn more about the ministry at His Mansion, as well as develop your own ministry skills, I invite you to attend our next Healing in the Context of Community course that takes place on our campus from June 13th through the 19th. Log onto our website at www.hismansion.com for more information, or call our office at 603-464-5555. The deadline for registration is June 1st.

God has blessed us and I pray He is blessing you. There is every reason to rejoice and be optimistic, despite the mess around us. There’s so much to live for, to rejoice over, to look forward to.

Support has decreased overall, but funds for the new building continue to be strong. With careful stewardship, we can once again share that all our bills are paid. You are a faithful family of supporters and prayer warriors. His Mansion remains stable and blessed and we appreciate each one who invests in this work. May God continue to bless you and lift you up during the coming months.

Stan Farmer; CEO
His Mansion Ministries