May 2010

Greetings in Jesus’ name,

I recently taught on this passage.  Maybe I was attracted to it because the “star,” Daniel, was 80 years old.  To cast Daniel as a "Senior Statesman" would be an understatement!

A small part of this story involves the promotion and elevation of a man of integrity to a place of influence.  Previous kings had already recognized Daniel’s qualities and this now put him in the crosshairs of politicians and bureaucrats.  Daniel’s books could stand an audit; theirs could not.  A man or woman of integrity is always a threat to the dishonest.  The "insiders" had to get rid of Daniel.

I read and reread this chapter looking for the key character-quality Daniel possessed that resulted in his being thrust into positions where he could make a difference.  It came:  Trustworthiness.

I believe that the most important quality that us serving at His Mansion can model and teach to those here hoping to shed bad habits and acquire healthy ones is trustworthiness.  Polls show that young people today do not consider telling the truth and trustworthiness to be important matters in their lives.

Prescriptions, self-help, and personal counseling cannot hope to achieve true mental health and purpose.  Coming to the place where I can "trust myself" and be trusted by others, are the basic tools to effectively begin working on my own recovery.  It is also the first step in the 12 month journey to complete this program.

March and April have been exciting months.  The transition from frigid winter to bursting life finally shouts out the presence of our creative, artistic God!  Cattle shed winter coats, earth cracks and out pop crocuses and tulips.  Wonderful whistling and chirping replace the sounds of snowplows and shovels.  Apparently dead, dry limbs redden, leaves unfold, and pollen attacks with a vengeance.  The beehives sound like runaway air conditioners with the frantic activity.  There’s life!  It’s Resurrection!

There have been wonderful transformations in lives here as well that parallel the visible birth of a new spring.  A number of hardened, angry men and women have learned to trust and are becoming trustworthy.  This is best attested to as we begin preparations for one of our largest graduating classes from His Mansion- 3 men and 6 women will be celebrating the completion of the program here on Saturday, May 8th.  These men and women are far removed from those that arrived on this hill in April of 2009.  The revival of life that is evident in these graduates is purely testimony of our God’s goodness and faithfulness to provide redemption to those who seek after Him.

As graduations are a major part of the ebb and flow of life on the hill, so is the arrival of a new intake of residents.  As the graduating class prepares to move forth from resident life, 20 souls in desperate need of God’s love and saving grace prepare and pack to move here as a part of the newest class arriving on May 12th.  This is a difficult transitional time for both those coming into our program as well as for the residing residents and staff.  Anxiety and worry heighten and we covet your prayers for a safe and smooth adjustment period.

The change of season always brings about the need to do some spring cleaning and this tradition remains true here on the hill.  However, the daunting chores of outdoor yard and property clean-up are turned into a celebration with our Annual All-Family Work Day.  Residents, mentors, long-term staff and families come together to create normally unlikely work crew teams to tackle the aftermath of the past winter storms.  Add to the day the first cookout of the season and you have an unconventional recipe for fun!

The dormitory project has been completed!  Well, at least enough for the men to transfer from their old digs into the new one.  It has capacity for 46 men and we've begun to fill her up.  Of course, we have still to do major landscaping and cleanup.

We will schedule a dedication for the end of August so that those who have contributed can hear a loud "Thank You."

Incoming work groups continue to be a great blessing to us here, especially as we enter into the spring and summer months.  This past month brought us 6 exceptionally hard workers from Amber Congregational Church in Marietta, NY.  The dedicated service they provided to us proves to be invaluable.

Toward the end of April I was privileged to be a keynote speaker for Maine Prison Ministries, which includes aftercare, homeless shelters, and rescue centers.  The folks who staff these sorts of facilities are truly "salt of the earth."  Humble men and women spend endless hours comforting and facilitating the needs of the brokenhearted.  I was encouraged.

The following Sunday I had the honor of preaching inside Maine State Correctional Facilities.  Forty to fifty men came out.  I shared my testimony and that of His Mansion.  Even as I retold how God miraculously met needs, and how His Mansion began on a shoestring, I realized how far-fetched it must sound to incarcerated skeptics.  I admitted as much to the men, but implored them to believe the testimony anyway.  "God is a God who cares and will provide," I concluded.

When I wrapped up the session (to generous applause) and headed for my seat, a loud voice boomed out.  The man possessing this booming voice sat against the entry door in the back of the chapel.  He was one of the oldest men, and certainly a leader.

Every eye in the room was on "Bob," the spokesman:  "I remember a large pot of boiling water, and nothing to put in it.  This was to be our next meal.  Then someone knocked on the front door offering wilted potatoes and carrots.  Another came with a piece of leftover meat.  We put it into the pot of hot water and made stew.  It was the best stew I ever had!  This sort of thing happened on a regular basis!"  He went silent.

My heart pumped and my eyes dampened as I recalled identical events taking place during the first two years of His Mansion’s history.  What was this guy talking about?

Bob boomed again:  "I was a student at His Mansion in 1972, and my brother was there before me.  I regret that I left the program early, but I remember God doing that kind of stuff."

What a deal!  I could not have arranged a “plant” like that!  God used an unplanned, unknown witness to authenticate my stories.  This is yet another example of God being actively involved in the workings of His Mansion.

Finances are tight, but then again, so are yours!  You are such faithful partners with us and we appreciate you.

A few budgeted projects have been curtailed and we've tightened our belts.  The income from donations has held up to what we projected.  When all is balanced, we are a few percent above the projected budget.

Once again, every bill is paid and we remain debt-free.  The government may have grand plans for entitlements, bailouts, and "free money" for those too big or important to fail, but we’ll settle for God's financial plan every time!

You are a part of that wonderful financial plan and we thank you so much.

Joyful in his service,

Stan Farmer, CEO

His Mansion Ministries, Inc.

www.hismansion.com