October 2011 Newsletter

October 2011
“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.  In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.”
-John 1:1-4 

Greetings in Jesus’ name, 
It is so difficult for most young men and women to grasp the notion of timelessness.  What am I saying!  It is difficult for me!  I recently taught this passage to the fellowship that meets here on the hill, “The Meeting Place.”  “In the beginning” sounded like the start of a long story.  The “beginning” for many in this generation was this morning or perhaps the day they entered this program, or, at a stretch, the day they were born. 

The concept of creation is well outside their box, so trying to describe or dialogue about the beginning of the beginning, before the first creation, is fantasy on par with the latest digitally created SciFi sellout! 

Cap this teaching off with the notion that Jesus Christ was the LOGOS (The Word), before He was Jesus, and we’re done! 

We have just been blessed with sixteen new candidates in the program replacing the recent graduates.  In addition to “putting Humpty-Dumpty together again,” we have the challenge and joy of introducing them to Christ and nurturing them in the faith.  All in one year! 

I’m thankful to God that we can start this process with them by shoveling manure, planting flowers, chopping wood, cooking food and keeping the “johns” flushing.  Frequent visits to daily “Prayer & Share,” weekly Bible classes, and Sunday fellowship, allow us the privilege of feeding these, for the most part novice Believers, the most basic truths.   

Concepts like “the beginning, before the beginning,” are merely planted in their heads, teasing them with the possibility that they are, indeed, part of something far, far greater and more wonderful than their minds can presently grasp. 

His Mansion is an ever-changing organism.  Wonderful, God-loving staff come and go.  This past month our agriculture team, Hank and Cathy van de Berkt, felt that it was time to move on to their next spiritual adventure.  They served well and were a positive influence in many lives.  Hank’s love for the animals and Cathy’s passion to be a “steward of the land,” set a high standard.  The gardens have been a delight to the eye as their produce has been a delight for our tables at meal times as well.  The van de Berkts will be missed.  They are excited about whatever God has before them and welcome your prayer. 

Diane Weber (Miss Diane, to most!) has retired!  Well if you believe that, you’ll believe I’ve retired!  Miss Diane has decided to wrap up her 18 years of service to the Lord at His Mansion.  She served, primarily, as a spiritual mentor and model to ladies in the program and female staff serving on the hill.  There have been many titles and job descriptions, but in reality, Miss Diane has been a human “gold standard” for the rest of us.  Miss Diane had been a career missionary in Malaysia prior to answering God’s call to serve among us.  As the years have gone by, Miss Diane emerges as one remembered for her steadfastness and strict adherence to God’s Word.   

Many years ago, Miss Diane, taught home school for missionaries serving here so that parents could catch a break.  Those little ones are now not so little and now regard her as an important piece of their lives.  Diane Weber has been adopted by the church she has been a member of for many years.  They have provided her an apartment and a vehicle.  I know who really gets the blessing from this--that very special fellowship of Believers!  Well done, Miss Diane! 

With folks leaving, it signals the arrival of new missionaries.  We’ll introduce them in November’s newsletter.  The gap between folks leaving, and replacements being vetted and arriving, leaves huge holes in our capability.  However, God provides!  We’ve been blessed all summer with the efforts of work group volunteers and just in time to help with a crunch, another team of adults from North Carolina arrived with maturity and skills.  

Lee Oliver, who retires from His Mansion at least once each year, has been faithfully standing in the gap left by the resignation of Ryan Miranda, head of Building and Maintenance.  The Mirandas served faithfully for close to three and a half years as Ryan put in unlimited hours to a job that is never complete.  Ryan received a job offer from the high school he graduated from and needed to be in place before school opened.  The Mirandas are excited about what God has in store for them in this new journey.  Lee is one of those multi-talented saints that come along once every twenty years!  We eagerly await the next Lee Oliver clone! 

 

His Mansion Graduating Class- September 10, 2011

One of the burdens for leadership, in addition to the rigors of duties on the hill, is the traveling necessary to proclaim the message and encourage prayer and financial support.  In the coming months I will be moving through Michigan, down the Ohio Valley and on to the Carolinas.  Dr. Michael Tso will be visiting Emmaus Bible College in Dubuque, IA, Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL, Cottage Grove Christian Church in South Holland, IL and Asbury University in Wilmore, KY.  And after which he speaks at Boca Raton Bible Chapel in Boca Raton, Florida.  It is quite a bit of travel in a short amount of time! 

It takes a lot of energy, passion, and dedication to keep the ship called His Mansion on course.   

His Mansion’s Christian Growth Centers in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Bridgeport, Connecticut are a vital part of His Mansion’s overall ministry and Ron and Alice Donovan (CT), and Dennis and Francis Coulombe (MI) serve in the re-entry phase of the work.  At present twelve men and women are benefiting from our two aftercare facilities. 

One of these past graduates now residing at the Michigan Growth Center recently included the following words in a letter she sent as an update in regards to her settling in and search for employment in the area.  It encourages my heart to hear this woman walking out God’s truth and continuing to pursue Him first and foremost and trusting in His provision. 

It’s been quite a faith ride (or walk, I should say) since my arrival (at the MI Growth Center.)  I recall how overwhelmed (in a good way) I felt, knowing how much God cares!  Provisions like shelter, the center itself; the people, Frances and Dennis and kids; the food from our trips to the Food Bank, etc.  Thank you for ‘footing the bill’ as it were, to help provide for our needs here at the growth center… 

My walk is continuing to deepen everyday in a dependence on Jehovah.  It makes me sad sometimes just how similar I’ve been to the Israelites.  Thank the Lord He loves me where I am, but also that He loves me too much to leave me where I am.  I thank God for this walk of sanctification He has me on!  It is hard, but it is good.  Praise God!  I really feel like I’ve “come home”-- like this is where He wants me for now.  To live is Christ! 

I wish I could say that life in this world was getting better--less drugs, alcohol, sexual immorality and other addictive behavior.  Alas, it is not the case.  We operate at capacity and still turn some away.  The government could not do what we do, even with their unlimited funds (or rather, ours!).  God continues to provide the people and the finances for His Mansion.  Pray a hedge about us that the Enemy would find no way to sabotage. 

Now, a word from Paul…
The day was picture perfect, still warm and sunny for the evening hour as the line of vans and cars carried residents, staff and children off the hill to the local Deering Reservoir.  A large crowd of family and friends also made the short drive to join and witness the public celebration of the sixteen individuals who outwardly identified with Jesus Christ as they followed Him in Believers Baptism that day.  It was a blessing and joy to be apart of this incredible life-changing event for each of these young lives.  Praise God for the work that He is doing and will continue to do in all of us! 

Baptism at the Deering Reservoir- September 3, 2011

The baptism was a wonderful way to start the week leading to the graduation which was held on Saturday, September 10.  During the ceremony, each graduate was given the opportunity to share testimony of the transformative power of God as they experienced His healing hand on their life over the past year.  Let me share with you one particular testimony as given by a 29 year old male graduate that left a mark on my heart. 

My reason for coming here is that my life was out of control.  I was at the end of my rope, depressed, consumed and a slave to addiction.  Trying to fill a void with anything I could get my hands on.  Only to realize that I needed change, I needed something different, a new life.  I had to surrender myself and give up my control, realizing I couldn’t do it on my own any longer. 

While being here, I finally broke down those walls of seclusion and insecurity and let Christ into my life willing, and gave up my control.  I let him work in my life.  With in a few months, I started to notice changes in my thinking of myself and my life; that I wasn’t a failure, a lost cause, a nobody, but that I was a child of God. 

My relationship with God since being in this program, has given me strength, courage and a foundation to start my life and to face my fears and my past sufferings.  He has been my guide when I was lost in my pain.  He was right behind me in my struggles and never turned His back on me although, at times, I turned on Him… I couldn’t have done it on my own.  I would still be living in my old behaviors.  He is definitely at work in me and on this hill.  We just have to begin to let Him work. 

And of course, I can’t go without mentioning the incredible generosity and commitment of so many work groups that have continued to bless us during this very busy time of year with harvesting and preparation for the cold months to come.  A youth group from Windham Presbyterian Church in NH, a small group of men from Sunset Avenue Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, NC, First Evangelical Free Church of Westbrook, ME and most recently, a group from Northside Community Church also from Rocky Mount, NC have been apart of these recent volunteer blessings.   

Closing comments from Stan…
The end-of-summer numbers usually paint an accurate picture of how the year will end financially.  These are difficult times for everyone, no doubt.  Again, the income to date is about the same as last year, for which we praise God.  We are feeling the crunch as the value of the dollar plunges.  We are “up on the wall, doing a good work,” however, and fully expect our God to provide. 

Thank you for standing with us.  His Mansion can again testify that every bill is paid and we have no debt!  He is so good--you are so faithful!

Joyful in His service together,

                    

 Stan Farmer; Ambassador-at-Large             Paul Atkinson Sr; CEO