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“For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I am known.” ~1 Corinthians 13:12~ There is a jut of land in Maine that stretches out as far from the mainland and Route #1 as one can get. And on the ledges overlooking the Atlantic Ocean sits The Dolphin, a small dockside restaurant that boasts the finest seafood “chowdah” in the Northeast. (I can attest that their claims are justified!) The tides here range from 10’- 14’ depending on the moon and the weather. Early this morning I landed my small runabout on a beach beneath this point, amidst light fog. I threw my tagline over a cleat, hung my book bag over my shoulder, and headed for the only building on the pinpoint precipice. What drew me to where I write was a pair of old wicker seats on the porch of an apparently empty house. I settled into my “borrowed” piece of Maine seacoast real estate. I chatted with God a bit and then turned my focus to the task at hand – writing this letter to you. Lessons, simple yet profound, can be learned anywhere, and God’s magnificent creativity became my teacher once again. After every few minutes of reading, I looked up to observe a totally new and different seascape. The tide began its retreat to wherever it hides every six hours. Islets were transformed into islands, and as stretches of land and shoals were exposed by the receding tide, a half dozen similar little hillocks at varying distances became enlarged, melding together, giving the illusion of one large land mass. This is certainly a lot of description just to illustrate that “there is a lot more beneath the surface than meets the eye.” I know this to be true in my own life, but then that is pretty familiar territory after 68 years! This is the main reason I feel so strongly about His Mansion’s long-term approach to healing. It takes time and changes of the tide to fully appreciate all that appears on the surface. Those trained and experienced in life can see this at first glance, but often the troubled soul must find a high place—a peaceful non-threatening place—from which to become familiar with his or her own unique tidal distinctions. This can be a painful process when, due to one’s own self-loathing, only seaweed and stinking mud can be seen. As we see the masterful hand of our Creator and Savior at work, a subtle patch of sea heather appears, and what would look like black, slimy outcrops of ledge reveal breathtaking patterns of frozen marble, quartz, and garnet-laden granite. Swampy ledge-locked puddles burst into life. Minnows, shrimp, and crabs cavort, believing this to be the entire world. You see, when you’ve failed yourself and everyone else; when you’ve been stepped on, messed with, and badly damaged; when you’re so bruised and sick that hope is but a painful word, it’s nearly impossible to enjoy the lemonade…it’s all lemons! But thank God, there is hope. Let others, whose views are clearer and cleaner, tell you of the worth they see in you. Listen to the voice of God whisper, “You are fearfully and wonderfully made,” and, “I will/would never leave you or forsake you.” Trust mentors, lovers, and friends to guide you on small tours of the island that is you. God can heal instantly, but that’s not his usual MO. Gradually, over time, you’ll discover the healing Truth. There’s so much to be revealed, and almost all of it is good. True, the healing process may expose a sunken wreck or moldering carcass from time to time, but they needn’t spoil the entire picture. Time and tides. I sat on that porch a long time, until the tide came in again. (It takes me awhile to learn some lessons!) Once again, my perspective was limited to what the casual observer also sees, but I do not live in fear of being exposed when the tide again retreats. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and for that I say, “Thank You!” A Season of Change Back on His Mansion’s mountain, fall foliage has splashed the world with an array of color that makes denying God’s creation the mark of lunacy! The textures of reds, maroons, yellows, pinks, russets, and browns flow down and across the hillsides like a molten river. Geese rise up off the nearby Audubon pond filling the early morning sky with a cacophony of conversation about the warmer climes ahead. Pumpkins and multicolored gourds show up on porches and lawns. Folks “from away” have returned to Megatropolis, and we hardier natives and members of the year-round community greet each other in the store, filling stations, and post office. The local diner is filled with talk of wooly caterpillars, high-built wasp nests, and early migrations, as natives hunker down expecting the worst! The His Mansion community, made up of the healing and its healers, has become an integral part of this enduring community and is hopefully a source of warmth and light to our neighbors. September was a full month, although there was not a lot of unusual business. Harvest was super. One hundred fifty or more cord of wood was split and stacked. Pigs and cattle cleared up the pasture before wintering in. Stoves and chimneys were cleaned and readied. There are so many ways that you all bless His Mansion. Money, believe it or not, is not always the greatest need. Some crops do well here, but root crops are more difficult. Consequently, we plant a limited crop of potatoes and must purchase quantities throughout the year. Recently, while encouraging some Aroostick County, Maine folks aspiring to start a work like His Mansion, we were blessed with 5000 pounds of wonderful Maine spuds! Our Family Continues to Grow Since the most recent graduation, we’ve welcomed 15 new members to our family of residents. They come from as far away as California, and as near as a neighboring town. The dropout rate is highest at the front end, so please pray for each one. We have much good news to report from our residents who stick it out, who let the waning tide reveal what has been churning underneath. One woman has finally been able to give and receive forgiveness and is “more at peace than ever before.” Another quite freely states that since coming here, she’s known real love, joy, and family for the first time in her life. One shares that she had to learn to give up her dream of being loved by her family, realizing that it is truly Christ who loves her completely and unconditionally. And yet another is finally able to look at her own issues after hiding behind her focus on the needs of others. Many of our men are experiencing the benefits and freedom found in reconciliation. One man has been reconciled to his mother after receiving a letter of encouragement from her following a two-year estrangement. Another has surrendered to the lordship of Jesus in his life and God has restored his wife and family to him. Another of our residents was reunited with his mom for the first time in months when she came here to serve with a church group. (She was so blessed to see a spiritually and physically healthy son!) Still another family was reunited with their son after five months of separation. This young man gave his heart to Christ during a chapel service four months ago. Reconciliation, family, community – our God desires to rebuild families, and generations are being restored because of the power of Christ in the lives of our young men. His Mansion Prepares for the Next HCC This month will see folks from Ohio, California, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Utah, Virginia, and New York here for another Healing in the Context of Community course. At the time of this writing, we have 25 folks enrolled. Some come to learn more about His Mansion, some want to learn basic counseling skills, some want to know how we integrate counseling techniques with sound biblical teaching, and others come just having a sense that God may be able to use whatever they learn here in their everyday lives and ministries. We have set the dates for our 2009 courses: January 17-23, March 14-20, June 13-19 and October 10-16. Perhaps your name will be on one of our 2009 class rosters! Staff News Dr. Michael Tso, Emily, and children (Francesca, Viviana, Garrison, and Dawson) are pretty much settled in. Their house is at the very bottom of the hill where most of the families with children live. The place has come alive! The presence, at meal and at play, of children of all ages is extremely therapeutic to the residents in the program. They eagerly watch how parents relate to their children and more importantly, how the children relate to them. Again, in small glimpses they see possibilities for their own future. His Mansion is now in fellowship with a professional group called Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS). Dr. Tso, Fritz Maurer, and Karen Hilliker have become members, and will be presenting papers at regional and national convocations. As His Mansion Institute (HMI) takes shape, these relationships become important for credibility among the young scholars pursuing degrees in counseling, social work, and pastoral studies. Prayers and Praises Speaking of His Mansion Institute, there is some great news to share. As the second set of plans and drawings took shape on the proposed new dormitory, it was apparent that the costs would be difficult to justify. Certainly God can provide all we need, but it doesn’t mean that we need to become extravagant. For years now it has been apparent that the dormitory built for the men years ago is not very conducive to the best needs of the male residents today. We’ve discussed building a more modern barracks-style facility. That posed the question of how one might use the present dormitory. The idea was presented that it might be a perfect fit for the new HMI dormitory. Dr. Tso and others gave it some thought and all agreed. The cost of a new men’s dorm, plus the rehab of the old dorm for use as HMI, could be done for less than $500,000. This is nearly half of what the proposed new dorm would’ve cost! These are financially perilous days and those of us existing through the graciousness of God’s people must be part of the solution and not part of the problem. By following this cost-effective solution, we can launch His Mansion Institute as planned, and in several years, when its worth and value have been demonstrated, we can proceed to build the academic entity. I am excited about the direction we are taking, as we already have the funds in hand to accomplish the initial phase of the project without incurring debt. Each department has submitted a budget for the coming year, to be presented at the next board meeting. This has always been an exciting act of faith and this year will be especially challenging. Never in my experience have the needs for sound biblical counseling and long-term residential support been greater, yet those of you who graciously support our work are under your own unique stress. I am fully aware of this and want you to know that I (we) appreciate your sacrifice and steadfastness. September 30 signals an end to the summer season, and despite the bleak economy, God has, through you, met our needs once more. All outstanding bills are paid. I would ask you to pray for my wife, Joan. She will undergo a total knee replacement October 29th. Naturally, she’s fearful and is anxious to be through it and pain-free. My personal health is good, all things considered. There is the ongoing challenge of diabetes but this is under control. Well, I think my time of squatting on someone’s porch has come to an end. A porch spider, big enough to attack blue jays, has his eyes on me. I doubt his ego is big enough to actually include me in his diet, but I’ve spent so long in one place that I suspect he’s about to attach a strand to me and reclaim ownership of the porch. Bye. I’m gone! Stan Farmer
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