|
“So Peter and the other disciple (John) started for the tomb. Both were running but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head… Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, went inside. He saw, and believed.” John 20: 3-8 NIV Greetings in the Name of Jesus, I realize that Easter is long past, but something has lingered in my mind that sheds light on the condition of many who arrive here for help -- and many at large! John “saw” on his first peek into the tomb. Peter “saw” when he entered and looked. Then John “saw” again, upon entering, and he believed. The original language uses different words for our word look. John’s first look is blepo, “to see at a glance.” Peter’s observance is theoreo, from which we get our word “theory” and “theorize.” John’s second look comes from arao and means “to see with understanding.” Isn’t this just how it goes? Many have given Jesus and Christianity a quick look, a glance, and passed on by. Perhaps they were briefly introduced through Sunday school, VBS, or stories told by Grandma. However, life rushes on with all its glitter, confusion, and often pain. The vision is forgotten. Others, like Peter, give it an intellectual eye. The claims of Christ are considered and perhaps even studied. There is no lack of unregenerate scholars hiding out at seminaries! Later in life, for whatever reason, the claims of Christ take on fresh meaning and hope. It’s time for a closer look, and then the light of understanding pops on. This kind of seeing believes! Later on in the context, there’s a more dramatic recognition. Mary Magdalene was weeping in the tomb over the loss of her precious friend, Jesus. Someone whom she thought to be the gardener spoke to her; but she wasn’t looking for the gardener. Then the “gardener” loudly spoke her name: “Mary!” She snapped immediately around and cried out, “Rabonni,” that is, Master. Mary’s recognition was triggered by sound, not by sight -- a sound that resonated in her soul and not her ears. Mary heard her name fall from the lips of her Savior, Jesus Christ, and her life was forever changed. Mary Magdalene became the first official herald of the Good News: “He has risen!” Residents in our program are given an opportunity to “see Jesus” at a glance during the induction phase and taught more in-depth in following phases. By the third and fourth phases of the program, we prayerfully expect that they will “see Jesus” with their understanding, and also believe. There are those unique individuals, however, who behave well, conform to, the structure of the program, and endear themselves to all, but who seem to remain just outside the faith. It is often to one of these aloof individuals to whom God speaks in a still, small voice, and they hear their names. Those who come this way are often the ones who eagerly proclaim the Good News to others around them -- evangelists. It has been a rainy month on the hill. Some vegetables thrive on the wet, while others rot. All in all, we’ve had a good garden season. The giant pumpkins, raised by residents and staff, are beginning to take ribbons at local county fairs. The fair that is the granddaddy of them all for pumpkin-judging is in Topsfield, Massachusetts. We’ll have to wait and see how that goes. Two men, Levi and James, graduated from the program this month. Levi is married and has a child, and one on the way. He, and his wife, Elisabeth, have both walked a difficult road while “hanging in there” through the rigorous one-year program. Their local church on Cape Cod has been everything one would wish to see in a church. That alone has been a terrific encouragement to me. During his stay Levi has demonstrated leadership among his peers and a level of maturity that we would like to help cultivate, so we’ve asked this little family to remain as short-term staff for the next year. Levi is on probation in the State of Massachusetts and not allowed to remain out of the state after completing the program. The state is quite adamant about this. He presented his case before the judge, two weeks ago, and we presented his case before The Judge. Praise God, Levi has been granted a rare exception! He will be one of the first to go through His Mansion’s new Servant Leadership Training Program, beginning in October. James has decided to take advantage of His Mansion’s new Servant Leader Program, as well. Several other recent applicants will join him. There are two women, Tiffany and Katrina, who have remained after their graduating classes for various reasons. Both are an asset to the program and have served responsibly. The purpose of the Servant Leader Training Program is to offer an opportunity for individuals who are young of age, young in the faith, and/or too inexperienced or ill-equipped, to take on the direct responsibility of mentoring others, and to be discipled for six months. It is our intention to coach, teach, and mentor them to a deeper level of discipleship so that they can effectively “mentor” other men and women. What an advantage a graduate from this program will have upon re-entering school, or going off to college. It is a great time to “sort things out.” There remain openings for candidates in the SLTP. Grand things are happening. Lee and Joyce Oliver have decided to return to run New Beginnings, our program for pregnant women in crisis. Lee is a retired Coast Guard Officer and worked in municipal water treatment for many years prior to coming to serve at HM the first time in 1990. Lee served in operations while Joyce served as director of New Beginnings until 1994. They retired (again!) to North Carolina. Every summer, His Mansion drew them back as short-term workers. With the regeneration of New Beginnings, the bug bit them again, and to our great blessing, they are once again part of this community. Welcome, Lee and Joyce. And there is more great news, just off the press! I have for years prayed for just the right person to represent His Mansion at colleges, universities, and select mission outreaches. The right guy has been here under our noses (we really knew it, all the time!) and has agreed to accept the challenge. Jeff Devilbiss is a graduate of United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY and served as Nuclear Test Engineer, in the Nuclear Power Plant Operations at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. He hales from southern Pennsylvania and is 41 years old. He has already served at His Mansion since September of 2000 in just about every category except for my job! Jeff is the most affable guy I know. On many outreaches I’ve seen him quickly warm up to all age groups and they to him. He is a very sharp gentleman and will bless the people he meets wherever he goes. Please consider getting Jeff an entrée into your church, school, or alma mater. Karen Hilliker, Counseling Therapist, and head of the women’s program, is in place with a full load already. Karen sees women one-on-one, oversees groups, teaches classes, and facilitates a trauma group for the ladies. So many of the ladies who enter this program, for whatever reason, have suffered deep, damaging, personal hurt. These afflictions sometime only come out by prayer, fasting, and careful probing. God has provided His Mansion with a wonderful family in Seth and Karen and little Keegan. I thought this month I’d invite Paul Atkinson, our new Corporate Administrator, to write a few words about what God is doing here, from his perspective. These past 5 months here at His Mansion have been both exciting and rewarding. As we arrived in the spring of the year, we began to see and understand where the concept of “seasons of life originated” in relation to one spending time here. As in the life of many of the students and staff, “the hill” was entering a time of great change and challenge as the new growth of spring encompassed everything in sight. Robin and I have felt the same way as we have grown and seen God do an amazing work in so many lives. We have also had the opportunity to meet and begin getting to know so many wonderful people who love this ministry. This has been possible through people coming to work on special projects as volunteers. We’ve had groups and individuals form New York, Connecticut, Maine, Florida, Michigan, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and North Carolina. Next month we will host a group from Mississippi, coming to help put a new roof on the New Beginnings house. We are so thankful for people who are willing to serve the Lord in this way. So many of you are faithful supporters of this ministry with your prayers and monthly giving which makes all of these things possible. God bless you! They have also been made possible through opportunities to speak and travel off “the hill” to represent the ministry. If you are reading this newsletter, you are a part of the extended His Mansion Family and we appreciate you! I met a local pastor and his wife from here in New Hampshire last week who has only been here since January. He kept receiving our newsletter, which just kept sitting on his desk. Last week he called and asked if they could visit and see what the ministry is all about. What a wonderful time we had together as we talked about what God is doing here and how their church could be more involved. Let me encourage you to visit the website at www.hismansion.com if you have questions, want to see the pictures in the “Recent Happenings” section, or view our new DVD clips. August 19 was another one of those days we watched the hand of God at work as we had the privilege of baptizing 11 guys and gals who had come the know the Lord as their personal Savior. How awesome it is to see God heal spiritually, emotionally, and physically! Several years ago God opened the door for me to become involved in missions work in Africa. I will be going out from His Mansion for the first two weeks of October to the country of Uganda. Our primary work will be done in prisons, where we will preach the gospel to thousand of men and women. Two months ago, new hospital equipment was sent from here in the USA to refurbish the prison hospital near Kampala. Part of our trip will include the setup and training for this project. Please remember this ministry in your prayer. We see so many people in this third world country bound by the same forth world issues that we have right here at home. We are so grateful that God has us here at His Mansion and we continue to marvel at the grace that he continually pours out on His Mansion and on us! God has blessed this work with talented servants and I will, from time to time, be asking others to offer a short update in the newsletter, as I will be traveling more and must share the blessing. Don’t forget the upcoming Healing in the Context of Community Course (HCC) beginning October 7th. The one-week, or seven-week course, can be a life-changing time and surely a profitable experience. The cost of room, board and course fees is $100 for either course. Early October is a great time to be in New Hampshire! His Mansion is an exciting place to serve and learn these days. God is so evidently at work and lives are being transformed. Families are learning to love one another, and many residents who have never seen a healthy marriage or family up close are observing. God sets a high standard for those who shepherd others, and this keeps leadership sharp. The population is high and we are gearing up to accept even more. Mentors are always a premium. Would you like to give a year or so of your life to helping young men and women get their lives untangled and learn what it is like to be loved by their Creator? You’ve found hope in Jesus; why not come to His Mansion and share it? I take this opportunity to again encourage you and tell you how grateful we are for the prayer and support of both staff and ministry. To partner with you is a privilege--to be linked with you in heart and soul in the work of rescuing the broken and battered is an honor. We complete the summer, always a test of faith financially, with every bill paid and no outstanding debt. He is such a faithful God, and you have always been such a faithful supporting family. We are operating at capacity, given the staff, and there is much fruit being borne out of our labor. Lives are being changed and men and women are being set free in Christ. Praise His Name! Joyful in His Service,
Stan Farmer
|
News 
