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September 2007 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
2 Corinthians 4:6-7 Greetings in our Savior’s name, I preach somewhere nearly every weekend and that keeps me in His Word, and my own soul subject to its convicting power. It is also a great source for fresh ideas and insight. I know of no other document, authored by any of history’s greatest minds, that can come anywhere near the Scriptures for deep, effective truth. Of course, the fact that God inspired it does give it the edge! This past week I spoke on “Jars of Clay” from 2 Corinthians: “Heavenly treasures in jars of clay.” My own heart was refreshed by the simple, yet profound truth revealed there. Clay jars come in all sizes, shapes, and for many purposes. During the lifetime of a jar it may be banged, rattled, or cracked. Or it may be cherished -- polished, painted, and protected. Even the loveliest and best cared for may suffer stress of which no one near it would be aware. The value of a jar is usually measured or established by the usefulness or rarity of its content. For centuries, jars have been the repository for precious oils and healing balms. Rare jewels and gold coins have been safeguarded in jars. Life-giving seeds have been stored for generations in jars. Important vaccines have been sealed in jars. Poisonous serpents and spiders are held in jars. Lethal plague-potential viruses are hidden in jars. And the ashes of dead men and women end up in jars. The value or worth of the jar depends upon your perspective. Eventually, the value of any one or all of these jars is going to be measured by the treasure enclosed in it. That treasure, in our case, is “Christ within us, the hope of glory.” It is a treasure to be shared and not to be secreted away. It multiplies as it leaks out. Its value is seasoned by the life-experience in the jar. The more pain, suffering, and sacrifice, the more powerful the treasure becomes to the needy soul with whom it is shared. Joan and I deal in early English ceramics (c. 1780-1850), along with other antiques, in order to build a little retirement fund, and I have a fancy for jugs, jars, and crocks. In the antique investment business, the value of a piece is greatly enhanced by identifying the potter and attributing credit to the artist who decorated it. Ah… I’ve already given it away! Hopefully, people do not have to “tip you over” to see the Maker’s mark. The residents living at His Mansion, and here for God’s healing, are all fashioned by the same famous potter and are being decorated by the finest Artist in the universe. When I do appraisals, it’s often difficult to determine a value of a piece with complete accuracy. But with His Mansion’s precious cracked pots, it is easy. In the end, all special items are only worth what a collector or investor will pay. The value of our precious jars has been paid on the nail. Every now and then, after it’s planted, a wonderful story grows into a marvelous one. This has happened since the last newsletter. In last month’s newsletter I featured the story of an elderly sister who demonstrates her love and service to God and His Mansion by creating beautiful bookmarks. This week I received an email from a chemist friend from my days at Connecticut Yankee Atomic. He had read the newsletter, and Sunday, at his church, he leaned over to a lady across the aisle and said, “I know who crafted the bookmarks.” She blushed in acknowledgment. Only God can orchestrate real life stories like that! We’re rejoicing over the entrance into Christ’s kingdom in the past two weeks of three new citizens -- two ladies and one man. The new birth was very evident in one of the ladies. Each morning I try to connect with each person in the dining hall by touching their shoulder and speaking briefly to each. This lady would typically respond in a troubled voice, usually communicating a degree of depression. This particular morning I was greeted with a big smile and positivity. “What’s with you?” I asked. “I accepted Christ yesterday,” was her reply. There’s nothing that will bring about such instant transformation as Christ coming to dwell within the vessel! The fall Healing in the Context of Community course begins October 13th and is completely full. We look forward to hosting folks from Texas, Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, Ohio, Colorado, Michigan, Virginia, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Illinois, California, and Manitoba, Canada. The next class is slated for January 19-25. December will mark the largest graduation class in years! Jeremy Broshear from Florida, Randy Buckley and David Wolfe from New York, Justin Hite and Wendy Crowley from Pennsylvania, Dustin Kahafer from Kentucky, and Michele Lilly from Indiana will be awarded certificates of graduation in a ceremony to take place in the chapel at His Mansion December 1st. Visitors are welcome. Their testimonies are worth the trip! I love hearing from our precious partners. Here’s a shot in the arm: Bless you, Stan Farmer, for the message of the newborn birds [July newsletter] and our desperate dependency upon God meeting every need. It did lift my heart to heaven, and caused me to bow down before Him in gratitude.
Thank you, Madeline Townsend
Ninety-one years young, and still traveling under His wings [her comment]
Another note was not so heartening. It was from a mom whose daughter considered coming to His Mansion, but instead chose to throw her life over the bridge between Portsmouth and Kittery, Maine. Only three people have ever survived the 100+ foot plunge. This girl did, but is severely handicapped for life. Her mom was thankful for my time with her and encouraged His Mansion in our work, but my heart aches that she did not end up here first. That is why we are doing all we can to shorten the waiting lists by praying for mature, capable young servants to serve for one- or two-year commitments, and by pressing ahead with the new construction. The wheels are in motion for our expansion. The site has been selected and we have applied to build. This is a big step for us, but we are seeing waiting lists extending six months out, and we do not wish the opportunity to partner with colleges and universities, to pass us by. As the actual design is fleshed out, I’ll share the exciting details with you. We have a substantial portion of the money we project we’ll need in hand and are surely trusting God to do what He has always done for us – to be able to expand without acquiring debt. Already folks have sent special gifts to help kick-start the project. We are looking to God for an additional $300,000 to complete the project. I realize that December is still a long way off, but I thought I’d begin to profile several of the Long-Term Staff families so that you can get to know them – and perhaps support them. I’ll start this month with the top tier:  Paul Atkinson has the title of Corporate Administrator, but for those more familiar with the corporate world, he’s the COO. Paul and his wife, Robin, hail from North Carolina, where Paul served as a pastor at Parkwood Baptist Church. Their son, Paul, Jr., serves, with his wife Whitney, as Director of Student Mobilization for ABWE missions organization. Their daughter Lori’s husband, Dave, is on ministerial staff of Big Bone Baptist Church in Union, Kentucky.
 Lee and Joyce Oliver both serve in executive capacities: Joyce as Director of New Beginnings (our program for pregnant women in crisis) and Lee as Operations Supervisor. They served here previously, and have returned from Rocky Mount, North Carolina to join us again. (Lee is retired Coast Guard and has sufficient support.)
 Fritz Maurer is the Director of Counseling. A graduate of Alliance Seminary with a Master’s in Counseling, he and Gretchen are a major stone in the foundation. Their children are also out of the nest. Amanda is a student at Alburtus Magnus in Millhaven, Connecticut, and Kiersten lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Fritz left a management position with a Connecticut manufacturing firm to serve as a missionary to the Fourth World – those coming to His Mansion for healing.
 Dave and Diane Hultgren each serve in separate capacities. Diane is responsible for finances; Dave works for Fritz Maurer as Discipleship Supervisor. They have two children out of the nest: Dan lives in Hartford, Connecticut, and is attending the University of Hartford. Lisa teaches math at a regional school in Langdon, New Hampshire. They still have two at home, Andy age 10, and Bobby soon to be 13.  Jeff Devilbiss is Director of Recruitment and Public Relations. Jeff is a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy and served as an engineer at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard prior to coming on board. He is single and is the one who spreads the word among colleges, conferences, and youth gatherings, about His Mansion. If you wish to have a representative of His Mansion visit any venue where Jeff might acquaint folks with opportunities to serve and learn, please contact him at jeff@hismansion.com.
 Linda Hogue serves as Office Manager and Executive Secretary. Linda and her husband, Jim, resided in California prior to coming to New Hampshire. They have three grown children – Katie is married and lives in Connecticut with her husband George Ryan and two daughters; their son Dan lives in Chico, California; and Annie is marrying Drew Callahan this month in San Diego. Linda served on the administrative staff of Grace Community Church in Ramona, California before coming to His Mansion.
You all know Joan and me, so I’ll let it go at that! Just a reminder that all of these highly qualified servants are missionaries and serve without salary or benefits. We all wait upon God to meet our needs in order to be able to continue serving. I realize that this is an unusual situation in this day and age, but God has met our needs and we trust Him to continue. I’ll introduce the other staff in the next letter. The colors are beginning to change already and the nights are getting cool. How long till the first frost? Geese are forming “vees.” Blackbirds cloud out the sun, and a stiff breeze is a-blowin’. Harvest parties and Thanksgiving are on the planning board already and the family is gearing up for fun. Your part in this wonderful process is never lost upon us. The many, many men and women who pray and support are precious to us and we very much appreciate you. As you begin to think of year-end gifting, please consider His Mansion as one of the sound investments you might make for the Kingdom. We’ve completed the summer months, always the toughest, with every outstanding bill paid and under no debt. There’s no one else to whom we can attribute the ongoing miracle that is His Mansion than our God, but we thank you for your willingness to be used and influenced by Him. Joyful in His service, Stan Farmer
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