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Quarterly Newsletter July 2002 |
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Dear Friend, In Acts 26 we read how Jesus spoke to Saul while on his journey to Damascus. [Jesus said] ...I have appeared unto thee for this purpose…To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. What a joyful privilege it is to be called by the Creator to work hand in hand with Him!! Thank You Thank you for your prayers, words of encouragement, emotional and financial support. We praise God for you! Your willingness to help out with the ministry is such a blessing. We'd just like to echo a thank you along with the Lord in Matthew 25:23 when he returned to his servant after giving out the talents…Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful… Salvation Decisions Several weeks ago we had a young girl named Ruth come to stay with us while we help her get on her feet. With great joy we were able to see her ask Jesus into her heart one evening and the following Sunday she made it public at our home church. Ever since then she has been getting up in the morning and reading her Bible. Another young man named Aaron also made a decision for Christ just before going back to the Amish. MAP Board Meeting The MAP board meeting is planned to be held on Friday July 26. It is always a humbling experience to have all our advisory/support team come to help make decisions for the present and advice for the future. We greatly appreciate each one. Church Happenings During the last two months we've been to four different churches to present the MAP Ministry. We cannot even begin to express our appreciation for all the blessings that were received from all those that provided housing and meals for our family. But most of all for your interest and desire to learn about the Amish and how you can help spread the Gospel. Former Amish Reunion The former Amish reunion is planned for Saturday, July 27, 2002, at the Ashland Conservation Farm. It is always an encouragement to get together with others and share our salvation testimonies with one another. Wild Beast Feast We are excited about the upcoming Wild Beast Feast. It is an event that we are hoping to reach the Amish with the gospel. The main speaker for the evening is Richard Shoup from KY and he will be sharing his 50+ years of hunting and fishing experiences right along with the salvation message. Richard has pastored several churches during his lifetime and just has a passionate heart to use his hunting experiences to reach other hunters and fishermen for Christ. We are also having a game warden, taxidermist, and some outdoor businesses show up for this event and share things that concern hunting. The menu for the evening will include buffalo chili, moose and elk burgers, alligator, wild Boar, antelope and deer meat. It has just been amazing how this event has taken off and many people who need the Lord are planning on coming. We have quite a number of people who are donating door prizes, such as guided hunts, shot gun, compound bow, etc. Several churches in our area have already set up Bible studies and we will invite every person to join the Bible study of their choice. The Gideons will be there to pass out Bibles as well. For more info you can call us or go to www.WildBeastFeast.com. Ministry Helps A number of weeks ago I had a call from an Amish man named Aden who was living in Montana. As time went on he would call me 2 and 3 times a day asking all kinds of questions about the Bible. Aden was a very confused man because he had gotten saved and the Amish church had disciplined him for talking about his new belief and still he knew that he was saved and for that reason felt the need to come to us for help. One night he could not handle it any more so he walked some 28 miles to a Gray Hound bus station and bought a ticket to come to our place. Aden has been such an inspiration to us since moving here last week. He went to church Sunday and is already started in the ABC Bible study book. Prayer Requests Pray for the Shrock & Miller families who are still Amish and searching for truth. I have been meeting with both families and it has just been great to see God working in their lives. Also pray for four families in a community West of us here in Ohio who are also starting to have questions. The one Amish man said, "I had been praying for some time—God, please send someone to help me understand the Bible." Some time went by and one day he needed to have the Vet come by to look at his livestock. When the Vet was done with his work he asked this Amish man, "what do the
Amish believed?" And from there the Amish man said every time I had a question this Vet would give me an answer out of the Bible. The Amish man said, "I was so impressed that a man would answer everything from the Bible and not man's opinion." So, let's please pray for these families because already the whole community is working on settling these families down before it gets out of their control. Sonlight Club As you may remember, Bridgette over sees the Sonlight Club ministry and she has come up with a writing contest for the students who are enrolled in these courses. We would like to invite you to join us in coming up with prizes at the end of the contest. The prizes would have to be small or flat items that could be placed inside an envelope and mailed to them. If you know of someone who works at a factory that would be willing to donate crayons, stickers, stationary, gel pens, markers, or reading and coloring books (Christian based) etc., please let us know. May God Bless you as we serve together for His glory! Joe, Esther, Jonathan, Rachel Keim
Below is a testimony that was shared by one of the families who has
adopted three former Amish people through the Adopt-a-Person Ministry. We
encourage all of you who have adopted former Amish/Amish to share your
blessings with us and maybe we could also publish them in the next
newsletter. If you are interested in knowing more about the adopt-a-Person
Program, please let us know.
Written by: Molly Smith Oh how the Lord chooses to bless when we open ourselves
up to His most perfect will! Early this year, Joe and Esther Keim came to
our church to do what we call a, "Missions Moment." Little did I
realize how much that particular "moment" would change our lives? I had already heard a bit about the MAP Ministry, but
had no details. I remember sitting there and listening carefully as Joe
and Esther outlined the Ministry. I felt a strong leading from the Holy
Spirit to become part of this Ministry. When Joe spoke of the
"Adopt-A-Person" program, I knew right away that this would be one of
the ways that we would involve ourselves in MAP. At this point, Glenn and I have adopted three grown
"kids." Our first "son", Isaac, has since moved to Texas. We keep
up communications through email and cards. In spite of all the miles
between us, Isaac has been such a blessing. He has a real way with words
in the E-cards he sends regularly. We're hoping that he will return for
a visit sometime later this year. Next came Barbara and William. I
think we may have adopted them before they even knew they were up for
adoption. In my usual "step right in" manner, I just let them know
that they were now part of our family. I can remember them seeming a
little puzzled by the process. Barbara is our "Wendy's
Manager-in-Training" daughter. We've been known to catch her at shift
changes to share thoughts and Frosty's. Barbara has given me a unique
opportunity. She asked me to go with her on a trip "home" to see her
family. I went. I'm sure that God wanted me to be part of this most
touching and bittersweet day. I thank Barbara for being willing to share
so much of her life with us. We are privileged to have such a fine, Godly
"daughter." William is our bull riding "son." It makes me a
little anxious in the gut when I see him sitting in that chute. I guess
I'll have to trust God on that one. We don't have any real sons of our
own, (just got a fine new son-in-law in May) so getting William has
been very special. William loves the Lord and it shows. That's what I
like the best about him. We like having him around. He even helped us put
hay up in the mow … and that's not a small thing on a 90 degree day.
Thanks William! I don't know who has gained more through the
Adopt-A-Person program, my family or the "kids?" It took us over
twenty years to raise our own two, terrific daughters. In a matter of
weeks we grew our family to include three more wonderful, responsible,
mature adult children. How often does that happen? Thanks MAP Ministry,
for letting us be part of all of your lives.
MISSION
TO AMISH PEOPLE 7/02
– Prayer Card PRAISES
TO GOD FOR… 1.
For
the churches and individuals who have been sharing postage
stamps with the Sonlight Club! 1.
Sword
Conference in Walkertown, NC (July 29-Aug 2) 2.
Missions
Conference in Alexander City, AL (Aug 4-7) 3.
MAP
Presentations at 3 churches in the Missouri area (Sept 15-22) 4.
Salvation
decisions through the Wild Game Banquet on August 24 5.
Yost
& wife Edna
- they
are the ones from Iowa. (Edna was taken away from Yost
because of his new belief and we can only imagine the grief this is
causing) 6.
Young
girl named Susie who is staying with us. Pray for her salvation. Harley,
Ruth, and Aden to follow the Lord in baptism
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| President Joe & Esther Keim Vice President John Bouquet |
Secretary Jerry & Carol Gess Treasurer Sam Gray |
Randall Collins Harvey & Mary Lou Yoder Eli & Pam Shetler Edna Knight |
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