Quarterly Newsletter                                                                                             March  2003

Dear Friend,

Here we are already in the month of (muddy) March—the month that causes all car washes get plenty of attention. Since our family lives on a farm, we just kind of quit washing our cars off. One thing March does though is make you appreciate (green) April.

Looking back to the time when Jesus rose from the dead, I can't help but think that God must have chosen the month of April for the resurrection to take place for the very reason that it is the month of new beginnings for so many different things. The Bible tells us that we, too, become a new creature at the time of the second birth. 2 Cor. 5:17, Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Thank You

Thank you for your faithfulness in helping the ministry financially and prayerfully. Thank you for giving postage stamps to the Sonlight Club. And thank you for giving many household items and clothing to the ministry.

Activity Night

We appreciate Joe's brother William. He has been such a pillar to the MAP Ministry over the past year. William has done a great job leading Bible studies.  Back in December he was voted on as a member of the MAP Board. Several months ago, God began to burden him to start an Activity Night for the young boys and girls who have left the Amish. At first, the group was fairly small but then it began to grow bigger as more young folks joined. Soon there were not only former Amish coming but Amish teenagers and young couples started showing up, too. At this time we don't know for sure what God is doing but one thing is certain, a number of these young people really have a desire to sell out to God. Maybe we will see revival!? We would also like to thank Miriam Gingerich from Fredericksburg, OH, for the big influence she has been in making these Activity Nights happen. A lot of young folks are from her area.

Cancer & Heart Problem

We found out through some Amish boys that were coming to the Activity Night that their mom has been diagnosed as having breast cancer. A group of us got together and went to their home one Friday night and just sang some songs and read scripture. In the end we spend some time praying for God to heal the cancer in Verna. For some reason God has not chosen to heal the cancer yet so we will continue to pray.   As far as we know, Verna is not saved.   Just last week we found out that Paul (the husband) ended up in the hospital for heart problems as well. If you would like to send this family a card you can send it to...Paul & Verna Keim—8248 Co Rd 318—Shreve, OH 44676.

Salvation Decision

Perry was a young Amish boy and a brother to Joe. At the end of last year Perry got into some trouble with the law and ended up in jail. As soon as Joe found out about it, he visited Perry in jail and then became involved in Perry's court trials. Joe and his brother William were able to meet with Perry a number  times over the period of a month and during this time Perry got to hear the gospel. The judge ended up letting Perry go on a fine, 1-yr probation, and three days of alcohol school.

Perry went back to the Amish and we all thought that we would probably not see him again but then about 8-weeks ago he called and asked if Joe could come by and pick him up because he was planning on leaving the Amish. He told us that he wanted to straighten his life up and that he would like to go with us to church. Perry went to church two weeks in a row and heard the gospel given at every service.  Then, one Sunday afternoon he gave his heart to the Lord. He has been faithful in coming to church and just this week he said that he would like to follow the Lord in baptism. We appreciate William for the influence that he has had on Perry.

House Hunting

We have gone from trying to buy a house to looking for some land to build. At this point we are just trying to figure out where that property might be located. It looks like we might be moving out of the place where we are at right now and rent a place until the house is built. Of course, all this could change again before the end of the day!? It has been our desire to find enough land so that we could build a building where we could house all of the ministry.  This would be done at a later date.  Our hands and eyes are turned towards heaven as we wait to hear from God.

2 - Wellington, OH (MAP Ministry)

8 - Norwalk, OH (Sweet-heart Banquet)

9 - Bedford, OH (Missions Conference)

10 - Bedford, OH

11 - Bedford, OH

12 - Bedford, OH

14 - Baltimore, OH (Valentines Banquet)

15 - Pettyville, WV (MAP Ministry)

16 - Bethesda, OH (MAP Ministry) - AM Service

16 - St Mary's, WV (MAP Ministry) - PM Service

17 - Davisville, WV (MAP Ministry)

18 - Cambridge, OH (MAP Ministry)

19 - Parkersburg, WV (MAP Ministry)

20 - Glenford, OH (MAP Ministry)

21 - Newark, OH (MAP Ministry)

22 - Clyde, OH (Esther and I are in a wedding for one of the former Amish)

23 - New Lexington, OH (MAP Ministry) - AM Service

23 - Stockport, OH (MAP Ministry) - PM Service

March Wedding

For the past two years we have had the privilege of having two very sharp young people named John and Jenni come to our Bible studies. Since John was formerly Amish and will not have his real parents at the wedding, they have asked us to act as his parents. We are very excited for them and feel honored to be able to help out in this way.

Transitional Ministry

Esther has been helping several girls that have left the Amish. She has helped them get their birth certificates, driving licenses, and jobs. We sure thank Jerry and Carol Gess for all they are doing to help one of the girls named Martha. Martha has been coming to church faithfully, but has not yet made a salvation decision.

Evangelistic Mailing UPDATE

Several people are continuing to add names and addresses of Amish families into a database for us. At this time we have about 8,000 addresses entered. We have decided to take most of the year to organize this out reach so that it will be done right. At this time we are planning on dividing up the different communities in sections and then allow a church/individual to adopt a community of their choice. That church/individual would then be responsible on getting the mailing out or paying for the printing and postage costs for that community so that we could send them out. If the church wanted, they could even add their own literature in the mailing that they send out. There are a lot of decisions to be made as time goes on. Please share any ideas that you might have. We would love to hear from you.

MAP Web Site

John 3:25-27

Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.