Life Transition Ministry Prayer/Support Groups LivingRoom Bible Institute SonLight Club - Amish Voice Donation Center - Audio & tract Church Presentations and Workshops

P.O. Box 128     Savannah, Ohio 44874    (419) 962-1515     WWW.MapMinistry.org     JKeim@MapMinistry.org

If you are one who receives our online updates, then you already know that Esther's mom passed into eternity on Aug 16th. As in most mother/daughter relationships, it was a very difficult time for Esther since she and her mom had a special relationship in spite of the English/Amish circumstances.

The one thing that we as a family have desired so desperately from God, and have prayed and fasted over for so many years, is that He would allow us to hear "assurance of salvation" coming from the lips of our dads, moms, brothers, and sisters. Mom Yoder did hear the gospel many times through letter and conversation but we had to accept the fact that we did not have our one desire fulfilled--assurance of salvation.

Over the years we have been warned not to come to funerals and have even been pushed/forced out the door - this time it was different. By God's grace we were not only accepted but allowed to be right in with our family. It was mind-boggling to see how much things had changed since we had left - we saw family members and friends who we had not seen in 20 years. And when we left, it was like walking through a doorway - back to a culture of noisy cell phones, radios, computers, TV's, sirens, and fast lifestyles. I have to admit, for a minute, I almost wanted to hesitate.

Esther and I thank all of you who have sent 100's of cards, emails and brought food to our home; thanks to the Bridges and Vallowes for planting a tree in our front yard, in memory of Emma yoder. We received much more than we deserve.

SonLight Club

At one point in our ministry we were sending 2,000 Bible lessons out, every other week (4,000 a month). But little by little that number decreased until we were only sending out about half that amount. Six months ago, our staff and volunteers sat down and decided that if we didn't do something, we could possibly see this ministry die off - a ministry that has brought many hundreds of lost souls to a relationship with Christ!

We began to pray, asking God to double our students and bring us back up to 2,000 mailings, every other week. Next we created a thermometer with goal marks that reaches from the floor to the ceiling. And then we sent sign-up forms out to our 8,500 students, asking if they could each give us at least 24 names of people that they would like to see included in the SonLight Club mailing list. Within weeks the forms (see right photo) started pouring back in with thousands of new names. You can only imagine how much of a blessing this has been to all of us.

We are just about to shoot past our goal and still have thousands of new names left to send first time lessons to. This God SIZED answer to prayer has led us (staff and volunteers) to plan a special time of celebration and praise to our God. We want to give out glory to God - glory that He alone deserves. Because of the increase in students, we are also looking to add more volunteers. Please call us at (419) 962-1515 if you can spare even small portions of your time at the MAP office.

A Special Testimony From a Godly Christian Lady

Dear Joe, I just thought I had to share what God has done in my life. Tonight there was a GED recognition party at our local high school for 35 GED graduates of the past year. I was TOTALLY overwhelmed to receive 3 awards - one was for the highest score in Math; another, the highest score in Writing; the 3rd, for Valedictorian (the highest over all score). It left me overwhelmed - I just thanked God. After I sat back down, I asked the Lord, what are You telling me? What do You want me to do? It was just so unexpected. But I thank Him & all the Honor & Glory goes to Him. Please pray for me that I can be open to what He wants me to do with this gift of intelligence.

I have been feeling a TREMENDOUS increasing burden the last while for "my people" -the plain people. HOW can they be reached? Once you start on the journey of deliverance & freedom, you CAN'T stay (or at least most people can't). But it seems that once you leave them, the door is SO closed to reach them. I still feel God is calling me to a ministry to the plain people; somehow it seems the time is not yet come, but someday, I will know when it's His perfect timing. - Edna Mae

A note from Joe: Many of us have had the joyous privilege of looking on as God performed a miracle of salvation and healing in the life of Edna Mae. She is truly a new creation of God's amazing grace and we are all so proud of her for not quitting, even when it seemed totally impossible through the eyes of humans.

Office Building

Little by little we are upgrading our offices. Last month Levi Yoder put the ministry name on the outside of our office building so that we would be more easily recognized by the UPS/FedEx people and visitors who stop by to see us. And for a while, we thought we could get away with just fans but when the end of July hit, it was obvious that we needed air conditioning; the board stepped out by faith and approved an air-conditioning unit which cost the ministry $1600. Our prayer has been that God would provide for this expense, through His people. Would you help us pray about this too?

God Sized Testimony

About 5 years ago, the Lord brought Joyce (left) into our lives. And ever since that time, we not only have watched her become established and rooted in God's Word but also actively involved in various parts of the MAP Ministry. I say all this to say-last week (with help from Chris, right) she organized her very first Bible study with 10 of her close lady friends. She is not only a right hand to the ministry but has won the hearts of many former Amish. She has adopted all the former Amish in our area and pays for the cost of mailing the Amish Voice to them.

Just A Few Of the Young People Who Have Left Their Community In Recent Days

I don't think it is possible for me to even come close to describing the enormous burden I so often feel for these and so many other young people who leave the Amish and come to live in our area. My desire to see them get saved and live for God gets so heavy at times that I can't sleep or eat. I honestly know what Jesus felt when "He beheld the city and wept"; Paul, when he said, "I ceased not to warn everyone, night and day with tears." I know, because I often live through those same emotions.

The drinking, drugs and partying is endless. Many are cold toward Christianity and along with that comes so much disrespect and un-thankfulness. Some go so far as to claim a day of salvation; ones who have walked with the Lord for awhile, and are not involved in drinking and drugs, and yet - work and making money has become their god and they do not have enough time left over for church or discipleship.

Several weeks ago I had to get away - the weight of my burden had gotten the best of me. For two days I cried out to God to send an awakening; I listened to audio sermons, worship music and read the Scriptures. When my tear cistern had become totally empty and I had handed all battles over to God, I came back home to keep on keeping on. And if I could hand out my most important prayer concern to you, it would be that you would come along side us and also pray for God to send an awakening to our young people. We need mentors - please pray for mentors to be burdened to team up with us.

If you can open lessons, grade tests, add stickers, write notes, fold, and tape, then you are qualified. If interested or have questions, please contact Tina Duffield at (419) 962-1515.

Some recent testimonies from SonLight Club students

Brian: The first lesson I got was when I was 6, I am now 11. The lessons have helped me learn to try to please God, take Jesus as my Savior and not to fear death. If it were not for the SonLight Club I would not have known to take Jesus as my Savior so I want to thank SonLight Club for improving my life.

Verna: Thank you for sending me these great lessons. I really enjoy them. Because of these lessons I have accepted Christ as my Savior. I have been going through a rough time this past year. My Daddy is an alcoholic and is in a treatment center for three months already. Without these lessons and my faith in God I would never have made it. There are times when I think I can not go on any longer. But God is with me all the way. My Daddy, by the way, is coming home in a couple weeks. I will be glad when he is home again. I have four sisters and two brothers. I am the oldest. I live with both of my parents. We live out in the country. We have a horse named Rick, a dog named Lucky and a cat named Fluffy, 12 rabbits, and three chickens. I like to play basketball and volleyball. I also like to read and write. Well I have to go now. Keep on sending me the lessons.

Lorena: Does Jesus care when my heart is pained? To deeply for mirth or song, as the daylight fades in the deep nights shade, Does He care enough to be near? I often have to think of this song when I'm so discouraged. I sometimes find myself singing it especially the chorus, those words are so touching. Sometimes when I wonder if Jesus cares then I have to think of that chorus, Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares. His heart is touched with my grief when the days are weary and the long nights dreary. I know my Savior cares.

It's not going to good for me down here, if only I had someone to confide in. Sometimes I wish I could talk with you. I asked my sister-in-law if she would mind to talk then she said no but I'm afraid she does. I'm so afraid she won't understand. I know I have to talk to someone. I wondered who. I write to people but that's not as helpful as it is to talk. It helps a lot but I think I could talk better.

Last night I felt so unhappy. When I went to bed the tears just came. Oh why can't I do things right. Where am I. My burden seems almost to heavy to bear.

I never told you this but sometimes I feel like running away. I would never go out and join the English, that's not where I intend. If I ever would I'd probably just go out in the woods and stay there. I often wonder if someone would care if I would. I wasn't planning on telling you this, but decided maybe I should. I still don't want everyone to find out so would you please not spread word. Thanks!

The reason I'm writing is because I didn't get my last SonLight Club lesson. I thought maybe I'll tell you then you can send me my next lesson. Thank you. Pray for me! Thanks!