2005 November

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As I was preparing for a sermon recently I ran across a couple scriptures that really caught my attention and I would like to share them with you. FOR AS THE EARTH BRINGETH FORTH HER BUD, AND AS THE GARDEN CAUSETH THE THINGS THAT ARE SOWN IN IT TO SPRING FORTH; SO THE LORD GOD WILL CAUSE RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PRAISE TO SPRING FORTH BEFORE ALL THE NATIONS. (ISAIAH 61:11) Later on in the NT Paul states: BEING CONFIDENT OF THIS VERY THING, THAT HE WHICH HATH BEGUN A GOOD WORK IN YOU WILL PERFORM IT UNTIL THE DAY OF JESUS CHRIST: (PHIL 1:6) Sometimes it is kind of hard to know exactly what our doings vs. God’s doings are in life but I am certain that God is often more in control then what we would like to believe.

We always love to read the cards and letters that come to us from newsletter land. One of our supporting churches from Akron OH sent Jonathan and Rachel a big box of goodies last month.

Rachel writes…I was so surprised when I saw the 27 pound box outside our door and it was addressed to me. I had no clue what could be inside so I brought it in and opened it and inside there was everything that you could imagine; Oreos, twizlers, little Debbie snacks, and a lot more. Plus there was a really cute bird pen in there that I have setting in my room. Sometimes it is really hard to be a missionary kid but it’s things like this that make it easier to be one. I just want to say “thank you” to all of the ladies at Highview Avenue Baptist church for taking the time to send this to us. I really appreciate it!!!!

Jonathan writes…Thank you so much for the box of “food” ha, ha, and school supplies. I was at a job site when Rachel called me up to tell me about this box, full of our favorites, and said it weighed 30 pounds as a guess. I couldn’t believe it! I was really excited to come home and see what all was in the box that Rachel missed telling me on the phone. Whenever we hear High view Baptist Church we know exactly who you are. You guys have blessed us so many times, and I can’t even express how thankful I am for it.

And now it is our turn to say thank you. Your response to the ministry’s financial needs during Sept/Oct were absolutely outstanding. I don’t recall such outpouring of support since the ministry began in 2000. The computer was paid in full and so were all of our other outstanding bills. To top it off, one of our supporting churches got together and gave the ministry $700 to print the booklet “My Amish Vows: Are they Binding”. Lord, thank you for allowing us to be part of such a great team of people who are doing all they can to get the life changing gospel of Jesus Christ into the hands of our beloved Amish people. Pour out Your blessings upon each one, now and in eternity to come. Amen

Income for 2005: $95,370.24 Expenses for 2005: $93,361.81

Ending balance as of 11/10/05: + $2,008.43

For over a year we worked on a 2,000 sq. ft. building that would hold donated clothing, furniture and kitchen supplies for those who leave the Amish and finally on Oct 1st we moved in. We were able to do this through grant monies and help from our home church. There are a lot of people who should be recognized for their hard labor but two people really stick out to us and those are Norma and Barb (left).

In our board meeting last month it was approved to go ahead and build another structure that would give us the office and education space that we have so desperately needed. We are looking to build on some property that is located close to our home in Ashland. Originally we were looking at buying something that was already established but figured with all the talented builders around us, we would be able to get a lot more for our money if we build new. We have been talking to some local businesses and grant foundations about helping us finance this project. We invite you to partner with us in prayer as we seek God’s will and timing in all of this.

I suppose that each one of us has at least one person in our life (outside of our own family) that we can go to at any given time and discuss just about anything that comes up in life. The person that fits that description in my life at this time is Sam Schwartz. Sam is our pastor in training and will continue pastoring the church on his own some day when the time is right. In September, Sam and I spend a whole week at a pastor’s training school in Spencer OH where we both learned so much about the work and calling of a pastor. In the photo you can see where the church got together and celebrated Pastor’s Appreciation Sunday. Sam is sitting on the front/left.

I don’t want to go into details but our church went through some very hard times and it finally came to the point where some of us had to part ways because of differences. The people that continued with the church re-located to Sam and Laura’s basement where we continue to have Sunday school, AM service and Wed night prayer meetings. At times it was very easy to point fingers at Satan and accuse him for the turmoil but now that we have gone through it and are looking back (I think), it becomes easier to also see the hand of God. I would like to add that I don’t think we could have gotten through if it had not been for the strong support that we received from our home church.

About two years ago Levi & Miriam Yoder started talking to us about their desire to move to Ohio and help out with the MAP ministry. Several times I gave up that this would ever come to pass but I also knew that if it was God’s will it would happen when the time was right. Month after month went by and finally in October (last month) they made the move to our area. This week they both started helping out with the SonLight Club as well as some other areas in the ministry.

You may be asking, how can you afford to pay Levi and Miriam a salary? The answer to that question is, they came without expecting any salary. Over 20 years ago, they both came to the knowledge and truth of Jesus Christ when they were living as Old Order Amish members in a Ohio community South of us. Soon after they got saved they left the Amish and moved to Big Hill, Kentucky where God allowed them to buy a business. In 2004 they sold the business and are now looking forward to giving God their time in Christian service. Thank you Lord!

Here are some photos from some of the young people that have left the Amish in recent weeks. In some ways it saddens me but in other ways we thank God that they will get an opportunity to hear the salvation story and hopefully give their lives to Christ.

We will leave you with a testimony from Isaac (lower left photo) who moved here from MI several years ago, got saved and baptized and then moved to Texas to be with his older brother.

ISAAC WRITES: I seem to have very little free time with all the Church activities, school, and work. I have to say Joe that I am blessed way beyond my wildest dreams. I have lots of close Christian friends down here and a great church. Herman and I just bought our seventh property. We are planning to close on the eighth property within the next month. So all of us are doing well.

Joe, just know that I will continue to pray for the MAP ministry. I will never forget what you have done for me. I know without question that if it had not been for you that I would not even be close where I am at today. I pray that you will some day be able to understand the tremendous impact that you have had on me and many, many others. Joe I love you and your family, and I hope you have a blessed weekend. Isaac