2010 November

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We are so thankful for the opportunity to stop by and say hi to you today. And we truly hope and pray that this finds you doing well and serving the Lord with all of your heart.

Those of us who are serving here at the ministry, have been staying very busy this fall. The phone calls, letters and emails just keep coming and coming. As in any other ministry, we deal with so many people who just need to know that someone cares; they just need to know that someone loves them, and cares enough to join them in prayer to God.

As a man, I naturally desire to fix every problem and provide for every need that comes our way. But, as you know, there is no such thing as that.

During the past few months, we have dealt with some very heavy spiritual battles, which in turn have caused many of us to become more serious in our prayer lives. Even to the point of getting away for several days of solitude and prayer.

We sometimes forget, but Jesus Himself fought some of the fiercest battles anyone in ministry could ever become involved in. And it was during those times that we find Him looking for a solitary place, in order that He might get alone with the Father and pray. I have no doubt that these times also served as a time for refreshing the mind and getting away from all the pressing needs that seem so endless at times.

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. —Mark 1:35

And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed. —Luke 5:16

And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. —Luke 6:12

It has been amazing to watch as some of the churches in our area have reached out to the former Amish. In fact, I can’t help but believe that God is purposely scattering the young people around and placing them in bodies of His choice so that they can get their spiritual and emotional needs met by those who have never been Amish. And, I might add, since so many of them have experienced rejection from their family and previous culture, their two greatest needs are love and acceptance.

Levi (center) is a man of little words, and yet, underneath that quiet shell is a passionate desire to know God better and to follow His commandments. Since his salvation, earlier this year, he has missed very few Saturday morning Bible studies and church services.

Levi writes: I left the Amish with my friend. We stayed in a barn for the first night and the next morning my cousin Sam from Canada came and picked us up, helped us buy some English clothes and then put us on a bus that was headed for Iowa.

When we got to Iowa, my former Amish brother was there to pick us up. I was happy to see him and stayed at his house for two weeks before getting a job building hog barns. Before long, I got laid off for the winter and ended up coming to Ohio for another job.

I moved in with my cousin and they encouraged me to go to church with them. I realized that there’s more to life than just living for myself. My pastor, Jerry Arman, preached some powerful gospel messages and it soon became clear to me that I needed salvation. Today, I want to thank my pastor and all those who have encouraged me in my spiritual journey.

It has been a little over a month since the Lord brought us to Ohio. Beth and I are thrilled to be here and have enjoyed getting settled in and started. It is amazing to look back at all the things God has taken care of in order for this move to be possible.

The process began in the summer when we first visited this area and met with MAP to look at the position of Director of Education.

After interviews, discussions and prayers, we knew this is where the Lord wanted us; we also knew there were more than a few details He needed to work out. After all, we lived in Virginia and were quite established with our business, church, home, family and real estate. There were a thousand details to be settled. But God worked and we were able to take care of each issue as needed.

With the help of many people, we moved into our new home. We were truly blessed to see all the people who showed up to help unload the trucks. Then just a few weeks later a lot of other people showed up on a Saturday morning and put a new roof on our home. What a wonderful welcome we have received!

Since that time the Lord has blessed as we have worked with everyone at MAP to minister to the Amish. Days are full. It has been a joy working in the Son Light Club with all the volunteers and staff, grading lessons, preparing mailings and praying over the prayer requests that we receive. The best part is when a child writes us that they have received Christ as their Savior! Beth and I have also been busy traveling with Joe and Esther presenting the ministry to churches. Last Sunday was a particular blessing as we listened to the testimony of several Former Amish who accepted Christ as their Savior and are growing in Him.

We have also had the privilege of working with several young people who are seeking for answers in their lives.

Some of the other areas of work are: writing for the ministry update, Amish Voice, as well as taking part in prayer meetings and Bible studies. Please pray for us as we travel to churches and present this unique ministry that God is using to reach the Amish for Him.

There are several goals for the future that include: growing the Son Light Club, creating lessons for young adults, presenting MAP to more people and churches in order to help meet the financial needs, starting more Bible study and prayer groups.

The spiritual needs are great, but our God is greater. We would ask you to pray for us as we labor with others at MAP to bring the gospel to the Amish.

Harvest time! It is a wonderful sight to see the fields cleaned off of their corn and soy beans. It was a bumper crop. Now all our farmers are rich, RIGHT? Not so fast, don’t jump to conclusions, now they have resources to pay their obligations.

During the summer, MAP was provided with a challenge to raise matching funds. The goal was reached and we all praised the Lord. At that announcement, the giving slowed down drastically and then some churches and individuals discontinued their support; to the tune of over $2,000 per month.

“Ask and it shall be given” was the statement of Jesus when He walked in ministry. Friends of MAP, your gifts as churches and individuals are critical at this time. Thank you for your faithfulness and pray with us that others would participate in place of those who are presently unable. We serve the LORD OF THE HARVEST! He is not bound by economic challenges.

Pastor John, Sr. Pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, home church to MAP

Every fall, Esther and I try to attend at least one marriage conference. And of course, our all time favorite one is the Love and Respect Conference that Dr. and Mrs. Emerson put together.

This year, we attended the one in Cincinnati OH and took three young couples with us. I tell you, it was outstanding and even better than expected.

When we got ready to return home, I noticed that one of the young husbands had written “I will always love you” on his wife’s hands, while the young wife wrote, I will always respect you” on her husbands hand. I don't know why, but that really touched my heart.

By the way, it was great to see several van loads of Amish and conservative Mennonites show up for the event. Dr. Emerson gave a clear salvation invitation at the end.

The mentoring conference in Goshen IN was attended by 51 people from IL, IN, OH and PA. Calvin, a representative from Arrow Leadership, gave us some great mentoring examples from the Scriptures and challenged us to go and find someone to mentor.

We ended the seminar by setting up a discussion panel, made up of people who are already involved in a mentoring process.

We have already scheduled another Arrow Leadership seminar in OH for Saturday October 1, 2011. If you are interested in joing us, please mark it on your calendar!

Mary was born into an Amish family in Michigan. Her family eventually moved to Kentucky, where she still resides today. At the age of 23, Mary left her family, friends and the Amish church and has been living on her own for just over two years. Even though Mary did not know God, He knew her.

At the end September—2010, we were contacted by Mary who was looking for help. At the time, she wanted God to solve all of her problems and just make everything right. She wondered, does God love me? Does He care? What is the purpose for all of this pain and struggle?
For the last month and a half, I have tried my best to call her every single day. My goal was to let her know that God loves her, regardless of her circumstances and personal feelings. We prayed together and read many Scriptures that dealt with her wounded heart, mind and soul.

Just over two weeks ago, Mary accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and is now looking to the Bible for all of her answers. She still has physical needs, but God has met her greatest need of all—her need of a Savior.

We have made arrangements for Mary to come to be with us in Ohio. When she gets here this Friday, we will provide temporary housing as well as assist her in finding a job. This is all part of the process of helping Mary get on her feet spiritually, as well as physically.

All young Christians, but especially those who have come out of a life of spiritual ignorance and bondage need lots of help in starting a new life in Christ. Please pray for us as we work with Mary.

Dear SonLight Club Teachers, Greetings of love in Jesus name. Oh, How I love what you and God did for me. If it wouldn’t have been for the SonLight Club I would not be myself.

Will you please help me now. I read my Bible every night, but I’m afraid someone will see me—it’s just that my sister doesn’t do it every night, and I’m afraid she’ll see me reading it.

At the Amish church, we aren’t baptized till we’re 16 and over, or I would want to be baptized. Oh, can’t you please help me to find peace in my heart. Pray for me, I need it.

Thank You, A friend, Anna Mae—PA

Katrina writes: I was blessed to participate in a witnessing trip to New York City, the first weekend in October.

My boyfriend, Mose, went this past spring, and I was excited to be able to go on the fall trip. I knew God would use the experience to stretch me, and He certainly did. I am not naturally bold, so sharing the gospel has, at times, been difficult.

The highlight of the witnessing, and a great example of this truth, was when I was able to witness to a fourteen year old boy who had never before heard the gospel. His heart was touched, even though I felt my words were awkward. The power of the gospel is not in our words, but in the person of Jesus. He saves people; we don't. We should not fear to witness.

Earlier this year, we published a story in our newsletter, as well as shared some online prayer requests about a young Amish man who heard the gospel preached via radio, while milking cows for his English neighbor.

This young man, whose real name is Uriah, eventually got saved, and when that happened, Uriah came alive—not only in a spiritual sense but also in the physical.

Over the next 6 months, he frequently called my cell phone to talk about his conversion and hunger for truth. We often prayed for his family’s spiritual condition, since he desperately wanted his parents, brothers and sisters to place their faith in Christ, rather than a man-made system of beliefs.

At first, his family was open and wanted to understand where their son was coming from, but once they understood that this new belief might lead them away from the Amish, they changed very rapidly. In fact, the father became so upset one day that he burned all of his son’s Bible study resources and two Bibles that were translated in English.

After praying and fasting, Uriah has decided to leave his family and friends. Just this week, he walked away from his family with $50 in his pocket and the clothes on his back. Anyone who knows Uriah, knows that the Lord has His hand on him—His desire is to become a missionary to the Amish.

Having shared this with you, can I urge you to pray regularly for Uriah and his family. Just last night, Uriah called to tell me that he is going through a time of depression.

Please, I urge you to pray for us as well, as we sincerely seek the heart of God for wisdom and direction in reaching out?

—Joe Keim

Uriah writes: We lived in New York until I was 13 years old. Then we moved to a Wisconsin settlement with only five families. My Dad bought an 80 acre farm. About a year later, I started work, milking 80 cows for our neighbor. I began to listen to Christian radio and heard the gospel.

Living an Amish life, I had never heard the true gospel. The only gospel I had heard was that you have to do this, that and the other in order for you to go to Heaven. Well, the true gospel was very new to me. I tried to argue and prove the radio ministers wrong by reading the Bible. Can you guess my surprise, when I found out what they were saying was true?

But even after I knew the truth, I still didn’t want to get saved because I knew I would be shunned from my family. That’s what the devil wanted me to think; he didn’t want me to get saved. The Bible says “behold, now is the day of salvation”. But the devil says: “wait until tomorrow.” He says that, because tomorrow never comes. You see he says, “Uriah, you want to go out and have a fling in life and do as you please, and somewhere along the line, you’ll get saved before you die.” There are probably a lot of people in Hell right now that said the same thing. But my mind was prideful and my heart was stoney and prickly.

I listened to the devil for about three months before I got saved. At last I saw that this life wasn’t worth living without Jesus, so I cried out to Him one night, October 3, 2009. My heart was filled with so much peace and joy! I was born again, redeemed by His blood that was shed on the cross for me. He loved me so much, He sent His Son to die for me that I didn’t have to die. I was a new person.

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 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.

I am a Christian living the Amish culture, which makes it very hard. I go to the Amish church and the preaching seems to me like a barrel with a hole in it. It doesn’t fill you up; it’s just man’s opinion. In other words, it isn’t built on the Bible. If you would take the Bible out of the Amish church, not much would change. But if you would take the rules away, the church would crumble to the ground. That’s because it isn’t built on solid foundation (the Bible). It is very hard living in the Amish group if you are a Christian.

My friends may desert me, my family may desert me, but there is one thing for sure: Christ will never leave me nor forsake me, even though the waves of life shall thrash at me, and the arrow of my enemy shall hit me, my ship shall still stay afloat. I shall put my sails higher in the wind that my strength may be tested, but nothing shall be able to overturn my life with Christ as my anchor.

I had an accident on December 5, 2009. A big milk tanker hit me, killing the horse and tearing the buggy into pieces. I didn’t have one scratch; I surely believe God was watching over me! But I will stay with the Amish and endure persecution until the right time to leave. Even though my family and friends are against me, Christ suffered a lot more. There is a scripture that comforts me, Psalm 23.

(V 1-3) The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

(V-6) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Even though the wiles of the devil may hit me, I shall be wearing the armor of God all the days of my life.

Whoever reads or hears my testimony, and isn’t saved, I plead with you: do ask Jesus to come into your heart and repent of your sin. The Bible says, “…unless you repent, ye shall likewise perish.”

Your life isn’t worth living without Jesus. There are only some things that this present world can give to make you happy, and your happiness will only last a little bit.

Jesus can give you peace and joy that will last forever--if you will only trust Him today. You can’t do anything to save yourself. Isaiah 64:6 says, “Our righteousness is as filthy rags.” Only through the blood of Jesus can you have everlasting life.

--Uriah

P.S. Pictured is the clock radio that God used as a tool to bring the gospel to Uriah. After listening to Charles Stanley for three months, Uriah couldn't hold himself back any longer; he knelt down in front of those Gurnsey cows and gave his life to the One who died and paid for his sins.

The question has been asked many times. Are there other ways to support the ministry? How can I leave something for the Lords work when I am gone? Most of the time people are asking about leaving some type of financial gift. Beside normal contributions which allow us to operate on a daily basis, there are other ways to support this ministry.

Trusts: You can set up a trust that may offer tax advantages and allow you to direct your giving. Trusts come in many forms such as revocable, irrevocable and living.

Estate Planning: Many Christians are concerned what happens to the money God has blessed them with once they go home to be with the Lord. They choose to name a Christian organization in their will. Life insurance is also used as a means to leave something for God’s work. It is often set up so that the premiums are tax deductible.

Annuities: Annuities can be set up so that you keep the principle and the ministry receives the interest.

As you can see, there are numerous ways to be good stewards of what God has given us. There are many well trained estate and tax planners out there who could assist you in this area. If you do not know any, call us and we will do our best to connect you with someone who is qualified to help you be a good steward of the blessings God has given you.