Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Update 5/13/2009

Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus,
This past week has been full of news, lots going on and no time to write about it. As I write, I am here in Beaverdam, Ohio at the Transport for Christ chapel. What an amazing ministry this is. I am reminded often while working here and talking with those who volunteer about God's amazing grace and providence in our lives.
Mark spent 4 days last week, and plans 4 days this week to work in the TFC chapel. There are drivers in from all over the country and other countries, too. We have been privileged to share and pray with brothers and sisters from Nigeria, Russia, Canada, and many states here in the USA. These chapels offer a safe place, where Christians are here to listen, to give godly counsel, to pray and encourage, but especially to share the Gospel with those who have not previously seen their need for a Savior, repented, and been born again of God's spirit. Two men have come to repent and be saved in this chapel in just the last week. Praise the Lord for these souls!
On a more personal note, last Wednesday, after hunting for the last month or so, we purchased a new camper to live in. As most of you know, our old camper was having many maintenance issues along with being rather cramped for a family of five. We do not wish to complain, and the Lord has used that little camper to keep us close to each other and to Him. It was a great starting point, and reminded us that we do not need much materially to be joyful in the Lord. He provides all we need, and usually much more.
Our new camper is much larger and newer. The proceeds from the sale of our home in Maine has allowed us to purchase this camper without debt. It is a 33' travel trailer with a dinette and couch section that slides out for more space. The kids have real beds now, rather than a couch and fold down table. We have learned to appreciate all the Lord has supplied, and are grateful for this wonderful provision.
With the purchase of a new trailer, we then needed to sell our old one. This was done rather quickly, and with a down payment in hand, our old one will be picked up this coming weekend. Our truck is also for sale, as it does not have the towing capacity for the new trailer. With all that said, we are in the market for a truck that can haul the family and a 9500# trailer. Please pray that we find the right one, and that we are patient to wait on the Lord's leading in this decision.
Sara and the children are enjoying the roomier accomodations, and we have had fun visiting with family and friends during our short stay in Bluffton. Nathaniel and Mark have been enjoying farm life and Seth has allowed us to "work" with him( more like tourists really) in the fields. Maybe we will get to drive a big tractor or some such thing before we leave.
We were asked to speak at Ebenezer Mennonite Church in Bluffton last evening. It went well, and many folks were encouraged as we shared about the way the Lord has led this ministry with our family and the Humes. Sara shared a bit about her part in ministry and family life on the road, and we showed a slide show/movie that we put together this week. We are blessed to be able to take part in equipping and encouraging God's people to share the Gospel in this way. We also pray that more opportunities present themselves in our remaining days here to be used for the Lord's work.
The time here is great, but we are also anxiously awaiting our trip to Kentucky. We are excited to meet the GNOM 4 team and get to labor alongside a large group in sharing the Gospel. It is so exciting and encouraging to see God's people come and labor together. If anyone has an inclination, and time to travel, we would love to have more come and help share the Gospel in Richmond,Kentucky. It should be an incredible experience with eternal significance for those we are able to speak to about Jesus Christ.
Justin and family will meet us here in Ohio for a few days, then we will continue on together to Kentucky and then Maine for the summer. Keep us in prayer as we travel, and while we are stopped, that we will have opportunities each day to share the truth of Jesus from God's Word with those who have not yet heard. It is a blessed privilege to serve the Lord!
Many of you are receiving these updates for the first time. If you ever wish to be removed from our mailing list, just drop us an email and let us know. We pray that these updates are encouraging and informative. Mostly, we send updates weekly, and enjoy hearing from you all about how God is working in your lives.
May the Lord of the harvest richly bless your labors,