WOW what a trip!
The last 2 weeks, we have been in the car and on the road more than we have been anything else. It has been a whirlwind trip for us, and it all seems to be a blur. It is hard to believe that just 10 days ago we were in Richmond, Kentucky, saying our "good bye" to the folks at Bluegrass Bible Fellowship. The Lord has been showing us many things these last few weeks, and we are humbled by the love God's people have showered upon us. We surely don't deserve the fellowship we have, but by God's grace He has saved us and caused us to be a family in Him.
The day before Christmas we moved the camper from our parking spot perched atop the precarious driveway on the Harmon farm. We were able to safely get the trailer down the driveway and into the chapel parking lot. Christmas day we spent some time at the Harmon home, getting nice hot showers (had been without water for 2 weeks due to cold temps outside) and then gathered with many friends at the Everling home. It was very hard to say good-bye, but we know that we will spend eternity in glory, gathered together in the presence of God. We are reminded that our time on this earth is short, and there is so much to do if we are to obey the Lord's commands. With Kentucky in the rear view mirror. we headed to Georgia.
In McDonough, we found ourselves (or at least myself) in a tight spot. Evidently, I needed a reminder that material possessions are just temporary tools, and a lesson in humility may have been in order. Upon arriving at the Scarbrough home I proceeded to get the trailer in such a position that I tore the stabilizer jacks off the rear of the trailer. The damage was negligible, and I have been assured that the GNOM guys will be putting on the new jacks while in Georgia. I have often touted myself (need to learn this lesson) as an expert trailer driver, even giving lessons to those less experienced in trailer towing. Well, this time I made a public mistake for all to see. Funny enough, this accidental encounter with onlooking neighbors opened a door for Gerald to speak with his neighbors, who came over for supper that night and stayed for a couple hours. You just never know how the Lord will use these things, but it is always amazing to see His hand in even the "accidents"
Our short trip to Georgia did give us time to spend with the Scarbrough family, preparing for the GNOM teams work there, and also preparing meals for the conference that we went to in Myrtle Beach. The Scarbroughs and Cowperthwaites shared a suite for 3 days, and were blessed by the teaching and especially the fellowship at the Myrtle Beach Conference. I might add that the Lord provided yet again, as we received our stay in Myrtle Beach free of charge. What a blessing! We got to meet many other Christians and spend much time in God's Word with Gerald and Pamela. Our children enjoyed the time rooming in with Carter, Kayla, and Nathan Scarbrough, also getting to meet the Bastajian family along with a host of others. The room we were given was large enough that we were able to have families over for most every meal while we were there. We rang in the new year with the Scarbroughs, praying together (kids and all at midnight) that the Lord would be glorified in all we do, that souls would be saved, and that we would draw closer each day to where we ought to be in the Lord.
From Myrtle Beach, we headed toward Maine with an overnight stop in Joppa, MD and also in Oxford, CT. We were able to spend some time with Ryan Farrington, Ken and Rebekah Farrington, and Greg and Ariel (last name escapes me yet again) We were then invited for an overnight stay with Roman and Susie Kresina, a couple we had met while in Kentucky for the GNOM surge in May and June. Saturday night was a blessed time of hearing how the Lord is at work in Newtown and Danbury, CT, of street evangelism, Bible studies beginning in a new area, and also catching up on the work in Richmond, Kentucky with the Kresinas. We gathered with the saints at Newtown Christian Fellowship, and then headed out in the snow for Maine.
The roads were pretty terrible in Connecticut, but improved quite quickly once we got to Massachusetts. We prayed all along the way that we would arrive home safely to see Sara's mom Sunday night. The Lord provided safety and providence in so many things this last few weeks, and we see His hand all along the paths of our lives. Even when we are faithless, God is faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. The very nature of God is faithfulness, and He never fails. NEVER.
I guess I may not have mentioned this, but we left our trailer at the Scarbrough home, and will be staying at Sara's parents house during our stay in Maine So, we have many plans for our time here in Maine, but we look forward to hearing from you all. We would love to share in prayer with you, so feel free to call or write. I will close for now, and look forward to hearing from you soon. May God richly bless.
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Mark and Sara Cowperthwaite
12 Emery Avenue
Thomaston, Maine 04861
cowperthwaitefamily@gmail.com
www.cowperthwaitefamily.blogspot.com
