There have been some erroneous reports floating around concerning our family and the work in Key West. We have been blessed to stay in an attached cottage here at the Gospel Chapel. For our family, this residence was always considered to be temporary. We have decided it is time for us to move across town, but this does not mean we are leaving the chapel or even that there is any trouble here. I am not sure how the facts were misunderstood, but the saints here are happy to have us stay (even living in the cottage) for as long as the Lord desires us to work here.
It may take months for a 3 bedroom apartment to become available, and so we just don't know if we will be leaving the cottage soon or if the Lord wants us to stay for a while. We are entertaining offers for free boats or homes, should the Lord provide that way, LOL. Either way, we are excited to see the Lord at work here, and the local Christians from the chapel and other area churches have been a great encouragement to us. The unity among the Christians we know is great, and we hope that it continues to spread as we work together to edify one another and reach out with the Gospel in Key West.
All that being said, we have begun the application process to find a new home. There are benefits to living at the chapel, and we still plan to be here for Bible studies and the regular weekly meetings of the church. We do plan to move our "Family Bible School" to another location across town. There are many families we can minister to in other locations, and we are working it out so that we can have someone else host the meeting so we can concentrate on teaching and making this time more profitable for the kids and parents involved. Please pray for us as we make this shift for this ministry.
Our weekly Bible studies on the chapel steps have been greatly profitable. Our family has been met with many new faces, and one man meets with us every time we meet. Earl is a great brother in the Lord, and adds many insightful thoughts to our study through the Gospels. We are currently in Luke 12 and have been gleaning quite a bit, while being able to greet and share the Gospel with passersby. Though Key West is unique in the amount of foot traffic past our chapel, I believe this model could be used in the home setting or in an apartment complex or such arrangement. You would be surprised how often people will stop to talk. We sing songs some times, but mostly just read and discuss God's Word.
The men's Bible study on Fridays has also been attended faithfully by Earl, along with many others depending on the schedule of the week. Many of the men who come also work odd jobs, and so may be here every week or not be heard from for a month. Though we would love to see a more regular attendance, we carry on with the few faithful men and thank the Lord for the chance to fellowship with those who have to work and so cannot join us. This fellowship among the brothers has been a great time to dig deep into God's Word and talk through the most difficult doctrines, everyone learning and taking part in the discussion.
Sara has recently started a study for the ladies on Sunday afternoon. The women gather together to read God's Word and encourage one another as they search for ways to practically obey God's call to be holy women, devoted to God and to their families. Most of the ladies have been married with children, but those attending who are without children and in later stages of life also have great insights to offer in their walk with the Lord. This time has been greatly beneficial in fellowship among these ladies, and it is great to see ladies from different churches in the area come together in this way. I am excited to see the Lord at work in the lives of these ladies, and Sara has been truly blessed beyond measure by this time.
I had no intention of going on so long, but did want you all to know about the move, so that no one hears that we are leaving town or anything else. If you have questions concerning our ministry here, or about our move, feel free to call or email. Pray also for Sara as she is going to be speaking at a conference April 9 in Hollywood, Florida, about our family ministry and the work of the Lord all over Key West. She will be sharing more about her ministry personally, as a wife and mother, a Gospel worker, a friend and counselor to many, and all the other roles the Lord has given her to do. I am blessed to have such a help mate in my life, and the Lord deserves all the glory for making us useful to His work.
Give praise to the Lord, for He is good. His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations. We had a wonderful message this past Sunday, and a challenging report from Haiti. Truly, the Lord is at work all over the world, what a blessing it is to serve God! No matter where you are or what you have to offer, He is faithful to equip and strengthen all those who will give themselves humbly to His will.
Our risen Savior is our perfect Bridegroom, and we look forward to the day when we will put off this old fleshly world and live eternally with Him. What a blessed thought, a Heavenly home, eternity with the Lord with no more sickness, pain, or death! Yet today we are here on this Earth, frail and weak, having nothing to offer but what He has already given us. May we be about His work when He comes, a faithful slave to the perfect Master.
Mark for the Cowperthwaite clan
