Thank you Jay Bennett, for making our blog look great!
Answer to Prayer!
Becky and I have been amazed by the Lord at work. As we mentioned in our prayer letter, the prayer concerning a new van has been answered. It has been running great and certainly has been well used. It certainly makes 4 hour car rides more comfortable.
The timing of this gift was incredible. We received an email about the van on a Monday night, so I called and made arrangements to pick it up. But that day my truck had been over heating so I brought it into the shop. On Tuesday we we received news that my truck wasn't worth fixing (it was going to require about $1200 in parts, yikes!). So the family that gave us the van, knew that we wanted a van, but little did they know that we really needed it, but God knew!
Work during the week has been steady, and we praise God for that. Steve has been able to work with Becky's Dad, learning construction skills and while paying bills.
Morning Perks:
The summer has been busy with meetings but we really enjoyed our family vacation. It was what we need as things picked up quick this fall. We have been guilty of burning the candle at both ends on Sunday mornings, waking up real early and getting in real late. Somehow that morning cup of coffee never tasted better!
A Wedding to Remember:
We have also celebrated the marriage of our good friends Jon (Guppy) and Kristen in Portsmouth, NH. It was a great time of deep sea fishing and solid fellowship. Jon was the last of the Faithful Five to tie the knot, it was exciting to see him and his bride drive off into the sunset on his boat.
A Word on Endurance:
As I think of deputation one word keeps coming to mind, ENDURANCE.
Numbers 21:5-6 says that the "soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way, And the people spoke against God, and against Moses. Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread." Being hungry, thirsty, or tired is not a sin. But it was the attitude that lacked faith (Hebrews 11:6).
This is a quality that marks the character of a faithful Christian. To endure temptation, trials, hardships, persecution, etc. To keep going, never stopping.
Let us look unto Jesus, who endured the cross, despising the shame (Hebrews 12:2). And hungering after a forty day fast, He did not grumble, nor settle for a morsel of bread neither for the riches of the world (Matthew 4:1-11). Jesus didn't sell out, but endured it all, faithful to the end, being called the author and finisher of our faith. "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ (II Timothy 2:3)."
Here is a look at where we have been and where we have been going:
September 8th - Youth Rally; Cambridgeport,VT
September 9th -Bucksport, ME
September 15th - Guppy's Wedding!
September 16th - West Haven, CT
September 23rd - Hampden, ME
September 27-29 - Missions Conference; Dover-Foxcroft, ME
October 7th - Mars Hill, ME
We are currently at 50% of our required monthly support.