2000 September

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It has been exciting and at times overwhelming as we see how God’s plan is unfolding right before our eyes. It is amazing when we think of working side by side with God in this ministry that He has called us into.

Isaiah records the powerful words in 61:1-2c, The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; …to comfort all that mourn;

I am reminded how God looked down upon the progressive city of Ur, and searched out one man, Abram, and spoke to him. Abram’s story vibrates with the truth that one person can make a difference when that person responds to God’s call with trust and obedience. Through Abram, God founded a new nation that would receive His special blessing. Through that nation the Savior of the world would be born.

We were able to have several new former Amish come to one of the Friday night Bible studies and with great joy we witnessed two of them accept Jesus as their Savior at the end of the Bible study. Since then one of them has gone back to the Amish—but with a new heart and a new story. Several weeks ago Harvey Yoder and I went to see a young Amish man who is married and has several children. This young man had a lot of questions and Harvey and I were able to give him the single greatest answer to all his questions—Jesus and Him crucified. Before we left the young man bowed his head and received Jesus Christ as his Savior. Several weeks after his salvation we found out he hired a driver and paid him $60 to take him to a place where he could pick up an English translated Bible.

We are excited and really looking forward to October when we will begin teaching the 13-step (13-week) Soul Winning Program, by David Wood in the Friday night bible study, as well as Sunday morning for Sunday School at our home church. Invitations have been send out to many former Amish to come and be a part of this powerful 13-week program.

We named our through-the-mail home Bible study correspondence courses “The Son Light Club.” Wow, how that has taken off! There are already 19 different folks enrolled and we are looking forward to adding more. These courses are free to those that enroll in them.

We have shared the M.A.P. ministry with several more churches in our area over the past few month. Materials are being printed to do a massive mailing of M.A.P. introductory packets to area churches, giving them an opportunity to become a part of this ministry, by allowing us to come and share our burden with them as well as inform them of how they may be able to minister to their Amish friends and neighbors.

We attended the calling hours of a funeral where a 28-year-old married Amish man had committed suicide over depression in the church. It was one of the saddest situations we have seen in a long time. Esther put her arms around the widow with two young children and comforted her to the best of her ability. What is even more heart-breaking is that this was the 3rd suicide in this particular Wayne County area community in a two-week time period. We visited the grave sites where we found the three suicide plots outside the graveyard fence. This is traditional for those who commit suicide in the Amish church.

Please pray for discernment and wisdom as we get opportunities to minister, that we work in God’s timing, and that we would use the financial blessings wisely. Praise God that we have reached the 20% mark in financial support.

Our hearts are grateful to everyone of you that has answered the call in praying for this ministry daily. The Holy Spirit is working in hearts and people are responding.

We thank each one that has answered the call in being a part of the financial team of this ministry. It has enabled us to get four different age level bible study materials for the Son Light Club. We have been able to get resources printed for our ministry, display table, prayer cards, postage, etc. Sam Kline, a man from our church who owns his own business, informed us that he would like to help out with the ministry by creating positions for those that need a job when they leave the Amish because of their faith in Christ. Three other families have opened up their homes to those that are in need of a place to stay, due to their excommunication from the Amish church for their faith in Christ. Thank you very much for your generosity and helpfulness in these much needed areas.

Our family had a great summer. Praise God! One week was spent in Florida (family vacation) where we just had a great time doing fun things together as a family—it was something we all needed.

Jonathan spend a week at church camp—a great opportunity for Spiritual growth. Rachel took advantage of this time by inviting her friends over for play time.

We have made it through the “Doctrine of the Bible” course. Esther is now ahead of me in that I got the first B in our courses. It was a tough course but very good. We are trying to get our breath before starting another elective of our choice.

Esther and I have been both humbled and excited as we held our first M.A.P. meeting on July 28, 2000. We believe that God has given us some of the greatest Spiritual leaders anyone could ever ask for. In our meeting we shared some of our concerns as well as goals for the future. We have named all the members of the M.A.P. Team along with their phone numbers. If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas, please don’t hesitate to call us or one of these team members. One of us will be able to help you.