A SPECIAL INVITATION: Market Street Baptist Church and Ward Hill Church of Christ King are presenting a joint Easter concert this Sunday night, April 17th, at 6 p.m. at MSBC in Amesbury. "Near the Cross," a musical celebration of the gospel, is being presented free of charge. We hope you will join us for this special event. Doug will be presenting some special music on the saxophone, and briefly sharing the ministry of New Brothers Fellowship.
"Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You." (Jeremiah 32:17)
IN THIS ISSUE
1) MOVING PRAISES
2) THE GRADUATE
3) PLEASE PRAY
4) IN CLOSING
MOVING PRAISES
Just a month ago we asked prayer for our housing. We had no prospects, and only One hope: God's faithfulness. Sure enough, within a week God provided abundantly for our family. Bless His name! We now live in the downstairs apartment of a 2-family home in Georgetown, Massachusetts. Georgetown is a town away from Haverhill, and a bit closer to Middleton (the Essex County Correctional Facility is in Middleton). Thank you all for interceding on our behalf. God does the impossible. Nothing is too difficult for Him!
Our new landlord, Paul, is a member of New Life Community Church, an NBF church here in Georgetown under the care of Pastor Jim MacLaughlin. Paul says that when he read about our need, he immediately thought we were to live in this apartment. When Doug prayed for the Lord to give us a Christian landlord who would understand the work we do, I (Caroline) must confess that I had absolutely no faith that could happen. When Doug prayed for a rent that included heat and hot water, I knew he was going to be disappointed. And, when he prayed for a rent that did not exceed $1,000, I thought the stress had finally taken its toll. Instead, I have come to see that he was merely following the leading of the Holy Spirit, because God met each of those particular requests. Thank you, Doug, for standing fast on your convictions. Thank you, Paul, for allowing God to use in this way.
This move would not have been possible with the helpful hands of many people who came to our rescue. First, we want to thank our neices and nephews-in-law for helping us pack. We were six days away from Moving Day and had not had a bit of a chance to pack. If they hadn't made the trek from Maine and New Hampshire to help, we really can't imagine how we would have gotten it all done. Great thanks to Kyle & Beth and Nic & Allison for all their help!
Finally, we want to thank the incredible men who helped us move, and the wonderful woman who brought us all dinner. BIG THANKS to Dana, Darren, Edward, and Tom for carrying those heavy loads all day long. Dana even came out on Sunday to help us with the final load. These guys are amazing! They made an impossible job look easy. And, Anne came at just the right moment with supper for everyone---and a meal for us for Sunday. Her thoughtfulness meant a lot!
Again, thank you all for praying. And, thank you for giving. We received some unexpected gifts in February and March that were really timely. We appreciate your support for us and this work we are so privileged to do.
THE GRADUATE
Has it really been three years since we shared the news of Hannah's high school graduation? Now, it is time to announce her graduation from Mount Zion International School of Ministry. At the end of the month we will be driving down to watch her graduation and bring her home from MZISOM for the last time.
Many of you have interceded for our daughter, and we want to be sure you know how much we value your prayers. We are also so thankful for the kindnesses that have been extended to her over the past six-and-a-half years. When we first accepted this call, she was 13-years-old. Life as she knew it took a radical, 180-degree turn. We cannot imagine how hard those years would have been without those of you who took an interest in her, made a point to include her, sent a card on her birthday, gave financially to make sure her needs were met, etc. There were so many ways you have sown into her life! Thank you for caring for our daughter. As we see the young woman she is becoming, growing in faith, grace, and spiritual maturity, we thank God for His faithfulness, and we thank God for those who have been there for her through these years.
Speaking with Hannah this afternoon, she asked us to share the following message with you: "The Lord has done a really great work in my time here---even this last semester He has been completing things that He began to do in me my first year. I really look forward to what He has for me when I go home. I hope God blesses you as much as you have blessed me. My hope for you all is Ephesians 3:20-21: Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."
We are excited to have Hannah home with us again. While she does plan to work a secular job and is considering completing her 4th year at Zion Bible College, she is most of all seeking any opportunity to serve. Her first open door has been at Camp Clear, where she will work as a counselor for six weeks this summer.
PLEASE PRAY
...Speaking of Hannah, she asked that we ask you all to pray for her concerning the final balance on her school fees.
...The Lowell NBF Discipleship Group is "this close" to launching, and it needs PRAYER! Please, pray with us for Steve, the group leader, as he works to organize the volunteer team and coordinates with area churches. Pray for God to protect this group from the Enemy's attempts to delay it and frustrate God's will. Pray it will have a solid foundation. We thank God for all the men and women who have been working to see this group take shape. Now, let's back up their efforts with intercessory prayer.
...Please, pray for our trip to Pennsylvania at the end of the month. Please, pray for Doug as he drives; for Stella, who will not be able to go, and for our neice Beth, who will be caring for her in our absence; for all aspects of the ceremony, including the commencement speaker, David Wilkerson.
...Please, continue to pray for the needs of this ministry. Finances are one of those areas that the Enemy seems to so easily disrupt. We also need prayer for physical strength and health. That seems to be an area under attack lately.
...Please, pray for New Brothers to keep their eyes on what matters most. Pray for men inside to take a stand for their faith, and for men outside to take a stand for righteousness. Pray for New Brothers to become the men of God they have been called to be, and for nothing to hinder their obedience to the Lord.
...Doug recently celebrated a birthday, and his 2nd anniversary as the chaplain at the ECCF. Will you take time this week to just pray for him as the Spirit leads you? Thank you. (He always needs your prayers!)
IN CLOSING
We trust you will all have a blessed Palm Sunday service tomorrow, wherever you gather with the Body of Christ. We are looking forward to being at MSBC Sunday night, and hope to see some of you there, too.
Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter. If there is any need we can keep in prayer for you, please do not hesistate to ask. We are the Body of Christ together, and should depend on one another, no matter where we meet on Sundays, Wendesdays, or Saturdays.
The Lord bless you as you reflect on our Savior's sacrifice and ressurection this coming week. We love you and thank God for you!
In Christ alone,
Doug, Caroline, Hannah, & Stella
