Dear praying friends, family, and partners,
We have a saying in our family: “Everything before yesterday is ancient history.” Our last newsletter was published two months ago. That now seems like a long time ago! We have much to report.
We have continued to engage in “contractor evangelism,” as workmen have labored to get our house to a livable condition as soon as possible. The messiest projects included replacing the main tile floor with LVP, repairing and remodeling the kitchen, and repainting the entire home interior. But a lot of drywall repair and other lesser projects were also involved. In late February we finally were able to move in. At that time the kitchen was not yet finished, but it was far enough along that we could make do.
The contractor we mentioned in our last letter (S.) has continued to reach out to us, long after his project was completed. Please pray that the Lord would arrange an opportunity for us to meet with him and his wife. Another young man (H.) came to our front door to sell us new windows (NOT a project we are taking on at this time). We invited him to church, and he has been attending Sunday services regularly for about a month. Matt also engaged him in a weekly Bible study in our home; in the third week he made a profession of faith. This Bible study continues; please pray for his spiritual growth and the development of his relationship with us and the church.
The repairs and upgrades to our home have cost us about $12,000 more than we had originally budgeted. After mentioning this need in our last letter, multiple churches and individuals have stepped up to contribute toward meeting this deficit. We are grateful for God’s provision and the generosity of God’s people. God has always shown Himself faithful to meet our needs, whether financial, physical, relational, emotional, or spiritual. Although there is still a long list of ongoing home update projects for us to work on, we can stretch these items out over the next several years. Now, we are finally able to begin enjoying LIVING in our new home! Most of the furniture that we need has now been obtained, either new, second-hand, or donated. We are very happy and comfortable with the home that the Lord provided for us. Now we need to start paying attention to the lawns and landscaping…
During our Sunday morning worship services at Good News Baptist Church, Matt is now the regular song leader and during the evening service Marla is the regular pianist. She has also assumed responsibility for children’s church ministries (there is currently no Sunday School) and for guiding the music ministries. Matt also contributes by preaching; he has just finished a 5-part series on the Beatitudes during the Sunday evening Bible study hour.
Over the last two months there has been a steady stream of visitors in our services. These include several Chinese couples with whom we have interacted. Furthermore, there are several families or individuals that are in the process of joining the church membership. There is a sense among the congregation that things are beginning to stir. Please pray for both spiritual and numerical growth in the congregation. Pray that the Lord will raise up stable families that include men and women who are qualified to lead and serve. There is a need for transition away from ministries and service performed by the few. Pray that deacons and other positions of responsibility would be filled by qualified, responsible, and committed individuals.
Last Sunday was “Building Project Day,” which takes place whenever there is a 5th Sunday in the month. This day provides an opportunity to inform the congregation about the status of the Building Fund and an update on any progress in the Building Program. The church is preparing to build a new sanctuary and educational building to replace the current modular buildings. Of the estimated 1.5 million needed for construction, the church currently has about half of that in hand. The next steps for us are to get the architectural drawings completed and then begin the process of site preparation on our existing property. Please pray for this urgent physical and financial need.
As we look ahead, please pray for the special ministries that will take place on Easter Sunday. We are also beginning to think about plans for VBS in June and summer camps in June and July. Our planned dates for VBS are June 14-18 (Sunday through Thursday). If there are individuals or small groups who are interested in coming to help with the VBS program, please contact me for details.
Here is an update on our family: Our Cornerstone family in Taiwan is doing well. Recently, the church secretary’s son-in-law was saved and baptized. Please pray for the Stewart family as they lead the congregation; they are currently experiencing serious health issues. Our children are all doing well in their different locations. Our daughter-in-law, Heather (and son Luke), needs to find a new job in Alabama; our daughter, Rose, (husband, Mike and children, Owen and Cassidy) in Vermont, just moved into a new home; and our daughter, Beth, in South Carolina, changed shifts at her hospital job, so that she can have more freedom to be involved in her local church.
God is at work in Katy! Thank you for your prayers and gifts toward our ministry here.
In Christ,
