March ~ April 2011 Newsletter

Hello from St. Croix!

We hope you had a Blessed Easter

Spring has arrived on the island and along with it are beautiful flowers, trees and mangos ripening outside our front door. The heat and humidity have also arrived!

We have some really exciting news! Just a few days after our last newsletter we put our house back on the market in Tennessee. Thursday it was advertised online, it was shown Sunday afternoon and within 30 minutes there was a contract signed. The for sale sign had not even been placed in the front yard! The closing was on March 29th. We had to reduce the price dramatically but we are now debt free! Thanks so much for your prayers. It is a huge burden lifted from our shoulders. God has been faithful in His perfect timing!






Exciting Things Happening!

We have been on the island for six months and we have found our home. On Easter Sunday we were voted in as new members of The Way of The Cross Baptist Church. What a great day for us! We hope we can be a blessing to our church family here on the island. Our desire is to serve the Lord here with the gifts and talents He has given us.

You will notice that Pastor Beltane Harrigan and Billy are holding plans for a 30 by 60 ft addition to the church. This is a much needed renovation project and one that will provide additional space for offices and a baptistry. You will also notice the big smiles on their faces. Pastor Harrigan has been waiting for three years for the Lord's timing and Billy loves to build. We praise God for His bringing us together.

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

Children's Church & Children's Ministries

Another exciting area of growth is in the area of children's ministries. The church has AWANA and youth programs but have been seeking to provide the children a worship service to meet their needs. The church is in the preliminary stages of planning this ministry. We have also met a couple from Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF). They have been working hard to start a Bible Club in the Kennedy Projects, one of the most dangerous housing projects on the island. Children are growing up in a neighborhood with gang activity, drugs and shootings.

 "Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord; lift up thy hands toward him for the life of thy young children, that faint for hunger in the top of every street." Lamentations 2:19

Hurricane Preparation

Hurricane season is just around the corner. Billy has been finishing up some shutters for our apartment here at Youth With A Mission. The previous window protection was a heavy piece of plywood bolted in place just hours before the storm arrived. Preparation time has really been cut down and is much less back breaking.

Carpenty and Maintenance Projects Completed

Billy finished up some projects at Southgate Baptist Church and the Lighthouse Mission. He installed some lighting in the gazebo and repaired several ceilings in the Sunday School classrooms. At the Lighthouse Mission there were some major projects done in the kitchen. Old cabinetry and the exhaust hood were removed so that a new hood could be installed to meet fire code requirements. The outside vent had to be removed from the top and side of the building. Eddie Martinez and Larry Titsworth help with this project.

Not every day off is a beach day! Billy is replacing the starter.

Nurse Notes

Cecilia continues to work part time as the school nurse at Free Will Baptist Christian School. School nurses in Chattanooga have "adopted" the school and are providing some medical and teaching supplies.

Cecilia was able to do a dental educational program for all students in K-3 to grade 4. Free toothbrushes made her a big hit!

On April 4th a single mom walked into her office at school. After two hours of talking and listening Cecilia was able to share the Gospel with her and she accepted the Lord as her Saviour. This young woman has a difficult road ahead of her and she would benefit from your prayers.

This time of the year more children have been ill or injured so that opens doors of opportunity to pray, teach, and build relationships with students and parents. One child who injured her finger is from a Muslim family. Others are from single family homes or homes with some very difficult situations. Although it is a Christian school, it is still a msision field. The students have Bible classes every day except Wednesday when there is Chapel. Several students in the past few weeks have stepped forward to make decisions for the Lord. Others leave the church mocking the guest speaker. They especially need to have their hearts softened towards the Lord.

Travel Plans

We are going back to the states from June 2 to the middle or end of July. This will be a time of meeting with churches and individuals, visiting family, and gathering supplies for our return to the work on St. Croix.

Praises and Prayer Requests

Praises

House sold

God's protective hand

Salvation of a single mom

New doors of ministry open

Prayer Requests

Safe and productive trip

Ship supplies and car back to the island

Quality family time

Church building project

Children's Church and children's ministries

Thans so much for your prayers and financial contributions for the ministry in St. Croix

Billy & Cecilia

Tax deductible contributions may be sent to:

YES Ministry

P.O. Box 700697

St. Cloud, FL  34770

He Is Risen

                                                                              

                                   

"In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women,

Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here:

for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you."                 Matthew 28:1-7

Jesus remained on the earth for 40 days and many saw Him. Those who knew him believed without a shadow of a doubt that Jesus was the Messiah.....the one who had come to save us from our sins.

"And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, as he was taken up: and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which was taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."  Acts 1:9-11

Jesus IS coming again some day..for those who have believed in Him and  accepted Him as their Lord and Saviour. It's as easy as ABC to make that decision:       

             A ~ Admit you are a sinner and have done wrong   

             B ~ Believe that Jesus die and rose again for you

             C ~ Confess with your mouth that you believe and have accepted Jesus as your Saviour

Then tell someone, read your Bible, and attend a Bible believing church.

If you made that decision I will see you in the clouds on the way up when He returns or on the streets of gold in heaven whichever comes first.              

The Sabbath Day

"Now the next day, that followed the day of preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them, Ye have watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch."  Matthew 27:62-66

Jesus Was Crucified

Jesus was arrested at night. The chief priests and elders planned to put Him to death.They brought false accusations against Him, an innocent man. He was beaten, spit upon, mocked, a crown of thorns was placed on his head, and they crucifed Him on a wooden cross in the middle of two thieves. Even when He was suffering He thought of others. "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them: for they know not what they

do."                                                                                                   Luke 23:34

"And it was aut the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned. And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee stood afar off, beholding these things." Luke 23:44-49

After His death, His body was placed in a tomb and a large stone was placed in the opening. The disciples and followers of Jesus saw this as a very dark time.The man they loved, the one they had their hopes and dreams in had just died. Their hearts were heavy. I don't think they slept much that night.

The Last Supper & In The Garden

So much happens on this day of the Holy Week. Probably the most familiar is the Last Supper.

"And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it and gave to them and said, Take, eat: this is my body. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them and they all drank of it. And he said unto them, this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God." 

                                                                                                             Mark 14:22-25

His followers did not understand what He was saying...they would not realize until later after his death and resurrection. That night as they ate and had fellowship together, one of the twelve, Judas Iscariot, would betray Him.

It was in the Garden of Gethsamane where Jesus prayed to His Father "And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: neverthelesss not as I will, but as thou wilt."     Matthew 26:39

Jesus knew that He would be facing a horrible death. He would have to take the punishment for all our wrong doings. Although as a man He asked God if there was another way but since crucifixion was the only way, He was willing to do that for you...and for me. The love that must be required to do that is far beyond my ability to understand. All I have to do believe and accept it. Very simple.

Silence

The Bible doesn't say what happened on Wednesday of the Holy Week. There is silence. I wondered what was going through the mind of Jesus on that day. He had ridden into Jerusalem with people praising His name, then only a short time later they were turning against Him. He knew what was ahead for Him. Yet because of His great love for us and knowing it was the only way to save us, He chose to obey God.

Being a man as well as God's Son, he needed rest and refreshment. Did God use this time to help His Son? In my mind I have to believe He did. Even though it was a difficult time for Jesus, His Father was there providing for His needs. That is the kind of God we serve. He doesn't always keep us from difficult situations, but He is there with us, carrying us through each step of the way.

"..for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."    Hebrews 13:5

Friend, whatever situation you find yourself in today, I can tell you by personal experience that Jesus IS the answer. For many years I walked alone, and at the age of 33 I accepted Jesus as my personal Saviour. Though life has had it's ups and downs, I have NEVER walked alone. God has and continues to be my guide. At times I stumble and make mistakes. When I seek His forgiveness He restores me to fellowship with Him. His love is precious and unconditional towards me. What a Saviour!

The Greatest Commandment

The religious leaders, the Pharisees and Sadducees, were looking for ways to tempt Jesus and cause people to question His teachings. As you read in the Bible, their ways were being threatened. They were not willing to accept and believe Jesus. They loved their status. I love the way Jesus handled Himself in those situations!

"But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the greatest commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."  Matthew 22:34-41

Today do you have the heart like the hearts of the Pharisees or is yours open to loving God with all your heart, soul and mind?