Roller Coaster Ride!

A week ago today we left the island of St. Croix to fly to the states. We feel as if we have been on a roller coaster ride! It has been a long time since I have ridden a roller coaster and it definitely wasn't like the ones out there today...it was a simple one with no upside down moves! But I do remember the feeling in my stomach as the car crested the top and plunged down at top speed. What fun that was. But before you could gather your thoughts you were going back up the track ready for the next plunge.

Our trip has been such fun at times, but at other times it's been hard to gather our thoughts...quite similar to a roller coaster ride!

We have been well fed, had some awesome times of fellowship with family and friends, and seen a lot of our beautiful country. We have seen the hand of God in so many things. It makes me appreciate His care and control of my life. Just as I have to hold on tight while on the roller coaster, it is even more important that I hold on tight to God's hand. As long as I do that I don't have to worry about how things will work out. He causes all things to work for my good. That's reassurance!

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Goodbye For A While..But We'll Be Back Soon

In just a couple of days we will be leaving the island of St. Croix. WOW! There are a lot of different emotions. We are anxious to see family and friends we haven't seen...some at least a year ago. We fly into Orlando, visit a supporting church, and then head to the Atlanta area to see Darrin & Charlie. They promised to have the grill fired up and some good southern cooking! Then on to our sending church in Tennessee, and then to Vermont for an overnight visit and then Lord willing we will arrive in Maine on June 11th. We have a cabin there where we will spend a few weeks and then time to see Ryan, Nicole, Lindsy, Lexi, Kaiden, Kylie and Bobby. Can't wait!

But on the other hand we have come to love this island. Yes, the beaches are beautiful and the weather is great. That's not the reason it  is hard to say good bye. It's that God has given us a love for the people here. We have a wonderful church family and friends at our work places. At Youth With A Mission there are three very special young people who have blessed our lives more than they realize.

Sometimes it is hard to believe we live here. There are times when it is not easy but we see those times as God developing our character and perseverance, as well as strengthening our faith.

Yes, it will be hard to say goodbye..but on the other end there are some awesome hello's and hugs we are looking forward to. And before you know it, we will be saying goodbye to our loved ones in Maine and saying our hello's to the people of this island we have learned to call home.

It's The Little Things That Matter

I came home from work yesterday and my wonderful husband had bought me these flowers and a card! It is true with women... it is the little things that matter. Husbands will never know how important it is to do these special things for their wives. He chose my favorite color roses...yellow and even had to convince thle florist not to use an orange vase. I, as well as most women, want to know that our husbands love us. That is how God has designed our hearts. But I must remember that my husband desires my respect as that is how his heart is wired.

"Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband." Ephesians 5:33

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.