Another Move!

Packing, Packing, and More Packing!

 

 

Life has been busy with more packing and moving. Less than 6 weeks after we moved into an "unmarketable house", it came under contract. Talk about being in a whirlwind...but then we are learning to trust in the Lord and His plans and timing, even when we don't understand (and to be perfectly honest sometimes don't like.) But we know He doesn't make mistakes and we have seen so many encouraging events which confirm His leading.

In less than two weeks God has provided an even better place than we could have envisioned or asked for. It is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home just across the road from Cecilia's work and a short drive to Altona Baptist Church. It has some garden spots and lots of fruit trees. Out in the country and some pretty landscaping make this an enjoyable spot to call home. And we even have a sea view.

 

 



 

So on March 26th, during the school's Easter Break, we began the process of moving into our new home. Many boxes were still unpacked from the previous move so that made it easier. Billy will be doing some work on this house for the homeowner who is back in the states.

 

Mission Team Coming

On April 20th a team of five people from New Beginnings Baptist Church in St. Cloud, Florida will be flying in for 6 days. They will be helping with some of the needs at our church as well as ministering here on the island. Please pray for a safe and prosperous trip.

 

Plane Tickets!

 

 

We have booked our plane tickets to Maine!! We leave on May 28th and will return to the island on June 21st. Not as much time in Maine this year, but it will have to be enough!

Interesting Update!

 

Yesterday we posted our latest Blog Spot and sent out our winter newsletter.

Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!

Just a little Gomer Pyle humor...but then in life you need that sometimes.

An offer was made and accepted on the house we just moved into. It had been on the market several years and when we moved in we had no idea it would sell that fast.

Needless to say we are disappointed...but our faith still stands strong in the Lord. We know without a doubt we were to come here, and since He has allowed it to be under contract we know He has something more planned for us that at this time we do not see or understand. Again, we say our faith in the Lord still stands strong. He does NOT make mistakes so we are trusting Him, maybe even more so than we did before.

We met the lady who is buying it and enjoyed hearing how she wants to restore this old captain's house. We feel blessed to have been here as long as we have.

So stay tuned for the next step in our journey. It will probably be an interesting one!



Winter 2013 Newsletter

 

God's Provision

 

 

 

 

 

We have seen God's Hand of provision time and time again. We had been staying in an apartment on the east end of the island. We had done work to help get the house ready to go on the market. We knew at some point we would have to find another place to live. After Christmas we talked to a realtor we knew and she connected us with the owner (off island) of a home in downtown Christiansted. It was up for sale but needed a lot of work to get it marketable. Again, the Lord provided a place for us to stay in exchange for labor. And it has a view of the harbor! So in just a few days we had our things packed and moved. Our commute to work and church and weekly gas budget has been cut in half. The negative is living with "house under construction!"

 

 

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:19

 

Family Night

Family Night still seems to be quite popular. In December we showed "The Nativity", in January we watched "Facing The Giants" and February brought a large group out to see "Fireproof." A good time of fellowship and refreshments make for a good evening for families. We will continue this til May and then take a break during the summer months while people are away from the island.

 

Chapel

 

Cecilia taught this mission story from Child Evangelism Fellowship to the elementary students during chapel service. This is a blessing to the students as well as the presenter. Children are so open and their hearts fully trusting to the things of God.

 

Mission Teams Coming

We have two mission teams coming to St. Croix. A group from New Beginnings Baptist Church in St. Cloud, Florida will arrive in April all ready to help in any way they can. In July a team from Faith Baptist Church in Kissimmee, Florida will be here for a week. There is a lot of work that needs to be done and we are thankful for the help.

 

Miracle

Early one evening we heard a loud crash and screaming just outside our window. A SUV had rolled back into another SUV. A little 4 year old girl escaped what could have been a disastrous situation. She was getting in the back seat and there was about a foot of space between her and the other car. She was able to crawl to safety in her mother's arms with only a scrape on her arm. We stayed with the family til help arrived.

 

Youth Sunday & Sunday School

The second Sunday of the month is set aside for Youth Sunday. The young people sang, read Scripture, and took the tithes and offerings. What a blessing to see the young people serving the Lord as a young age. The director of CEF, Sam Bronigan, here on the island was the special speaker that day. Billy is scheduled to speak during March's Youth Sunday. We continue to teach Sunday School and work on the Church work projects.

 

 

No Water!

For 7 days we were without city water as downtown construction affected our water pressure. Billy converted the pump to cistern water to get us by for a few days. Once the water pressure came back up to normal, he worked on our pipes to clear rust and dirt before it reached the pump.

 

Praises & Prayer Requests

Praises

Ministry Opportunities

Salvation of an older lady during the morning message

God's provision of a house

Safety of a little girl

Water once again

 

Prayer Requests

Ministry at Altona Baptist Church

Opportunities to share the Gospel

Health & Safety

Wisdom & Guidance

Mission Teams Coming

 

We thank you so much for your prayers and financial support.

 

Billy & Cecilia

 

Contact information

Billy ~ 340-643-0820

Cecilia ~ 340-643-0821

StoneJuicePlus@aol.com

 

Tax deductible contributions may be sent to

YES Ministry

P O Box 700697

St. Cloud, FL  34770

or online at

www.YEServants.org

 

 

 

 

 

 



Fall 2012 Newsletter

Behind The Pulpit

 

November 11 is a day worth remembering! Billy preached his first Sunday morning message at Altona Baptist Church. Our pastor was ill and hospitalized, the assistant pastor was away and since Billy had been teaching Sunday School and leading the Bible study during the mid week service, he was the next choice. Although a little nervous, he did a good job (according to the congregation!)

Sunday morning services are broadcast on the radio here on the island at www.wstx.net. Billy will continue to be speaking and assisting the pastor while he is recovering and when he returns.

 

 

Family Night

 

 

We have started a Family Night where we show Christian movies. The first night we showed "Flywheel" and had about 25 people out. It is a good way to invite neighbors and friends into our church. We will be showing "The Nativity" on December 8th.

 

 

 

Chapel

 

 

Every Wednesday, Chapel is held on both the High School and Elementary Campus. Cecilia has been able to present the Bible lesson for both services at the elementary school once a month. They have about 110 students from K-3 through Grade 4. They loved the puppets! What a blessing to be able to teach God's Word to these little ones.

 

Mission Opportunity

 

Have you ever thought you would like to go on a short term mission trip? Do you want to make an eternal difference in the lives of others? Would you like to escape the cold weather and come to a beautiful tropical island?? If you said YES to any of these questions we could use your help. Whatever gift God has given you can be used here on the island. Our home church could use some painting, cleaning, light carpentry, plumbing, etc. There are also other needs on the island we can help with. Let us know if you would be interested in coming.

 

There is a mission team coming in April 2013. At that time we will need paint and other supplies to do the work on the church. If you are able to help with any of these needs or give towards this work...please contact us.

 

 

Billy ~ 340-643-0820

Cecilia ~ 340-643-0821

StoneJuicePlus@gmail.com

www.CaribbeanMission.blogspot.com

 

Some beautiful sights the mission team will experience after a day's ministry here on the island.

 

 

 

Sunday School for Children

 

Our church has an adult Sunday School class as well as one for teens. Now we will be expanding it for children ages 5-17. There is a lot of work to do to get ready...cleaning, painting and gathering supplies. The greatest need is children to fill the seats and we need you to pray with us for it to all come together.

 

 

"But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal." Matthew 6:20

 

Praises & Prayer Requests

 

Praises

Ministry Opportunities

Safe Hurricane Season

God's Provisions

Salvation of a Woman during the Morning Message

 

Prayer Requests:

Ministry at Altona Baptist Church

Opportunities to share the Gospel

Health & Safety

Wisdom & Guidance

Sunday School supplies

 

Thank you so much for your prayers.

May you have a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

Love

Billy & Cecilia

 

Tax deductible contributions may be sent to:

YES Ministry

P O Box 700697

St. Cloud, FL  34770

or online at

www.YEServants.org

 

 

 

 



Hummingbirds & Hurricanes

 

 

I have a new porch swing I love to sit in and watch what's happening in the world around me. Late yesterday afternoon I was watching the clouds roll in from Tropical Storm Rafael. The forecast originally showed it to come right across the island. We had cleaned up plants and lightweight chairs from the deck so the wind would not blow them around. I planned to leave the hummingbird feeders up til after dark so the birds could get their dinner. But I noticed it was quiet of birds chirping and flying around. It came to me they were sheltered someplace safe waiting for the storm to pass. No one on TV or the radio informed them it was coming. None had read the news headlines advising them to be ready with storm preparations. No...God took care of them.

 

"Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Matthew 6:26

 

I love the last part of this verse. If God takes such good care of the little birds in a storm, He will surely take care of me. What comfort that is. All kinds of storms come into our lives. Some could be financial, emotional, family conflict, illness, and the list is endless.

I have gone through storms without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and many more storms since the day I received Him as my Savior. What a huge difference with Him carrying me through the storm. There is peace, comfort, guidance and hope. Never do I want to go it alone again...and with Him I know I am not alone. I am sheltered under His care just as the little birds are when storms come.

How do you go through the storms in life? In your own strength and wisdom? Where is the peace, hope, and guidance?

 

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."   Matthew 6:33

 





25 Years Old Today

 

Today I am celebrating my 25th Birthday!

I wasn't sure I could write about it this morning. I did not sleep well, and when I went for my morning walk I noticed I had a flat tire. BUT it IS important that I do write about it because it is the most amazing thing that has ever happened in my life.

I was 33 years old, facing the reality that my second marriage was failing and my life was in a mess. There was no joy, peace or hope. Despair and depression were at my front door. I was working full time in a doctor's office and raising two sons. Most people would have said I was a good person. But there was something wrong with my life. The emptiness of knowing I was not loved created such low feelings of self worth.

It was a Friday morning and I had taken the day off from work. I knew I needed help. All alone in my home I began to think upon some things my friend Shirley had talked to me about over the last year and a half. I first met her when I was called by a doctor to see if I wanted to be their office nurse. Since we worked together on a daily basis we had lots of time to talk. She was a church going person and talked about God and Jesus a lot. I would listen but that was not for me. I had come to the conclusion that there could not have been a God as there was so much pain and suffering in the world as well as in my life. Why would God allow these things to happen?

Patiently she would share how God had created all things but sin had entered the world through the choices of Adam and Eve. Since then we were all sinners and in need of forgiveness. The only one who could provide forgiveness was Jesus. But that came with a price. He chose to die upon the cross to take the punishment for mine as well as every one's sins (wrongdoings). That was something I could not do for myself. On the third day He arose and is now in Heaven...to someday return for those people who have accepted Him as their Saviour.

I remember driving to an appointment I had and just crying out to God and accepting what He had done, and knowing I needed Him. I felt a weight lifted, peace and a hunger to know more about God. I knew my life was going to be different and not sure how people would accept me for the decision I had made. But it didn't matter as I knew I had done the right thing.

I would like to say my life got so much better but the bottom seemed to fall out. I was left alone with my two sons, facing some tough situations to deal with. I will have to say that I felt truly loved for the first time in my life. During the dark nights, the love of Jesus carried me through some valleys to huge mountaintop experiences.

Jesus was what I was seeking and needing so much in my life. I was finally complete.

I was born again.

That's why I can say that today is my 25th Birthday!
He has changed my life so much and is still working on me! I am so thankful for His love, grace and mercy!

 

 "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3

This is one of the songs God used in my early days as a Christian.
It is still so true today!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6wcPQ01-Ho