Back on The Island!

Back On The Island!

 

 

We arrived back on St. Croix on Friday June 21st. An overnight flight and long layovers made us eager for showers and a change of clothes. The temperature was in the 80's and humid when we arrived. It was a little of a shock as it had been in the 60's and 70's with some very cool nights in Maine. But it always good to get back home and into a normal routine.

 

Life out of Fluff??

 

Some of our boxes have arrived from Maine. We were especially anxious for two boxes full of fluff and stuffing. What is so important about that? We are going to be working hard over the next few weeks to bring life to the contents of these boxes.

 

 

Patchwork Pals Puppets

will make a scene on St Croix, bringing laughter to children and adults of all ages. Not only will they make you smile but they will teach some Bible truths through music and song.

 

Provision

 

We needed some puppet CD's so we made out our wish list. A stop at the post office to pick up the boxes brought another surprise. A check in the amount of what we needed came in the mail. Talk about God's timing and confirmation!

 

So, stay tuned to see little critters come to life!



Spring 2013 Newsletter

God Provides Again!

 

 

In our last newsletter we had shared the good news about housing...to our surprise the house came under contract! Within a week the Lord gave us clear direction on a house closer to the center of the island as well as work and church. During Easter break from school we packed up and moved again. This seems to be a much better fit for us and it still has a view of the Caribbean Sea!

 

 

 

Mission Team From St. Cloud, Florida

 

New Beginnings Baptist Church from St. Cloud, Florida sent their first mission team to St. Croix in April. Five energetic, fun loving friends stepped off the plane and began a week long ministry that has blessed many. They painted the upstairs and downstairs at Altona Baptist Church, Pastor David Beal did the Passover Meal Presentation, Pat E Kake, the clown, entertained the children at Free Will Baptist Christian School, Wordless Books were made and passed out to the children, some Cruzan foods eaten, and a whirlwind tour of the island. What a blessing and encouragement they were for us and the people they connected with. It was a sad morning when we took them back to the airport but we are looking forward to a trip in the future, Lord willing.

 

"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor." Ecclesiastes 4:9

 

 

Billy, Paul Sham and Pastor David Beal painting the inside of the church.

 

Susan James, Pat Sham and Wanda Lehman making Wordless Books to give to the children in Chapel. (In between painting!)

 

Pat E Kake and Nurse Stone

 





 

Passover Meal Presentation

 

 

Our final night together before they headed home. They accomplished far more than we anticipated!

 

 

 

Thieves

It seems like no sooner than the team left and another team came, a team of thieves. They cut the electrical line from the pole to the church. Then pulled it from underground, more than 100 feet in length and more than likely sold the copper that was in the wire. Sunday morning services were broadcast on the radio via a generator.

 

 

Prayer Breakfast

Altona Baptist Church had a Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, March 23rd. Billy spoke on the importance of prayer in our daily lives. There were about 35 present and lots of praying for needs of our nation, island, church and families.

 

Heading Home

Tuesday, May 28th we leave St. Croix at 5:30 pm and will arrive in Maine on a morning flight the next day. We will be there just three weeks this year. We will try and pack in time with family and friends, presenting the ministry to several churches, work, purchasing items needed here on the island and hopefully a little kayaking on Maine's beautiful waters!

 

Praises & Prayer Requests

Praises

Ministry opportunities

Housing

Mission Team Ministry

Prayer and financial supporters

 

Prayer Requests

Ministry at Altona Baptist Church

Power to be restored

Trip to Maine

Opportunities to share the Gospel

Health & Safety

Wisdom & Guidance

Mission Team coming in July

 

We would like to thank each of you for your part in this ministry here on St. Croix. Some pray, some give, and some come. All are needed to make it effective.

 

Love

Billy & Cecilia

 

Tax deductible contributions may be sent to

YES Ministry

PO Box 700697

St. Cloud, FL 34770

or

www.YEServants.org

 

 

 



 

 



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