March ~ April Newsletter

Most Exciting News!


Two children in Children's Church accepted the Lord in March. This young man was recently baptized and the little girl will be following in His foot steps soon.

Each week these children eagerly come to learn more about God. Jamie Harrigan, our helper, is just a kid at heart and he does a wonderful job with the children!

The Economy


Hovensa, the oil refinery, closed it's doors April 20. 2500 workers were left without jobs, and life will change on this island. Gas and oil will have to be imported. That increase will be seen in the cost of gas, food and other necessities.

St. Croix Community Concert of Prayer


We attended this event on April 15, 2012.
"In light of the events impacting St. Croix, we have chosen to gather as a community, with both a common heart and purpose, to pray for the state of our Territory and to fulfill the Biblical mandate to pray for our leaders."
Churches from all over the island along with the Governor spent two hours praying for the needs of our island.

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
2 Chronicles 7:14

Trip to St. Thomas
The first week in April was Spring Break from school. We used this opportunity to sail to St. Thomas with John and Mary Hines, Ministry Development Coordinators with Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF). Our low budget, peanut butter and jelly sandwich meal trip, took us about 8 hours to sail the 39 miles across the Sea in their 38 foot sail boat. The fellowship, whales in the distance, and the beautiful weather made it a trip for our memory book.

WOW!

At Bluewater Bible College
While in St. Thomas we spent two nights at Bluewater Bible College. Interim President Rich Davis and his wife Jo Ann shared some of the needs at this unique college.

Young men and women from the West Indies come here to prepare for a solid Biblical education. When done they are pastors, teachers, and Christian leaders in the Caribbean. We attended the Chapel Service just before we left and it was AWESOME!

There are a lot of maintenance, and some administrative needs at the college as well.

Checking out the new building!

What's Ahead?
Billy has done some work at Altona Baptist Church. Cecilia continues as a school nurse. The economic situation here is not good but we know God is in control still. You have prayed along with us for affordable housing and God has answered our prayers. We also moved during Spring Break to a two bedroom apartment out in the country. God connected us with a couple who need some work done on their house as they prepare to put it on the market in the fall. They are not charging us rent...we see it as an opportunity to serve God in helping to meet their needs while they meet our needs.
The view is spectacular!

God has clearly shown us He wants us to be here in the Virgin Islands for now. The needs are great and sometimes it is hard to not over commit ourselves. We still need some time to spend in God's Word and our relationship with Him, each other and friends and family. But we also know we need to be busy doing the work God has called us to do. We need wisdom from Him and open doors of opportunity.
To God be the Glory!

Heading Home
You will find us in Maine from May 26th-July 28th. It will be a busy time working, visiting family & friends and sharing what God is doing in the Caribbean!

Praises & Prayer Requests
Praises
Salvation of 2 children
Supporters provide plane tickets to go home
Our new apartment
Open doors to ministry
Health & Safety

Prayer Requests
Jobs for the people of St. Croix
For the people to turn to the Lord for help
Opportunities to share the needs in the Caribbean
CEF ministry on the islands
Wisdom & Guidance

Billy & Cecilia

Tax deductible contributions may be sent to 
YES Ministry
PO Box 700697
St. Cloud, FL  34770
or online at
www.YEServants.org

Our New Home

As many of you know and have prayed along with us we have been seeking affordable housing. That is our biggest expense here on the island. For 18 months we were able to rent an apartment at the Youth With A Mission Base. This place was a wonderful, safe place for us to get used to life here on the island. It was centrally located and always had some exciting adventures going on there!

After months of praying God has blessed us with our new home. It is more than we could have imagined or sought for ourselves. With 60,000 people on the island, only God could have arranged this. We, with a need for housing, were connected with this couple, who had a need for someone to do some maintenance work on their home as they prepare to put it up for sale later this year. Beneath their house is a 2 bedroom furnished apartment. It is way out in the country, with a breathtaking view of the Caribbean Sea and Buck Island. We are high upon a hill with falcons, lots of other birds, deer and other island creatures. We can see St. Thomas and St. John on clear days as well as crusie ships. White sailboats make daily trips to Buck Island, a beautiful underwater park. Horses are in a field down below in the distance. The mountains to the side provide a quiet, peaceful retreat.

God has outdone Himself!

We believe we have the greatest prayer warriors out there!

The View!

Our Basket of Eggs!

These plastic eggs can be found in stores everywhere. We use them in Children's Church as a reward for memorizing Bible verses. They are filled with "goodies."

Today they are being used for something else. Life can be filled with all kinds of things to do, bombarding even the most self controlled person. God does NOT expect us to do everything, even when they are good things to do. We have to learn to have balance in our lives and do what He desires, not what we or other people desire of us. Even Moses, from the Old Testament, learned to delegate responsibilities.

Lately we have found that our "basket" is becoming too full of good things. Each egg represents something that needs to be done...but not necessarily by us. As we pray and seek the Lord's guidance, those "eggs" that we don't need to concern ourselves with are tossed out. But watch out, someone may try to put an egg in your basket that doesn't belong!! The "eggs" we are supposed to work with will stay and "hatch" in God's perfect timing!

"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."  Jeremiah 33:3

Fruits of Our Labor

Recently we picked some fresh peas from our garden box. There were not enough for a meal but a taste just the same. When we planted them we knew it was too warm for them to grow here. They need a cool start.

It is always fun to see the fruits of our labor.

Even more exciting is to see children accept the Lord. Last week we saw a little 8 year old boy trust the Lord and this week a little girl made the decision to accept Jesus as her Saviour. Their hearts were tender and ready. Our job was to plant the seeds, and when the Holy Spirit led, to be ready to lead them in the sinner's prayer. God has a plan for these young lives. They have a lifetime to know and serve Him.

Like I said it is always fun to see the fruits of our labor!

Friends in Need

 I really like this picture! Their smiles can brighten any day!

We met Curtis and Faye Yancey about 18 years ago at Gamble Road Baptist Church. It was a Wednesday night service and they immediately came up to us with a smile and handshake and told us they were glad we were there. Over the years we came to know and love them and their chidlren, Chris and Hannah. Curtis was one of our deacons. He has a heart for the Lord and was very instrumental in helping to meets the needs of our church family and getting the church's gymnasium to come together. Faye also has a heart for the Lord and for children. Wednesday nights you would find her working with the children and then teaching a Sunday School class. They were committed to raising their children in church and in setting an example of Godly parents.

It was a sad day when the Lord moved them to another church to serve but we understood. God had a plan for their lives and they were being obedient in following His ways.

Friday, March 2, 2012 their home was destroyed by a tornado. Everyone was safe but at first we asked "Why did God allow this to happen to such a good family?"

Sometimes in life there are no easy answers. This tragedy came into their lives, just as it did many others in that area. We are asking for prayer for this family and all those affected by this tornado.

"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16



Tropical Island Turmoil

This afternoon we heard lots of cars honking out behind the property here at Youth With A Mission. As we went to check on the noise we saw a large group of people who appeared to be protesting. They were heading towards the hospital just up the road from here. Yesterday 86 people were laid off from their jobs at this government owned hospital. Car after car was following the group with loud horns blaring and soon they were heading back down the road. My camera had a glitch and by the time it was fixed the group had passed by. But you could still hear them as they headed west.

Now it has quieted down. But one thing we have noticed is that the sound of sirens has increased over this island during the last month. We praise God we live in a gated area and have watch dogs at night. We are hearing of break ins and shootings. Darkness comes early on the island and seems like that's when life changes here.

I am so glad my trust is in the Lord and He is my Protector!

Photo update on day 2 of protest. Over 100 people with children showed their concern for the layoffs.

January ~ February 2012 Newsletter

Recent Headlines

Hovensa, the large oil refinery here on St. Croix is closing it's doors. 2500 people will be out of work. For an island this size, it has a huge impact. Unemployment is already high, the government is dependent on the tax revenue from Hovensa, several private schools benefit from this company and it's donations, and the ripple down effect is already being felt. Gas prices have jumped $.40 a gallon this month. In June they anticipate much higher gas prices since gasoline and oil will have to be shipped in. Of course that affects food prices, cost of utilities, etc.



Hugo was the hurricane that devastated the island in 1989.

The Big Question is "How are families going to survive?"

Many people are talking about leaving the island in search of work and a new beginning. Many have mortgages, children and roots deep here on the island. The older workers will have a tougher time making the transition after years working for the refinery. Our hearts go out to the people of St. Croix. Having been in the midst of the decline in the construction business in the states, two years of trying to sell our house, and starting over in a different life, we know some of what the people here will be going through.

The ANSWER?



The only answer is placing our trust in God, the creator of the universe, Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, and the Holy Spirit, who comforts, teaches and guides in our lives.

Does that mean there won't be tough times ahead? NO! It just means that during the tough times there is Someone who WILL be there every step of the way.

What Are We Doing?

We are finding ourselves praying more, taking more time for Bible study, and trusting God more than we have ever done before. There is plenty of work to be done if you are willing to volunteer your time and energy.

Billy recently laid some tile in the Director's house at Youth With A Mission. He also continues with his van ministry. Seems like when a bill is due, the Lord opens the door for another paying work project. He recently has done some work for Altona Baptist Church. Cecilia continues to work part time as a school nurse at a mission school.

God is STILL at Work!

Joo, our new brother in Christ, lives in Korea. While here on a mission trip he prayed with Cecilia and made a decision to invite Jesus into his heart and life. He is a young man seeking after the heart of God. We look forward to hearing how God will use him!

Good News! D"Andre does not need surgery at this time. Thanks for your prayers!

Ky'Danya is back with us in Children's Church!! God has answered the prayers of His people.

School Supplies

School nurses from Chattanooga sent 5 boxes of school supplies, toys and candy to the children here on the island. More school supplies are being gathered as we write this newsletter. A Family Partner Specialist is working hard in the Chattanooga area to gather much needed items for the 2012-2013 school year. God's perfect timing with the closing of Hovensa!

Children's Ministry

Children's Church continues to be a joy. The children are eager to worship God on their level. Several of the children have prayed the prayer of salvation and we are working with them one on one to make sure they understand true salvation. Their little hearts are much more open and tender for the things of the Lord.

CEF Training

We both attended a Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) Training Workshop. The new director is in Missouri for 6 weeks of training. Plans are under way to start Bible Clubs on the island. What an exciting time! More news to some!

Our New Phone Numbers

340-643-0820  Billy

340-643-0821 Cecilia

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."  Psalm 46:1

Praises

Salvation of Joo

D"Andre's health

God's faithfulness in providing for our needs.

Prayer Requests

Safety with rising crime

Joo and his ministry

The young people to seek God and His ways

Ministry opportunities

Affordable Housing

CEF outreach

We thank you so much for your prayers and financial support. It is the perfect time for us to be here on this island and there is a lot of work ahead.

Billy & Cecilia

Tax deductible contributions may be sent to

YES Ministry

P.O. Box 700697

St. Cloud, FL  34770

or

http://www.yeservants.org/