Hi all! I can’t believe it’s been three months since my last newsletter. I am so excited to tell you about what God has been doing!
January
Man, January was so long ago, I almost can’t remember it. Luckily, I wrote some things down. January started off well with implementing our new accounting system. I’d never used Quickbooks, but so far, everything seems to be going smoothly, which is a huge blessing. We’ve had some hiccups, but that’s normal with any new system.
I also spent a good amount of time working on updating the CMTS songbooks. In March, the team started singing praise songs before lunch most days of the week, and it’s been so refreshing and uplifting! Justin Darnell has a great musical gift, and his daughters do a great job of demonstrating the motions for the songs that have them.
February
A lot of February was spent prepping for the CMTS Banquet, which was held at PGCC on February 25th. It was so exciting to introduce the Equip program to the people who were able to attend! The food was delicious, the presentation was very well done, and I’m excited for next year’s banquet.
I also spent a lot of time updating and finishing the website! Because of higher social media interaction (I also helped to get the CMTS Instagram active again in February), we were able to drive up the amount of traffic to the site, and hopefully interact with some new people in the process! I’d like to drop a special plug for Christ Link. I’ve been volunteering with Christ Link for about two years, and Wes (the founder) has so much knowledge to offer. Its mission is “to provide free web services to Christian Organizations that are seeking to save the lost and share the Gospel.” Back in 2020, I remember Wes working on the new website, and I might have helped with maybe 1 or 2 things. Little did we know, he’d be handing it off to me in 2 years! The Christ Link team has been growing, and this year is shaping up to be a great one!
Also, Hani celebrated her first birthday on February 13th. Yes, I did make her a cake, and she loved it!
March
March was by far the most exciting month! On March 14th, we had a ceremony for Joel and Danielle. Pastor Bob Kensinger (PGCC) came for lunch to pray over them and to “knight” Joel as the new director. Seeing Joel and Danielle’s faces when Bob pulled out the sword was such a satisfying moment.
On the 11th, an amazing group of women volunteered their time to help clean the cottage. I am so grateful to each person who was able to come that day. I know that not everyone who wanted to help was able, but even the fact that they were willing to help is so encouraging. I cannot thank everyone enough! In the beginning, the plan had been for my cottage to be done by January so I could move in the New Year. Obviously, that was delayed. The cottage needed some repairs/updates, especially to the electrical. I’d especially like to thank Jay Gingrich (Mel‘s father-in-law, so also thank you Mel!!) for all the work he did for that specifically!
Finally, on March 19th, my parents and 2 of my (unwilling) nephews helped move me in! I say unwilling because they’re 4 and 6 and cannot fathom why I would want to move out of Mimi and Pappy’s house, the best place on earth??? I’ll be honest, I did cry leaving my parents. But, I know that God has a lot of work to do in me and that this is where He wants me.
Where’s God?
God has been so faithful in the past 3 months.
- He’s helped me get through the days of staring at a computer screen and agonizing over the website.
- He’s given me a creative outlet that my inner cake decorator sometimes misses. He helped me finish the new ministry brochure for CMTS!
- He’s provided help to remodel two cottages, and now they are both being inhabited!
- He’s continued to provide finances every month. I think I have reached my goal, but even if I haven’t, I know He will continue to provide. He has and He will.
- He’s provided food consistently for everyone at the ministry. Our basement storage room has so much available for the families here; what a blessing!
- He’s grown me in my relationships with the people here at CMTS. I remember 2 years ago, praying and asking Him to provide Godly friendships. Well, here I am, and it was worth the wait! These people (and my church people) are awesome!
- He’s continued to teach me patience and that His timing is best. It hasn’t been easy to wait, but God is good, and I know He’ll stay that way.
Prayer requests:
1. Continued provision! It doesn’t hurt to ask Him to continue to provide. If you’re willing, please pray that He provides for my coworkers in Christ here. There are a few families that are still seeking financial support and are fully relying on God to provide that. They’re such beautiful examples of faith for me!
2. Pray that I would learn to accept and love His timing. Waiting is hard, and each day is different. My attitude is not always the best, but God is merciful and kind.
3. Pray for strength and wisdom for myself and everyone else at the ministry. Especially for the men and women in leadership. The first few months of the year have had their challenges, but God is bigger than any challenge we’ve faced yet. He is sovereign!
4. Pray for wisdom and guidance. This July, we will be having a Donor Dinner™ and planning can be stressful. Please pray for wisdom to make the wisest, most frugal choices, and for guidance to the people that can help us with everything.
5. There is currently a team from CMTS in Belize driving supplies down to the Merricks. Please pray for the Merricks as they serve God and follow His calling to Belize.
6. As I write this, Joel and his son Peyton, Michael & Juanis McDermott, and Nathan, Rose, & Nolan Lapp are on a missions trip to Mexico. Please pray for safe travels for them, and for opportunities to teach the people there about God’s saving grace! To keep up with that group, check Facebook and/or Instagram.
7. Pray for the Equip program! We are still looking for students for this first year, and the waiting is hard, but I know God will provide the right people. Please pray that God would prepare the hearts of the students, Equip teachers, and CMTS Staff!
The Ministries prayer requests are available on the website if you feel called to pray for these too!
Thank you again for your support! I try to pray for you each day; sometimes I’m more on top of it than others. It’s a good thing God’s grace is endless!
If you have any questions, comments, prayer requests, etc. please email me at noeckerh19@gmail.com (or text me if you have my number)! Thank you again for providing this chance for me to serve God full-time at this amazing ministry. I’m excited to see what God has for me and CMTS!
Love,
Hannah
