May – September 2025
Ministry Updates
The last month of Equip happened so quickly. Sam, Isaac, Aidan, and Caleb left at the end of May, each to their own path. Caleb accepted a position in maintenance at a camp close to his home, and Sam spent the summer as a counselor at the same camp. I’ve heard a couple updates from Caleb about Sam, and even received a custom made sticker of Sam in a sloth costume for one of their camp costume parties. Apparently, he was “hamming it up” and all the campers absolutely loved it. Aidan returned and after a couple months found a job in a mechanic shop (spoiler alert, he didn’t stay in Michigan, but who’s surprised! He returned to serve full-time in the Warehouse in September). Isaac went back to Canada, never to be heard from again. Just kidding! Joel got an update from him that he was baptized this summer and I heard that he is working as a lumberjack now.
Overall, it was a great year with these four young men. Watching them grow closer to Christ, grow in maturity, and grow in strength, literally, was an honor for me. I’m confident that God will continue to grow them and will use them for great things in His Kingdom.
I don’t know if you know this or not, but at this point in time (but hopefully not for much longer) I write the CMTS Newsletters each month. It’s a lot of fun to see the different stats and hear the stories of how God moved in the Warehouse or in a work project. Nick in the Auto Shop repairs an average of 30+ cars each month!
In June, we had a mission group from Millville, NJ, join us for a week. They helped prep the food truck trailer in the Open House lot for the Fun Fest, and scrubbed it down completely. What a blessing that was! They helped with pallet stuff in the Warehouse, sorted clothes, washed cars, and worked with maintenance around the campus. A lot of students from last year joined us again this year, so it will be fun to see them next year again.
Then in July, we hosted a second mission group from Nick’s church, Grace Community. Every year, they spend a week in the summer with us and it’s been so great to watch them grow year to year. They were a big help doing the final prep work for the Fun Fest.
The day of the Fun Fest was the culmination of months of work for Danielle and her events team. So much time and effort went into the event, and although we didn’t meet our goal of raising $25,000, it has been amazing seeing God provide in other ways. What I especially loved was seeing the number of people who volunteered. We had over 60 non-staff people serve with us, which blows my mind. The fact that that many people were willing to sacrifice a Saturday to serve with us was humbling. I feel so blessed to have that many people behind us and willing to help!
Thanks to the donations we did receive, we were able to get the front of the Auto Shop parking lot paved! There are some exciting updates happening at the ministry in the next few months. Because of the township, we aren’t able to continue forward with apartments above the Auto Shop. Instead, we have shifted gears. That space will be used as the Equip classroom and new offices. This move will create new space for Sandra & Wyatt and future staff, which is really exciting. Especially since Joel & Danielle “can’t stop inviting people to serve with us” (her words, not mine).
Our next round of Equip started with 2 students, Charles & Robby, and 2 weeks in, we added a 3rd, Malakai. Charles is from the Lancaster area, Robby is from Missouri, and Malakai is from Colorado. What’s super cool to me is that Robby learned about Equip because Justin is his uncle, and Malakai learned about us from his cousin Logan, who went through Equip 2 years ago. It’s so exciting to see past students and past connections reemerge after a couple years.
Donny has stepped into Equip in a new role in addition to his role in the Warehouse. Right now he lives in the dorm and is helping Nolan & Jenny with the guys.
Personal Life
July 4th, I took a day trip to the beach with Donny, Peyton, and my nephew Jon. This turned out to be the best decision I made (maybe ever), as it resulted in me and Donny having an important conversation and then taking the next day to pray and seek God’s guidance, before ultimately deciding to pursue a relationship.
I’ve known Donny for a few years now and have seen him grow so much. Since his return from Mexico, we have developed a really good friendship, and I’ve seen God answer prayers through him. I’m so so excited to see what God has for us, and I’m confident that this is what God has for both of us. So, if you’re reading this, please pray for us as we continue to pursue Christlikeness together and seek His Kingdom.
Justin & Jen Darnell started a Bible Study in their backyard this summer. I’ve enjoyed spending time with the community every Friday night, going through the book of 1st John. My favorite Bible study nights though are baptism nights. In May, Danielle & Donny got baptized on the same night. I love hearing people’s testimonies and seeing them declare what God has done in their lives. God is so good!
I celebrated my cousin Susana’s upcoming wedding in May and got to make a few new friends with some of her bridal party. It was so nice to spend time with her and my other cousins, Alicia & Ellie.
Our staff retreat this year featured Donny, which was very exciting. We stayed at Three Springs Ministry for an extra day, worshipping, relaxing, and spending time together. We also got to do the horse riding again, swim, and because of the extra day, a group got to drive out and see the PA Grand Canyon. I’m already looking forward to next year.
Prayer Requests
As you think of me and if you don’t mind, I would greatly appreciate if you join me in praying for the following:
- My relationship with Donny
- Continued financial support for myself, Donny, & the ministry
- Growth as I potentially train and work with others in the Front Office
- Grace & mercy through Jesus Christ for the people I serve and serve alongside
- Unity in the ministry
- Guidance as Donny & I start our journey at a new church
- Joel & Danielle and Justin & Jen and the other leadership at the ministry as they make decisions
- CMTS Texas
- Help in the different areas around campus
- Growth for the new students
How to Get Involved
If you’ve read our CMTS main newsletter, you’ll know that there are a lot of different needs at the ministry. If you are a skilled tradesman and wanted to serve somewhere for a short time or donate your time, we have lots of construction coming up. Between the new offices and remodeling for staff housing, there will not be a shortage of needs for things like construction, painting, etc.
We also accept donations of all kinds! As I went through old files this past week, I found records of donated property. Apparently, that is something we would love to have donated, no matter where it is! Car donations are a huge benefit for us too. All the cars that get donated are either fixed up and sold to someone (a missionary, church leader, pastor, CMTS staff member, or someone greatly in need), or they are used for spare parts. For example, we received a Subaru Crosstrek Donny will likely purchase, and in June, a donation of a Toyota Solara was sold to Doug & Hilda’s daughter. Car donations are a huge blessing for us!
Other things like financial donations are, of course, appreciated. We also take a lot of different items in the Warehouse. There are a few things we can’t accept like old computers, paint, etc. but most things are able to be used in a shipment or for another ministry.
I hope you know how much I appreciate you all for supporting me and allowing me to serve at this amazing place that God has put me, where I have seen the most growth in my life. It’s amazing to look back and see how I used to be and how God has grown me. I look forward to what this next year holds and how I will see God move. I hope you are willing to partner with me in it!
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