October

I cannot believe how fast time goes lately. I’ve been told it might be a good idea to start doing my newsletter bi-monthly rather than quarterly, and that’s advice I’ll be taking. So look forward to more frequent updates!

The first 2 Saturdays of October are Cider Pressing at the Noecker household! It’s one of my absolute favorite times of the year. Emi & Grace came both nights, and ~~I forced them~~ they got to crank a couple of times. They seemed to have a good time, or at least that’s what they told me!
Debbie Pete officially stepped back from the kitchen, and Juanis McDermott took her place. It was a hard decision on Debbie’s part, and we are so grateful for her many years of service to us through her wonderful cooking skills. Juanis has been doing an amazing job in her stead. We have been able to put together a recipe book, and every time I find a new recipe, she is so excited to try it out. (I’m always excited to eat it, so it’s a win-win.)
Ray & Debbie’s church, Victory Baptist, held a quartet concert, and in the foyer, they had different Christian organizations set up tables with representatives from each place. The Pete’s were away at the time, so Joel & Danielle Smith stepped in to represent CMTS. Ray & Debbie had talked up Emi & Grace so much, so I took them as Equip representatives.
We took the Equip girls thrift shopping for winter clothes, and to get some time off campus. Both of them have licenses, but neither has a car. I guess I would feel a little claustrophobic if I had no means of leaving at my own will. We’re hoping Emi’s able to get a car soon, so they can have some independence.
Mid-October, I attended a baby shower that was long expected and much prayed for. I dusted off my apron and scrapers and made a cake and cupcakes to celebrate Mel’s baby (who has since been born)!
I crocheted my first article of clothing! It only took me a little under a month to make a cute, oversized cardigan. I wear it every chance I get. It feels so satisfying to make something from scratch and then use it. It’s not perfect, but I love it anyway!
In late October, Joel went to YWAM St. Croix, with the intention to build relationships with the YWAM base there. We are hoping to do missions trips that will be open to the public. The Mexico trips in the past were a great resource to get other churches involved in what we’re doing. Please pray for us as we decide what this aspect of the ministry could potentially look like.

November

November 3rd, Joel & Danielle held a Staff Appreciation Dinner, at Reinhart’s barn. It was a nice night of delicious food and fellowship.
For the whole first week of November, Joel, Nolan Lapp, and the 4 students went to YWAM Lancaster for an evangelism class. The students learned about and experienced first-hand how to witness to someone on the street. Seeing them come back from that week was something amazing. They had a zeal and passion for talking about Christ. What a privilege to witness that!
The second weekend of November, we had a workgroup. Chapelgate Boy’s Brigade comes out every year to serve for a weekend. Back in the day, Andy Merrick would make them breakfast, lunch, dinner, etc. Apparently, his love language was food (relatable!). Danielle and I spent the day in the kitchen making breakfast and dinner while inventorying and deep cleaning the pantry. We were both exhausted by the end of the day, but it was worth it.
Mid-November, my mom was admitted to the hospital due to complications from Lymes disease. (I maintain that it was probably Hani who brought the tick in; she’s such a tick magnet.) Of course it happened while my Dad was in West Virginia for his annual hunting trip. It’s inevitable; something bad always happens when he leaves. One year, I almost broke my ankle; another year, the basement flooded; and that’s only a few of the stories my mom has.
While mom was in the hospital, she talked about how at peace she was in spite of this scary situation (a big milestone for her as she used to struggle with anxiety). Inspired, I too searched for the silver linings, and I think I found one at least:
- I left the hospital one evening to stay at my parent’s house for the night since it was closer to the hospital. As I was driving out, I saw a woman and her little boy walking along 61. It was so cold that night, and I knew that I had to stop and see if I could help. I call it my “Sam moment”, because it’s something he would do/does. He takes every opportunity to witness about Jesus to others. I guess he’s rubbing off. Anyway, I offered a ride to this woman and her son, and while it wasn’t a big “coming to Christ moment”, I did my best to use the opportunity to plant or water a small seed. I’ve been praying for them as I remember, and I hope you’ll join me in praying too. Their names are Jasmine and Jessie.
Over the course of the month of November, I had 3-4 humbling incidents of refinement (definitely by fire). God was working in me on handling constructive criticism. Let’s just say, I don’t handle it well. It seems that I have perfectionist tendencies and a pride issue. I hate to even admit it here, but accountability is important, and as my partners in this ministry and in Christ, I am asking you to hold me accountable for this. I’m far from perfect. I get defensive when I’m confronted about my mistakes, but now that I see this problem, I am quicker to seek forgiveness. Small victories! This will be an ongoing process, but sanctification is a lifelong work by and from God. Thank God for His grace that I truly don’t deserve and yet still have!
November is also my birthday month! I turned 27, and Rowan turned 5. He was so excited to turn 5 because it means he can finally chew gum! Somehow, they managed to put 32 candles on a cake for both of us. Glad I ordered a large one. (Thanks, Cake Pros!)
- It was my turn to choose our birthday outfits, so I was Sarah and Rowan was Duck from Sarah & Duck. It’s a cute little British children’s show that my nephews love, and it’s so much better than Peppa Pig. My sister, aunt, and cousins dressed up as other characters from the show too.
- I thought that turning 27 and going through the holidays and still being single would be more difficult. Last year was hard, and I assumed it would just get harder each year. I am glad to say that this year was different. When I mentioned the humbling experience, what I didn’t mention is that God also revealed my own… unpreparedness for marriage. Again, I hate to even type this out because it feels like I’m saying too much, it’s not really anyone’s business, and do people really care?? Or maybe people will judge me and think I’m ridiculous because “Paul was single, so you should take a lesson from that and be content.” But no. I’m going to talk about it anyway. God’s given me peace about my season, which is something so many people have been praying for and I am so, so, so grateful to each of you. This doesn’t mean I don’t still desire marriage, and it doesn’t mean that I won’t have bad days, but I can confidently say without any bitterness that God is in control and I am not. This is a huge milestone, and I’m excited to share it with you all, so celebrate with and pray for me!
We had a student from a local high school do his senior project in the office. Donovan was a huge help to us; seriously, I could sing his praises. In years past, organization was a bit more difficult at the ministry, especially with things like vehicle titles. We have quite a few (read: A LOT) titles that weren’t in a set place, and that desperately needed to be organized. Donovan took on the task of typing up the year, VIN, etc. of all the titles I could find. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to finish the monumental task before his volunteer hours were finished, so I took over from there. It took me until the last week of December to finally, hopefully finish organizing and logging all of them. I would tell you the final number, but it would probably be best not to… I’m so excited to be done though! It’s so satisfying to have a large project that’s been looming in the back of my head finally checked off the list.

December

The students had a Gingerbread competition, which you might have seen if you were on Facebook.
- Grace and I got to experiment with isomalt to make stained glass for her house. Emi did a super cute Hobbit house. Kai’s original concept was to make the CMTS “big house”, and David’s idea was something from a video game.
- David won by a whopping 2 points more than Grace, with Emi close in third and Kai fourth.
- The 3 losers held a play at the staff Christmas Dinner, featuring sock puppets which are now proudly displayed in the lunchroom. Hilda Sylva helped them put together the performance and I really enjoyed seeing them all work together on this project.
PGCC held their Women’s Christmas Brunch, and I can’t help but remember when I shared my testimony last year. I prayed extra hard for the women who spoke up front because I remember how that felt.
I was sick on New Year’s Eve, so I stayed home and rested. Luckily, it was a very mild version of the flu and a round of Alka-Seltzer set me right.
My Adult Moment of the Year™: One night, or should I say very early morning, at exactly 1 AM, Hani and I were startled awake by a loud crash. And since I am, in fact, the adult of the house, I had to go investigate while Hani cowered under the covers which is what I would have rather been doing, but alas, I am independent and must do these things myself now… Turns out the shower curtain was too heavily burdened on one side and collapsed. After I had a mini heart attack, the problem was fixed, hopefully to never happen again, and especially, please, not at 1 AM.

Where’s God?

Everywhere! But specifically:

He has been growing me and stretching me to my limits. Seriously. December was a growing month. But He’s not pushing me too far. He’s teaching me that I am completely dependent upon Him to do His work through me.
He’s continued to provide finances every month. I have been blessed with consistent financial support each month and it would not be possible if not for God’s moving in the hearts of those around me.
He has protected the ministry. Our septic system still hasn’t been replaced because of different supply issues, and now that it’s winter, they won’t do any ground breaking work. However, I was just praying the other day, thanking God for the mild weather because a prolonged cold spell could be bad. However, I trust that this is God’s ministry and He will do as He sees fit, and use every circumstance for His glory. Every. Single. Time.
He’s blessed me with a supportive family. I could not do this without the support of my friends and family, both biological and spiritual.
He’s provided food consistently for everyone at the ministry. He’s provided low-cost resources through places like Hornings and Blessings of Hope.
He’s shown me grace and mercy when I truly don’t deserve it.
He’s proven His trustworthiness over and over. He told us multiple times in the Bible, “I am with you.” And He really is with us, always.

Prayer requests:

Continued provision! It doesn’t hurt to ask Him to continue to provide. “If He dresses the lilies in beauty and splendor, how much more will He clothe you?” If you’re willing, please pray that He provides for my coworkers in Christ here. There are a few families still seeking financial support and fully relying on God to provide that. They’re beautiful examples of faith for me!
Please continue to pray for me as I seek His will, follow His plan, and surrender my own. I know that writing this will be like putting a big target on my back, so please pray for me.
Pray for strength and wisdom for myself and everyone else at the ministry. Especially for the men and women in leadership. God is bigger than any challenge we’ve faced yet. He is sovereign!
Pray for the different projects happening around campus, for the finances to handle all these things, and for wisdom and protection.
Pray for the Equip program! Please pray that God would use this year to show Himself to these students. Pray that God would give them guidance for their next steps this summer. Pray that God would continue to work in the leaders/staff. This is our growing year too.
Pray for the Loaner Vehicle Program. There are some changes being considered, and the leadership could definitely use prayer for wisdom and guidance.
Pray that the Lord of the Harvest would send more workers into His field (see Matthew 9:38). We need help. A few of the major areas of need are in:

- the kitchen (Debbie, our amazing cook, had to step down, and Juanis is having to fill in for her. She’s doing a great job, but in June 2023, the McDermott’s will be leaving CMTS for Mexico.)
- the office (with me!)
- Equip

Pray for me specifically in regards to Equip. I still feel completely unequipped and totally out of my element, but, I will boast about my weaknesses, “so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” And, “when I am weak, then I am strong.” I want to do right by these girls because Emi & Grace mean so much to me, but I can’t do anything on my own strength. It’s going to be Christ in me.

Answered Prayer!

We have been praying for staff for a long time. There are so many gaps, and I sometimes feel overwhelmed by them. But, God provides! Back in late summer, we got a “random” call from a guy named Dawsen in Maine who had a former Missouri classmate that currently lives in Mexico. He was moving to PA for his girlfriend and was interested in coming to serve at CMTS. What a God thing! We have been praying for Dorm Leaders for Equip, and God used the connections built in Monterrey to answer our prayers. We’re still figuring out what his role will be aside from being a dorm leader, but it’s such a blessing to see God work. So pray that God will do what He wants, and use him how He wants.

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 am beyond grateful for this opportunity to serve God with my work. I wake up every day excited about my job and excited to see my coworkers! I thank you sincerely, from the bottom of my heart. If you have any questions, comments, prayer requests, etc. please email me at noeckerh19@gmail.com (or text me if you have my phone number)!