There is nothing that keeps wicked men out of hell, at any moment, except
the mere pleasure of God. -J.Edwards
Over the
last few months Megan and I have had a fresh reminder and resurgence of the
Truth of the Gospel. One of the tools that God has used in our lives is a
Christian Classic, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” by Jonathan Edwards.
We serve a Holy and Righteous God, who cannot tolerate sin, imperfection, or
anything else that is contrary to His character. Yet in His great Mercy and
Love He made Him who knew no sin, to actually become sin on our behalf so that
we might become His Righteousness (2 Cor 5:21). Praise Him! We deserve only His
wrath and punishment, yet because of His love and mercy, and His work on our
behalf, we are instead made to be His representatives! I pray that this
reminder of the greatest Truth of all will just refresh your walk with Him and
cause you to stop what you are doing, in fact, please don’t read anymore of
this letter until you just give Him the Praise that He deserves!!
What’s
Happening? 2013 is
shaping up to be one of the busiest years that I can remember, well since last
year anyway! We have some incredible opportunities to participate in what God
is doing literally all over the world. I am blessed to report news that God has
already accomplished this year! To
inform anyone who does not know, Steppin-Out has an indigenous missionary in
Ivory Coast, Ya Kouassi Jaques. We have been praying to bring a well to his
area not only to meet the physical needs of the people but ultimately to draw
them to the Living Water! God allowed John and two other men to travel in
search of water and wouldn’t you know
it, the strongest signal for water was found within a few feet of the church
that we were able to help build in 2010! He didn’t stop there; God also led
them to the middle of the old church location. In both of these areas our team
was able to find an abundance of water! God could have allowed them to find
water out in a nice clearing where there was plenty of room to gather around
the well, but instead He is going to draw people unto Himself and to His Gospel
by bringing them right to His front door!
We also have
two men currently on the field in another part of West Africa, clearing an area
of the jungle for a landing strip. This
will allow missionaries to get to an unreached people group and bring the
gospel to them for the first time! Just take that in, Joe and Jim, two lay
men from Ohio, specifically skilled in running large equipment, and God says,
“I have eternal purposes for your skills!” It is humbling that our mighty God
would allow Steppin-Out to be a part of His work in these areas!
What’s
Next? FEBRUARY. In two weeks we will be heading to
Bolivia, South America, to work at Monte Blanco. Monte Blanco is a Christian Camp
located in the Andes Mountains of Bolivia. God has blessed the ministry of
Monte Blanco and many Bolivians have come to know the Gospel while at Camp.
Many others have been reminded of the Gospel and have recommitted their lives
to walking faithfully with the Lord. This is a life and death decision in the
midst of a Communist regime that is
currently
running the government of Bolivia. We will be updating the buildings throughout
the camp, which is on the campus of a 60 year old missionary boarding school,
with all new wiring so that they are no longer dependent on Diesel generators.
Please pray that we will be able to finish the project and enable this
wonderful ministry to continue to clearly and effectively communicate the
Gospel of Jesus Christ without fear of persecution and without running out of
fuel!
MAY-JULY. We will begin another large
renovation at Cottage Cove Urban Ministries in Nashville, TN. This is a hot and
tiring summer, but it is always amazing to partner with Cottage Cove and
observe the work of the Gospel in the lives of the Children that are served
there everyday. If you would like more information about Cottage Cove, or if
you would like to come and serve alongside of us, please let us know!
Home. In our time home Joel has been preparing our
tools and equipment for Disaster Response and Storm Relief. We were blessed to
acquire a new 27’ utility trailer that we have transformed into a Mobile
Disaster Response Headquarters. We hope to be self-sufficient for a quick
response, having housing, a portable kitchen, and bath facilities. We were able
to visit Meg’s parents in Missouri for the holidays and now Meg and the kids
have been busy with getting back into school. They’ve added a couple of new
challenges to their week, piano and Greek! How incredible would it be to be
able to read original Greek texts as you grow in God’s Word. Okay, we’re just
working on getting the alphabeta down right nowJ but we pray that ALL their schooling
would simply be a means of glorifying God!
Please
continue to pray with us that we will be obedient and sensitive to His leading
at home and on the field. We only want to see His Gospel proclaimed, and
preached so that Lost Sinners might be Found, that dry and thirsty souls might
be quenched with Living Water, and the Body strengthened and encouraged through
Christ. Please remember that we need you, but more importantly, you were
redeemed and saved for a purpose. You are “His workmanship, created to do good
works” (Eph 2). We could never thank you enough for doing your part. Whether
that is through participating on a team, giving financially, or praying diligently,
You Are Steppin Out Missions!
Amazed By His Grace,
Joel & Meg
