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| December 2005 |
Phone: 814-777-4231 |
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Here we are with the last prayer letter of 2005 which is incredibly hard for me to believe, but it clearly is the case.
We hope that each of you are gearing up for a great Holiday Season and looking forward to a good 2006 as we are.
2005 Summary
As we close one year and head into another, I like to look back and reflect on the year that has passed and look forward to the year that is coming.
2005 was a year that we didn’t expect, but it has been a good year and a year in which God did many things for us worthy of mention.
As you probably know we spent the majority of the year with Ayers Road Baptist Church. When 2005 started we had no thought of even swinging by here for a Sunday let alone making it the present major project, but we found out God had other plans.
Shortly after we got here it became clear that this was going to be a major undertaking. We found ourselves under supported, in a church that could do little for us, but desperately needed help. In short, just the kind of situation we had spent the last several years gearing up for.
I am sure glad for a couple of truths found in the Word of God. In Matthew 6, the Lord is teaching his disciples about trusting Him for the basics of life (Food, shelter and clothing). In verse 33, He made a statement we are all familiar with “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Then in Hebrews 11, which is perhaps the greatest single chapter in the Bible on the subject of faith, verse six says:
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
Based on what we knew of God’s will and the need of the church we decided to jump in with both feet and trust God to sustain us.
While this year has been very trying, stressful, and difficult, God certainly has sustained us and preformed a pretty big miracle in the process. As I write this letter and look back on our records for 2005, I have realized that in the 2005 calendar year our support has increased by 65%. Never since the beginning of this ministry in 1995 have we had that much gain in a single year, and the amazing thing is this: It all happened while we were busy working at the ministry He gave us. We have not presented our ministry in a single new church since November 17, 2004.
This tells me a couple of things:
The way the increase brakes down is 5 new supporters and an increase in monthly support from 4 of our old supporters. I am completely amazed at what God has done in this area.
So we see that God is able to finance this ministry, but the question remains what happened in the last year:
Ayers Road Baptist Church is still alive.
1) The Seven missionaries the church supports are still being supported. 2) The Bible is preached from the Pulpit 3 times a week. 3) The church is attempting to reach Macon through Door to Door Visitation. 4) Several have been Saved!!! 5) Others have grown spiritually. 6) The Building is in better shape and is far more presentable than it was in January.
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Of course, with this as a primary focus, there has been little time for other efforts. But we have held several meetings in other places this year with great results. From a Youth Camp and Vacation Bible School in Michigan to Revivals in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, there were salvations, important decisions, and a moving of God in each and every place. He also granted us safe travel to and from each place, and any time we had vehicle trouble He always sent someone by to help out at just the right time.
As the year closes, all 5 of us are a year older, but we are none the worse for wear. Emilee made it a whole year without breaking any bones, praise the Lord for that. We are all none the worse for wear, and busy with all God has for us to do. Looking Ahead to 2006 We are preparing to enter 2006 just as we entered 2005– Saved, Sure, and Serving, but with no idea what exactly to expect. This can be difficult but it seems to me that 2005 turned out pretty good, so we will just trust the Lord to give us another good year.
We are still needed here at Ayers Road. I would have hoped to have this wrapped up before now but we are still plugging away and working at meeting the goals that we set up to work towards. We are making progress in several areas but there are still huge needs here. (More on that in the prayer request section)
There are a few meetings on my 2006 schedule, but not too many. Several folks have inquired as to my availability, and at the present time, I don’t feel that I can schedule anything other than what I have scheduled already. So if you have not gotten a confirmation letter from me about a 2006 date or it is not listed on our schedule on the web site, then we are not planning on being with you.
As soon as that changes we will let you know. When this church is on stable ground, and a pastor has been called, our plan is to regroup, pray about the next situation, and perhaps check in with a few of our supporters—depending on which way we head. I had thought we might take some time to do a little deputation between projects, but if God continues to do what He seems to be doing that won’t be necessary.
In short, 2006 will be spent helping small churches, as far as how many, and their locations, I guess we will have to wait on the December 2006 letter to find out for sure.
Prayer Requests
After perhaps years of structuring it the same way, at least for this letter I am going to change the format of the Prayer request Section. As you pray please remember the following needs in several areas:
Ayers Road Baptist Church The major needs at the present are stability (attendance often changes by 40% or more from one Sunday to the Next) Workers and Finances (even without paying a pastor, some months the expenses exceed the offerings). In general, pray that God will have His will and way in this church.
The Iseminger Family Please keep each of us in your prayers, especially Carmen’s health, the kids schooling and development and all of our general well being.
The Needs of the Ministry At the present our 5th wheel is setting empty waiting for us to move back in it (which we can’t wait to do). I have no news on the truck (because I have not looked into it), but we are looking at pretty severe engine trouble, a new engine is more than the truck is worth so if it is shot, we are praying we will be able to replace it before we head down the road. Please pray that God would continue to impress it on people’s hearts about supporting our ministry to sustain and provide for us and give us wisdom in the many decisions that are made on a weekly basis. The last thing we want is to be out of God’s will, so please pray that it will be clear at all times.
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Special Thanks and Final Thoughts
As you read this I hope you come to the same conclusions that I have: We serve an Awesome God and He has given us a Great year. A few thank you's as we close this letter and this year out:
¨ To the countless folks that pray regularly for us, thank you and please don’t quit.
¨ To the 26 that support us on a regular basis: Thanks for your Trust in us and for helping us stay on the field, we couldn’t do it without you.
¨ To the folks that sent extra support and offerings for Christmas, Thank you for helping us during this financially difficult time.
¨ To the folks that sent things to help here at the church, Thank you for your generosity.
¨ To Luke & Stacy Potter and their children who 6 times a year turn the Iseminger Family Prayer letter into a family project and Print, Fold, stuff and address the letter and put it in the mail. They also bear all of the expense of paper, ink, envelopes and postage. Thank you for your generosity and commitment of time (Luke also keeps the website up and running).
Perhaps most importantly to our Pastor, Darren Tharp, His family and the fine folks at Lincoln Ave. Baptist Church in Ionia, MI Thanks for all that you do to make us feel at home even when we are not there, for holding the ropes and sending us to where you can’t go. We count it a great privilege to be members of such a great church and we do our best to represent you well where ever God takes us.
Thanks
and God Speed to each and everyone of you. May you hit the ground
running in 2006
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
The Iseminger Family David & Carmen Lena , David II & Emilee Romans 10:13-15
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Dear
Praying Friends, 
and
treat each day like it is the day the Lord will be returning. May you
have a year of no regrets, no retreat, and no surrender.