Do Good to All
Hello Friends!
It's been a wild ride with the Lord in New England this summer. Life here is rich and full, and there's no lack of opportunity to please the Lord here where most people are "over" Christianity. Most are not hostile, really, but indifference is its own kind of hostility. Many who have come before us have noted that "Satan owns the fence," meaning there is no neutral. As Jesus said, "Whoever is not with Me is against Me..." (Luke 11:23).
So, how do we respond to enemies. My Bible & yours records Jesus commanding us to love them, so that's the short of all that follows below, dear friends--descriptions of our attempts to love the Lord's enemies (not ours) & "...do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10).
From Shannon’s Heart
God is so good! In June we concluded our women's Bible study on Kay Arthur's Lord Teach Me to Study the Bible in 28 Days, (I highly recommend this book study by the way!) and then we put all of our heart, soul, mind and strength into Vacation Bible School. The Lord brought eight precious souls to us during the week. With the exception of our John, the others had very little or no experience with church. We were all encouraged as we watched the seeds of faith we planted begin to take root, especially in a couple of the older kids. They asked some wonderful questions! The kids were so appreciative and excited to receive their very own Bible from the church. "Then He said to them, 'Whoever welcomes this little child in My Name welcomes Me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you who is the greatest'" (Luke 9:48).
God is also using my interest in learning to quilt to make friends in the community. I met Paula when she called the church to ask for some help moving a pile of woodchips at her house. As we were talking, Dave mentioned to her that I've always wanted to learn how to quilt. She invited us in and showed us her current project and offered to teach me what she knows. She professes to be a believer, but she's just not comfortable coming to church. I'm praying that we can encourage each other in our faith as we quilt together.
From John’s Heart
Hello! I really enjoyed VBS and seeing the Longs and Vissers! I made many friends at VBS and I also really enjoyed doing and making the slides for VBS. I am very excited about VBS 2022!
Summer Highlights
VBS -- For many of us, there’s no need to explain what VBS is. We know the letters stand for "Vacation Bible School". We remember the crafts, and the songs, and the gospel. We remember our teachers and the snacks and the games and our friends. Those were good times for many of us and the power of nostalgia has few rivals in our minds and hearts.
Yet, for just as many, there are no childhood memories of anything related to those three letters, let alone anything special or memorable. As missionaries in a small community that has a long history before our arrival, it would be a mistake to assume that the parents that drive by our church sign advertising “VBS” will even know what the letters represent, let alone smile big with the anticipation of bringing their children to our church’s Vacation Bible School.
While we cannot tap the power of our nostalgia that does not exist in the life experience of others, we can work diligently to create the power of anticipation and pray the Lord will use it to spread His gospel and glorify it in a 2 Thessalonians 3:1 way, trusting He will.
We live in a small community where most of the residents live around a nearby lake, unconnected by common sidewalks, and often separated by long driveways. Add to that the lack of gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants, and there are few places to meet our neighbors outside municipal business meetings or events related to our local elementary school.
We’ve realized that there are more than 1,400 members in a very active Facebook group for residents of our town of fewer than 2,000 people. We’ve realized that the school is willing to promote VBS with flyers. We’ve realized we are able to put up a banner the week before VBS and a tent the week of VBS on the grounds of our church, which is on the “main drag” that everyone in town must drive by in order to get groceries or just about anything else. We’ve realized the town clerk is willing to share the town’s address list with us so we can send invitations to every home in town!
We’ve realized that the Lord has provided many ways for us to communicate to everyone in town that there is life in our church, that “something is going on over there,” and that it might be something special. There are ways to reach almost anyone with a little creativity and a lot of prayer. We’re praying as we write that the Lord will help you be a light in the darkness, just as we pray for you, as that’s what He said He left all of us who believe here to do (Acts 1:8).Cornerstone Christian Academy -- In a nearby town, there sits a rare jewel in this part of the country, a theologically sound Christian school. They have a new superintendent & when I (Dave) was introduced to him, he asked if I would consider volunteering my time as their new middle school Bible teacher. What a BIG blessing to get to discipline a group of middle school students for an entire year. There aren't many Christians here in our community & the opportunity to help some who are here train their children in the Way of the Lord (Proverbs 22:6) is well worth the investment of 3 mornings every week!
Weddings, Roofers, & Cyclists-- Just a quick sampling of our daily ministry here yields some weighty and fun and challenging stories! Recently, we received a call from a couple from a town about half an hour drive away asking if they could get married in our "cute, little country church." Turns out, they also wanted me (Dave) to officiate the wedding. That led to a nearly 3 hour Gospel conversation that's still ongoing! Praise God!
That same cute, little country church is in need of some serious shingle repair & it's all but impossible to get contractors/roofers to return calls about small projects because they're so busy. After much research & many calls, I drove by a roofer's small sign on a telephone pole, jotted down the number, called, & not only found a wonderful, responsive, individual contractor with roofing experience, but a man seeking the Lord. We've had several substantive, lengthy Gospel conversations complete with hugs & tears & he made the comment that he couldn't believe the Lord had a pastor call him. We're here doing this work because the Lord used YOU to pray, send, and support us. Thank YOU!
Shannon recently heard some noise outside & opened the door to find about a dozen long distance cyclists hanging out under the big shade tree in our front yard. She immediately put a bunch of cold water bottles in a basket & went out to a very thirsty, thankful crowd. One of them even said, "Thank you so much. Your good deed here will get you out of confession for the week." Wow. Gospel opportunity & conversation time. The best things you can be for the Lord is useful & available to be used. I sure admire the Spirit in her. Can you see her in the BLUE shirt?
Your support allows us to be here, to buy toothpaste & gasoline, Bibles & meals, & everything else the Lord has us attached to & doing here in & around Middleton, NH.
If you'd like to learn more about what we're doing here in New England, please reply to this email & ask. Well, answer! =)
Too, there's more information on our church's website at MiddletonGospelChapel.org & at our family's website at ScottFamilyJourney.com
If the Lord's giving you the desire to lay up treasure in Heaven with us here in New England, please visit the site below to give once or regularly. We trust the Lord will honor your gift & repay you in His perfect time & way.
https://give.villagemissions.org/donate/missionaries/missionary-detail/a-scott-dave-and-shannon
Living for Jesus,
Pastor Dave for Shannon & John Scott
Colossians 2:5-7
MiddletonGospelChapel.org
ScottFamilyJourney.org
VillageMissions.org