June 24, 2009

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Three of the Kinney "kids" hanging out at John & Carol's.


Carol is sitting right behind me--on the right side.

Working on the float... Ice fishing... ...and frying fish!

Noah studying at the kitchen table in the camper.

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness;
but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
(1Co 1:18)

Dear Friends,
Greetings from rainy Massachusetts! The seeds that Noah helped plant in Pastor Kinney’s garden have not lacked for moisture to help them grow! God promises that in the same way the rain does its work to cause seeds to sprout, His Word will accomplish what He sends it out to do in people’s lives (Isa. 55:10-11). This is an encouragement to us as we communicate God’s Word to people here—it is Scripture that has the power to convert souls and to mature souls!

The Kinney family returned safely home last Friday from their missions conference in Maine. They had an enjoyable and profitable time, and when they returned, we “traded spaces” with them, moving into their cozy camper, parked across the street, beside the church. We still enjoy accompanying them & helping with ministry to various people during the day, and visiting with them in the evenings, playing guitar and singing with the kids, talking, and eating ice cream!

Thank you for praying for Noah’s sermon preparation for last Sunday evening. The Lord enabled him to preach from 1 Corinthians 1:1-8, about our position in Christ. Today as I type, he is diagramming the sentences from verses 18-25 for next Sunday evening. There is a handful of unsaved people who have been attending services at Hampton St. Baptist Church, and we pray that God would enable Pastor Kinney and Noah to clearly present the gospel as they preach.

You may remember the lady we mentioned last week with whom I (Lois) was going to visit. Carol was raised Catholic, but her children have been attending Hampton St.’s after-school “Joy Club” for several years, and recently she and her husband, John, have been coming to church services here. On Sunday, Pastor Kinney said that John was “on the edge of his seat” during the entire sermon! Oh, may the interest of this couple be a sign that God is working in their hearts!

Not only are we burdened for the unsaved people here, but there are also quite a few new Christians in the church who have many needs. It has been fun to get to know these people, and it is evident that God’s grace is working in them, too. The Kinneys have many opportunities to counsel with them, and so do we, as we interact with them this summer on a more informal basis. One dynamic that I need to learn how to handle is how to provide counsel or an example to women who are older than I, but younger in the Lord.

Prayer Points:
Noah & Pastor Kinney’s sermon preparation & delivery
Salvation of John & Carol, and others attending the church
Salvation of Effi, a lady in the community we are getting to know
Growth of the believers at Hampton St. Baptist Church
Growth in our ability to minister one-on-one
Good weather on Saturday for the parade float advertising our VBS

Thank you once again for your prayers!

June 16, 2009

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,
that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”
2 Cor. 4:7

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your many notes, letting us know you are praying for us! We need God’s wisdom and blessing every day, that we might be pleasing to Him.

We have spoken with the Kinney family several times since they left for their “round-robin” mission conference in Maine. They are headed to the next church today, and things are going well.

Sunday here in Auburn was a very enjoyable day of worship, learning, and fellowship with the church. Noah led the music for all three services, and we both shared our testimonies in the morning. In Pastor Kinney’s absence, one of the growing men in the church preached two very good messages from Deuteronomy 6.

The church's building

We have already enjoyed the gracious hospitable spirit of the people here. The Wells, an older missionary couple also serving here, brought us lunch on Sunday, even though they are in the middle of unpacking boxes in their new home. Another older lady from the church took me (Lois) shopping yesterday, so I could learn where the stores are. We will also be joining her and her husband this evening for supper. And tomorrow I have been invited to come visit with another, newer attender at the church. Please pray for my time with her, as we are not sure of her spiritual condition.

Noah has decided which Scripture to preach from for his Sunday evening messages (1 Corinthians) and is getting busy with studying. He would appreciate your prayers for his sermon preparations and delivery. He also will continue leading music whenever the Kinneys are out of town, and we are working on special music. The church is very excited about the upcoming Vacation Bible School, and everyone is jumping into the work of preparing the VBS float for Auburn’s July 4th parade, studying lesson plans, preparing craft supplies, etc. Please pray for the Lord to prepare the hearts of us teachers, as well as the children and teens who will be attending.

Thank you again for your support and prayers. Let us know what specific prayer requests you have also, as we try to remember you on a daily basis.

Until next week,
Noah & Lois Kelley

Pastor Kinney taking over his lawn with his garden

(Noah & the neighbor kids got their hands dirty, too!)

May the soil of people’s hearts here in MA become fertile for the seed of God’s Word!

June 12, 2009

Hey everyone,

Hope you are well. We certainly have reason to rejoice in our Lord!

Lois and I made it safely to Auburn, MA yesterday. We are staying with the Kinney’s tonight, and then they will be gone for a week at a Missions conference and we will settle in with the Wells (an older Missionary couple working up here). We have really enjoyed getting to know the Kinneys and their kids and are excited about being up here with them. They are very gracious people who love the Lord and His people.

Our first clue we were in New England: They told us there was one on every corner!

Eating for two!

We wanted to let you know that if you have asked us to keep you updated or have committed to praying for us, we will be sending you weekly emails. This will be the last time we send a huge email out, so if you want to receive weekly updates and have not let us know yet, please email us so we don’t miss you! Also, If you don’t get an email after about a week (we hope to send them out by Wednesday), let us know incase I goofed and didn’t put your name on the list.

We also wanted to let you all know that the Lord has been incredibly gracious to us by providing through you for our needs. We made request for $1,610 and we have received more than that so that we have been abundantly supplied. Thank you for your generosity and praise the Lord for His faithfulness!

Thank you all for your love and your participation in the ministry of the Gospel!