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Marathon Year - November/December 2005 |
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Dear Friends,
Another year is coming to an
end. It was a long year but as we think
back it really went by quickly. Sort of
like a marathon - it seems like forever but time passes before you know it. I learned a bit about marathons this past
year by personal experience. I ran two,
one being the Marine Corps Marathon, in October.
Marathons are not easy and not
for everyone. It takes hard work and
dedication during the many weeks of preparation. Before you run a marathon most training
manuals suggest you run at least one 20 mile run. Some even suggest you run a full marathon (26.2
miles) in training before you run the actual marathon race. During the race some segments seem to go by
quickly, usually the early miles, and others miles seem to drag on for
eternity, usually around mile 20. When
you finish you get a medal and often forget about how painful the race really
was. It seems worth it. Supporters make a big difference in
encouragement cheering you on, and supplying your needs, like food and water.
This past year in the
ministry was hard work. Many times we
did not see the fruit of our effort.
Other times we saw men in whom we invested much of our time and
resources turn back to the world. But we
saw victories also. As we look back it
was worth it!
Just recently we saw the Lord
work and remind us why we are here in the race.
A young Sailor named Joseph has been coming to the Center for about a
month. He has applied himself and
memorized 20 verses in our discipleship course already. Joseph recently brought his friend, another
Sailor named Kevin. For the first time
Kevin heard the Gospel in a way he understood and he placed his trust in Christ
as his Saviour.
Sometimes the race, ministry,
life or even being a supporter may be wearisome. But we need to press on to the finish. There is a reward and sometimes the Lord lets
us see the fruit. "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall
reap, if we faint not." (Galatians 6:9) We must remember the Lords example: "Wherefore
seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us
lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us
run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author
and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the
cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of
God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against
himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." (Hebrews 12:1-3)
Thank you for running the
race with us. We could not do it without
you.
Serving the One Who Finished
the Race,
John & Sandy Seaton
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Seaton Christmas 2005 Update |
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Family Ministry in Virginia Beach - October 2005 |
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Dear Friends,
Tuesdays are busy days around the ministry and the family. Even though we home school our girls once a week they attend some co-op classes at a local church most of the day. John has a noon time Bible study on base at MARMC (MidAtlantic Regional Maintenance Center). This is a good day for running errands, studying, and also making time for a weekly date for marriage maintenance. Sandy prepares a meal at the Center. After
the meal there is always a mens Bible study and alternating weeks there
is either a Bible study or scrapbooking for the ladies.
This past week was an especially exciting day. John came home from his study beaming. One of the young ladies, Dalia, has attended both his study on base and also Sandys ladies study at the Center. When entering the office space he heard her and another sailor, Brian, discussing assurance of salvation. Brian
handed over control of the conversation to John who was able to
continue talking with Dalia and lead her to an understanding of Gods
gift of eternal life. Praise the Lord - Dalia is now a child of the King!
When Sandy picked the girls up in the afternoon Stephanie was quite excited to share what had happened during her day. While
in one of her study halls between classes one young boy asked her,
Would you rather die right now and go to heaven or live to be 100 and
go to hell? (She was quite surprised at hearing people give both answers.) In turn she asked him if he died right then did he know he would go to heaven. He answered, I think so. She did not get to pursue that with him, but did get to share with his teenage sister several verses showing the way to heaven. Time ran out and her next class was starting, so she left the girl with a paper listing several more verses to read. Stephanie hopes to be able to follow up with the conversation next week.
Pray for us as we truly minister here as a family. Many times the girls have their own opportunities to share while babysitting or just being with the younger children. What a strong testimony they are as they consistently share verses before the meals.
We appreciate the times we have to share Gods great gift of eternal life with those who need the help and hope He offers. Thank
you for the part you play in allowing us to be here as a family winning
and training the military (and their families) for Jesus Christ. Thank you for your prayers and support.
Serving the Captain of Our Salvation,
John & Sandy Seaton
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God is Faithful - September 2005 |
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Dear Friends,
Any
one who serves in the ministry will tell you that there are great times
of seeming drought between those times of blessed harvest. Many times over the past few weeks we have been dismayed at the lack of interest in the activities at the Center. This
gives us opportunity to truly reflect on the fact that we are not in
control, but God is the one who directs the affairs of men and gives
the increase in His time.
Stephanie was a Navy wife who came to a ladies study over a year ago then dropped out of the picture. She has recently started coming to the Friday night Bible study again. We have had many opportunities to talk with her as she is in a troubled family situation. After coming home from a trip there was a message from her on our phone. She
had called to express her extreme thankfulness for Sandy taking the
time to talk with her and show her what Gods Word had to say in her
distress. Her burden had been lifted and she was grateful for the time invested in her and her family.
The topic of discussion for many weeks at the Center was cults and world religions. The Center babysitter asked if she could bring a lady that she worked with who was currently involved in a cult. Susan came out to the Center and sat through a few of the Bible studies. One
day Sandy met with her one and one and showed her the error of the
group in which she was involved and the truth that could set her free. We referred her to a small local church whose pastor is a friend of ours. The
pastor shared the other day that Susan gave testimony at a recent
service about being glad that she was shown the truth and was no longer
entangled in a web of deceit.
John has a noon Bible study on Tuesdays at one of the local commands. He had mentioned to two of the ladies that we would be starting up a ladies Bible study at the Center. Not only did those two come, but another sailor joined them, and she asked if she could bring a friend the next time! The Lord sent seventeen to the first study!
We are thankful for the encouragement that the Lord brings to us as we minister here for Him. Thank you for your encouragement, prayers and support which allows us to minister to the hearts and lives of so many people.
Serving the Captain of Our Salvation,
John & Sandy Seaton
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Many ways to support the Centers - August 2005 |
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Dear Friends,
The
opportunities to reach the military here are possible because of folks
like you who give, pray and encourage. There are many ways in
which people support this ministry. We just had a group from Word
of Life Chapel in Halifax, Pennsylvania, come for a work weekend.
God has blessed us with many folks who offer help and encouragement as
we minister here in Hampton Roads, Virginia. This was the first
trip for their adults. In 1999 their teens came down for their
first ever missions trip. We just received a message from them
saying that the only negative comment heard about the trip was that it
was too short! Praise the Lord for the times He provides extra
hands to accomplish much work. Thank you to those of you who
support us with your hands and hearts you are a blessing!
Many
people have let us know that they pray regularly for us and the
ministry. We could not possibly do what we do without faithful
prayer warriors. Thank you to those of you who support us with
your prayers - you are a blessing!
There are several ways that Gods people have found to give financially
to this ministry. Some give on a regular monthly basis, some
yearly, some as they are blessed with bonuses or extra funds, and some
through their employers. Thank you to those of you who support us
and the Center with your finances you are a blessing!
One of the ways that the Center ministry has been blessed with funds
for many years has been through Combined Federal Campaign/United Way
support. Unfortunately, this year we will not be allowed to
accept those funds. Paperwork was turned in by our headquarters
office as usual but it was denied. The time for an appeal lapsed
before action could be taken. If you have any questions about
this you may contact the MTM Executive Coordinator, Mr. Ross Olson, at
757-479-2288.
May we suggest that if you were giving to CFC/UW, and still desire to
support the Center ministry, please send any gifts directly to: MTM
Headquarters, PO Box 6, Norfolk, VA 23501, marked for the
Norfolk/Little Creek Center. If you were giving through CFC/UW
and are not able to give directly to the mission but would like to
maintain receiving updates and information please let us know.
Please pray with us that God will provided the necessary funds to keep
the Center running as it has been. The contributions from CFC/UW
were a substantial portion of our Center operating expenses.
We hope to have the appropriate paperwork taken care of for next year
in a timely manner and will contact you with that information.
Thank you for your suport.
Serving the Captain of Our Salvation,
John & Sandy Seaton
August 2005
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