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God’s Love Rescue Mission

Dear Christian Family:

Lacking a proper earthly family I have come to regard you as the family I never had. You all know both Nancy and myself. Our engagement to be married has been broken. Not because of any fault of Nancy’s. The plan was for me to move to Calgary Canada, where Nancy lives and for me to attend the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary, Church Planting School for two years

During that time Nancy and I were going to have a proper courtship period, pre-marital counseling and get married.

As most of you know I was turned away at the border for minor crimes I committed in my youth decades ago. Even though the charges have been cleared up and I haven’t had so much as a parking ticket for some 20 years…I am not welcome in Canada until I go through the miles of red tape and months of time and thousands of dollars to hire an immigration attorney to obtain a waiver from the Canadian Consulate. Even then there are no guarantees the waiver will be issued.

Calgary is enjoying an astoundingly low 6.5 unemployment rate. The Canadian government is protecting Canadian jobs for Canadian citizens. They have tightened immigration rules recently. As of June 1st of this year they have begun requiring passports for everyone entering the country. It used to be only a valid driver’s license was required for U.S. citizens and many others.

If you are from the European Union or Mexico they are requiring both a passport and a visa. The passport is easy…the visa requires miles of red tape and is designed to make it very difficult with limited exceptions. All of this, of course, is on top of a spotless criminal history. Even a minor misdemeanor from decades ago will land you in the jackpot which I now enjoy.

This was truly devastating and a test of faith for both myself and Nancy. Our faith in God was not shaken but made stronger. We live in God’s Will. We cried together and asked for God’s guidance. He gave it to us.

He brought me to Great Falls Rescue Mission in Great Falls Montana. I can’t say I was gracious about it. He brought me here kicking and screaming.

Nancy has been very supportive about the situation but the human emotional pressure has been tremendous on both of us.

I came to realize I cannot promise her marriage at any time in the foreseeable future. Women are designed to be nesters. They need to feel safe and secure. God created women that way for many good reasons. We highly recommend a book, His Brain, Her Brain, How Divinely Designed Differences Can Strengthen Your Marriage. It was written by Walt Larimore, MD and his Wife Barb Larimore. It is a Christian based study using Medical Science to teach us the differences in God’s design between men and women. It ties Medical Science with Biblical principles. By understanding God’s design our relationships and differences can be celebrated and enhance us as couples.

Regarding our engagement: Nancy is the finest, most God loving woman I have ever known. We are deeply in love and no doubt soul mates. There is that depth of love but geography and politics keep us apart. I am in no position, in the foreseeable future, to offer Nancy any kind of financial security. I can’t even afford a bus ticket for her to visit, right now, much less maintain a household.

She and I both agree the work God has given me here is in His Will. The fruits of His work are plentiful. Nancy and I pray constantly to be protected from the pain of separation and it works 99% of the time. It is that 1% of the time, when the human element sneaks in. When we let our guards down. That fraction of a moment is when the enemy attacks. One of us says something offensive…or it is perceived by the other as offensive and we are back in pain, fear and confusion.

There have been many questions and much speculation regarding our break-up. I hope and pray this letter will put these things to rest. It is possible to be deeply in love, matched by God and still be apart for an indefinite period of time…His time.

For myself I have learned it is extremely difficult to be a couple without the loving, human touch we humans need.

The simple things like holding hands, taking out the trash, cooking together, going to church together and the dozens of moments so many couples take for granted. God knows Nancy and I have tried our human best to hang in there and maintain our closeness, enthusiasm, and joy. We have not yet found a way.

The frustrations of being apart have taken their toll. We find ourselves each pushing the other away to avoid the pain of not being together.

The thought of a complete break-up at least holds the hope that eventually the pain will fade. The constant loneliness for one another only holds the promise that there will be more loneliness and yearning tomorrow. I know, ”be not anxious for what tomorrow may bring…” Easier said than done when romantic love and mating is involved.

I have tried to keep us motivated with the analogy of the old prospector. He had worked the same claim for some 40 years. Every morning he got up and went to work. He slaved all day telling himself “The mother load is just under the surface…I know it is. So every day for 40 years he diligently got up, motivated himself and went to work.

One morning he woke up and simply decided enough is enough. He packed up his camp, loaded his mule and moved on.

Shortly after that, another man moved in. He set up camp, rose early the next morning and went to work. He worked the ground with his pick ax for a few minutes and went to raise his first shovel full of dirt from the soil…and low and behold he hit the mother vein…pay dirt that made him wealthy.

I’m afraid that after this last week end’s argument I said some things to Nancy in anger that will probably not be forgotten by her. I know I cannot un-ring the bell…and I wouldn’t blame her if I completely de-motivated her to hang in there. By doing so I am like the old prospector who gave up too soon.

This same old man went into town a few days after leaving his claim. He was tired and hungry and dirty…he hadn’t bathed for months.

About that time, Rod, the town do ne’r well, came out of the local saloon. Rod was an all around bad guy. He would just as soon shoot you as greet you good morning. As the saloon doors swung shut behind him, Rod noticed the tired and discouraged old prospector coming toward him from down the street.

When the old man reached the town bully, Rod asked;” can you dance old man”? The old prospector replied; “no…I’m way too tired to dance”.

Rod quickly drew his two six shooters and began shooting around the old prospector’s feet. The old man began to dance with enthusiasm.

After emptying both weapons, Rod went to his horse, pulled a shotgun from it’s carrier, went right up to the old prospector, cocked both barrels, put the shotgun to the old man’s chest and asked;” have you ever kissed a horse’s butt old man?”

Without hesitation the old prospector replied;” no…but I always wanted to”

Right now I’m feeling a lot like the old prospector. Sometimes the un-intended consequences of our actions reach much deeper than the apparent consequences of our actions. The old prospector knew by giving up his claim he would fail to reach his goal…but he did not anticipate meeting Rod later.

Nancy and I have immersed ourselves into God’s work. This is the only thing we can do to know we are walking in God’s Will.

We have discontinued our daily contact and emotional intimacy because of the uncertainty of when, if ever, we will be together as a “normal” couple. If God told us when... it would require no faith on our part. Nancy will continue with the Prayer Ministry God tasked me with about a year ago that Nancy and I came to share. She has many gifts which suit her perfectly for this work.

I am continuing the work at the Great Falls Rescue Mission. Many of these men have been broken souls since childhood. No child chooses the environments from which these men came.

It is exhausting work… both spiritually and emotionally. Just as I think I have no more in me God gives me the strength and we move forward together.

One Pastor who did this work for 2 years described it as “down and dirty Spiritual trench warfare. It is 95% blood and guts faith and 5% Spiritual breakthrough”. He was correct. It is that 5% breakthrough time that makes it all worthwhile.

More than one Pastor has told me that I will learn things about humanity and God’s love, here, that I cannot learn in Seminary. They have all been right about that as well. The only way to learn about His love for these souls is to live with them 24/7…to be one of them…to hear their stories of how they were injured…some spiritually crushed as children…and then grew up to be perpetrators themselves.

The snake’s little helpers live and thrive in places where there are broken souls. They thrive in jails and prisons and homeless shelters. When someone with a ministry comes in, the enemy really gets angry. I say bring it on! We are on the winning team! Anytime I can get him angry it is confirmation I am doing my job.

I know on every level of my mind, heart and soul, satan only has as much power as we give him.

I like to use the analogy of the Wizard of Oz. The Wizard had a deep, booming authoritative voice. He apparently had tremendous power. In the end he was uncovered as an illusionist…a fake…an impotent little man who pulled levers.

Satan is that kind of critter. His 2 greatest tools are fear and confusion. He often uses others to do his work and they don’t even know it. The enemy can plant thoughts and ideas in our minds but it is up to us to act on them.

God renders him powerless if we replace these thoughts with God’s thoughts…the Holy Spirit. All we have to do is ask through Christ with the Holy Spirit inside our minds, hearts and souls. Pick up a Bible, say a prayer for guidance and inspiration for His Will and glory, randomly open the Bible and let Him guide. He will. It always works.

The difficult part for us humans is to not get distracted by the enemy…to remember this simple antidote to the enemy’s poison…especially when emotions are running rampant.

We humans are especially weak in moments of fear and confusion or any form of passion…unless it is charisma for God. And this is when the enemy will attack. Sometimes he attacks us directly. Sometimes he uses others who don’t even know they are being used.

The good news is we are on the winning team. God’s true power far out weighs the enemy’s illusions. All it takes is faith… and faith can only come through experience and practice…experience watching God at work and recognize His miracles for what they are and when they are.

It is easy for me to write these words because they are not my words…He is the Author…I am merely a writer who witnesses and reports on His miracles, sometimes on a daily basis. The hard part, for me as a human, is to live these words because of my fleshly weaknesses.

He has assigned me a task that requires 24/7 vigilance. And yet He knows I will fail a certain percentage of the time because of my human flaws. My consolation lies in God’s Grace. He knows I cannot be Christ…only Christ like…according to His definition and judgment…thankfully God is merciful and all knowing. Eventually we will all be judged based on what we did or did not do according to our knowledge of Him, Christ and the Holy Spirit.

In the past I looked at murderers and rapists and child abusers as less than human…less than dogs. I was looking through human eyes…not God’s eyes. A few years ago I would have looked at these ‘broken from childhood’ souls with human disdain and my own self-righteousness…not with God’s eyes, His love and their potential for salvation.

Today I see the men who, as children, were broken and even taught to distrust and hate God. Today I hear their stories and later my eyes are filled with tears…not my human tears but God’s tears of compassion and love…praying for His inspiration on how to reach those who want to be reached and be loving and patient with those who do not want to be reached…at least not yet.

Through God and only because of Him, through Christ with the Holy Spirit at work these moments have come in abundance. You have read the many Prayer Requests and Praise Reports. Please continue to pray for God’s Will to be done…not for me but for our part as Prayer Partners in helping to fulfill the Great Commission.

There is possibly an opportunity for me to continue this work and expand it. If it is in God’s Will and according to His plan it will come to fruition.

There is a Rescue Mission in Helena Montana, the Capitol City, about 90 miles from here. It is called God’s Love Rescue Mission. There is currently a staff position open for a weekend staff member. As I understand it, it is a full time position concentrated in 3 weekend shifts…Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

This mission does not currently have a Chapel Program. If it is God’s Will, this could change. The 3 day schedule would allow me 4 days during the week to organize local Pastors to come in and deliver messages on a daily basis. They would be on a rotating daily/monthly schedule basically modeled after the Chapel Program here in Great Falls.

It is my understanding that there may not be enough room in the Mission for Chapel Services on the premises but it will not be a problem to find a facility nearby if it is God’s Will at work. Please pray for God’s Will to be done in this regard.

Also please pray for couples and families who are currently separated because of circumstances beyond their control…especially military couples. Please pray that the spirit of fear and loneliness be replaced with God’s Holy Spirit of peace, comfort and confidence. Pray for their strength and God’s inspiration. Pray that His light to constantly blind the darkness. God’s love and our Christian love…mark and nancy.








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dusty Comment by dusty on August 6, 2009 at 12:28pm
My heart and prayers are with both you and Nancy!! May God comfort and bless you both!!
Malombe Amos Comment by Malombe Amos on August 6, 2009 at 4:40am
We can do all things th' Christ
Loice Chepkemoi Lang'at. Comment by Loice Chepkemoi Lang'at. on August 4, 2009 at 7:19am
Trust God 4 people.
Tikkie Comment by Tikkie on August 4, 2009 at 2:19am
Both you and Nancy are in the MINISTRY and OUR GOOD LORD WILL GUIDE YOU BOTH.MAY GOD BE WITH YOU BOTH AND GUIDE YOU
Winifred Anne Harries Comment by Winifred Anne Harries on August 3, 2009 at 9:58pm
Thank you for your sharing. I pray GOD"S LOVE into this whole situation. You are right, when the enemy is riled it means one is doing the right " GOD " thing.LORD may YOUR NAME be lifted high in all this We give you PRAISE
Amen.
robert hamilton Comment by robert hamilton on August 3, 2009 at 5:00pm
it will be ok.
The pilgrim Comment by The pilgrim on August 3, 2009 at 3:33pm
Hello dear Mark, well i'm going say to what you already knew .......... " There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven.....................He has made everything beautiful in its time........." So dear brother keep trusting Him and never give up He is a miracle worker........ He is the unchangeable Changer ........He can change your circumstances within a second .......... nothing is impossible for Him ........... and He will make EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL IN ITS TIME AMEN? yes He will ........ and I pray ......May His peace reign in your and Nancy heart and cause you and Nancy to rest up on His knowing........ may His will and only His will be done in your and Nancy life in the Mighty Name of Jesus our Lord Amen!!!!
John Snow Comment by John Snow on August 3, 2009 at 2:56pm
Hello Mark, I just got done reading your blog,or testomony? but whatever it is, one thing is for sure, I know that God loves you very much, both you and Nancy, yes 1 Corinthians 13, tells us this, and remember we can't see around the corner but God can, and always thank God for both the good and the bad that happens in our lives, because He says thank me for the good and the bad, and He will take the bad and turn it into something very beautiful, just praise Him and continue to thank Him for all of this and watch the change, I will be praying for you and Nancy also just keep the faith and don't give up as the old prospector did, remember your on the winning team, Your brother in Christ John S.
JAMES FINBORG Comment by JAMES FINBORG on August 3, 2009 at 12:44pm
hang in there mark and nancy god has a plan for you. pray and wait as i will pray for you. i have found out while i am serving the Lord he does things on his time. and in the long run after we go through what god puts us through we look back and see what god had done even thou we do not see it now God does. always remmber God is right besides us through the good and the bad and he is still in control. praise God. so take care God bless you and your service for him. your brother in Christ. James.
ferlyn Comment by ferlyn on August 3, 2009 at 11:06am
I have always thought that LOVE is the greatest thing to have here on earth... for God is Love and Love is God's greatest commandment. One of my fave verse is: 1st Corinthians 13:13 Meanwhile these three remain... faith... hope... and love. And the greatest of these is LOVE.
It saddened me, really saddened me to know two people in love separated just like that.
I am still hopeful though that things will work out well in the end for the two of you, when you love each other so much! I am praying all will work well for you, that this is just part of your journey and learn that LOVE will change everything... LOVE surpasses everything.. because God is LOVE and God loves you!
I didn't quite understand anymore the rest of the story but I am truly... really hoping that God will help you in this difficult situation and show us all that LOVE indeed is His works... yes indeed it is His work!

The Good News

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