Sept
2006
Volume IV
Being an intern
at Beth-haran certainly isn’t the easiest job I’ve ever had. There are
continual frustrations and discouragements that must be daily surrendered to
Christ. But despite the difficulties there is nothing more rewarding then
being able to speak into the lives of these precious girls. Watching them grow
and make right decisions is the most thrilling thing I’ve ever experienced.
Sharing their lives, crying and laughing with them, encouraging and even pushing
them toward their goal – which is to be Christ’s alone - has impacted my
life in a powerful way. I’ve gained two sisters since I’ve been an intern
here. I wouldn’t trade them for the world. Beth-haran needs interns. Please
pray about whether or not God is calling you to be an intern here and if so,
contact please us.
– Sarah
Barnes (Beth-haran intern)
Since I
have come to Beth-Haran I have been challenged in my faith and where I stand.
The people, the standards and the attitudes here are much different than I am
used to. Here it is a much healthier environment for me to grow in and I am
taking my walk with God more seriously. I am challenged to rethink my
commitments in every area of my life.
I am an only child and have had
new brothers and sisters to live with here, which can be tough at times, but all
in all it has been good because they have been loving to me. I miss home a lot
though.
I can see God’s hand in my life
and that He wanted me to come here. Back home I was thinking of living a normal
life. Now I am thinking about becoming a missionary.
I like to play guitar and am
really excited because I am going to be taking lessons come October with a focus
on worship!
*All
of our students use pen names to protect their privacy.
We would like to thank the
volunteers from Coquille Christian Community Church and the Nazarene Church for
their help in tearing down an old storage building and other yard work. We know
some of this work was done at great sacrifice, as we found out later, some of
the brush they were clearing out had poison oak.
We would also like to thank the
Wilkes and the elder from the Camas Valley Church for the fire wood that they
donated. It will certainly keep toes warm this winter as we plan to heat our
home as much as possible with our wood burning stoves.
And a
special thanks to Gary Harmon for all his generous help.
Jeff & Hannah
There has been a lot to do this
summer as we get started on the farm. We are learning how to make jam, cider,
apple butter, pies, dried fruit, cobblers, and more.
Several people have blessed us by
letting us come and harvest from their apple trees. Praise God for providing so
abundantly!
Another fun thing that the
students learned was how to make soap! We had fun making beautiful bars of soap
with Jackie Newman when she visited from California.. She also taught us some
Messianic dances.
The two new rooms in the girl’s
dorm area are almost completely finished now. A hearty thanks to Gary and Sue
Harmon who donated a new bunk bed and complete set of bunk bed linens for one of
the our new rooms.
School
has begun again, and our days are busy with study, work, worship &
fellowship.
I was recently blessed to travel
up to Oregon to spend a short visit at Beth Haran run by Jeff & Hannah
Barnes. Having been friends for
many years I was excited to see how the Lord was using their wonderful giftings.
Little did I know what waited ahead!
Jeff, with his gift for teaching the Word of God, presented
the hope of Christ’s love and healing for the students very clearly each
morning. It was obvious that they
respected their teacher and showed a hunger to know more through their
questions. Jeff also shared his
vision for this ministry that was proved not only words as Jeff was “making it
happen” as the Lord was equipping him to do some much needed remodeling.
I have to say that I was quite impressed with the amount of work that was
being done.
Hannah, with her compassion for
people, showed her willingness to serve these young women and to sow greatly
into their lives, not only physically but also spiritually.
Her consistent prayer and commitment to getting these girls back on the
right track was inspiring.
The ability to meet all the needs
of Beth Haran is being fulfilled by volunteers who help greatly in the way of
funds, building projects and grounds maintenance. Their needs are great but the potential is endless.
I
have witnessed this ministry first hand and have to say:
“Thank you Lord, for putting this ministry into the hearts of the
Barnes. Thank you Jeff & Hannah
for heeding the voice of the Lord through obedience to His Word.”
What an incredible God we serve!
Jackie
Newman
(thanks
Jackie)
One of our students, Nicole*, and
our intern were able to work at the ‘Two Question Test’ Booth at both the
Coos and Douglas county fairs this summer.
The booth, run by a local pastor,
Ben Lillie, attracts young people and gives them the simple message of salvation
in Jesus Christ.
During the course of the week the
Douglas county fair had over 400 people stop at the booth.
Nicole was able to lead several
people in a sinners prayer as they dedicated their lives to Jesus Christ.
This
was a great blessing to both Nicole and everyone else at Beth-haran.
Jeff
Beth-haran
‘House of Grace’
PO
Box 962 Coquille OR 97423
Phone:
(541) 396-3945
Email:
Website:
www.bethharan.org
All
donations are tax deductible. Make check to:
Unreached
Villages with a note: ‘Beth-haran student scholarship fund’