February 11, 2001

Greetings from the Berkshire Mission!

It has been a little over two weeks since we arrived home. The excitement is still very evident not only in the immediate team but also in each person who received the updates. Stories still continue to filter in to me, and bits and pieces of exciting events are still emerging.
We gathered at the Berkshire Hills church for a debriefing meeting last week and then stayed for a picture exchange. People had their photos in an album and we had the opportunity to see each one and place an order for any copy that we might like.
While admiring the picture of little Jose, sitting on his motorcycle all dressed for church I heard the rest of that story.
Remember we had requested two men, expert in laying corner block to come and work for us. When we found out that Jose had sent the other man away, we asked him why he would do such a thing? Jose replied that we didn't need two men, that he was as good as two men himself! Bob was taken aback by this reply as he was upset with the situation, but knew that if someone asked him that same question, he would of replied in the same way about his work. So he decided to let Jose show us just what he could do. And sure enough, Jose was as good as two men. Moses began a relationship with him immediately and Jose had almost begged him to teach him the alphabet as he could neither read nor write. Moses, in his very gentle way started this task as they worked. Many of our men found themselves drawing close to Jose and wondered about his life. Jose had made it clear from the beginning that he did not want anything to do with our Christianity. Kevin Rousseau had invited him to eat lunch with us but Jose said he couldn't because he was sacrificing animals to an idol at that time, and I guess he was fasting. Some things are best not questioned to deeply, and I think this was one of them. Meanwhile, Dave Thompson had brought one of his suits to give away again this year, and as Jose was close to his size he asked him if he would like it. Of course he said yes, and he and Dave made arrangements for handing him the suit on our last workday which was Friday. DR. Beisiegel had seen Jose cleaning up garbage of ours that some local children had torn apart. He was impressed by the work ethics of this man and felt lead to give Jose a dress shirt he had brought. It was on Friday night that the story of Jesus was presented in its entirety, and Jose came to this meeting and gave his heart to the Lord. On Sabbath, Jose arrived for church in his new suit and shirt, ready to start a new life in Christ.
So many lives have been changed in such a short time. It is amazing to see how the Lord has moved and blessed these people. And how He has moved our hearts to want to give abundantly.
Duane and Mary Smith were our guest during the holiday's, along with their son, Toby. Who I am proud to say will become my "son in-love" in June. When this family heard of our mission, and some of the needs in Honduras, they, like so many of you, were quick to donate money and to find other ways to help. They bought a waterbed for a young girl that has polio and is recovering at the Adventist hospital. She is developing many bedsores and a waterbed will help with her condition. We had been in contact with Gordon in Honduras and he had told us of the need while they were here.
The Smith's live in Fla. not very far from Bob Whitney. So Bob arranged to meet them and brought the bed packed tightly in a suitcase to Honduras for us.
While Tresa Young was visiting with her family in Ohio during the holidays, the trip was mentioned to her Aunt, who in turn presented it to her church, and they raised money to send to Berkshire Mission. The Nazarene Church in Dalton, Ma. raised a very large amount to buy medical supplies, as did the Baptist church of Cheshire. Greenberg's store of North Adams, Carr hardware of Pittsfield, Wal Mart of Pittsfield, and many others donated to the cause. The stories just go on and on. As a matter of fact, we would like to invite any of you that are within traveling distance of the Berkshire's to come join us for a series of meetings on our trip, starting this week, Mon. Feb.12, at 7P.M, and continues on Tues., Wed. and Thurs. of this week. Held at the Berkshire Hills Church, Rt. 8 Lanesboro, Ma. it will be entitled "The Odyssey In Review". Each evening, we will view video clips of the odyssey, hear music of praise presented by team members, listen to personal testimonies about the trip, and seek direction from God's Word for our next step. Please plan to come and be blessed!
Bob is already starting the groundwork for our next mission. Some of the areas he will be considering will be India, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, and possibly Honduras again. If you are interested, please contact him right away, as the spots will fill quickly.
I hope to see many of you tomorrow night. For those of you to far away to come, please pray for us, we will be praying for you.
Don't forget we have a date to meet at the feet of Jesus, make sure you are there and tell your neighbors!

May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Because He lives, I smile,

Jennifer L. Young