Kevin Hobi From: Sent: To: Subject: Toby & Susan Stevens <toby.brett=me.com@mail74.atl11.rsgsv.net> on behalf of Toby & Susan Stevens <toby.brett@me.com> Wednesday, October 26, 2016 2:21 PM khbutch1@juno.com Marveling--As We Consider His Work Marveling--As We Consider His Work View this email in your browser Dear Praying Family and Friends, I enjoy music, particularly sacred music. I listen to it frequently, while I am studying, completing household tasks, and walking, etc. In recent days, I have been overwhelmed as I have considered lyrics that refer to a name or attribute of God, such as Sovereign One, Faithful God, Father, His Perfect Wisdom, etc. I feel so inadequate for the task ahead of us; I am comforted and encouraged as I consider Him. I often find myself marveling at what He is doing, here in this place, using vessels such as us. Please marvel and praise God with us. Mid - Autumn Festival Making Dumplings Sunday Bible Study On Sunday, September 18th, we started our first Sunday Bible study in our home. For that first study, four joined our family. For two of these Sunday studies, five joined our family. On one occasion, our family was joined by one. Young believers, a mature believer, and one unbeliever have joined us for this study. With each Bible Study and Lunch-- The Day I met Siyuan 1
meeting, we begin with songs, a time of prayer, and then conclude with a study; we are studying through the book of Philippians. God is encouraging us and building a church in East Cambridge. Thank you for praying with us. Apple Picking Earlier this month, eight international friends joined our family for an apple picking activity. Together, we enjoyed an afternoon filled with hay rides, hedge mazes, farm animals, cider, caramel apples, cider donuts, and apple picking. Later that week, Susan prepared apple crisps. Our family took the crisps and vanilla ice cream to the campus of Northeastern University. Several joined us for a break from their mid-terms and mid-term preparation. Mid-Autumn Festival During the days surrounding Mid-Autumn Festival our home smelled of ginger and our kitchen counter was filled with a variety of moon cakes. One evening, Sun and Sharon, came to our home; Sun prepared dinner for us. Another evening, David, Li, and Johnson came; they helped us prepare traditional dumplings, using ginger, lamb, pork, tofu, and different vegetables. Throughout those days, our guests also shared the traditional moon cake with our family, sixteen moon cakes, to be exact! During those moments, God provided opportunity for us to develop relationships with these image bearers. Those occasions also provided opportunity for us to share the Gospel. As these relationships have developed, we have been introduced to other friends. Please continue to pray for these and others we have met through these activities and relationships. One young man is, Siyuan. Contact us: Apple Picking Apple Picking Toby's Mobile Phone 617.620.1774 Susan's Mobile Phone 781.670.6025 Toby's Email tstevens8903@gmail.com Susan's Email sstevens8903@gmail.com Mailing Address 446 Cambridge Street Cambridge, MA 02141 Give to the Stevens 2
Chart Johnson Elyn Brayden Our relationship with Chart began in February. An evangelistic Bible study started in March. On July 04th, we met Chart s friend, Johnson. My first Bible study with Johnson took place on September 13th. On September 29th, Johnson informed Elyn that he was studying the Bible. She expressed interest, and he introduced her to me; she attended one of our Bible studies. The following week, Elyn came to our home; Susan and I started an evangelistic Bible study with her. Last week, Elyn introduced us to her friend, Brayden. Tomorrow, Thursday, October 27th, I will start an evangelistic Bible study with him. These are certainly exciting days! In moments of weakness and discouragement, and they do come, I have contemplated these relationships, considered God s love for each one, and marveled at the unfolding of His plan. Marvel praise God with us, and pray for these relationships! Printable Version of Our Update Johnson Last Tuesday morning, Johnson and I were meeting at a local coffee shop; we studied John 4. For nearly two hours, we studied and discussed the Samaritan Woman and Jesus, the Source of Living Water. At the conclusion of our study, we considered the contrast between the two characters, Nicodemus, who was introduced to Johnson in chapter three and the Samaritan Woman. We considered the impact of what Jesus was teaching the disciples, between His interaction and dialogue with these two individuals. I stated, Jesus cares about Nicodemus; Jesus cares about the Samaritan woman, and Jesus cares about, you, Johnson. Johnson expressed his interest in this story and study. His heart was touched as we discussed the inestimable value of each person. I marveled at the power of the word of God. 3
Chart Friday morning, I met Chart at a local coffee shop; we continued our study through the book of Acts; that morning, we studied chapter eight. Chart was moved as he read, verses 32 and 33, the quotation of the passage that the Ethiopian eunuch had been reading. Chart understood who the passage was referring to, Jesus, the Sacrificial Lamb. Throughout the study, I noted the movement of the apostles, mentioned in verse 14, and how they responded to the faith of the Samaritans, a despised nation to Israel, and then Phillip s response to the Ethiopian eunuch, a Gentile. I explained what was happening the apostles and Phillip were understanding the depths of the Sacrificial Lamb the Gospel extended to the Jew, Samaritan, and Gentile. I then stated, His Sacrifice was for you, too, Chart. I marveled then; I am marveling now Oh, the tremendous depths of His Mercy. Brittany On Friday, Susan met Brittany. Brittany works at the salon that is located directly in front of our home. A package that we were expecting had been delivered to the salon; Brittany brought it to our home. During the conversation, Brittany informed Susan of her work schedule, and also mentioned that her four year old son comes to the salon after school. With great interest, Brittany then asked Susan if it would be okay if her son could come and play with Curtis and Clayton. We have prayed for opportunities such as this. Now, it is not a matter of when or how this relationship will occur, but how quickly it will develop. Now, we are considering questions such as, what days will Brittany s son spend with our boys, how much time can we expect to build upon this relationship, and how soon will we have 4
opportunity to introduce them to the Gospel? We marvel as we anticipate the answers to our questions. Mickey Yesterday, I met Mickey. I had seen Mickey in our neighborhood, on many occasions, but this was the first time we had conversation. We talked baseball, pigeons, and details about our neighborhood. During our conversation, Mickey apologized at least two times, for taking away from my work. What he didn t know, was that he was enhancing my work, and I delighted in it. Our conversation ended, and later Mickey left. What a warm feeling came over me, as I sat in the coffee shop, with my back to the door, and heard, See you later, Toby. A relationship had started, and I anticipate the conversations ahead. Some day, soon, I hope to introduce my boys to Mickey; maybe, we can feed the pigeons at the park with him. Relationships are rapidly developing before us filling our days with opportunities to extend LIFE. We marvel at what God is doing in this city... Thank you for partnering with us for ministering with us and to us, Toby & Susan Stevnes Your Baptist-Mid Missions Missionaries to Boston This message is intended for those who have requested our updates. Please do not post or share the contents of this message on the internet. Copyright 2016 Toby & Susan Stevens, All rights reserved. You are receiving this message because of your interest in what the Lord is doing in Boston through the Stevens' ministry. Our mailing address is: Toby & Susan Stevens 5
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