Hamiltons August 2017

August 2017
Dear Praying Friends,

Sweet Home
If you received our housing update in June, you know that the Lord allowed us to close on the house that we had requested prayer about.  On this third closing attempt, the Lord allowed all the details to fall into place.  What a wonderful feeling it was to have that key finally placed into our hands!

June 12 was just the beginning, as we immediately launched into renovations on the house.  It is 89 years old and was not well maintained in recent years.  We had planned for this process to take two weeks.  However, as we got into the project, more and more issues surfaced.  We were able to move in on July 15, but the work was far from completed.  We finished most of the big projects in early August, and we were able to start inviting people into our home for ministry.

A friend who is a Jewish believer gave us a bag of sugar as a housewarming gift.  She said that traditionally, it means, “May God give you a sweet life in your new home.”  He already has, and our time in this home is only just beginning!

Psalm 127 tells us that unless the Lord builds the house, we are laboring in vain.  Our hearts’ desire is that God will take this home and use it as a lighthouse of truth in our dark city.

Saturday Night Study
On August 12, we had the very first group Bible study in our home.  We are holding this Bible study every Saturday at 7 p.m.  Ben is teaching through the Gospel of John.  Please pray with us for fruit from this Bible study!  We have been busy posting flyers and handing out invitations all over our neighborhood, and we are praying for increased attendance.

Some Big Plans
We are asking God to grow our Saturday night group quickly so that we can afford to rent a “permanent” facility for Sunday services.  We are investigating several leads for possible meeting places and praying for God’s wisdom in this matter.

Our new house is two doors away from the public elementary and middle school for our neighborhood.  We plan to have a five-day club (similar to a mini VBS) on our patio after school in September.  Kids and parents will walk right past our house every day as they return home.

The work is moving forward, and things are getting exciting.  We have ordered our hymnals and additional signs.  We are meeting neighbors, building relationships, and distributing many tracts and invitations.  As we study and work, will you join us in praying for God’s blessing on His church in “da Bronx”?

Taking Christ to “Da Bronx,”
The Hamilton Family
Ben & Andrea, Elaine, Nolan, Liberty, Nehemiah, and Henry