Today a year ago Tim & Bobbi Bettger picked us up from the Syracuse airport and after a short drive we arrived on the mission field here at Ft. Drum!

 A lot has happened in one year and we want to rejoice with you all who partner with us in prayer and financial support to give glory to God!  We have entered into the lives of many soldiers and their families here, we’ve seen God do great and wonderful things in their spiritual lives.  We have laughed, cried, rejoiced, and mourned with our troops, and we have been a refuge and a home away from home for many.   One great take-a-way from this year has been how quickly people come into our lives and how unbelievably fast they leave.  That’s Army life, sigh!  So as we round the calendar track into our second year it has become apparent what our primary goal is, to preach the Gospel of Jesus by word and deed & and be about quick discipleship.  We have seen a great turnover of faces in just one year so whatever we do, it must be with purpose to prepare these men and women for wherever the military will send them next.  Sanctification, purpose of life, living out our Christianity among the lost and drawing the lost to a lifesaving relationship with Jesus.  These are the things that matter most when you don’t have much time.   We endeavor to disciple and mentor our soldiers in and out of our home.

On top of this, as you’ve seen this year has been very busy with the renovation of the house.  We have seen great things happen and seen God’s people rise up to provide along the way!  We can now see the end of the tunnel but we are not out of the tunnel just yet.  I would like to ask all of you who are cheerful givers to our Lord to consider helping us finish this project.  Todd’s personality drives him to complete what has been started and we are so close.  We will labor to finish our Lord’s house here at Ft. Drum as it is stewarded by us and Cadence International.  We will give you a list of things below that we still need to finish and ask that you prayerfully consider what you might be able to do.  Please know that a gift of $5.oo is just as grand as a gift of $5000.00 but more than anything, as the Apostle Paul addressed the Corinthian church:  “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”  2 Corinthians 9:6-8

• Miscellaneous supplies to do finish work on the house, such as trimming out the windows, building book shelves in the office, master bedroom closet shelving and rods, paint, bathroom faucets, shades and curtains for windows, etc: $1800.00
• Kitchen update, fix refrigerator, buy a gas stove range, a few cabinets, new hinges for existing doors, new formica counter top material & paint.  $2500.00
• New flooring on the first floor of the house.  This is the busiest area of the home and the flooring is worn out.  We would like to install a hardwood product that can be refinished over decades and will fit this old craftsman style home.  Materials and install approx: $5500.00
• Insulation for attic, rafter baffles, rental of insulation blower:  $600
• HVAC work including the possibility of AC, duct work, removal of electric base board heat with more natural gas forced air so our utility bills will be significantly less.  We would like to replace the wood stove in the basement with a natural gas fireplace that is thermostat controlled.  We don’t have hard numbers on all this yet but might be around $10,000.00
• New living room furniture and a custom farm style table & benches in the dining room to replace old and worn out furniture: $3000.00
• Basement flood prevention and installation: $3000.00

This is what’s before us right now.  Each item is important but the ones in red are at the top of the priority list.  Because the house is under construction most of the week as we work on it with power tools everywhere, we have not unpacked the majority of our boxes to settle in and make this home our home yet.  We didn’t feel it was wise with the magnitude of renovation that needed to be done as things get in the way and have to be taken down off walls.  It’s hard to post about all of this but since you are in ministry partnership with us we also know that when a need is not known – it can’t be provided for.   If after prayer, you would like to cheerfully give you can click HERE.

All in all, the Beaudin’s give two thumbs up about life and ministry in Upstate New York. Yes, we miss all our friends in Alaska and elsewhere in the states but we feel your prayers and we appreciate the financial sacrifices you have made, your love, and encouragement for our family.  Here’s to the next year on the field at Ft. Drum!  May it be an awesome year of hearts changed and discipled for the Glory of God!  May our soldiers also be missionaries wherever the wind blows them!

As always, here’s some pictures to share with you!

Thank you for taking the time to catch up with what we’ve been up to!  We appreciate your thoughts and prayers!

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Jesus.                                     – 1 Thessalonians 5:18