October 2002 Newsletter

Dear Prayer-Partners,
"Thy words were found and I did eat them and Thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart; for I am called by Thy Name, O Lord God of hosts” (Jer. 15:16).  This was my verse from my Bible reading just yesterday.  O how I thank the Lord for the joy I receive from His Word on a daily basis.  O, where would I be, were it not for His precious Word giving strength and grace in my life!  If any of you, my friends, are not feasting on His Word daily...at least take a little taste. When you taste you will see that the Lord is good (Ps. 34:8). 

HAITI MINISTRY 

The Lord willing, I will be in Haiti the first two weeks of November in order to make preparations for the work team that I will be taking there the 2nd of January.  I need to buy the building materials and see that they are transported to the building site.  Then, when the group arrives in January they can go right to work and finish the proejct of putting the roof on the church building.  It costs me $600 - $700 each time I make a trip over there.  If the Lord would lead any of you to help with the expenses of those trips you can designate the gift to “Haiti Trips.” 

TEEN MINISTRY 

I have been very busy with the teens at our church.  The month of October finds us attending many extra events in the surrounding area, which the teens really like.  Tonight we are going to the fair grounds in Harrison to see a man that will break a horse and then sit on the horse and give a message to the teens.  He calls the message the “sermon on the mount!”  I am working with the teens on a continual basis to establish a daily time in the Word and prayer.  They are making progress.  Please pray for them.  I count it such a privilege to serve the Lord in this ministry. 

SCHOOL MINISTRY 

Our school had a seventh grade English teacher who had to quit teaching after five weeks because of the illness of her father.  I have been filling in until they can hire another teacher.  I am really enjoying the daily contact with the students.  I have so many opportunities to represent Christ to these young people.  They ask many questions, even about my work in Haiti, that allows me to share “educational truth” with them.  Yesterday, after one class, a student approached me to ask me some specific Bible questions about different religions in the world.  What a great opportunity!  Please keep these students in your prayers. 

SUPPORT 

When I last wrote to you I told you that I then had 30 of 80 shares of $25 per month that were committed.  The Lord has blessed and there are now 40 of 80 shares that are committed.  I thank the Lord for His faithfulness and I thank each of you for your prayers and your help.  Two of those shares have come because folks have given my newsletter to someone else.  These people, who have never met me, have started supporting my ministry.  Wow, is God good or what!  For tax-deductible gifts please make check to

THE BOYS 

The boys are all doing fine.  We do have one big change.  I have moved John to Lake Zurich, Illinois.  He is attending the high school academy on the same campus where Luke is attending Dayspring Bible College.  He is staying in the college dorm with Luke.  John is thrilled at this opportunity and I am so happy for him.  I miss him being home, but that is offset by my great joy for the blessing the Lord has given him. 

I am also very thankful for the great ministry the Franz family has had to my son, John, over this past year.  They have loved him, cared for him, invested in his life and ministry and just made him a part of their family.  I don’t know what I would have done this last year without this dear family! 

God bless you all as you continue to labor for our loving Lord. 

Dave Stockeland
In Christ our Savior. 

FROM LUKE STOCKELAND: 

Dear Friends & Supporters of Dave Stockeland, 

I just celebrated my 20th birthday on October 1st.  My Dad has always talked about how the Bible says that the Lord held people accountable for their own decisions when they turned 20 years of age (Numbers 1:18).  The young men were considered a responsible man when they turned 20.  So now you might be wondering how that affects my life.  Dad says it is time for me to raise my own support for the mission trips to Haiti. 

The Lord willing, I will be helping Dad lead the work team to Haiti in January.  I asked if I could include a note in his prayer letter and he said I could.  If any of you would be led of the Lord to help me make this mission trip it would be a real blessing to me.  The gifts can be tax-deductible by sending them through Dad’s ministry in Arkansas or they can be mailed to me at 60 Quentin Rd., Lake Zurich, IL  60047. 

I want to thank you all for your support of my Dad and us boys and for the encouragement you have been to all of us, especially during this last year.  I pray the Lord will bless you for your love and generosity. 

Your brother in Christ,

Luke Stockeland