This Communique has been in the writing phase for much longer than anticipated. Instead of writing and sending it out earlier in the month, our team was hunkering down for and cleaning up after Hurricane Beryl. One huge downside of moving Five Aspects Ministries to the Houston area last summer is that now it too must figure out how to go through hurricane season.
We were without power and internet for most of last week, but we were able to limp along as needed. We were happy to return to normal home and work life last weekend.
During the months of May and June, Five Aspects Ministries took to the road. With the recent updating of our materials for junior high and high school students, Five Aspects of Masculinity for Young Men and Five Aspects of Femininity for Young Women, we wanted to find ways to get the word out. To do this, Emily and I attended two Texas Homeschool Expo shows, one in New Braunfels, Texas (San Antonio) and the other in Grapevine, Texas (Dallas-Fort Worth). We also attended the Texas Homeschool Coalition show in The Woodlands, Texas (Houston). Lastly, Bryan and I attended the Repairing the Ruins conference in Atlanta, Georgia that was put on by the Association of Classical Christian Schools.
Our reception in each place was varied. It was challenging in every avenue to try to explain to people in 30 seconds or less what our ministry is about and what our curriculums offer. Of course, many people viewed us with great suspicion, and in this day and age, I could not blame them. Seriously, if anyone came peddling to my door saying they had a curriculum to teach my kids about sexuality, I’d probably politely, yet very strongly, decline them the opportunity to talk to me or to sell me anything. We live in utterly baffling times. I get it. The impulse to protect my children from the crazy would keep me from visiting our table, or any table saying they’re teaching about gender topics! I’ll teach them myself, thank you very much.
Then there were those who at a glance rightly knew that our curriculums teach that men and women are different by design, and they wanted to tell us off about this. In explaining our curriculum to others, the created, fallen, redeemed paradigm, I was, in fact, sharing the gospel with them. I could see it in their eyes. And still others wanted to argue about the strangest of things. Still others avoided us like the plague. I truly felt like a pariah many times.
However, something truly wonderful happened at each show that is noteworthy. At EVERY show, even as far as Atlanta, Georgia, a few women came excitedly and joyously to our booth. Their testimonies were nearly the same. They had done Five Aspects of Woman, and it was the most important and impactful Bible study they had ever done. They were excited that we were there, and they were telling other people about us. Through their testimony, others came. One man, at the Atlanta show, told us that he thought our materials were the most important materials at the conference. I don’t remember how he knew about us, but he knew the value, and he too brought other people to our table to show them the materials. This goes to show how important you are, our faithful supporters and friends of the ministry. Your testimony to the integrity and quality of our curriculums to those you know is the most effective way to spread the word.
Barbara’s prayer for our outings these past few months was simple: that we’d meet old friends, make new friends, find future leaders, and sell some books. We met old friends. We made new friends. We talked to many people who are potential future leaders. I purposely put our books in the hands of men and women who are already leaders across the country. Please pray with me that they become acquainted with our materials and become better equipped to stand on the truth of God’s Word in our embattled time. We also sold a few books. We did not sell many books, but we sold a few. I hope that orders will start to come in the near future. Ultimately, with the help of the advertisements in each shows’ handouts and our own new brochure, thousands of people who have never heard of our ministry before learned that we exist, and I pray that the Lord uses that for His glory in His timing and in His way.
Now that this season of travel is over, I’m going to buckle down and focus on finishing updating and editing our existing works. I also hope to be able to put together several new ones. The list I have in front of me is both exciting and daunting. I have recruited my daughters to help me update the Jeweled Fountain. Their insight and love for the Lord is contagious. My eldest daughter, who is about to start her senior year, is also reading and editing a few of the other works. Her insights on how to communicate with younger generations are invaluable.
Barbara is actively working as a grandmother, focusing on helping two of her daughters and sons-in-law with their growing families. She is writing and producing Bible plays with several of the older grandkids. They’re currently working on a play about Paul and his missionary journeys. It is fun to listen to her talk about their plays. As has always been the case, her love for Scripture and her keen insight is inspiring. Working with grandsons has also helped her to be able to start working on the materials for young boys. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with.
Please pray for the Lord to bring us wisdom and clarity regarding the next convention season. Pray also that He would move in the lives of the people we met this year. And finally, please keep our team in your prayers as we continue to fight this ever-growing battle.
I pray for all of you now as I prepare to send out this email update. I pray that our Lord would work mightily in your lives for His glory. I pray that you’ll be able to stand and withstand all the attacks of our enemies. I pray for your protection in these tumultuous times. As the darkness deepens and havoc and chaos seem to press in from every side, I pray that you will feel the Lord’s constant presence and take shelter in His promises. I also pray, along with the Holy Spirit and the church at large, Come Lord Jesus. Come.
Kristine Vermillion
Editor and Director of Women’s Ministry