WHEN I AM WEAK

Pete sharing the Gospel at the Rock Calvary Chapel Anniversary Celebration in Punta Gorda, Florida

When I am weak…Then I am strong

If this year has taught us anything it is that we are not as strong and as self-reliant as we believed ourselves to be.

As Pete and I enter this fall and winter season ministering with The Fellowship of Christian Farmers, we readily admit that we are weak. The horrible coronavirus greatly impacted our ministry calendar last spring, and to a lesser degree this fall. We continue to be prayerful that the virus will touch fewer lives as we enter another winter season. On top of the virus, Pete is recovering from rotator cuff surgery and problems with his neck which leaves him unable to do a lot of the heavy lifting necessary to set up for a festival. At the same time, Sandy recently learned she has early stage skin cancer, which should be easily removed.

Yes, we are weak people, but we are weak people with the most amazing promises.

2 Corinthians 12:9 and 10 promises this:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I am thrilled to report that over the last two weekends, we’ve had our first two Fellowship of Christian Farmer events of this fall and winter season. With each event, God has been faithful to his promises in amazing ways.

Our helper Aaron and Pete

With Pete having the use of only one arm, we weren’t sure how we could load and unload all the things we needed for the Rock Calvary Chapel Anniversary Celebration. But God provided just the help we needed. We are especially grateful that God sent our young neighbor Aaron. He saved the day with his strong arms and willingness to help.

Proverbs 11:20 reminds us that even a child makes himself known by his acts.

Nothing stops Pete.

Lots of heavy work must be done before our events. Thanks, Aaron, for stepping in. We couldn’t have done it without you!

We are also grateful that once we arrived at The Rock in Punta Gorda, several folks stepped up to help carry things from our vehicles to our ministry location. These folks even set up the tent and offered any help we might need.

Long lunch lines passed right in front of the Fellowship of Christian Farmers tent, giving us the perfect opportunity to chat with folks and give out the walking sticks.

In all, we were able to share with about a hundred adults, hand out over a hundred walking sticks, and share the Gospel with many precious children.

Even though the majority of adults we met and spoke with at the Rock event already had a relationship with the LORD, they were thrilled to receive the walking sticks, telling us that they were anxious to share the simple message of salvation in Jesus Christ with family members and friends.

Because of your generous gifts, we were able to purchase gifts for children to choose from after they listened to the story.

Lots of masks, dogs, walking sticks, prayers, and the Gospel to be found at this Punta Gorda event.

God even provided joyful volunteers to help spread the Gospel.

Despite our weakness, the Rock Calvary Chapel event was a great success. God was with us, providing more than we thought possible.

Ephesians 3:20-21

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen

It was wonderful ministering once again with Bill and Kathy Brown the following weekend in High Springs Florida at a large city-wide garage sale on October 31. Set up started early–7:00 a.m. to be exact!

Bill and one-armed Pete hard at work on a chilly Florida morning.

Kathy sharing the Gospel with a family.

That’s me sharing the Gospel with some ladies.

I remind myself frequently that every person we meet is someone God loves and died for.

One young woman I met in High Springs touched my heart in a special way. I pray for her several times a day as God brings her to mind. She was young and pretty in a very sweet way, a chemist wearing a wide brimmed hat and flowing skirt.

When she accepted the walking stick she told me it was something she would give to her sister, “because she believes all these things about God and will really like it.” While she did not accept the message of salvation, I sensed a very open and soft spirit. She told me she had grown up in the church, but really couldn’t believe all the teachings about heaven and hell. She was a chemist, after all, and very logical in her thinking, needing proof before accepting something as truth. I requested permission to ask her a couple questions, explaining it was not to argue, but to understand.

As I listened to her without interruption, she explained her beliefs without belittling mine, concluding her remarks with, “But I don’t know.” She tapped her fists against her heart. “There’s just something, a spot that needs to be filled.”

I told her I understood. “I know you are a very intelligent person,” I said. “You need to research all the facts before making a decision.” She nodded in agreement. “May I ask you a favor?” I took a small book from our literature table. “This is the Gospel of John. Would you be willing to read it before you make any conclusions about the reality of heaven and hell?”

She accepted the book and earnestly promised she would read it. Then, before she walked away, she tried to return the walking stick. “I’m sure, since I don’t believe what you believe, you don’t want me to keep this,” she said.

When I placed the walking stick back in her hand, tears seeped into the corners of her eyes. “That doesn’t matter,” I said. “I want you to keep the stick.”

I don’t know what God has in mind for this sweet young woman, but he knows. And I believe that one day she will bow before him, calling him her Savior and Lord. I believe that because when we witness to others, it is not our words that convince a person to accept Jesus, and it certainly is not our power. It is the power of the Holy Spirit and the powerful living Word of God.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

After this weekend, the tiny town of High Springs, Florida will never be the same. Twelve folks prayed to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior on October 31, and many more are thrilled to share their walking sticks and literature with family and friends.

Our October events have made us excited to see how God will use us, a very weak couple, during the remainder of this fall and into the winter and spring.

1 Corinthians 1:27

But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

We continue to work on our schedule for this fall, winter, and spring. As soon as we have it finalized, I will post details. Until then, here is our schedule as it sits now:

November:

Winter Haven, Florida November 21-22, North Ft. Myers Flea Market on select Saturdays

December

North Ft. Myers Flea Market on select Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays

January

Manatee Festival in Crystal River, Florida, North Ft Myers Flea Market

February

Swamp Cabbage Festival in LaBelle, Florida, Pioneer Days in Wauchula, Florida, North Ft. Myers Flea Market

March

Strawberry Festival in Floral City, Florida, Pioneer Days in Arcadia, Florida, North Ft. Myers Flea Market

April

Flowerton Festival in Summerville, South Carolina, North Ft Myers Flea Market.

We will let you know when more events are added to our schedule. Pete begins physical therapy this week and as soon as his therapy schedule is set, we will know exact days we will be ministering at the Shell Factory Flea Market in North Ft. Myers. As things sit now, our next scheduled event is the weekend of November 21 in Winter Haven, Florida. If you are in the area, please stop by. We have a walking stick waiting just for you!

As Thanksgiving approaches, we thank God for you! We also want to personally thank each person who keeps us in prayer and all those who so generously support us. This ministry would not be possible without your financial support and prayers. Please join us in prayer for the following:

1. Open doors this season.
2. God will use us to lead folks to him.
3. Karen, the young chemist, please pray that the Holy Spirit will speak to her as she reads through the Gospel of John.
4. Those who prayed for salvation this weekend that they will grow and become part of a good church where they will be discipled.
5. God will prepare the hearts of those we will speak to during the weekend of November 21.
6. Pete’s recovery and successful physical therapy on rotator cuff and healing on his neck.
7. Sandy’s surgery on November 16 to remove the cancerous spot.
8. Our continuing ministry expenses will be met.
9. Wisdom in all we do and say.

Thank you once again to all who support the ministry with your prayers and gifts.

If God is leading you to financially support the ministry, please click on Give at the top of the page. If you give by check, please be sure to write Pete and Sandy Singer in the memo. Thank you!

Pete and I wish you all a blessed and safe Thanksgiving.

In His Grip,

Pete and Sandy Singer

The Story We Share

The gold bead reminds us of heaven. The Bible tells us that the streets of heaven are pure gold (Revelation 21:21). We all want to spend eternity there. John 3:16 tells us “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

The dark bead represents sin. Sin separates us from God and prevents us from going to heaven. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The red bead represents the blood of Christ. Romans 5:8 tells us, “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Isaiah 53:6 also reminds us that we have all sinned and our sin is on us (our responsibility) but when Jesus Christ hung on the cross this happened: “and the LORD has laid on him (Jesus Christ) the iniquity of us all.”

The white bead tells us that when we accept Christ as our Savior our sins are forgiven. Our sinful hearts are washed whiter than snow. Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

The green bead reminds us that once we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we should grow spiritually. 2Peter 3:18 says, “But grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

God’s gift of forgiveness, eternal life, is free and is received by faith. Simply talk to God, telling him this: Lord, I know I am a sinner in need of your forgiveness. I know I can’t earn my way into heaven. I believe you died on the cross and rose again. Please forgive my sins. I want to turn from my sin and receive you as my Savior. Come into my heart and become Lord of my life. In Jesus name, Amen.”

If you prayed that prayed that prayer, please contact us at: sandyspieces@gmail.com. We want to celebrate your decision with you and see if there is anything we can do to help you grow as a new believer.