MERRY CHRISTMAS, 2023!
What an amazing year we’ve experienced as we’ve trusted the Lord with our new normal while remaining on staff at Hampton Park, all the while beginning and concluding our deputation ministry this year!
Our launch of Words Fitly Spoken is right around the corner. By both veteran missionaries and our mission board, we’ve been encouraged to split our annual ministry time into 6 months overseas and 6 months stateside, allowing us to prepare for and recover from those trips. If our first 6 months is an indicator, I’ll need to refuse or postpone some invites. As of now, in January, we will be providing pulpit supply in London. While we are there, we are open to couples joining us for a period of intense marriage counseling. Beginning February 9, we leave again to travel to and lead three valentine banquets and marriage seminars in PA and IN. We leave again at the end of February to travel to and live in South Africa for March and April where we will be living in and fulfilling the missionary role of a family that will be coming home on furlough. In May, Lord willing, I’ll be in Brazil training counselors for a week, and in Germany during June (those details and opportunities are being solidified). I’m still trusting the Lord that we can help with Pastoral training in Australia along with Counseling introduction and teaching in Norway, Uruguay, and Taiwan. We still have several marriage seminars on the horizon in Honduras, India, Nepal, Burma, Portugal, Poland, Ghana, a ski-treat out West, and the possibility of leading a tour to Israel.
Our deputation travels have taken us to California, Colorado, Michigan, Montana, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, and here in South Carolina. We’ve had a total of 12 church meetings, 15 intentional home presentations, and numerous one-on-one visits with pastors and friends.
We’re presently at just a bit over 50% of our needed support, yet our trips to England, South Africa, Brazil, and Germany have all been paid for. If you’d like to join us as prayer and/or donor partners, please visit www.wordsfitlyspoken.info.
Pictured at my “retirement party” (our children directed the Fit for the Master 5K as my “reception” and Hampton Park hosted the race, with over 300 runners participating both on-site and virtually), from left to right, are Cody, Suzie, Cassie, Candice, me, and Caitlyn.
On the family side, Candice and Ben, and their JD, Jeremy, Camilla, Kyla, and MaKenzie; Cody and Sarah, and their Colette, Conrad, and Carly (baby C coming next May); and Caitlyn and Gabriel, and their Peter, all live in Greenville, while Cassie and Seth, and their EM, Luther, and Leo still live in Detroit, MI. The 22 of us were able to celebrate Christ’s birth a bit early since the race brought us all together! As our “family” has their own “family,” these times together are fewer, and sweeter, all the time!
We are thankful for your friendship and love! May He be the reason, not only for the Christmas season, but for everything else that you do, for His glory, and the good of others! My, and our prayer, is that the Lord will bless and keep you, causing His face to shine upon you, giving you peace!
“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you!”
John and Suzie Lehman
A New Year, A New Direction
This is a long overdue Christmas, and even New Year’s greeting! That’s because it’s taken a while to get all my thoughts, and website, ready for this “new direction!”
I’d like to encourage you to visit www.wordsfitlyspoken.info when you have a moment! The entirety of Words Fitly Spoken is updated there. Until you do that, I’d like to say that the Lord has directed me, and us, to resign from Hampton Park at the end of this calendar year, 12/31/23, and launch this new focus for the foreseeable future.
Little did I know, many years ago, when I was asked by Candice and Cassie to write a book on parenting, that it would be the beginning of this ministry. We’ve been traveling and ministering overseas during my vacation time during these past years, and that’s been a joy and delight. Since we’ve been limited to my PTO, although we’ve been gone a lot, we haven’t been able to meet all the invitations we’ve had. Since it was never IF, but WHEN, that we would do this full time, due to many God-orchestrated situations, which you can hear about on the video on our website, this was the right timing to begin this phase of ministry.
I’m enclosing a prayer magnet and appreciate your interest in our lives. My email, johnlehman@hamptonpark.org, my address, 3001 State Park Road, Greenville, SC 29609, and my cell, 864-363-0280 are all available to answer any and all questions you may have regarding this. The relationship we’ve had with you has been special indeed, and I love the fact that states and oceans hasn’t and won’t separate that friendship!
On the family side, Candice and Ben, and their 5 children, Cody and Sarah, and their 3, and Caitlyn and Gabriel, and their newly arrived Peter Joseph, all live in Greenville. Cassie and Seth, and their 3, still live in Detroit, MI. We were able to get together this past Christmas in Outer Banks for a special time as family. As our “family” has their own “family,” those times together are fewer, and sweeter, all the time!
We are thankful for God’s timing in all this, and do trust that this may allow our paths to cross again as He directs. Until then, may He be the reason, not only for the Christmas season, but for everything else that you do, for His glory, and the good of others! My, and our prayer, is that the Lord will bless and keep you, causing His face to shine upon you, giving you peace!
“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you!”
John and Suzie Lehman
MERRY CHRISTMAS 2021
Dear friends and family:
We’d like to again thank the Lord for His Joy to our World, as well as the special friendship we are privileged to enjoy with you!
Christmas of 1981 saw Suzie and me celebrating our first Christmas here at the same address where we celebrated our 40th one this year. (The only difference is there were 18 more people with us!!) In-between those 40 years, we’ve served at Calvary Baptist Church and Schools in Lansdale, PA for 10 years and Suburban Baptist Church and Schools, Indianapolis, IN for 3. It’s hard to believe that we’ve now been here at Hampton Park Baptist Church and Schools for 27!
We were able to be together as an entire family Christmas Eve Day and Christmas Day, thus the lateness of this letter and picture. It’s always a joy to be together!
As the membership and missions pastor here at Hampton Park, it continues to be a joy to help spread Christ’s joy and peace to our members, both here in Greenville, as well as many who are member missionaries around the world. Within that role, we enjoy serving with the Homebuilders Sunday School class, with an emphasis on marriage and relationship building.
Suzie was asked last school year (20-21) to teach 7th Grade Science and History, so January through May saw her finishing out that contract. While she enjoyed it tremendously, when that time frame was over, she enjoyed being a bit freer to be Nana, with all the joys and privileges of that. She now really looks forward to ski and snowboard instructing this winter!
While we had mission trips to Togo, Ghana, and Chile canceled on us during 2020, the world seemed to begin opening up a bit again this year. This past September saw us visiting with three of our missionary families in Spain. While we were on “that side of the world,” the Lord allowed me to teach a week at the Kiev Theological Seminary in Ukraine. In April, Suzie and I enjoyed a ski trip to Solitude, UT and in June, a visit to Alaska, where Suzie, at the age of 9, had visited her “big brother” while he was stationed there for his military service. As of now, we have trips planned to Zambia in February, Brazil in March, and Australia in July. These past few years has allowed our Words Fitly Spoken ministry to continue to grow, and we continue looking forward to how the Lord will expand that.
Gabriel and Caitlyn Zarate have lived in Atlanta, GA and Brooklyn, NY these past few years, but recently moved back to Greenville. Since they recently moved back from where they couldn’t have a car, it’s been special to see how God has not only helped them in the purchase of a car and truck, but also to find a house for them to purchase. Caitlyn works for Emily Jeffords, using her creative art skills, while Gabriel works for Bar Stool sports, using his creative technical skills. They both have enjoyed weightlifting and have developed quite a fitness routine. They also enjoy hiking and the outdoors. Drake, a black lab, recently joined their family.
Cody and Sarah Lehman are excited about their 3rd little one coming in June. Colette is 3 and Conrad is 20 months, and both really enjoying playing outside with trucks. Looking back at Conrad’s 9-week premature arrival to his health today continues to bring tears to my eyes at how God’s protecting hand has been upon his parents and him. Cody just accepted the position of Assistant Principal at Hampton Park Christian School, where he still teaches two classes in the school while coaching varsity soccer. He and Sarah open their home up on a weekly basis as they host a church lifegroup.
Seth and Cassie Lehman-Martin, along with their three children, continue living in Detroit. Seth works for Van Sickle construction and repair company. Cassie is really enjoying this season of unschooling their children. Their EM loves to read, and her favorite memories of this past year was her papaw (me) slalom skiing as well as her learning how to swim. Luther’s favorite memory occurred just days ago when the grandchildren received a Nintendo Switch and he enjoyed watching his uncles compete with Mario Cart Live. Leo is 6 and really enjoyed riding the pontoon and speed boat from this past summer, as well as jumping into the water to get cooled off.
Ben and Candice Fetterolf live here in Greenville, where Ben is the Pastor for Administration at Hampton Park. I often call him my “younger elder!” They welcomed their third daughter, Makenzie Arletta, on March 2. Their JD is 9 and really enjoys running and playing chess. Jeremy is 7, and he really enjoys art (drawing and painting). Camilla is 5 and her favorite thing to do is cook, while Kyla, who is 3, really enjoys singing. Since Kenzie can’t talk yet, I’m sure she enjoys anything mommy! They remain busy with their 5 children, along with building deep and personal relationships with folks both in and out of the church.
Thanks for the privilege of your friendship! That certainly is a gift to us!
May the Lord bless and keep you, causing His face to shine upon you, giving you peace!
Pictured are, from left to right, and back to front:
Cody, Gabriel, John, Ben (holding Kenzie), Seth
Sarah, Caitlyn, Suzie, Candice, Cassie
Conrad, Camilla, Kyla, Colette, EM
Luther, Jeremy, Leo, JD
Thankful,
John, for all!
Merry Christmas 2020
Dear family and friends!
Thanks for your friendship and encouragement through the years! As your name comes to mind, so too does the memory of our lives intersecting, and as the Apostle Paul said to those in Philippi, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you!”
In early March, Suzie and I were able to go to the Dominican Republic to visit one of our gospel partners, returning just a few days before the pandemic began. Our trips have sure slowed down! Suzie was able to attend a family friend’s wedding in San Antonio in May, and I was able to officiate in my nephew’s wedding in Missouri: JR and Hannah Lehman. But, what has picked up, is that Suzie has taken on the role of teaching 41 7th graders in 2 sections each of Science and History at Hampton Park Christian School. She’s having to be more creative in her ski instructing! I continue in my role as Pastor for Membership and Missions, where I’ve just completed my 26th year. John and Suzie
Ben and I enjoy being in Greenville and participating in God’s mission through the efforts of Hampton Park Baptist Church. Ben is Pastor for Administration at HPBC, and I get to stay home and care for our children. We love to fill our time and home with people, singing and eating around the table together. Our children are now ages 8 (J.D.), 6 (Jeremy), 4 (Camilla), and 2 (Kyla), and we have another little girl we are expecting on March 9, 2021. Some favorite hobbies of ours right now: Ben-disc golf, Candice-painting, J.D.-chess, Jeremy-drawing, Camilla-dressing up, Kyla-baby dolls. Candice
Leo, Luther, Elida-Marie, Seth and I are thriving in Detroit. The winters are long but the summers are hopeful. I love facilitating my children’s learning by leaving the traditional norms of schooling and investing our time and energies in exploring their myriad interests. EM loves stories, Luther the mechanical aspects of life, and Leo has taken it on himself to learn to read. Seth is transitioning away from teaching and is pursuing his handyman and custom wood working business. We all love community here in Detroit and have especially been thankful to live in a house with friends in 3 different units, providing some community during these covid times. Cassie
Sarah and I live in Greenville. I love serving as teacher, coach, and athletic director at Hampton Park. Sarah enjoys fitness and nutrition (certifications in both fields), but she gives most of her time and effort to helping our two beautiful children. Colette is two and a half, and there is no one I’d rather have a conversation with—even if it can be a little repetitive. 
Conrad came on the scene in April. His birth and NICU stay were quite the journey. Many tears have been shed through the ups and downs, but God’s kindness has been on display through it all. Conrad is doing well, and his smile is the picture of joy. Cody
Gabriel and I live in Brooklyn, NY. We have made many friends in our neighborhood through the rollercoaster of this last year. We both enjoy bike rides in the city and hosting outdoor movie nights. Gabriel works as a software engineer at First Street Foundation. He was a major part in their launch of floodfactor.com in June. I am a private teacher here in Brooklyn. I pursued my art in a much more real way this year. I launched a collection of original continuous line drawings on Instagram @caitlynzarate and started an etsy shop. Sending love this holiday season, Caitlyn Zarate
A quick note on the shirts: We have had a family lake day every year for 18 years. Lake day has changed a lot over the years—going from the original six to an ever-growing tribe naturally causes that. Despite the many changes, three things have remained the same: We have a ton of fun, Dad gets a solid slalom session in, and when someone is about to try their hand at a water sport, Dad calls out, “show us how its done!” So, we surprised him with these shirts this summer
We also surprised mom and Dad with a fun video of their children and grandchildren. Cody
Pictured below, from left to right, and back to front:
Back Row: Jeremy, Camilla, and JD Fetterolf, Em, Leo, Seth, and Cassie Lehman-Martin
Middle Row: Ben Fetterolf and Luther Lehman-Martin
Front Row: Candice and Kyla Fetterolf, Gabriel and Caitlyn Zarate, Suzie, John, Cody, Conrad, Colette, and Sarah Lehman
I’m sure thankful for the friendships forged, from years ago growing up in Taiwan, from mission trips in a variety of countries, or anywhere in-between those to here in Greenville county. May the Lord bless and keep you, causing His face to shine upon you, giving you peace!
Every blessing,
johnandsuzie
Merry Christmas 2019
Dear friends and family:
Since JD and Em got to write last year, it’s only right that we get to greet you. I’m Jeremy, 5-year-old son of Ben and Candice, and I’m writing with my cousin, Luther, who is 5 also and is son of Seth and Cassie. This year, it is not going to work out for all of us to be together until next July, thus the pics and card from just Papaw and Nana.
My (Jeremy) parents, brother JD, and I just returned from a Hampton Park mission trip to both Japan and Cambodia. I enjoyed traveling to and being with our gospel partners that we pray for often. The plane ride was really long, and it was really hot over there, but I’m so glad I was able to go! My little sisters, Camilla (3) and Kyla (1) shared time with both of our grandparents. Papaw said “it did reveal why the Lord gives young children to young parents😊
My (Luther) family still lives in Detroit, MI, where my dad teaches 2nd grade at Charlotte Mason Community School, and my older sister, Em (7), is in his class! I’m in Kindergarten at the same school, while Leo gets to stay home a bit longer with mommy. We enjoy being a part of Hope Community Church. We live on a friendly street with lots of playmates. My siblings and I especially like to climb tress and ride our bikes when it’s not so cold!
Uncle Cody and Aunt Sarah still serve at Hampton Park Christian School where he remains the Athletic Director, teaches classes, and where they both coach Soccer. Aunt Sarah is also a trainer at a gym, and has recently been certified as a nutritionist. Our cousin, Colette (1), will be a big sister in about 6 months. They host and lead a lifegroup in their home, invite many teens from the school for meals or fellowship, and compete in various community soccer activities.
Uncle Gabe and Aunt Cait now live in Brooklyn, NY where they both work and enjoy the rapid pace of the Big Apple! He serves in a non-profit organization and she works as an educational Nanny. They, too, enjoy community soccer and neighborly fellowships. Although they are a long ways away, we still have a lot of fun with them over WhatsApp & Marco Polo. They were both in Greenville over Thanksgiving, but this Christmas finds them on a two-week trip to Mexico.
In February, Nana and Papaw were able to visit Israel, where one of Hampton Park’s gospel partners serves. While there, they rented a car, and took in as many sites as they could. On one occasion, while driving on their sabbath, they ended up going down a street they shouldn’t have, only to have many folks walk toward them in a threatening way. It was so scary, that Nana even dreamed that night about Jesus walking down those same streets, and being taunted and hearing “Crucify Him” over and over. She said the hatred gave new perspective of all He went through for us!
In April they had the joy of using some frequent flyer miles, and a friendship formed in Montana, to ski Big Sky. The magazine pic, on their card, was when they were demoing for Volkswagen.
In July, they were able to visit gospel partners in Manilla, Philippines, Chuuk, Micronesia (pic included) and Chiba, Japan (pic included). Along the way, due to an extended layover and flight delay, they visited Guam. Since they were on that side of the world, Papaw also led two family conferences in Moray and Manipur, India.
In October, Papaw and Nana again attended the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors, held in Memphis, TN, where Papaw has been a member since 1991. Our great grandma Lehman grew up in that city, so it was enjoyable for them to visit with Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins while there.
Then, a week later, they went to Wales and Scotland. Over two weekends, he spoke at two churches, and in the week in-between, they visited some sites in England, one of them at a Manchester City soccer game (pic included), Uncle Gabe’s favorite team.
25 years ago, when Nana and Papaw came to Greenville, our parents were about the age we are now. Periodically, they, or our parents, will share stories of years ago, and it’s always neat to hear how God has been with our entire family through these years.
Papaw not only stays busy at HP, but also remains active in the Greenville Track club, in which he’s on the board of directors, and Nana continues as ski instructor at Cataloochee Ski area in NC. She has now taught all of us grandchildren how to ski except for Kyla and Colette.
We close as we’ve heard Papaw often say, Lord bless and keep you, causing His face to shine upon you, giving you peace!
Jeremy and Luther (2nd oldest in our families)
Happy New Year 2019!
Six years ago, we were at Outer Banks, NC as babies, and this year, as 6 year olds, this letter comes from our perspective. Papaw and Nana really like greeting you each year, updating you about them, our parents, and us! I know that between them they have all written at least one time, and here goes to our first!
We just returned from a week together at Outer Banks in NC. The last time we were there was the summer of 2017, so our activities were a lot different this time. You can even see how we tried to mix winter with the beach in our picture…barefeet with coats and hats:) Papaw, and all of us, have a very close friend who allows us to stay in his home, and we sure enjoyed it! We played games, put together puzzles, colored, went to the beach, slept some, and ate a whole lot! My (JD) favorite things that we did were being together as a family, being with my cousins, playing at the beach, making a fishing game and playing it with Uncle Cody! My (EM) favorite things were building the city wall with JD, walking on the beach with Nana and my Mom (Cassie), running into the water with my cousins, and having Nana’s delicious homemade lasagna! Nana got us all kind of presents, too, not to mention what our uncles and aunts did for us!
Since we weren’t able to be together as a family until the end of the year, we are sending this out in hopes you have a Happy New Year! The pictures show some of our fun: Nana and Papaw, sporting their hats which they just got at Mammoth Ski Mountain, and two pics showing us older cousins digging in the sand along with running after the waves. A favorite picture of both of us is that of our parents and their siblings and brought-ins, as they call each other. They are pictured l to r: Candice & Ben, Cody and Sarah, Seth and Cassie, Gabriel and Caitlyn. Our cousins are pictured with Nana and Papaw l to r: Camilla (3) EM (6) Nana holding Kyla (9 mo.) Jeremy (4), Colette (7 mo.) being held by Papaw, Luther (5), JD (6), and Leo (3).
I (JD), Jeremy, Camilla, and Kyla live in Travelers Rest, SC with Uncle Ben and Aunt Candice. Uncle Ben is the Pastor for Member Care at Hampton Park Baptist Church. I (JD) just started Kindergarten! I (EM), Luther, and Leo live with Uncle Seth and Aunt Cassie Lehman-Martin in Detroit, MI. I just started first grade! Uncle Seth teaches 2nd grade at my school, Charlotte Mason Community School. I, and my brothers, can’t wait to be in second grade! Colette’s parents, Uncle Cody and Aunt Sarah live in Greenville, SC where he is the Athletic Director at Hampton Park Christian School and she is a fitness trainer at Madabolic. They have a big dog named Legend. He is soooooo big! Uncle Gabriel and Aunt Caitlyn just moved to NYC this past summer where he is a software engineer at First Street Foundation and she is a private teacher in Tribeca. Their house is in a tall building. It’s called an apartment building!
Papaw has been serving at Hampton Park now for over 24 years, and along with his responsibility as Pastor for Counseling, Families, and Missions, he and Nana were able to go on several mission trips. Their first was to Italy at the end of January, to visit with and minister to folks using his parenting, marriage, and fitness books. One of the coolest things was when one man showed how he could use google translate, and Papaw’s books were then in Italian! Nana also found some slopes where they could ski in both Italy and France.
In February, they hosted a Chinese teacher from the exchange school Hampton Park is associated with in Chung Du. Papaw and Nana enjoyed hosting their guest, Rella, and she really bonded with Nana. She invited both of them to visit her in China.
In April, they were able to visit a veteran missionary in Suriname. They had to fly into South America, drive three hours from the airport to a town near her entry point to the river, and take a 2 hour motorized canoe trip to her home. Needless to say, Nana wasn’t able to ski there!
In July, Papaw was asked to train some national pastors and church leaders in Nepal. Well, at the end of August, on the way there, they actually stopped in Hong Kong for a day, then visited Rella in China, and finally ministered to National pastors and church leaders in Biratnagar and students in the Nepal Bible College in Kathmandua. While they were there, they “trekked” through the mountains one day. Papaw would have enjoyed climbing Mt. Everest, but he said it was too expensive and would take too long!
At the end of September, the two of them went to Dalhart, TX to participate in a long-time friend’s missions conference.
This past November, Papaw encouraged everyone to consider running the New York City Virtual 5K, since Uncle Gabriel and Aunt Caitlyn live up there. Well, Papaw is no longer the fastest 5K runner in our family, as Uncle Cody and his wife, Sarah, beat him, and everyone else! It was fun for everyone to post their times from the different states they live in.
At the beginning of December, the two of them went to California City, CA to visit and minister with two other missionary families from HP, and Nana found a way to ski Mammoth Mountain, too?.
Thanks for your friendship with our grandparents; they speak of you at different times, and it’s fun to hear about all their friends!
Love, EM and JD (their two oldest grandchildren)
Christmas Greetings, 2017
Dear Friends and Family:
Thanks for taking the time to read about our life this past year! It’s been a special gift to have you as friend, and we would love to update you on our family and lives.
A special gift we all enjoyed this past summer was that we were all able to be together in Outer Banks, NC for a week. Pictured, left to right: Cassie (29) holding Leo (2), Seth (31) holding Luther (4), standing in the front is Em (5), Sarah, with baby Lehman due next May (25), Cody (25), Suzie (29!) holding Camilla (1), John (58), Caitlyn (24), Gabriel (26), Jeremy (3) being held by Ben (31), Candice, with baby Fetterolf due next April (31) standing in the front is JD (5).
Ben and Candice Fetterolf, along with their JD, Jeremy, and Camilla live here in Greenville Seth and Cassie, along with their Em, Luther, and Leo live in Detroit, MI. Cody and Sarah also live here in Greenville, and Gabriel and Caitlyn Zarate live in Atlanta, GA.
This past year the IRS approved Words Fitly Spoken, Inc. as a non-profit organization. The website you are on allows John’s books to be sold, folks to connect for seminars, or permits folks to participate financially in mission trips,
With this in mind, a second gift, that kept giving all year long, was his and our mission trips. In January, John went to Pakistan and India where he helped train national pastors and church leaders. In April John and I went to Argentina to visit missionaries from Hampton Park. In July, we went to Australia and New Zealand where he presented parenting/marriage seminars. And then in September, we went to Ukraine where John taught counseling.
Another gift I so enjoy is that of skiing and being a ski instructor, which I’m still doing at Cataloochee in North Carolina. Some of my mentors have been from “down under”, so when we were able to go there this past summer, we just “had to” try out some of those slopes 🙂 Favorites, from the view to the snow, was Treble Cone.
Our house has been a gift from the Lord all these years, and we’ve continued to enjoy opening it to those in need, whether for Christmas housing since they were from Korea, or short term housing prior to one’s baby being born, or a weekend while on a deputation trail, or our family, whether on furlough or vacation.
On August 21, Norman Leon Lehman, faithful missionary, dad, and grandpa, went home to his “well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Because his health failed quite rapidly, our family made it a point to come to Greenville. We had a special birthday celebration for him and Mark (John’s missionary brother) on the 20th, and then he went home to glory on the day of the Solar Eclipse. Our whole family was able to be together for this weekend, and I felt God just gave this as a special gift to us as well.
Thanks for the privilege of being in your home and lives once again through this letter 🙂 As John would say, May the Lord bless you as you faithfully serve Him!
Suzie, for all!
View this letter on a printable (PDF) format HERE.