NTM

Thank you to all of you who’ve been praying for my time here in Papua New Guinea!  I’m sorry for such a delayed update.  I’ve been reminded once again that things in a 3rd world country take a bit longer. 

From the moment I met the team in LA, and boarded a 11 hour flight with these strangers, I knew that God was going to do amazing things in our time together around the world!  He has not ceased to amaze me!  All of our flights went without a problem, and we arrived safe and sound… ON TIME… in Goroka, PNG with a whole group of ITF (Interface) staff waiting for us!  Most of the luggage made it, with what didn’t being only a few hours behind us.  All in all, quite a relief! 

Since that moment, it has been a whirlwind of excitement here at ITF!  With activities ranging from language & culture study to Ultimate Frisbee, from classes to campfires & time in staff homes, from hiking to amazing meals from our awesome cook, Beth!  We are located near several small villages, where we are able to spend afternoons sitting with the people or playing games with the children.  This has been an amazing time for me personally because I feel as though I’m finally able to experience a taste of what I’ve been training for!  Praise God!!  He’s growing & challenging me in new ways each and every day! 

We recently were able to spend a day in town… that was quite the experience!  To be part of a semi-large group of white people amidst thousands of PNG nationals… you stand out for sure.  And everyone watches every move you make.. it’s a bit intimidating.  But, it was a great way to experience another facet to the culture here & also a great time to buy some cool souveneirs!! 

Thank you again for your prayers!!  I covet them daily!  I am convinced God still has much to teach me about Himself, and about my small part in tribal church planting!  Also, please keep praying for the students who are here at ITF, who are seeking God’s direction for their lives.  Will He raise up some of them to go out to the harvest field??  I hope so!  Keep praying with me about this!

As many of you know, I will be leaving for PNG in about 8 days.  This time overseas will be an opportunity for me to understand better the short term programs that NTM has to offer.  My soon-to-be ministry will involve sending teams to other countries, to experience firsthand the process involved in tribal church planting.  As I meet the staff at our Interface campus, interact with the student on the team, meet national and tribal people, and experience the culture of Papua New Guinea, I will have a much better knowledge of how this trip expands the reach of the gospel by exposing the need for more laborers.  I am greatly looking forward to my time overseas, and the opportunity to interact with the students on the team and encourage them!  Would you please pray with me as I go? 

This Sunday, I will be heading down to our headquarters in Florida to visit with the Mobilization team.  Please pray with me for a profitable week, and that I would be able to gather (and retain) the information needed to begin raising my support team and prepare for my future ministry with them.  I am looking forward to a great week of fellowship & encouragement!

After much prayer and consideration, I have decided to serve with the Mobilization team.  As a part of this team, I will assist in following up with interested churches and individuals who desire to know more about NTM & how they can be a part of the ministry of reaching the unreached.  Along with this, I will have the opportunity to go to Papua New Guinea, to NTM’s Interface campus, and will be able to see first hand a tribal church that is growing and maturing!  This will help me to understand better how to help in preparing individuals who are going through the Interface program.  The Mobilization team also works hard to see that the word about tribal church planting is spread far and wide!  More laborers ARE needed!! I greatly look forward to serving with this ministry, and to sharing more with you about what He is doing in my life!  I am overjoyed in seeing how the Lord is bringing together all the details of present, as well as future, ministry!  All the glory goes to Him! 

As I sit in translation and curriculum development classes, the reality begins to set in that training is coming to a close.  But… the real work is only beginning!  God continues to teach me that it is His power that is needed to accomplish this task of church planting.  I cannot do it!  He must!  I continue to be amazed and excited to see what is happening around the world, and look forward to being used by Him in ways I cannot imagine! 

Upon graduation in December, I will be heading back to my home town to begin developing my team of individual supporters, as well as supporting churches.  I know that the Lord goes before me in all things, and will provide for my needs however He sees fit!  I’m excited to see how He does this… because I have no idea where it will come from, but it will come!  Praise GOD! 

Some URGENT prayer requests for these next few months would be:  a smooth transition back home, a car to get around in during PD, and that I would be managing my time to finish up my school work and also preparing for the next phase of ministry as I head home.

Returning to Roach from warm and lively California was an adjustment, but greatly anticpated!  After an exciting and welcomed Christmas break, I was ready to get back into the swing of things here at the training center.  We kicked off the new semester with our first round of Tech Tips and Translation classes.  As ministry also gets underway over the next several weeks, I am looking forward to what the Lord has in store to teach me this next year!  He is good and faithful, and I am excited to see where our relationship is headed as the journey continues! …