NTM

Moving to Mexico seems almost like it was way too easy…we hope our transition time here will also be easy. Pray we adjust well to our surroundings. That we are able to make friendships with other missionaries as well as locals. Also pray for safety in the large city!

Praises

1. More opportunities to share with local churches and people in this area.
2. Quality time spent with family and friends.
3. Currently at 40% recommended support level
4. Local health unit donate needed shots

Prayers

1. Paperwork details and organizational packing
2. Several large purchases required – computer, stove, and moving trailer
3. Adjustment to life in Mexico – language and culture
4. Continue dedication to diet and exercise to be physically ready for Mexico
5. Continue to raise our support level

God is actively at work in the lives of those who live in Mexico. New Tribes is currently in various stages of work in around thirteen different tribal locations. NTM coordinates missionaries, sent by local churches, to take the Gospel to tribal people. The missionaries then plant churches, disciple believers, translate the Scriptures, and train teachers and leaders, who in turn reach out to their own people and to neighboring tribes. So, how do we, Chris and Rachel, fit into the ministry?

Initially, we will move to Chihuahua, Mexico immediately after Christmas to begin language and culture study. We will begin the Spanish Language program on January 5, 2009. We will continue in this program until we have become advanced Spanish speakers.  During this time we will also be in prayer about building a team and discovering where God desires for us to move to begin our tribal work. 

After we graduate from the Spanish program we will move to a more remote location to begin work with an unreached people group. We will begin at ground level again learning the language and culture of the Indian group. Building a home, teaching literacy classes, translation work, teaching the chronological Bible lessons, and whatever community development work is needed would be some of the things that we will face at that time.  It is our desire to witness God planting a New Testament church in southern Mexico.

So, how do you, individual or Church, fit into this ministry? There are several options for you to be involved. God may lead you to one or more of the options before you. First, you can commit to praying for this ministry and for us as representatives of the Gospel. A second option would be to commit to supporting this ministry financially. One last option might be that God has laid it upon your heart to personally be involved in mission work. (you can find more information regarding this at www.ntm.org) We do pray that you will get involved in the work God is doing either locally or globally. Please let us know if you have any questions or need more information on how you can get involved.

With only months until the big move, our time management  and organizational skills are in great demand. We find ourselves making the most of every moment to spend time with loved ones and taking every opportunity to share our ministry in Mexico with those churches and individuals who have a heart for missions.

 Prayer is a vital part of our preparation to equip us spiritually, emotionally, and physically for the work God has in store for us and to be able to fully embrace the people and culture of Mexico.  If you wonder sometimes how to pray for us, we find it uplifting to pray Colossians 4:2-6 in regard to this mission work. (a portion of this says: "praying also for us, that God would open us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ…let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.")

We praise God for sending partners to join us in this missionary journey. We currently have around 40% of the recommended support for living in Mexico. We look forward with eager anticipation on how God will orchestrate His beautiful ballad of financial provision.

The near future holds lots of paperwork, presentations, and packing for us. Attention to detail is required as we continue to advance toward the goal of a late December departure date.

A verse that has encouraged our hearts greatly:

"Whom have I in heaven but thee and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth; but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever…It is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all they works." Psalm 73:25-28

After graduating from NTM training, we were asked to fill in as the youth ministers for our sending church. After several fundraisers, we were able to take about 15 youth to camp at Covenant College in Georgia. It was incredibly exciting to watch God work in the lives of many of the youth there. What a privilege it was to be a part of the process God uses to grow them spiritually. It was awesome.

As we have been seeking guidance from the Lord, we have been led to do mission work in Mexico.  At the present time we believe we will leave in January for Mexico. We are in the process of building relationships with people and churches for both prayer and financial support on the field.  This requires traveling through several southern states and spending lots of time on the phone and emailing.  Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we continue to make plans and getting ready to leave.

We are now in the stages of preparing for the field. Please pray for us as we share our story with family, friends, and the body of Christ. We need wisdom in these areas and well as traveling mercies.

As part of our practical skills class, we had the choice to travel to a nearby property to experience the great outdoors on an overnight trip. Carrying all our gear and needed supplies, we hiked in to our location and had to set up camp. Finding a good spot to set up the tent was a challenge because a main portion of the area was rock! The group spread out to set up their own shelters and tents, but worked as a group to gather wood for the fire and create a pipe to get water from the spring nearby.

We were able to participate in several different pratical skill activities. A favorite event of the afternoon included killing, skinning, and cooking a goat over the fire. It tasted great! As the sun dropped, the cold filtered in. The temperature dropped to the low 20’s that night. The team enjoyed a sweet time of fellowship while spending time around the bonfire.

One of the lessons that we learned from this trip was in regard to keeping the fire going through the night.  The fire helped to keep warm, but it seemed like we waited until the fire had died down a great deal before adding more fuel to it. So it would initially get really hot and after a time the cold would start creeping in again. It was not until the cold became unbearable that someone would add more wood to the fire. When we shared this story with our loved ones we made the analogy that sometimes Christians do the same thing in their relationship with God. They perhaps forget to consistently be adding fuel to their relationship with God. It is only when life becomes cold and unbearable without a strong fire-burning relationship with God that they realize the need for more fuel. It is our prayer that we all should be ever mindful to not allow the fire to die down in our lives!