Jack and Alice Corbett

October 2009 – Praise and Prayer Update

Posted in Family, Ministry, News Article, Prayer Request on Oct 22nd, 2009 | Discuss This Post

This is a long post–it is the quarterly prayer letter we are printing and snail-mailing.

October 2009

Thank you for praying for us and partnering with us financially as we help to plant churches among tribal groups around the world. Click here to view an 8-minute video about God’s working in the Moi tribe of Indonesia!

Ministry News

The chairman of the NTM-US Information Technology committee, Tom Young, recently moved here to Sanford. He is a proactive guy who is suggesting some reorganization and other positive steps to move things forward. Jack likes his ideas and we are glad to have him in the Computer Services dept. here.

Gravity, the new personnel system Jack and his partner Rodd have been working to develop, is nearly ready for release. Also, NTM Computer Services has a new partnership with the computer department at Taylor University to jointly develop a student tracking program. The goal is that this software will be compatible with Gravity.

Jack was asked to teach Phys. Ed. for Grades K-4 at Lake Monroe Christian Academy, NTM’s Christian school where our children attend. Having a degree in Phys. Ed., he didn’t feel he could say no. So he has brushed up his old skills and teaches two classes a week.

While our children are in school, Alice is serving two mornings a week at the reception desk in our main building, answering the phone and assisting staff and visitors. NTM had a need in this area, and it is a good fit for Alice’s personality and skills.

Family News

Jack’s parents, Art and June Corbett, have arrived to spend the winter near us! They purchased a mobile home less than three miles away. It is GREAT to have them close by–makes Florida feel more like home. Spending the holidays here, which we plan to do this year, will be much nicer now.

Alice’s parents, John and Mary Jane Ames, are doing fairly well! Although health concerns are ever-present, we are grateful for Mom’s recovery from her aneurysm and that much of her speech has been regained. God has provided family members who are such a help with errands and laundry . . . things Alice would like to do but can’t. We do ask for prayer that their house in NH would sell in God’s timing.

In August, we enjoyed a week with Alice’s sister Lois Tignor, her husband Chris, and their four children, who came to Florida for a visit. They have since returned to Ecuador for their third term as missionaries with Baptist Bible Fellowship.

Jack’s involvement with the Orlando Professional Association of SQL Server (OPASS) continues to provide great professional development and networking for him. In our last update, we asked you to pray about the possibility of Jack’s attending the national PASS summit in Seattle in November. God has answered! Jack received a complimentary conference registration ($1,500 value) due to his volunteer work with the local OPASS group. NTM is covering the airfare, so Jack’s only cost is lodging, which he will share with another attendee.

Our children are doing well. Danielle (10) is in Grade 5. She is getting quite good at playing the electric guitar she was given, and has also written a few songs! Her inquiring mind is curious about so many things–history, science, politics. Evan (8) still enjoys sports and reading, and is our “dependable” child. Regan (6) is in first grade, easily distracted, but very expressive and highly entertaining. We are so grateful for the good health that we all have.

We are planning our trip North next summer to visit you, our prayer and financial partners who make our work possible! Approximate tentative dates are July 1 – August 8, 2010. Please contact us as soon as possible as to when we might include you in our itinerary.

Praises:

God’s working to open tribal people’s hearts to Him
New partnership between NTM Computer Services and Taylor University’s computer department
God’s provision for Jack to attend the national PASS summit
Stable health for Alice’s parents currently
Jack’s parents joining us in Florida for the winter
Good health for our family

Prayer Requests:

For the salvation and spiritual growth of tribal people around the world
For Christians to be willing to give sacrificially, even in tough times, to enable the Gospel to go forth
God’s wisdom for Jack, Rodd and others working to complete and release the new NTM Gravity personnel system.
Safety as Jack travels to Seattle the first week of November, and that he would be a good witness for the Lord
Wisdom in teaching our children, and that we would model Christ
That Alice’s parents’ house in NH would sell
Several boxes that Alice’s sister Lois and her family shipped to Ecuador are caught in government red tape. Please pray for a quick resolution, and peace in their hearts about the situation.

For more frequent updates, you can also find us on Facebook. Thanks!

Thought we’d share the kids’ recent school pictures:

Did Someone Pray for Patience?

Posted in Family, News Article on Sep 29th, 2009 | Discuss This Post

James 1:2-5 (NKJV)

² My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Since we arrived in Florida in July 2007 we have been able to take advantage of the Florida Healthy Kids and Medicaid programs for our children’s health insurance. Having these programs available has saved us hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars even though our children have been healthy. But, each year when it is time to re-apply for the program we question if the benefits are worth the hassle. You would think that the process would get easier each year, as it should be simple process of re-submitting income information. Well, it never is. First you fill out the original application and return everything that it asks for, then you receive a letter stating that you did not submit enough information (even though you included everything asked for). Normally Alice handles all of this, for the following reasons:

She worked with HICEAS in New Hampshire so she has experience dealing with Medicare, health insurance, and government agencies.
She is home and “has more time” to fill out the forms and compile the information.
She has more patience dealing with the process and people than Jack does.

So this year as usual in late July/early August Alice began the process, again assuming that it would be easier this time since it is our third year in the program and our income has not gone up. Little did we know that it would take until almost October to get through process. Combined we have spent at least 40 hours filling out forms, waiting on hold, and being passed from person to person and, sometimes, agency to agency trying to make sure our children have some form of health insurance. To be honest, we really thought it was never going to happen. Finally, we were told today that our children are covered, of course, we will really believe it when we actually have insurance cards and paperwork in hand since this is the second time we were told we were covered and the first time the person was wrong.

We can relate to Solomon when he says many times in Ecclesiastes that is all “vexation and grasping for wind”. Thus the title of the post.

Seriously, thanks for praying. And yes, there should be a prayer letter upcoming in October.

Tags: Family, News

Missionaries’ electronic dilemma

Posted in Ministry on Aug 22nd, 2009 | 1 Comment »

We were working this week on one of the most important aspects of missionary life . . . updating our e-mail address book. You, our friends and family who care about our work and pray, are a valuable and precious part of our lives.

Each time we send a group e-mail update, an average of 10-12 messages are returned as undeliverable. These were folks who at one time requested our updates. We don’t want to lose them, so we do our best to make the needed corrections to our address book. But at the same time, we can’t help but wonder: Do these folks REALLY want to stay in touch? If they did, wouldn’t they have given us their new e-mail address?

Every missionary is grateful for technology that allows our partners to have up-to-the-minute information without the time and expense of photocopying, folding, stuffing, sealing, and putting postage on letters. But many electronic options are available, and we wonder which option is best.

So we ask ourselves questions like the following: If we regularly update our blog, should we still send e-mails? If so, how often? If we e-mail our prayer letter as an attachment, can you open it? WILL you take time to open it? What if we ask you to subscribe online in order to get our letters?

Some missionaries believe that those who have Internet and truly care and pray will make the effort to subscribe. Other missionaries feel that because your lives are as busy as ours, we should make it as easy as possible for you to read our letters, even if that means a little more work for us . . . and a few more e-mails in your Inbox.

What do you think?

Tags: "prayer letters", attachments, spam

Am I “investing” properly?

Posted in Ministry on Jul 27th, 2009 | Discuss This Post

The other night I woke up at about 3 am and had trouble falling back to sleep, unfortunately this has been a fairly regular occurrence the last few weeks. The difference this time was that for some reason, my mind was fixed on the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). Here’s quick synopsis of the story:

A man has to go away and entrusts his stuff to 3 servants. To one he gives 5 talents (a sum of money in Bible times), another he gives 2, and he gives the third 1 talent. Each servant is given an amount that the master believes they can handle. The first two servants go out, invest the money that has been entrusted to them and double it. The third servant buries what he has been given because he knows the master is tough and is afraid to invest the money for fear of losing it. The master returns and calls the servants in to account for what they have done. He praises the first two who have wisely invested the talents and then disciplines the third servant, even taking the 1 talent he was given and giving it to the servant who had 5 talents and turned them into 10. The point of the story is summed up in verse 29:

"For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away" (ESV).

Here’s what I was thinking that night/morning. Am I properly "investing" what God has given me?

I think this was on my mind because we are halfway through our 4 year commitment with NTM, and as we shared when we did Partnership Development, our goal is to transition to Career membership with NTM as long as we are financially able. We knew when we made the move to Florida that our current support and savings would allow us to fulfill the 4 years, but to continue beyond that we believed that we would need some more support. As I have contemplated that, I have had to consider my financial and time management habits, especially since I have procrastinated on continued Partnership Development efforts. I can certainly make a case that there isn’t much wasted in our regular spending and that time-wise our priorities are good. The problem lies in that I make that case in comparison to other people, not God’s standard, and His standard is much higher than mine or any other person’s.

So how does God think I’m doing? Are there areas I can do better? What am I going to do about those areas?

What about you?

More to come on this later.

Tags: Bible Study, Devotional

Back in Florida!

Posted in Family, Prayer Request on Jul 15th, 2009 | Discuss This Post

Thank you for praying for our family during the last few months of traveling, separation, and preparing my parents’ house in Gorham for sale! It has been challenging, and we couldn’t have done it without your prayers and help. God gave wisdom and strength when needed. The house is 99% cleaned out, and family and friends have graciously agreed to finish the rest.

The children and I spent our last night in New England in Maine. We stayed with Aunt Jane on the farm, but also spent time with Mom & Dad. We talked about the important things–realtor info, and how Heaven is our real home.

We flew home to Florida on Wednesday evening, July 8. Evan & Regan sat in the last row of the plane, and Danielle and I sat in front of them. My seatmate, Bill, was a terminally ill alcoholic, thirsty to hear about God. Danielle and I read Scripture aloud to him for at least a half-hour, so the people in front of us heard it too!! When we stopped he asked for more. He drank continuously throughout the flight, and by the end was quite fuzzy–he was sure that I was an angel. But he asked me to contact him with info on a good church in Daytona, where he would be visiting his daughter. Please pray for Bill.

My dad is battling cellulitis in his leg, requiring daily trips to the hospital for IV antibiotics. Mom feels she has to go with him, so she has missed many of her own appointments this week. It also means someone has to drive them. Dad is irritable about the whole thing, which is hard for Mom to deal with. So they need prayer too.

We are so grateful for the Lord’s constant love and care, and His promise of provision for all our needs! He is worthy of all our praise.

Tags: Family, Prayer Request, Travel

June 2009 – Praise & Prayer Update

Posted in 3239, Ministry on Jun 3rd, 2009 | Discuss This Post

Dear Praying Partners,

Mom and Dad Ames

In April, Alice’s parents, John and Mary Jane Ames moved into an assisted living apartment at Ledgeview Living Center in West Paris, Maine. It has been difficult, as they had to leave their home of almost 40 years. The blessings are that they are close to Mary Jane’s family, they have a safer living environment, and they can attend the church where they were married and still have many friends.

On May 14th, Alice left Florida for Gorham, NH to work on cleaning out her parents’ house and preparing it for sale. On May 13th, Jack’s parents arrived in Florida to help Jack with the children, so he can continue to serve in his ministry with NTM.

Alice has been sorting through "stuff" that accumulated over the years trying to determine what has enough sentimental value to keep, what has yard sale value, and what may have value to collectors or antique dealers. We are thankful for help from friends and family!!

Jack and the children will also be heading up to Gorham, on June 9th. We are hoping the house will be cleaned out by June 23. Jack would like to return to our ministry in Florida then, and hopes to have the whole family with him when he returns.

Several people have expressed interest in buying the house, which is a blessing as we hope that it sells before winter.

Ministry News

Back in Florida, Jack and his partner Rodd are still developing Gravity, the new NTM personnel system. We plan to release an early beta version of the main part of the system to the U.S. Personnel department here in Sanford on June 12th! Summer is a slower time here in Florida, as our Northerners visit supporters, but some testing will still get done. You never can tell if your software will meet the needs of the business until people start using it! We are asking the Personnel department to provide us with one person to do dual entry, to let us know what works and what doesn’t. This will be an exciting time.

When school starts in the fall, Jack will be taking on a new ministry as the Physical Education teacher for grades K-4 at Lake Monroe Christian Academy. Jack is not exactly excited, but is willing to do this as his degree is in Physical Education and God has provided him with the ability, so he will be filling the need. Pray that he will be able to come up with a curriculum that will educate and entertain children from 5-10 years old.

Alice will continue as one of the Art teachers at LMCA next year as well.

Family Life

Danielle (10) graduated from YM Junior Leadership School with a promotion to Lance Corporal. She gave a speech on "endurance" and was then asked to give her speech again for a veteran’s organization’s Memorial Day ceremony. She did an excellent job! She looked like she spoke in front of crowds on a regular basis.

Evan and Regan played six weeks of Upward Basketball and had a great time, even with Dad as their coach. Now all the children are enjoying summer vacation and looking forward to seeing their friends in New England in June.

In late April one of the brake lines let go in our 1999 Chevy Venture, so we took that as a sign that it was time to buy a new van. We had asked for wisdom in doing this in our last prayer letter, but anytime Jack has to spend a lot of money he procrastinates. We were able to find a 2006 Toyota Sienna CE with about 65,000 miles for $2000 under book value, so we bought it after having the mission mechanic look at it. It is a nice van and is getting about 30-40% better gas mileage than our Venture, so eventually (about 343,000 miles at $2.40/gallon) it will pay for itself. You can do the math to figure out how much we paid for it ; ). We were able to pay for it from the money we have left from the sale of home, but that, of course, reduces our emergency/buffer fund.

Ministry at PABC

We have continued to be involved in ministry at Palmetto Avenue Baptist church. Alice and Jack are on the worship team, Alice as Sparks leader in Awana, Jack as a trustee, Bible study leader, and Upward basketball coach and referee. At the Upward Awards ceremony several children accepted the Lord, which is the reason we do the program. We saw at least one family begin attending church because of the Upward outreach.

Prayer Requests

Opportunities to continue to minster to others
For God to minister to Alice’s parents physically and emotionally.
For strength and wisdom as we clean out Mom and Dad Ames’ house, and that it would sell before winter.
Wisdom in rearing our children.
Wisdom in recommending areas where process changes could help the mission and ministry.
Finances. Buying the van took a big bite, as has the poor economy, with some supporters having to reduce their support.
Jack would like to go to the PASS Summit (a professional conference) but it will cost close to $3000. Pray that if God wants him to go the funds will be available or he will be selected to speak or volunteer at the event and have the conference fee waived.

Praises

For God’ working in John and Mary Jane’s lives where they saw the need to move.
For God providing is with a new to us van (2006 Toyota Sienna) at $2000 below book value.
For God’s continued provision physically, spiritually, and financially.
For opportunities to be a blessing to others.

Your support and prayers are such an encouragement to us! We thank God for you, and pray for Him to bless you, and fill you all with His power to live out His love every day.

Tags: Ministry, Prayer Letter, Prayer Request

Where are the Corbetts?

Posted in Family on May 15th, 2009 | Discuss This Post

Where Is Alice?

Who knows for sure? As of about 8:15 this morning Alice was in Derry, NH getting ready to head to West Paris, Maine, a 2-3 hour drive. She will be visiting with her parents in their new home (assisted living apartment) and then will be continuing on to Gorham, NH (another hour) later today where she will be staying in her parents former home. While there Alice will be cleaning out and cleaning up the house to prepare it for sale. Pray that she will energy, enthusiasm, and wisdom as she determines the value of items. She will be trying to determine what is worth having an antique dealer evaluate, what is yard sale worthy, and what should be discarded. Alice will be there until at least late June and pray that she will be done by that time.

So Where are Jack and the Children?

Jack and children are still in Sanford, FL, as the Jack continues to work and the children finish up the last week and a half of school. Jack’s parents (Art and June Corbett) came down on Wednesday night to help Jack with the children so that he can continue to work. They all will be heading up to NH on June 9th with Mom and Dad Corbett remaining in Derry and Jack and children heading north to Gorham. Jack will definitely be returning to Florida around June 23rd and, Lord willing, Alice and the children will be going with him. It really depends on the status of the house at that time. Of course we will have to make that decision a few weeks in advance so we can buy plane tickets for everyone. We want to make sure we are traveling together.

Prayer Requests

-> Safe travel for Alice as motors around New England this week. She wouldn’t mind seeing a few moose as long as they aren’t in the road and she doesn’t see them too close.

-> That Alice would be able to get much accomplished in the 3 weeks that she is alone in NH.

-> That Jack, children, and grandparents will survive until we get to be with Alice in NH.

-> For Jack’s Dad as he still needs to have surgery to remove a mass in/on his colon. This surgery will be taking place shortly after they return to NH.

Praises

-> Safe travel for Jack’s parents to Florida.

-> A safe flight for Alice to NH.

-> That Jack’s parents were able to come down to help out and postpone his dad’s surgery until after the trip.

-> For those who have helped out to make the travels easier.

Tags: Family, Travel

Jack’s Dad Does NOT Have Cancer! Alice’s Parents Have Moved.

Posted in Uncategorized on Apr 14th, 2009 | Discuss This Post

Praise the Lord, the mass in (on?) Jack’s Dad’s colon was NOT cancerous. The mass still needs to be removed, but the surgery is supposed to be less intense because the amount of colon to be removed is less. He is meeting with the surgeon on Tuesday April 14th to determine when to have the surgery. He is going to ask to delay the surgery until later this summer so that he and Grandma can come to Florida as originally planned.

Pray for wisdom to make the right decision and that the mass would not cause further problems.

Alice’s Parents have moved

Alice’s parents successfully moved to an assisted living facility in West Paris, Maine, last Saturday (April 11th). Please pray that they would get settled in quickly and, especially that her Dad, John, would adjust to the new environment.

Our Parents

Posted in Uncategorized on Apr 7th, 2009 | Discuss This Post

Well, Alice’s folks are moving into an assisted living apartment this weekend with help from Alice’s aunts and uncles and some people some our sending church. We wish we could be there to help, but it happened too fast for us to arrange it. Please pray that the move will go smoothly and that they will get settled in quickly.

Alice is planning to go up in mid-May to start cleaning out her parent’s house and get it ready for sale. The children and Jack are planning on going up on vacation around June 10th for 2 weeks and, Lord willing, Alice will be coming home to Florida at the end of the vacation as well.

We had been planning on Jack’s parents coming to Florida when Alice leaves to help Jack with the kids, but that may be changing as Jack’s dad found out he has a tumor in his colon. The doctor thinks it is probably cancerous so he needs to have surgery to remove that section of his colon. So Jack’s parents may not be able to come down. This is disappointing because they had purchased their tickets last week. Please pray that the tumor would be benign, the surgery will be scheduled quickly and go smoothly. Also pray that we would be able to determine how to get Alice home and allow Jack to continue to work while she is gone.

Thanks for praying.

On our way

Posted in Uncategorized on Jan 26th, 2009 | Discuss This Post

Well, it is January 27th, just barely, and we are basically packed for the return to Sanford. We just have to load up the van, wash some floors, eat breakfast, and hit the road. We are hoping to be on the road by 9 am and planning to be somewhere in Pennsylvania by supper time (6pm).

Unfortunately our arrival in Pennsylvania is going to coincide with the arrival of an apparently nasty winter storm with 6-9 inches of snow predicted for Wednesday, January 28th, in the area we are likely to be in. This may mean that we will stay an extra night in Pennsylvania and delay our return to Sanford until Friday. Please pray that we will make wise decisions as we travel. We are ready to be home, but we want to make sure we make it.

NTM