NTM

Wow, it’s been a month since I posted an update–sorry about that. Lately, life feels like waves at the beach that keep coming at you!

Highlights: I’m flying to NH for Zach & Kayla’s wedding, thanks to a wonderful friend!!! Can’t wait to see everyone, even though it will only be a 4-day trip. My parents have graciously agreed to put up with me staying in my old room.

I played piano for a conference of translation consultants in April. One couple brought two tribal men with them. That was cool, to meet real live tribal people. I was able to greet them in Spanish– they barely spoke Spanish either, so we were good with that. The missionaries said the tribal guys really liked TV, but they were trying to discourage them from watching it because they were afraid of what they might see!!

I played piano for a wedding at church on April 26. The couple, Keith & Lindi, are "golden age" and they are so sweet.

Evan’s 7th birthday was May 2 and we had a sports-theme party for his first grade class on the back porch/back lawn/pool. We had a great time playing wiffleball and swimming. Praise the Lord for beautiful weather, as we didn’t have a backup plan.

Every other Wednesday at school is pizza day. Last week I got to be the lucky parent who goes to Domino’s and picks up about 12 pizzas, takes them back to school and portions them out on 40 plates according to what toppings each student ordered. It was quite a job! Several parents, including us, usually order a whole pizza so we can have some too. I like not having to pack lunches or worry about what to feed Jack for lunch that day.

AWANA has wrapped up for the year. We had our awards "banquet" (pizza) Friday night.

On May 10, Al & Leora Host, who are leaving Florida this week to head north, joined us for a boat ride with our friend Julian Johnson who has the pontoon boat. We went to Blue Spring State Park again, our favorite destination. We watched several swimmers get "busted" by the wardens for swimming with and touching manatees. They protested that the manatees came to them, not vice versa, and it did look that way to us. Nevertheless the law forbids touching them, because they don’t want the manatees to get accustomed to people.

Photo albums of our boat trip with the Hosts, Evan’s birthday party and AWANA awards banquet are at http://picasaweb.google.com/acorbett30

We continue to be exceedingly grateful for your prayers and support for our work here at New Tribes Mission! Here is a wonderful report from the Dinangat tribe in Papua New Guinea, who heard the Gospel on May 8, 2008: 

As we were teaching the truth of the gospel, there were big smiles all over the crowd and people nodding their heads. Here’s the kinds of things that we are hearing:

Peso: Before I was in Satan’s family, but now we know that Jesus died for our sins. I know I can’t do anything to be put in God’s family, only by belief in what Jesus did, only He can save us.
Maangit: Jesus took my place and died for my sin.
Mesari: What Jesus did is true, He died for my sin. He shed his blood for me.
Takido "Before you all came to us we were living in sin and were going to die and go to hell. But now we understand that God sent Jesus to die for our sin so that we can be saved. That’s what I think is true. God is true."
Kombu: "I believe in God and Jesus, but I didn’t understand how to wash my sin away, but now I see that Jesus washed it away by dying on the cross for my sin. I am not able to do it, but because of what He did I can go to God when I die. I’m just so happy about this."
Juretnuwo: Said over and over again that he knows that because of his sin he deserves death, but Jesus died for his sin so now he is in God’s family.
Itiringke: "I understand that I should go to hell because of my sin, but Jesus took my place so that I can go to God."
Raukepe: Jesus died for my sin, He saved me, later I will go to God.
Felix: Today I don’t worry anymore, I know that it’s because of what Jesus did for me that I’ll go to God.
Bau: My head is just breaking open as I think about what Jesus did for me. Thank you God!

And there are many more like this. God is being praised and glorified here as He creates something new. He is adding to the universal church and being faithful to the promise He made so many years ago when Jesus said, “I will build my church.”

Thank you so very much for fighting this battle with us on your knees, and rejoice with us (and the angels!) that God is winning the victory

–Gary & Esther Smith