Posts Tagged ‘tribal’

Counting it ALL joy!

Friday, October 9th, 2009
Anelio and family019

Anelio, Silverixia & family

About two years ago a young Kuna couple were sent out by their church to work as missionaries in an unreached village upriver. This was a complete miracle as God opened doors that were previously completely closed to the Gospel.

In these first years of ministry in the village, Anelio & Silverixia have faced opposition and hardship. At first people didn’t want to hear God’s Book. They ridiculed, humiliated, and opposed Anelio & Silverixia in every way. But eventually the children of the village began showing interest in hearing God’s Book and began listening to the chronological Bible lessons. Little by little adults asked for Bible teaching until there were about 80 adults hearing God’s Word and over a hundred children.

Now there is a small group of new believers in the village who are taking stands in obedience to Christ, refusing to participate in the village drinking ceremonies. This puts them under intense pressure from the village and their families. They have to pay monetary fines. They are accused, questioned and threatened. Most of us cannot even imagine the pressure they live with each day. And yet this little group of believers stands tall for Christ, “counting it ALL joy!”

Would you pray for Anelio and Silverixia as they lead this little, hurting flock? Pray that they will have God’s wisdom, peace and strength. We will be meeting together in November for the annual Kuna leadership conference. Pray that they and other Kunas ministering in difficult locations will be encouraged and prepared for their ministries. 

Iglesia Iglesia 02Iglesia 03

Awayo: Fear to Faith

Monday, October 5th, 2009

A new, short film portraying the journey that brings a Moi man of Papua New Guinea from a life dictated by fear of the spirits to faith in his Creator. This is what we are about!

8 reasons we are crazy about literacy

Friday, September 4th, 2009

png_simbari__1431When people think of key activities involved in tribal church planting the list often covers things like Bible translation, evangelism, Bible curriculum, discipleship, and leadership development. We would like literacy to be added to the list because…

1.     Of all the possible methods to record the most life-changing Message of all time, God chose the written form to preserve His Word. We believe everyone should have access to His Written Word in their language!

2.     When people can read God’s Word for themselves, they are not dependant on others to hear it. Just think of how many times God has reached down and encouraged you by the exact verse you needed while reading the Word!

3.     The truth of the Word is protected. No matter what teaching comes into the area, people can go back to the Written Word and check it out.

4.     Important truths of the Bible are not forgotten or overlooked. People can remember a lot, but it’s unrealistic to expect that everything will be remembered and passed on to others.

5.     Personal spiritual growth is accelerated. People can study the Bible all through the week and don’t need to wait for the next scheduled public meeting.

6.     Literacy invests in the potential of the Church! Reading and writing skills equip everyone to serve in broader ways. They can work on the Bible translation team, develop Bible studies, share words to songs or prayer requests.

7.     In many locations where there has been little or no interest in Bible teaching, literacy teachers found open doors to provide classes. God has used the relationships built during this to open doors to the Gospel!

8.     Printed materials can go places and reach people in ways that individuals may never be able to. Books have been called the “tireless teachers” and are an amazing tool God has given for the growth and expansion of His Church!

So why are Joyce & I so excited about literacy? Because we believe in the power of God’s written Word to change lives! We are thrilled to be serving in the area of literacy, that God’s Word might be opened to every tongue, tribe and nation!

Literacy Training in Mexico

Monday, March 9th, 2009

learning to read in Mexico

How does one put together a literacy program for a tribal group? What syllables should be taught first? What can be done for groups that are already somewhat literate in Spanish, but not their own language? These are some of the topics covered in an upcoming literacy course in Mexico!

There are technical parts like analyzing the grammar and choosing the best syllables to introduce first in the primers. But we also desire to share with the students our passion for how important literacy is to the spiritual growth of tribal churches! (more…)

I am coming to believe the Book!

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

Anelio and Silverixia

A small Kuna church in the jungle began praying for the villages upriver where the people had yet to hear the Gospel. They repeatedly sought permission from the village leaders to send missionaries to teach God\’s Book, but permission was refused. So the church kept praying. (more…)

Jumping through windows God opens

Monday, September 22nd, 2008

After canceling our trip to Bolivia last week, we have rescheduled once again!

Ongoing peace talks have calmed the situation somewhat and the field believes there is a window of opportunity for us to get down there and give this important training in literacy. So Lord willing we will fly down later this week. 

We appreciate your prayers:  

1. for peace in Bolivia, not only for our safety, but for those living and serving in the country. The great news is that God’s work has continued to move forward

2. that we would make our flight connections. We are flying a different route with less a chance of flights being canceled, but involves moving our own baggage between different airlines.

3. for God’s wisdom in teaching the literacy course to the missionary candidates, preparing them to work among tribal groups. Our hearts’ desire is not only to cover the technical details of literacy programs, but to leave a passion for the important part literacy plays in strong, mature tribal churches (and of course, it is all in Spanish!)

Thanks for your prayers as we jump through the windows God opens!

Literacy in tribal ministries

Sunday, September 7th, 2008

Jerry teaching a similar literacy course

Joyce and I are preparing to fly to Bolivia next week. We are so excited for the opportunity to teach a course on literacy to the missionary candidates, preparing them to work among tribal groups.

Our hearts’ desire is not only to cover the technical details of literacy programs, but to leave a passion for the important part literacy plays in strong, mature tribal churches. After the literacy course, we will have several days working with a missionary team in a tribal location on literacy and materials. (more…)

Meetings & Plans

Wednesday, August 6th, 2008

Joyce and I appreciate your prayers as we have lots and lots of meetings at our mission office this month. We are seeking the Lord’s wisdom with our other coworkers as we plan and coordinate tribal church planting ministries.

We also are preparing for a trip to Bolivia in September through October where we will be teaching literacy principles to our Bolivian missionary co-workers, preparing them to work among tribal groups.

Excitement!

Wednesday, March 12th, 2008

there`s plenty of room...jump on in!

Recently in Bolivia, I traveled to many locations, and was able to enjoy the varied landscape as well as many different methods of transportation! There were some harrowing taxi rides, interesting boat rides, and flights over incredible mountains. We even were able to tour a Brazil nut factory (be sure to look at the pictures on the photo page).

But the purpose of my time in Bolivia had nothing to do with the fascinating sights or “exciting” transportation. It had everything to do with seeing the tribal people of Bolivia have the opportunity to hear the Gospel message. (more…)

Bolivia ~ the Tibet of the Americas

Monday, February 4th, 2008

Bolivia is the home of 8 tribal groups which NTM is currently serving

February will find me in the country of Bolivia. Our team will be meeting with missionaries at several different locations. (more…)