NTM

• A missionary friend has given me a very nice monitor. It’s size and high resolution are a real blessing as I spend hours working on the S. Isnag translation.
• Regarding those hours, for the past few years I have been having trouble with nerve pain in my arms due to the position required to type on a laptop. Two weeks ago someone brought me a external keyboard from the USA which is designed to alleviate arm pain. It is working. 
• James has had a few episodes of feeling light headed. This past week he had some medical tests: EEG and Tilt Table test. We will be discussing the results of the tests this Friday with his doctor. Please pray that we will be able to come up with an accurate diagnosis and remedy for James.
• Charles is doing well in Oregon. Keep praying for a job and for his future plans. He has decided to go to a college in Oregon this coming year.
• We are pleased with the progress on the exegesis stage of translation which has moved into the book of Mark. Pray that a good opportunity to meet with my Isnag language helper will present itself.
• Carrie will be going on a ministry trip to a local women’s prison this week. Pray that her team will be a blessing and for their safety.
• Heidi and I are preparing to run a 3 day children’s program for the children of NTM missionaries working in Palawan next month. Pray that we will be able to encourage children and adults.

For unity and spiritual growth for the Isnag believers
For the men who are teaching to continue to live godly lives, above reproach.
For the people downstream to have a clear understanding of the wonderful grace of God.
For Jonathan to have wisdom as he continues the translation.
For Charles in his challenging classes at LeTourneau University
Thank the Lord that it seems the permits will go through for Jonathan’s father to put a house on his property. He and his wife have invited Charles to spend the summer with them.

If looks could kill, you might have a reason to worry. But, looks don’t kill and my friend Gabino is actually beside himself with happiness.  I admit it is hard to see his exceeding joy in the photo, but that is just the point, it is a photo.  Most of the older generation here will put on this face whenever they have their picture taken.  They are trying to be still for the photo. 

The reason Gabino is so happy is that he is the recipient of a Bible MP3 player purchased by Felida  Baptist Church.  Gabino lives in a community about an hour from the main village and he loves to share God’s word with his neighbors.  His reading isn’t always the most fluent and the light from a homemade kerosene lamp isn’t the best to read by either. This player has the entire New Testament in Ilokano, the trade language in these parts.  Thank you Friends at Felida!

One of the things I enjoy about hiking is being amazed again and again at the things God has done.  Returning to our home village after furlough brought a few surprises.  They had moved the trails.  I had gotten so used to the old trails that I could  hike along without paying close attention to where I was going and just enjoy the view.  The new trails forced me to take my eyes off the view and keep them on the trail.  Especially the parts that were along a cliff face.  On one of these new trails, I was walking along keeping my eyes to the trail when I came across these colorful blossoms which had fallen across the path.  They were so beautiful that I had to stop, thank the Lord for creating such a thing for me to enjoy, and take a picture to share with you. 

Although we plan to live in Manila for the next few years, we still have a lot of business in Northern Luzon. Besides translation checking, we have a new team of missionaries ready to reach a new area with the Gospel. Moving into a remote area requires a lot of ground work. In February, Jonathan went with Erik Peterson to help him see if a supply route into his planned ministry location could be established from the north. If you are interested in seeing a few pictures about our trip, you can see them on my blog at www.jonathanheidibamford.blogspot.com

Now that we have our house set up, be are able to have visitors again. Pictured with Carrie and Thomas are Emma and Levi, two of our friends from Northern Luzon. Their parents came to town to buy supplies so we had a chance to take the kids to the pool up at the school.

As many of you know, we have transferred to Manila so that Jonathan can concentrate on Bible translation and so that the children can attend a school for children of missionaries. We have been blessed to find a house near the school. Jonathan will be making trips into the village to check his translation work.

Bamford Prayer Requests
September 17th 2008

 Suzanne, Daniel, and family are in the process of flying home. Should arrive tomorrow morning in Portland. The funeral for their son, Andrew, is planned for next Tuesday. We plan to attend.
 Last week there were rumors flying in the village against one of the Bible teachers. We are unsure of how much truth was in these rumors, and will probably never know. But, we do know that Satan uses lies to control people. We pray that if there is sin in the life of one of the teachers, it will be confessed. If ungodly people are trying to destroy the believer’s meeting, we pray that they would be silenced. The good news is that the situation seems to have cooled down and the Bible teaching is going ahead.
 Please pray for Robbie and Vicky as it seems that some of these rumors have been tailored to distress and discourage them personally even though not directly aimed at them.
 Pray that Charles and James will find employment that meets their needs.
 Pray that Charles will have direction as to what he should do between January 09 and the start of the next school year in Sept. 09.
 Pray for safety for our family as we travel to meetings and train our oldest sons to drive.
 Praise God for meeting our financial needs. This week a funds were given for computer and projector.
 Praise the Lord for the many people who prayed for Andrew. We feel blessed to have so many caring friends.
 Charles, Jonathan, and Heidi are taking college classes this fall.