Lance and Laura Ostman Ministering to the Higaunon People of North Central Mindanao
Muyiku sings from his heart how their ancestors did all in their power to keep foreign things from encroaching on their culture. He shares in his song that God was not prevented from getting His message of life to them, a message they now embrace with hearts overflowing with thanksgiving. All praise to God for He is worthy!
The “Precious Cargo” of Higaunon New Testaments arrived safely at our NTM Guest House on Tuesday this week. Later today the shipment will be put on a truck and dear friends of ours will bring the shipment TOMORROW. They plan to leave at 4 AM, (4 PM Thursday EST) and the Lord willing, they should arrive somewhere around noon.
We learned this week that our precious cargo of Higaunon New Testaments had arrived in Manila and had cleared customs. Today we heard that the shipment is already on a boat to Mindanao and should arrive in port on Monday. This is Great News as we did not expect their arrival until the first or second week of November.
Please pray with us: There is a truck available on Friday. We are praying that the shipment clears the port and is ready to load onto the truck on Thursday. If that happens, we’ll have the New Testaments here on Friday! Pray for safety for the trip over land. It will take about 6 hours to the end of the road. Then, pray for those who will be carrying the boxes from the end of the road into the village.
Thank you for praying for safety and a timely arrival.
Dag-ay said today, “I want to tell you what Grandfather told us.”Grandfather was a shaman and as he got older (but mind you, not so old that he was losing his mind, he didn’t want to wait that long! He couldn’t, for his message was vitally important!) he gathered his family around him to tell us what was on his mind before he died.
Now, you need to understand that we had been searching for the path of eternal life. We were sure we’d find it through the spirits who lived in Grandfather!
His words to us that day were both disturbing and prophetic.
A story of a Moi man’s journey from fear to faith!
An apple a day!We are packed and ready to return to the village! In our boxes of supplies are enough apples for us to have one a day until we get our next supply shipment. That’s what the diet list said! We’re allowed one apple a day! Praise the Lord, Laura is feeling MUCH better!
We remember the days when an apple cost a dollar and it was a luxury. We would carefully cut it in fourths, a piece for each of us. These days, however, apples are no longer that expensive here so we’ll enjoy them.
We have to wonder though, how many people around the world don’t know what an apple is and if they did, could they afford one! Much more than that, there are many in this world who have never heard the name of Christ! The gift He brings was costly to HIM but is FREE to ALL mankind! Scripture says, “Whosoever believes in Him…” What awesome truth!
Thank you for praying for us as we get back into our routine. Please be praying for the following:
Thank you to those who pray, thank you to those who give, thanks to each of you for your part in this ministry.
Lance & Laura - September 2009
We know everyone who has those extra few pounds they’ve been carrying around, especially at our age, likes to lose weight! Right?! Well, when you have rapid weight loss and your clothes start to hang off your frame without dieting, then it’s time to find out what’s going on!
We spent a number of hours in the doctor’s office the other day and again today, getting Laura checked to find out why this has happened to her. So far, we know that there’s a rather nasty yeast infection and that could be what is causing the weight loss. No, we don’t recommend that for those of you who want to lose weight! There’s quite a bit of pain that goes with it!
The first doctor felt something hard when palpitating her abdomen. She said, “I want you to return on Thursday and see “Doc Alan.” So, we did that and he said, “You’re so thin, what I’m feeling is bone!” He has written a prescription for the yeast and he wants her to have a colonoscopy next Tuesday just in case!
Thank you all for praying for us, we really appreciate it.
Secure in Christ’s love,
Lance & Laura
How are you doing in the Lord? How is your faith in Christ? If you are wondering how we are doing here in our village, we are doing well thanks to the Lord’s love and watch care over us. He shows that same love to each one of you as well.
Now then, even though we have not met and we speak different languages, I really wanted to write to you because I know that you are the Lord’s children just like us. We are all one in Christ since we all have put our faith in his perfect blood.
Now then, the purpose of my letter is so that you know that we are really happy and thankful for your help with our Bibles. We praise the Lord for you giving of yourselves and finances to be used for God’s purpose. We are the recipients of that blessing as well as others who have yet to accept God’s Word. This is why we are so happy, especially me. I cannot thank you enough for allowing the Lord to use you in regards to our Bibles.
My siblings, we do not have anything to pay you for what you have done in the way of worldly things but there is a God who will reward you and repay you for the money you spent for God’s purpose. He will exchange that with heavenly wealth which is stored in heaven.
God is trustworthy to fulfill his promise that he gave to his children. However we can help you by praying for you. We pray that God will continue to watch over you and that He will bless you with the things you need.
Now then, siblings in the Lord, we also ask you to help us by praying for us. Please pray for us that God’s purpose will continue to be fulfilled that we will continue to minister his word to others.
As for us, we will persevere in our praying for you all.
That is all I have to say,
My name is Sonà and I’m one of the church leaders here amongst the Higaunon. My wife is Yanit and we have 5 children.
