NTM

Indonesia. More than 12,000 islands splatter out from the Asian mainland to form an archipelago as long as the United States–coast to coast. These islands are home to a brilliant diversity in landscape, topography, flora and fauna. 

More importantly, Indonesia is home to a kaleidascope of cultures. More than 600 fascinating and unique people groups are found on these islands. Despite their differences many are united in one way: they are trapped in spiritual darkness.

Without the Word of God in their heart languages, they have no access to God’s light of life: Jesus Christ! As we venture into this world of diversity and darkness, we hope to partner with God’s church in Indonesia and help them to expand the reach of the gospel across the width and depth of their nation.

[ MICHAEL ] was born in Pennslyvania. At age five he and his family moved to Papua New Guinea as missionaries. At an early age, as a result of the desperation he saw around him, he decided that he wanted to be a missionary like his parents.

[ AMY ] was born in Idaho. In seventh grade she flew, with her family, for eighteen hours and arrived in Papua New Guinea as missionaries. After graduation she worked at a Rescue Mission and realized that her dream of helping inner city children was not what God was leading her too. They were desperate, but they had access to the gospel. There were people in New Guinea who had no access to the gospel.

[ the HUTTEMANS ] Throughout highschool they were too shy to date. But at Bible School they realized that their paths were converging. They both desired to be tribal church planters among people from “every tribe, tongue, and nation.” After marrying they began the New Tribes training with the desire of being full time missionaries. 

TIMELINE

1. We will be leaving for Indonesia in approximately 5 days
2. When we will arrive we will begin learning the Indonesian language in a large city on Java. This will take about 1 1/2 years.  OR MOSTLY DONE!
3. NEW PLANS: we are planning on moving to another island and possibly helping teach at a missionary school while getting to know our future coworkers. This should take from 1-2 years.
4. Once we become very fluent (I guess it is more like MODERATELY FLUENT), we (along with about 2 other couples) will move into a remote tribal location and begin learning that language.
5. At the same time we will develop an alphabet and translate the Bible into that language. This could take about 2 years.
6. Once we are fluent in the tribal language, and have enough portions translated, we will begin teaching the Bible beginning in Genesis. It will take about 6 months to properly lay the foundation of teaching.
7. After presenting the gospel, we will begin discipling the new believers, and establishing a church that will be able to govern itself, support itself, and propogate itself. This can take many years (as many of you pastors probably know). But our goal is to leave, and let the church function on it’s own, not staying until we die.

Along the way we will continue translating, with the goal of leaving a New Testament  and good chunks of the Old Testament. We also desire to establish a basic medical program that can be continued on by the people after we leave.

I know I have probably left things out, and our timeline may look very different as God leads and guides into new areas. But, I hope it gives you an overall view of the road ahead of us.