Full Parking Lot

The new semester has begun here at NTBI.  A whole new class of freshmen has come and today was their first day of classes.  It has been exciting to see all the new freshmen get acquainted with their surroundings and their peers.  Adjusting to these new surroundings, people, and even cultures can be difficult at first but eventually it all becomes routine.

As you may have noticed, we have a brand new ministry site designed for ease of use and more common blog functionality.  Many of our co-workers have been working diligently to roll out this new site.  There are still a few bugs being worked out like some of our photos are not yet restored. Take a look around and see how you like it.  Sign up on the new subscription page to get our periodic updates and to be notified of new blog posts.  We would love your feedback as we get “moved in” to this new site!

The Village

Wayumi = To go to a specific place, for a specific time, for a specific purpose.  We had the opportunity to lead a group of 17 people to one of the first weeks of Teen Camp at Wayumi in Jersey Shore.

People Group Study

Throughout the week in the mornings we had time for personal study in the Word and individual study of different people groups or religions. We then spent a couple of hours learning about missions. Each day covered a different topic including Culture, Language, Translation, Teaching and Support. The first night, one of the teens said, “I could never do that” referring to learning the culture of different people. Another teen said, “this isn’t like camps I’ve been to before — this is about other people, not just me”

We had an activity each afternoon that included a scavenger hunt, 3 mile hike, tribal hut building, and then a “water day.” Except for water day, the activities centered around missions. The teens loved the amount of activity and were learning all along about the “do-ability” of missions and the importance of teamwork and attitude needed to complete the task.

Fireside

The highlight of the week was the evening fireside meetings with Dave Percy. He spoke about topics such as the Culture of our World, the Work of the Cross, the Impact of the Cross, and Sins Power has been Broken. We were amazed at Dave’s ability to communicate positional truth to teens. You could see the realization taking place in one teen when in his testimony later included the comment — “God sees me as perfect, regardless of what I do.”

Another teen said that she had never heard this stuff before and that it’s amazing, the same teen who had said earlier that she could never do mission work.  On the way home I asked her what she wanted to do with her life and out of her came the predetermined answer, go to Western Michigan and learn graphic arts and design.  I asked her why.  After she reflected, she said she didn’t know why. I encouraged her to consider NTBI. She went home and told her mom that she wants to go to NTBI and her mom responded negatively.  So pray for her and the other teens that they will continually be impacted by the truth they were taught and the challenge they were given to consider – giving their life to reaching a tribal group with the gospel.

3 hour hike

We praise God for an awesome time at Wayumi. Our encouragement to you is that once you hear that Wayumi is ready to book weeks of camp for teens, book it early.

When asked to give one word to describe our time at Enrichment 09 it was clearly “Connections.”  Connecting to NTM International, coworkers, and innovative ideas for partnership development.

This was our first year to attend an event at the Missionary Training Center (MTC) in Missouri.  We learned many things.

First of all we learned how dirty everything gets in the hot and dusty Missouri air including the inside of your vehicle and children. Also walking all over the campus (up and down hills) the hot muggy air made all your clothes stick to you.  We were so thankful that the apartment we stayed in had a bathtub and air conditioning.  Both were used numerous times a day.

Dave & Darlene Hall

We also learned the value of living with margin.  There were some great sessions offered in the afternoon, but we found them leaving us exhausted.  Having our good friends the Halls there to help with childcare made all the difference.  We REALLY appreciate their servant’s heart.  Next time we will glean all we can from the morning sessions and then use the afternoons to enjoy the campus and our kids instead of running ourselves into the ground.

Darren & Cindy Spence

The best part of the week was reconnecting with a family that was in Missions Institute when we were on staff at Jersey Shore, Darren and Cindy Spence.  We were able to spend an evening with them hearing what God is doing in their lives and encouraging them to keep pressing on.  Praise God for the part you have played in equipping this family through our ministry.

Youth Day is a fun pack twelve hour day for teens to get a better idea of what God is doing among unreached people groups and how they can be part of His work.  Nathan got to be the Master of Ceremonies this year.  He brought two Bible school students as well as two teens from our youth group to join in on the days activities.  They all had a blast.  Below is a photo journal of the day.

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needed a "Passport" to play the Survivor style games

Community Worship Band supplied the music

David Percy was the awesome speaker

yummy food

Nathan with bullhorn giving everyone instructions

supplies drop

running to get supplies

Market where you had to figure out cultural cues in order to purchase what you needed

racing canoes

fill barrel from creek - teamwork challenge

broke down truck - must push to destination which can be a common occurrence in missionary life

Supply Run showed the need to make wise decisions on what to take or leave behind

tribal man telling a story in which they had to remember the words for several of the objects

arranging Joti words to say a verse - hones listening skills

teaches communication

tribal puzzle

All the details fell into place – administrate an Easter Egg Hunt, welcome family from out of town and 2 large family get togethers.  Although we had a busy Easter weekend, it was very satisfying.

Our home church had their 4th annual Easter Egg Hunt.  The teens of our youth group put it on this year which meant Nathan was the coordinator of the event.  We had about 170 kids participate.

A special treat this year was having Nathan’s brother’s family in town.  We had a big family dinner on Saturday.  Afterward the cousins got all dressed up and sang “I could sing of your love forever.“  It was so sweet.

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Sunday dinner was spent at my parent’s home.  Both of my siblings families were able to be there along with my grandparents.  It was nice to be all together celebrating Christ’s sacrifice for us.

Pictures of our Family get togethers

new friends

long time friends

One of the advantages of ministering in the states is seeing your supporters more often.  Since we have a large concentration of people who support us in a variety of ways that live in PA, we like to make a trip out there once a year.

Had fun playing with other kid`s cool toys

Although it is always very busy; it is also extremely enjoyable.

of course we were fed well!

My favorite part, by far, is the depth of conversations we get to have with these precious folks.  Some we have only met a few times, but the commonality of Christ provides no end of encouraging and challenging things to discuss.

Wayumi

Wayumi is the name of the NTM Mobilization program that is located in Jersey Shore. The name comes from a people group in Venezuela that means the act of going away to another place for a time.  While staying on Wayumi’s campus, Nathan was able to attend several sessions of their program for a group that was there. It was incredibly exciting.

More pictures of our time in PA

Do you have a best friend that lives far away from you?  I have one that lives in Utah; her name is Patience.  We only get to talk on the phone every couple of months, yet the fellowship is so sweet.

Since the beginning of this year I have been asking the Lord when I could go out and see her.  I knew that this month worked best for her, but the Lord never gave me a peace.  On February 12, I found out why He kept saying no.

For two weeks her and Nathan were planning a surprise 6 day visit.  Executed to near perfection they managed to shock me completely. I was sitting in Midway’s departure area waiting for an airplane ride when Patience comes walking up.

playing a new game with Auntie Patience

From there we spent the next day in Chicago enjoying the zoo and taking lots of pictures.  Once we got home she was able to reconnect with the girls and make memories to cherish until next time.

I was truly amazed at the length and depth of our conversations.  God gave me the desire of my heart in a totally different way than I had asked. I am thankful to Him for the friendships I have and the opportunity we have to build each other up in love.

Our Spring Photo album holds a few more pictures

God provided even before we were in need or had even asked.

Recently I mentioned to my sister in law in passing that I had no more coats in storage.  What the girls used everyday was all we had.  A couple days later I got a phone call from a supporter asking if the girls needed coats because she had run across a sale and wanted to get them some for next year.  She did not know about the conversation with my sister in law, but she just has a giving heart.

There was a big bag waiting for me at church on Sunday morning with three beautiful hooded matching coats.  That very afternoon Danielle’s zipper completely broke on her coat.  The next day I tried going to the same store to buy her a new one because none of the new coats were her size – remember they were for next winter.  The store was all out of Danielle’s size.  It took me a full 24 hours to realize that Emily’s old coat fit her and Emily could wear the smallest new one.

I know I gave you a lot of details, but I tell them to you because it encouraged my heart to see what an awesome God we serve.  He showed me that he loves us and loves to provide for His children.  We are safe in His hands even when our country is in a financial crisis.

Our thanksgiving was spent in Missouri at NTM’s Missionary Training Center.  Last minute plans came together for us to celebrate thanksgiving break with some really good friends we’ve made while in ministry at NTM training centers. It was so good to fellowship with them.

Clayton & Cindy Brown were the first couple we connected with when we were on staff at Jersey Shore, PA.  They attended Maranatha Bible Church with us.  Our visit with them was full of practical jokes, sharing what God has done in our lives, sightseeing, and wisdom from a shepherd’s heart.

The other couple we went to visit was Rob and Amy Ellis.  If you look back through our news articles you will see their name pop up quite a bit since we developed a very close relationship with them during their two years at the Bible School.  Preparing dishes for thanksgiving dinner, playing outside with our kids, and playing games in the evening were all things we enjoyed with them.

It was neat to run into many other former students of NTBI at MTC whom we have chatted with or had in our home.  We praise the Lord for this awesome opportunity to fellowship with friends and for safe travel on both 13 hour drives.  Check out a few more photographs of our trip (you can also click on any of the pictures in the article and see it full size).

new warm color

It had been 10 years since Nathan had surprised me and now he has done it two months in a row.  First he took me to my first Michigan football game and now this!

mint green wall

When I walked into our home after being gone for 6 days, my first words were “It smells like paint.”  While we were on a trip to Minnesota, Nathan had gotten some single students to paint our dining room! After living in a mint ice cream room for a year and half, it was really nice to see a tan wall.

Some of the girls who helped paint

Apparently one night when we were playing a game I got up to go to the restroom; while I was gone Nathan implored these students to help him surprise me.  They were delighted to be a part.  I really appreciate their servant hearts. Now we have a warm atmosphere in which we can build relationships with many more students.