NTM

You would have been encouraged by NTM’s Enrichment ‘09 conference that we had the opportunity to attend this summer. While we go about our daily lives around the world, God is working in mighty ways that we often forget about or maybe we just don’t know about.

Did you know that through NTM every 45 days another people group is being taught about Christ’s death, burial and resurrection? As of 2007 there are 75,637 believers among tribal people around the world. God is working. His Word is powerful.

You are a very part of this through praying, encouragement to the missionaries "out there" and through financial giving. We are living life on earth for Eternity’s sake. Never think that what you do is a small factor. Each member of the body of Christ has an essential part in reaching the World with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This summer has been busy. Besides attending the conference, we visited family and friends and supporters up north and in the midwest. We met some friends who have been a part of our ministry for many, many years but it was our first time to actually meet face to face. What a blessing to our family! Now we are back in Florida… serving these folks who lived their lives on the mission field and are now "retired" (in location only… many are still very busy with ministry).

Our son Jordan and his wife are living in Pennsylvania this summer. They are working with Rachel’s church in the college group. Jordan is teaching a Sunday School class to college guys. And they meet with a college group every Saturday night for fellowship and encouragement. We are thankful God provided jobs for both of them. They are saving up for their last semester at NTBI Wisconsin. They are looking to the Lord for the "next step" after graduation. Their long term plans are to train for foreign mission work.

Lani is working at Camp Gilead down here in Florida this summer. This past week, she had the privilege to lead one of her little campers to the Lord. A lot of joy and praising God was going on that night! She will be returning to NTBI Wisconsin at the beginning of August for leadership training at the school. She has one year left before graduation. Please pray with her and us about her "next step" after that. She still has a lot of decision making to do for her long term plans.

Recently Paul and I participated in a VBS at a local church. It’s always exciting to be able to share Jesus Christ through testimony to kids. We had four sessions to speak to Grades 1-4. It was wonderful to be able to share with the kids how important it is to KNOW Jesus as their Savior.

We want to wish you a great summer. Thank you for being an active part of reaching this world!

It’s all about Him,
Paul and Chabela Keefe

Last week pastors and leaders from seven churches met with New Tribes Mission leaders to discuss mission needs and world evangelism at the first NTM Pastors’ Forum in Paraguay. 

Missionaries Dean and Nellie Goddard and their son, Mike, along with his wife, Trisha, are involved in mobilizing Paraguayan churches to a greater involvement in tribal missions and receive input from the pastors. 

Read the rest of the story…

Family Update:  Jordan and Rachel are studying at NTBI Bible college this fall. It’s their first semester together as newlyweds. What a great opportunity for them to start out their married life under some incredible teaching… we are so thankful for their hearts that long to walk with the Lord Jesus and be a light for others. They really find it a privilege to study God’s Word.

We are thankful for the job at Firestone that Jordan has. Rachel has been able to work at a seasonal job. She continues looking for a more permanent job.

God has been teaching Lani so many things this semester at NTBI Bible college. It’s her first time to live away from home for this length of time. The Lord has given her some really good roommates and she loves being able to meet believers from other places. She has made a lot of good friends who have encouraged her greatly in her walk with Christ. She has found it hard to get a job since she is just 17. But God has been providing and she trusts Him for the next semester!

There is a place across from NTBI called La Casa de Esperanza (House of Hope) that is primarily 80% Hispanic. It’s a school and after school place for children. La Casa has asked NTBI leadership to help them with teaching the students about Christianity. What an open door. Jordan, Rachel and Lani have all signed up to volunteer their time to plug into the schedule at La Casa to get to know the students at La Casa. Next semester they hope to work with NTBI leaders to teach the Casa students about Jesus Christ… PRAY for all the NTBI volunteers who are working this semester in developing friendships with the Casa students.

USA Ministry Update:  Although we are "empty nesters" God has started filling our calendar with other opportunities and it’s been His kindness and grace to fill our hands with more than enough to do.

Paul and I are serving those who have served Jesus Christ for many years in foreign lands. Many are able to continue having outreaches in the area but some can no longer be so active. Being around these lives is just an incredible experience. They are testimonies to a living God who take ordinary people and change the world by His amazing love, grace and strength.

Thank you to each of you who pray so faithfully. And we praise God for the generosity that you have shared with us through your monetary gifts. We do not take these sacrifices lightly… we truly count you as part of this life of ministry that He has given us to do.

Thankfully part of His Family,

Paul and Chabela Keefe

Click Here for other NTBI Photos…

Dear Friends,

Can you believe it? Jordan is married!

June 7th was his and Rachel’s wedding day. The most momentous part was watching Jordan and Rachel exchange their vows. At that point a flash of memory went through my mind at how God had orchestrated this whole event in bringing these two young hearts together to serve Him and worship Him through committing themselves to each other and Himself.

We have a lot of good wedding memory highlights!!

• The photographer mentioned the uniqueness of having all four sets of grandparents present.
• Family and friends came from all over  including Paraguay and Canada.
• Jordan’s cousin sang a very meaningful love song during the ceremony called “This Day” by Jaden Lavik.
• The cake was a traditional Paraguayan wedding cake with ribbons inserted at the bottom of the cake. One ribbon had a ring… so when all the single ladies pulled out the ribbons it is said that the young lady with the ring will be married next… this tradition is parallel to the American throwing of the bouquet.
• Click to view more wedding pictures.

This summer they are living at the Keefe furlough home in South Carolina. Jordan is working for the same company he worked for before entering NTBI in Wisconsin. In August they will be moving back to Wisconsin to continue their Bible School education.

Pray for them. As newlyweds they have begun to build a new home… pray that they will have God’s wisdom to build it with strength and beauty.

“Lani News!”

Soon we’ll truly be empty nesters. God is helping us with this whole new experience. Lani has been working toward going to NTBI Wisconsin in August. (It’s the same school where Jordan and Rachel will be at.) She has been very encouraged with the opportunities God has given her to witness to her unsaved friends at her work sites. It has been challenging and has developed in her a passion to see others come to know Christ. She still has a lot ahead of her and since she is only seventeen, she hasn’t been able to get a full time job here in Florida… they will only give her part time work.

Please pray for her next step of faith of studies, for provision for her Bible School and a heart to learn all she can.

URGENT Prayer Request:

In just two weeks a very important church planting seminar is taking place in Paraguay. Our team in Paraguay would like Paul to attend the seminar as well as attend some meetings for the Ayore team in regards to church planting. Please pray with us for God’s provision and wisdom about this situation. He would be leaving the last week of July for two weeks.

Thank you so much for praying! We are so privileged to have people supporting us and praying for us so we might run the race God has given us to run… keep praying that we’ll run hard and faithfully in the work He’s given us to do.

Thankful for His amazing grace,
Paul and Chabela Keefe

It’s been a privilege to work with missionary “retirees” who are retired from working in other countries. Many of them are involved in US ministries through their churches or other outreaches. Their years of walking with Christ and their testimonies of faith inspire and challenge everyone around them to believe God to do mighty things through ordinary lives.

News from Paraguay: Bible translation is a unique and very challenging process in all languages. It would be difficult to explain that process in one small paragraph! Praise God for those who are willing and capable to learn that tedious and extraordinary process. Alice Higham is the current Bible translator for the Ayore work and has been working on many translation Bible projects.

Two Ayore friends, Chicopude and Tadeo, from Paraguay came to the US to participate in a Bible Translator Consultant Seminar with Alice. Chicopude and Tadeo traveled with our coworkers, Bruce and Alice from NTM Paraguay. Their visit to the US was a blessing to many!

Our home church had the opportunity to meet Chicopude and Tadeo in a whirlwind weekend! It seemed surreal to see Ayore friends in South Carolina. Their testimonies of faith to be a part of God’s work, to travel so far from home, to eat “strange” food and to be willing to step into another culture so foreign to themselves was so touching. This week they arrived back on Paraguayan soil!

Click here to see pictures of their visit!!!

Praise: Lani has work… praise the Lord! She continues to add to her “college savings. Just this morning God reminded her of His great ability to provide. God moved someone to give her a money gift which she has added to her savings. Isn’t He loving!

Prayer Requests:
1. Continued healing for Paul’s wrist; he is getting therapy for mobility and strength.
2. June 7th: Jordan and Rachel’s upcoming wedding.
3. For God’s provision to meet our needs for living in the US.
4. That we’ll learn how to serve the Lord well here at NTM Homes.

Thank you for being a very real and vital part of the ministry close to "home" and to places that are very far away… like Paraguay.

Resting in Him alone,

Paul and Chabela Keefe

We’ll be on the move in a couple of weeks. We know God has a lot of good things in store for us as we begin a new ministry with NTM over the next year in Florida. Please pray that we’ll “catch on” to all the new facets of a new ministry.  Read more…

We have so many “treasures” of the heart… “Thank you, Lord, for each and every person you’ve brought into our lives whether near or far. Each one is important and special to You. We are honored with every friendship. Thank You!” 

We met Mrs. Anita through Jordan; it was one of those “heart connecting” friendships. I am so blessed to have this “Titus 2 lady” in my life. It has been priceless as I find her heart so gentle, kind and full of blessing when my heart aches for my son who is now away at college.

 David and Rebecca are youth ministers. Over a year ago God began preparing our children for life in the US. Lani received a “we’re looking forward to seeing you again” message from Rebecca through internet. Since then their love and ministry in Jordan and Lani’s lives have helped them embrace U.S. life.

Home church Pastor Mechling- his constant example of humility and deep love for Jesus and God’s people has been refreshing to our hearts. 

Breauna turned only five years old but she lives her faith out loud and is not ashamed of her love for Jesus Christ. Breauna is a jewel in God’s family.

Little by little! Progress seems slow but it is happening! Paul goes to therapy three times a week for his wrist/hand. It doesn’t always feel great but movement is starting to improve as he works through the exercises provided by the therapy center. Thank you to so many who have expressed your concern and have been praying for Paul. We praise the Lord that the medical bills are getting paid.

It’s been raining in Paraguay. The Ayore people are thankful for the rain the Lord is sending them this year. Their gardens are growing!

Thankful for Jesus,

Paul and Chabela Keefe

New Photos in "South Carolina Memories"… click here

It all started Christmas Day NIGHT. Earlier that day Jordan went hunting and got two deer. During clean up Paul was putting the deer horns on a ledge in the barn. Getting up to the ledge went fine but on the way back down he fell and landed all his weight on his right arm which crushed his main arm bone at the wrist site.

We spent several hours at the ER and after being put on pain meds he was referred to several specialists. On January 3, he had a three hour surgery to rebuild the bone in his arm and two pins were put into the bone at the wrist. They put a bar (outer fixation bar) that was screwed into his hand and arm to hold everything together. This week “the bar” was removed after X-rays were taken. The doctor pointed out how well the arm is healing!

He still has two or three weeks with the last two pins. We are officially on a medical furlough until the doctor releases him. We are praying for complete healing and for Paul to regain strength and movement in his hand and wrist.

This has definitely been an "interruption" to our plans to move to Florida to be on staff at NTM Homes. But it’s not a surprise to the Lord… in fact He is in total control of each detail. Please thank the Lord with us for providing for the medical bills. We believe they will all be paid in due time.

Other Tidbits:
College days have started for Jordan! His dream has come true. He has been praying for over a year about going to NTBI (New Tribes Bible Institute). On January 12 freezing Wisconsin became his new home for the next two years of Bible training. He has a full class load along with part -time work at a mechanic shop. In a recent phone conversation, he comment was, “The classes are great!”

Lani enjoyed having her future sister-in-law visit over Christmas! She is now working two part-time jobs. She is saving for college days.

Thank you for your prayers and encouragement. Thank you for giving to us so faithfully.

Thankful for Jesus,
Paul, Chabela, Jordan and Lani Keefe

On Christmas Day, Paul fell and broke his wrist very severely.  After being in the ER and seeing three orthopaedic specialists, surgery was scheduled for January 3rd.  The surgery last about three hours but went better than the surgeon hoped for.  He hopes Paul will get 90 percent movement back in is wrist after healing and therapy.  At this time the doctor is counting on three months for full recovery.

Last night was pretty miserable but today has gone better.  We are figuring out what pain medicine " works"  and we’re learning the "art" of what positions are tolerable.

We are so thankful for so many who have been praying for Paul. Please continue to pray for his recovery.

Our plans for moving to Florida in January  to work with NTM Homes have been delayed considerably. We know this is not a surprise to the Lord and are trusting Him for working out the details of this unexpected twist of plans!

Thank you for praying.

• Witchdoctors
• A vision
• A young woman
• Chicken stew

A strange list. Here’s the story…

In the 1940’s, a young missionary woman in her early twenties went to Colombia, South America. Her name was Sophie. She wanted to go where no one had been before, and after looking at a map, chose the Amazon jungle.

At that time, witches and sorcerers were in charge of the jungle. There was a prophecy that had been passed down through the years that a strange-looking person would come with a power greater than that of the witchdoctors.

With her white skin and blue eyes, Sophie certainly fit the bill of looking strange. So the chief witchdoctor prepared a test. He made a chicken stew and added Caribbean stick poison—the strongest poison known. It would normally kill a person within five minutes. As she ate the stew, everyone watched intently, waiting for her to die. She did not die, but did throw up a little. Some of the village dogs lapped at her vomit and a chicken pecked at it. They fell over and died immediately. But Sophie herself was unharmed.

She became known as a daughter of God and was allowed to travel safely throughout the jungle.

“My grandfather was the head witchdoctor of another region. He saw in a vision that there was a more powerful Spirit than the one over the jungle. The story of Sophie passing the poison test had spread far and wide. So my grandfather sent my father to find Sophie. My father paddled his dugout canoe for one month before finding her.

They became friends and she was particularly interested in him because he came from a different tribe and spoke a different language.

Sophie witnessed to my father. He received Christ and they started working together. They would paddle for months at a time to evangelize in villages throughout the jungle.

Sophie and my father worked together for fifty years.”       (—Ricardo, Chabela’s tribal brother)

Sophie was committed to Jesus Christ and God used her life in an extraordinary way. The jungles became open to the Gospel. Many in Chabela’s family have heard the Gospel and are now saved.

This Christmas, believers in the Amazon will be celebrating our Savior’s birth. Yet there are still so many who have yet to hear about Jesus. Thank you for your partnership in reaching the world with the Good News!

Merry Christmas to all of you,
Paul, Chabela, Jordan and Lani Keefe

PS. Check out our Photo Gallery for Lani’s graduation celebration.

Oft times it seems the “growing up” has been more on our part as parents as we “prepare our kids for adult life.” It has definitely been an opportunity for growing in our faith! 

In a few short weeks, Jordan will be going off to NTBI in Wisconsin. Is there an easy way for moms to see their children off to college? We’re thankful for the job God has given him over the months here to help toward college expenses. We’re thankful for our home church that has stood by him during his adjustment to life in the US.

Jordan’s college address:  NTBI  915 N. Hartwell Ave. Waukesha, WI 53186

A Mom’s Hope
From the time Jordan was a little boy I would often hope and pray for the special girl that God would bring into his life. Little did I know that he would meet her at age 14 when God moved us to Paraguay in 2003! Rachel Camacho grew up in Paraguay, South America as an MK with NTM. Her parents began their missionary career when Rachel was three years old. Jordan and Rachel both had the experience of being very mobile; moving many times to another location for ministry, making new friends in many places. Growing up in missions, God developed in their hearts a passion to serve Christ. Watching them grow in their relationship with God and with each other has been a true testimony to God’s greatness.

On October 18, Jordan asked Rachel to marry him. Both of our families, Camachos and Keefes, were in Wisconsin for a college visit at NTBI at the time. It was an especially fun time to be together as families and share in Jordan and Rachel’s joy!

See more "Jordan and Rachel" pictures in our Photo Gallery….

Paraguay Update
Do you remember Tomasa? She’s the Ayore lady who had a baby and then seemed to fall into some sort of depression. She seemed to be getting better but recently made the decision to give her new baby away. This has been heartbreaking for her family. Please continue to pray for a complete recovery for Tomasa. Pray that this situation can be resolved totally.

Rain is needed in the Chaco, Paraguay! Unlike the US where rain is measured in inches, rain in the Chaco is measured in millimeters. Just tiny little amounts! Rain is stored in underground cisterns for household use. Cisterns have gone dry this year… rain is desperately needed. Please pray.

Thanksgiving is almost here!

Here are just a few things on our Thankful List:
1. For our families and friends who love Jesus Christ.
2. For a life that has meaning and purpose because of our Savior Jesus Christ.
3. For the privilege of being part of a huge network of believers reaching the world with the Gospel.
4. More closer to home; for Jordan and Lani, our personal gifts from God.
5. For being able to freely worship Jesus Christ in this land.

Thank you for partnering with us in reaching others with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Because of our Savior,
Paul and Chabela Keefe

It was encouraging to flip through my prayer request book and see some answered prayers. I wanted to share a few with you.

Your praying encourages us as we seek to follow His will and leading in our lives.

• Tomasa from Paraguay (Ayore): Unable to take care of her three children due to some very severe health issues. God has begun to heal her. Still in recovery but progress is happening.
• Booklets needed for literacy program for the Ayore: The second one is almost finished! Progress!
• Beckie (a new friend)-not sure if she’s saved: had an opportunity to talk to her about deeper things. An openness about God is there.
• Jordan’s friend James: is hungry to know God.
• Opportunities to speak: Thank the Lord for opportunities to share about the Ayore ministry.

Here are some prayer requests yet to be answered.  We look forward to sharing later how God answered these requests!    

• Jordan going to NTBI (college) in January. Funds are needed for that. 
• The rest of us: as we adjust to Jordan being away. 
•  We’ll be moving into another ministry assignment for one year. Our next move will be to Sanford, FL working at NTM Homes at the end of January. Still many details to see come together for all of this to happen. 
•  New friends and job for Lani in Florida. It’ll be very hard for her to say goodbye to her friends here in South Carolina. 
•  Our lives will reflect Christ: that we will constantly be seeking to become more like Jesus Christ.
• More opportunities to share about the Ayore ministry.

As a family we are thankful for the home we have. We are thankful for the cars that were given to us and Jordan. We are thankful for the jobs that Paul has that help us with US expenses. We are thankful for praying friends who are willing to pray fervently for our ministry. We are thankful for those who are so faithful to share their finances with our family so we can be a part of God’s work in another country.

Lani finished high school the end of August. We have yet to celebrate her graduation but are thankful she was able to finish that phase of schooling. Now she is working at a grocery store in our little town and it’s been a blessing to her. She has learned so much about American culture.

Thank you for letting me share some of our blessings from these recent months.

Rejoicing in Him,
Paul, Chabela, Jordan and Lani Keefe