NTM

Every year NTM missionaries on furlough attend a Refresher Course in Camdenton, Missouri on the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks. This is a tremendous time to hear encouraging messages from the Word, re-connect with old friends, spend time with mission leadership, catch a renewed vision for world evangelization, eat great food, and RELAX.

When was the last time that we attended refresher course? The year was 1986, it was our only furlough, and our second son Dennis was 8 months old (he is now 21). Although we have often talked about going, there were always too many other pressing summer plans.

We left home on June 6 and stopped in Tulsa, Oklahoma for four days. Ellen had the privilege to help cook for Paul and Ernie’s 50th wedding anniversary party on the 8th. After visiting other friends, we made the trip to Camdenton arriving on June 12.

Dr. Richard Swenson spoke to us all about God’s sovereignty in our lives and the need for margins in all that we do. We spend so much of our time, energy and money on things that are of little lasting value and have nothing left over for what is truly important.

Bill Meersta reminded us that no matter how bad things get, we believers are still in a better condition than we ever were before we were saved. He shared the lyrics of a Babbie Mason song with us, “God is too wise to be mistaken, God is too good to be unkind. So when you don’t understand, when you don’t see his plan, when you can’t trace his hand, trust his heart.” It is so important for us to recognize that God is the only one who can see the how the tapestry of our lives will turn out.

One of the highlights of refresher course for Ellen was spending time with Rosie. Ellen and Rosie were roommates together at Central Michigan University 35 years ago before either of them entered New Tribes Mission. We have served in different countries and have not seen each other for 27 years. It was such a great time to get to know one another again.

We thank the Lord for this great opportunity and we want to say we came away truly refreshed.

The wonders of God’s creation became evident to us as we traveled to Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon May 27-30. We were awestruck by the beauty and immensity of the Canyon and thrilled by the variety of landscape and scenery we viewed during our four day trip. 

It all started while Ellen was teaching Ingrid Chala some computer skills.  Ellen asked her if they were going to be able to see the Grand Canyon before their return to Germany in July. Carlos, an Ecuadorian and an aircraft mechanic, along with his German wife Ingrid were NTMA trainees this past year. We have become friends with them during their time here and were concerned that the only part of the US they and their daughters had seen was our little corner of southeastern Arizona. When Ingrid said that a trip was not possible due to finances, the wheels in Ellen’s brain started turning, and she talked to Phil about her ideas. A friend of ours owns a cabin in Flagstaff, and he has offered it for our use in the past. An email informed us that the cabin was available, and the only expenses would be gas, groceries and park entrance fees. We were surprised when we were given a gift to help with the cost of fuel.

During our four day trip we passed by the beautiful Red Rocks of Sedona, stayed in the cabin in the pine forest of Flagstaff, visited the lava beds of Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, walked through the Indian ruins at Wupatki National Monument, stood beside massive Meteor Crater, hiked along the rim of the Grand Canyon, and swam at the Slide Rock State Park in beautiful Oak Creek Canyon. It was absolutely amazing to us that within a few miles the scenery changed so drastically.

The trip was a wonderful time to get to know Chalas better. We enjoyed cooking our supper on the grill and playing games in the evenings.

Carlos, Ingrid, Deborah and Esther return to Germany in July where they will spend six months preparing for service with NTM Aviation in Bolivia. We are thankful for this godly couple who desires to be used of the Lord to assist the team in reaching tribal people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray for them as they spend time in Germany sharing their vision with friends and churches there. The girls speak Spanish, German and English. They have attended school in English for the past two years and will start school in German in the fall. Pray for their many adjustments.

We thank the Lord that we can be part of the team training future pilots and mechanics to serve with NTM Aviation. 

To see photos of our trip, check out the photo section of our website.