Archive for the ‘News Article’ Category

« Older Entries

Graduation upon us

Posted by Rex and Shirley Schaffner on Wednesday, May 15th, 2013

Our senior class of over 50 students will walk the stage this Saturday as we celebrate their amazing work these past two years. You could almost hear their sighs of relief today as they finished their classes. What a joy to have had this time with them, focused on the Word of God. It has been their steady diet since August 2011 when they arrived. Hours and hours each day in class and doing homework. We figure that they have logged over 2,000 hours of study during their time here. After about 1,000 hours they come to realize they are not just reading and studying a book…they are interacting with God Himself. It is the living Word isn’t it?!

The Spirit of God is so faithful to reward those who diligently seek Him. We see evidence all around us each day. Faces lighting up…faces troubled. Hearts soaring…hearts heavy. The joy of knowing Him and the reality of knowing what we are like on our own. The victory of walking in freedom from sin and the defeat of finding ourselves in sin again. But God is faithful, Who forgives and loves unconditionally. Full of grace and truth! What a privilege to be a part of training so many young people to walk in truth and the Spirit. Thank You Lord!

We thank God for you all often…those who pray for us and support us in this, His work! May you know the joy of His Spirit as you invest in eternity with us! Thank you!

Phil 1.3-6 Thankful and confident!

Print Friendly Print Get a PDF version of this webpage PDF

Posted in Family, Ministry, News Article, NTBI Jackson, Prayer Request | Comments Off

Leave FLorida? For Michigan?

Posted by Rex and Shirley Schaffner on Wednesday, May 15th, 2013

That was the big question 20 years ago in January 1993. It is so hard to imagine we have now completed our 17th year serving at New Tribes Bible Institute after 3 years of training with NTM from ’93-’96.  Little could we imagine back then the blessings in store as Shirley and I served in different roles that would come our way. We love thinking back and remembering what the Lord has done.

For Shirley, her ministries have included child care, teacher secretary, admissions, dean of married ladies and dean of single ladies (9 years), subjective grader and most recently assistant to the President :>).

For me, cook, food service coordinator, business manager, dean of married men and single men, director of community relations and most recently President.

Our latest roles find us busy in the areas of recruitment and mobilization. We have the privilege of working with Andrew and Sarah, an alumni couple who will be with us until December, when they will head to the NTM Missionary Training Center to be prepared to go to the field. We have so enjoyed working with them in spreading the word about NTBI, NTM and the work God is doing around the world. As sad as it will be to lose them, we are excited about the work they will do reaching a tribe. They will take a big part of us with them, and you too…those who are praying and supporting us. We are so blessed to be able to invest in them (as you invest with us) so they can invest in tribal people and point them to Christ.

We have a busy semester ahead in the fall, meeting with many new Pastors and Youth Pastors and training new interns to work in Andrew and Sarah’s roles.

We appreciate your prayers for us in the following:

Enrollment – we have room for 75 new freshmen

Returning students – that all will be able to return and money will not be a hindrance

Wisdom as we plan our mobilization strategy and meetings the rest of 2013.

Thank you so much for your time, interest and prayers! To God be the glory!

Print Friendly Print Get a PDF version of this webpage PDF

Posted in Ministry, News Article, NTBI Jackson, Prayer Request | Comments Off

Answered prayer!!

Posted by Lance and Laura Ostman on Friday, May 10th, 2013

typical boys

In previous updates we have asked that God would send Higaunon to go teach in villages that have expressed interest in listening to teaching of God’s Word. Here is a report on how God is starting to answer our prayers.

(more…)

Print Friendly Print Get a PDF version of this webpage PDF

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Ministry, News Article, Prayer Request | Comments Off

First Orientation Flights to the Sierra…

Posted by Clif and Kari Huntting on Thursday, May 9th, 2013

Flight Orientation has begun…we are now flying into mountain airstrips, starting the checkout process.

Most of the missionaries here in Mexico live and work with indigenous people in the rugged Sierra Madre Mountains. One way travel into these remote tribal locations can take 10 to 12 hours of grueling and exhausting driving. That same trip can often be made in 1 hour using the airplane. This is one reason we believe so strongly in using this tool to help people hear God’s story.

When we are talking about the spiritual welfare of people who God loves dearly, and who often face physical injury and death without having heard God’s story, we believe every second counts. Our desire is to assist the missionaries in this important and life-changing work.

This process of flight orientation is to ensure that I thoroughly know the area in which I am flying, as well as understanding each airstrip and its unique characteristics, especially the way wind affects each approach. Also, with this comes the interesting paperwork process required for each flight, the different laws that govern flight here, as well as learning how to speak “Mexican” aviation lingo. It is not a process that a pilot newly arrived on the field can just jump into, and with that idea in mind UIMA has this process set up called flight orientation.

Please pray for safety in this process…


 

Print Friendly Print Get a PDF version of this webpage PDF

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Ministry, News Article, Prayer Request | Comments Off

Where Is Home?

Posted by Jon and Katie Ruse on Tuesday, May 7th, 2013

“All I know is I’m not home yet, this is not where I belong.  Take this world, but give me Jesus, this is not where I belong” (Building 429).

This has been our theme song over the past 2 months.  We moved out of our PNG home into a guest house, then out of the guest house to fly back to America with our belongings packed into 13 luggage and 6 carry-ons.  Next, we moved into my parents house and went through our old stored belongings then repacked to move to Katie’s parents’ house where we will live for the next 6 or 7 months.  After a few short days we were unpacked, the kids were getting used to their rooms, but the rain was steady.  It proved to be too much for many people in Michigan who don’t normally have problems with flooding.  We had to move the 3 girls out of their room due to water seepage and began moving and cleaning everything on the lower level (bedroom, living room, office).  After we were able to get everything dried out we moved everything back for a couple days only to determine it still needed some cleaning.  We moved everyone and everything out again and had someone come in to professionally dry things out.  Today we will clean the carpet and hopefully begin moving everyone back.  Chloe who is nearing 4yrs. old has said a number of times “I want to sleep there” because right now she is in the baby’s crib.

In the midst of these transitions the past few weeks and an uncertain future, God has been reminding us through many different ways of the great future home and hope that we have in Him!  “May the God of HOPE fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in HOPE”. (Romans 13:13)  We are clinging to this truth as we anticipate more transition within the year before we are settled into a new ministry.  Right now, we are focused on the purpose of our home assignment.   [Gallery not found]

What is the purpose of Home Assignment?

  • Maternity Leave (To prepare, visit the doctor, have the baby, care for the babies needs)
  • Partnership Development (Touching base with supporters and churches)
  • This includes; phone calls, emails, personal visits, and church presentation to share what God has accomplished through our ministry in PNG, to regain lost support, and to share about our future ministry.
  • Refreshment (Personal vacation time and with family, doctors appointments for needs not met while in PNG, etc.)
  • It is important that our supporters continue giving during this time while we are still employed by NTM.  It is not intended that we find another job to raise funds as this would restrict us from fulfilling those purposes.

Since returning we have had opportunities to share at churches, visit family members and friends, join a welcome home party, catch up on eye doctor and O.B. appointments, find a pediatrician, go shopping to replace items we could not bring back from PNG, have family time, and even enjoy a getaway for Katie and I before the baby comes.

As the Lord has reminded us of the hope we have in him, no matter what the future holds, we have found joy and refreshment as a family even in the midst of constant change.  Thank you for praying and supporting us!

 

Print Friendly Print Get a PDF version of this webpage PDF

Posted in Family, Ministry, News Article | Comments Off

Finishing Well As Dorm Parents

Posted by Jon and Katie Ruse on Friday, May 3rd, 2013

When a race car is tearing down the tracks there is one thing it needs more than good tires and aerodynamics.  High Octane Fuel!  Katie and I feel like the Lord gave us fuel when we had no energy left on our own to be able to finish well our last term as Dorm Parents.  This came through the prayers of many friends and supporters, the physical help of people like; two teens who came over to help me wash the entire outside walls of our huge dorm, friends who helped us organize, run our yard sale and those who had us over for a meal during the last week.  There were times when we were overwhelmed with the tasks before us but God helped us find another gear to get it done.  Thank you!!!

Here are some of the things that were accomplished during third term and as we left PNG.

Cleat Repair

Cleat Repair
◄ Back
Picture 1 of 13

  • Finishing and transitioning out of Elementary P.E. (4 days a week)
  • Mail and Market trip once a week until we left
  • Speaking in student chapel and Sessions on ministry during career day at the High School
  • Helping with Wednesday night worship and leading guys bible study
  • Appointments at the medical clinic
  • Dorm meetings and conversations with the parents of dorm student
  • Attending to all day tournaments and weekly games
  • Opening our home for girls to get dressed and ready for “Banquet”
  • Chair setup for church, musical, coffee house night!
  • 21 meals plus snacks per week for a family of NINE (including dorm kids)
  • Closing out the dorm account and emptying all the cupboards & food.
  • Helping with homework, playing games, late night talks and movies, making the most of our last time with these girls
  • Faithful personal devotions, consistent exercise, and leading dorm devotions every Sunday night
  • Washing the entire house top to bottom, inside and out.
  • Selling what we can’t bring back and packing what we could.
  • Final paperwork, squaring away our finances, attending Conference.
  • Moving to guest house for a few days and then flying back to American with our 4 children.
  • Goodbye dinners and parties with our community and special time spent with our national friends.

We are just now beginning to feel a sense of refreshment and joy as a family.  After looking back at this list I realize why!  Praise God for helping us to give our all and finish well so that we did not leave PNG with any regrets.

Come back on Monday to read about the interesting adventures we have experienced since getting back to America and take a look at our new photo album with many pictures from 3rd term anytime!

 

Print Friendly Print Get a PDF version of this webpage PDF

Posted in Ministry, News Article | Comments Off

Recalde Reflections-April 25, 2013

Posted by Samuel and Tracy Recalde on Thursday, April 25th, 2013

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings from Asuncion, Paraguay located in the very heart of South America.

Thank you so much for your prayers, encouragement and financial help!

*There is an exciting event coming up on June 2nd. New Tribes Mission in Paraguay will hold the dedication of the recently finished translation of the New Testament in the Maka Tribal language. We Praise God that the Maka will now have God’s Word to read in their own language.

“We have seen People brought out of the darkness through the shining light of His Word! We have rejoiced as desperation in their faces and eyes turns to Hope, joy and peace!” ~copied

We are privileged to be part of this worldwide team effort in reaching the unreached for Christ.

Fourteen of our Tribal brothers and sisters were baptized on Easter Sunday! It was all planned and done by the Tribal Church leaders. There are no foreign missionaries there now. Samuel went for one week and taught a class on baptism and another class on Ephesians, but the Tribal believers did it all. We are Praising God for the growth taking place and the work He is doing in lives at this Indian Colony! To God be all the glory!

You may remember us writing several years ago about little Jasmin and the picture of her as a little girl sitting in front of her house was in one of our prayer letters. Jasmin’s mother gave her to one of the believers at Tava Amboae when she was a baby because she could not raise her alone and so Jasmin was raised in a Christian home. Guess what! Jasmin was baptized on Easter Sunday this year. Jasmin has a wonderful testimony to share!

 Many of you will remember our Tribal brother Edgar who suffered a terrible motorcycle accident in September of last year. Praise with us because God is working miraculously in his life and he is now almost fully recovered.

Please continue to pray for us as we work in the mobilization of local Churches, expanding their vision by challenging them to become more involved in reaching the unreached Tribal People of Paraguay and around the World for Christ. We want to encourage and motivate the National pastors to begin equipping and sending members of their own congregation out into the mission field.

The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Matthew 9:37b

Another item of praise is that we were thrilled to find out Loli, the young lady who helped Tracy teach Sunday school to the Tribal children back in 2008-2009 has continued to teach the children and so we wanted to show you a picture of Tracy & Loli in 2009 and one of Loli this year with the children.

This week we are working on preparing and printing the Bible lessons which Samuel will be teaching over the weekend in a small town approximately 250 miles from where we live.

We would like to ask for your prayers for Samuel, as he has been having a lot of trouble with his knee from an old injury. He has seen two doctors and both told him that he needs to have knee replacement surgery. The first doctor wanted him to have the surgery now, but the second doctor said that if he can live with the pain, then he can wait and have the surgery later.

Thank you so much for your help and prayers!

Serving Christ in Paraguay,

Samuel, Tracy & Family

Print Friendly Print Get a PDF version of this webpage PDF

Posted in Ministry, News Article, Praise Item, Prayer Letter, Prayer Request | Comments Off

Heading Back to Bolivia

Posted by Daniel and Laura Swanson on Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013

So, after a long silence we are now going to try to start blogging again! We have been in the States for the past 3 1/2 years.  During this time, Dan has been flight instructing at Moody Aviation in Spokane, WA.  We are thankful for this opportunity and for all the experience and flight time he has gained!  After much prayer and a quick trip to Bolivia for some meetings with our mission, we are pursuing heading back to Bolivia next spring.  Bolivia has always been on our hearts and even when we left to come home, we always had a desire to go back again.  We just didn’t know if the Lord would open up that door for us or not.   There are still a lot of details to be worked out but we are trusting Him and stepping out in faith.  Thanks for your prayers for our family as we get ready for another transition!  The first time we went to Bolivia we only had 2 babies and now we will be returning with 4 kids (one is on the way!).

Easter 2013

Easter Sunday

Print Friendly Print Get a PDF version of this webpage PDF

Posted in News Article | Comments Off

Krista’s Graduation Trip

Posted by Keith and Angela Duncan on Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013

During spring break in March, we went on a trip to Branson, MO, for Krista’s graduation trip!! We had a lot of fun and made some special memories!

1

We ate some delicious food and the kids even tried alligator for the first time!

10

We were able to go mini golfing inside…

7

8

…and even played some pop-a-shot at the arcade…

9

The hotel that we stayed at included some shows so we enjoyed those…

11

and enjoyed the snacks as well!!!

4

Kaylee and Krista found some fabulous hats!!!

13

12

14

AND

6

even though it SNOWED, we had a great time! We are thankful we were able to have this time as a family! Please pray for Krista over these next few weeks before graduation. Pray that God would give her peace in the midst of all of the busyness of life. Pray that she would be able to stay focused on the tasks at hand and that she would just take one day at a time.  And pray that she would finish out her high school days well.  Thank you for your love and encouragement in our lives.  We appreciate all of you so much and thank God for your part in our lives.

Print Friendly Print Get a PDF version of this webpage PDF

Posted in Family, Ministry, News Article, Prayer Request | Comments Off

The blessing of friends and co-workers

Posted by Delwyn and Arielle Griffith on Sunday, April 21st, 2013

Walking to church

Over the weekend we had the privilege of visiting our friends Joel, Andi, and their two boys in a neighboring city.  It was so quiet there!  Almost shockingly quiet to our ears considering we live next to a very large and busy street in a very large and busy city.  (No cars, car horns, whistles, foosball being played, kids yelling, babies crying, cats screeching, vendors, horse cart noises, etc.)  It gave our senses a time to relax and it was a great change of pace: to visit, play a few games, and allow our kids to play together (mostly with cars since they are 4 boys)—constantly!  We also took two new forms of public transportation since arriving—the train on the way there and a larger kind of taxi on the way back. (more…)

Print Friendly Print Get a PDF version of this webpage PDF

Posted in Ministry, News Article | Comments Off

« Older Entries