NTM - New Tribes Mission | Planting Tribal Churches

This grandmother and baby pose

So we survived our first six months in the mountains. Now if we could just figure this whole language thing out we’d be alright. Its been both challenging and rewarding learning to live out here. From language learning, to relationship building, to learning to be a jack of all trades, and living in general. We have thoroughly enjoyed our time here, and look forward to so much more to come. God has really blessed our initial time hear and we ask that you continue to pray with us about our ministry here in BG. We are so thankful for all the people God has placed in our lives here as friends, helpers and coworkers. Please continue to pray for the Tepehuan people; pray for the few believers that they could be encouraged and be encouragers to others, pray for those who don’t know the truth that God would break down barriers and open doors for them to hear and understand. Pray for us as we continue to learn the difficult Tepehuan language that we might be able to share with these people the word of God in their own language someday. Pray for all the community projects we’re involved in helping the people, we’re so thankful for the churches that have sent stuff to help with these projects and be a blessing to the people. Pray for our involvement with the spanish speaking church here in BG, from teaching, preaching, to music and all the various ministries of the church. Pray for our coworkers The Arnolds, as they continue to develop lessons from Missouri and make trips out here to visit, and for our coworkers The Cases, as Kevin nears completions of a Tepehuan New Testament. Pray for our visa process as we have to travel out to Chihuahua in April to renew those.

We’re so thankful for your interest and partnership in the ministry here. Hope you enjoy some of the pictures of the last couple months.

CHRIS Y RACHEL

View from top of the world.. El Aguila with the guys.

Coworker Kevin working on translating

Rachel helps these ladies with some craft projects.

 

Coworker Matt teaching the word to a group of Tepehuan

 

Chris keeping kids distracted while adults hear God's word.

 

Day of fun with kids at church

 

These ladies visited from a village and we were able to give them some baby clothes and blankets.

 

These believers intently listening to the word

 

Trying to figure how to learn language from guys that don't talk much.

 

Thanksgiving Dinner with friends.November 20th Revolution Day parade.Even in Spanish can't preach without the hands.Rachel and the children's class. Crafts anyone?

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas! Hoping as you enjoy family, friends and food you know that “For God so loved the world.” “For unto us a child is born.” THE KING OF KINGS!!

Thanks so much for your prayers and support, although it is difficult to be away from family this time of year we are so blessed to be in the place God has given us. Here’s a little glimpse of what we’ve been up to the last month, continue to pray for the ministry in BG, for the church, and for the Tepehuan people

Sharing with Tepehuan guy.Sharing fun with Tepehuan friends.Christmas party with youth group.Christmas with our family in Chihuahua

Handing out school packs to Tepehuan kids

Making fresh corn tamales

SO THANKFUL

As Thanksgiving approaches we’re always reminded of how truly blessed we are.  We are so thankful that God has allowed us to be here in the mountains of Mexico working amongst the Tepehuan people. The past few months have been extremely busy, with all the moving and settling in, but we’ve been able to see the greatness of God in all of the details. The people here in and around BG, both Mexican and Indian, both believer and non-believer, have received us very well and extended hospitality to us. We are so thankful for the missionaries that came here before us, because of them we instantly had the trust and confidence of the people here. We are thankful for all of your prayers and support that makes all of this possible and we look forward to the work God has for us here.

Since arriving here in the mountains we’ve been able to quickly plug into ministry opportunities both with the Mexican church and amongst the  Indians and have begun the long process of learning another, more difficult language.  Our days are not always predictable, but they are always full of activity.

A LOOK AT OUR LIVES

What do our days here look like?  Much of our time here is spent in language study. For us that means spending time with our new Indian friends learning their language and culture.  We record them talking and saying vocabulary and phrases and then listen to the recordings, over.. and over…and over…and…

RACHEL – Rachel has been able to use her love of and ability to do crafts to build relationships with the ladies here. Once a week she teaches a craft class with the Indian ladies. They recently learned to knit hats and scarfs on a knitting loom.  Also, once a week she makes jewelry with the ladies in the church.  Rachel has been teaching a children’s Sunday School class in the church, and is now in charge of their christmas program.

CHRIS – Every saturday we meet with the ‘Tepehuan church’ where a handful of Indians meet and sing and read the word of God in their own language. Chris has an opportunity to disciple one of the  men who leads this time just to help and encourage him in his journey. Chris plays guitar and  leads worship in church services and has muchos opportunities to preach.  As well as prayer meeting and men’s meeting once a week.  Recently we began a youth bible study every Friday in our home.

Funny Story

This past week Chris was asked to lead the Wednesday night prayer meeting.  He spent the day reading scriptures and preparing.  He lit the wood burning water heater to take showers.  Rachel took her shower and as Chris was getting ready to take his, there was a knock on the gate.  A few ladies from church were there and said that church had started – an hour earlier than the regular time and no one told us about the time change! Chris went without a shower and Rachel with wet hair….gotta be flexible right?

Our Contact Information:

For letters and care packages:

Chris and Rachel Thomas

10101 Dellwood Drive

El Paso,  TX 79924

For Financial Contributions:

New Tribes Mission (make check out to NTM)

1000 E. First Street

Sanford, FL 32771

**attach note for Chris and Rachel Thomas**

email: Chris_Thomas@ntm.org

Skype: chrisnrachel1022

www.ntm.org/chris_thomas

5+years of church ministry

1 1/2 years training in Missouri at the MTC

2 years Spanish language and culture learning

9 months of prayer and waiting

= 2 Tribal Missionaries ready to Begin working among the Tepehuan Indians

Please pray for us as we beginning this new phase of ministry in a beautiful mountain region of Mexico!

During our second visit, we felt the Lord leading us to join the BG team working with the Tepehuan Indians. After the decision was made things seemed to progress along rapidly. We obtained a house and since returning to Chihuahua have begun plans for packing up and moving further south. Please pray for us as we make this change – a step of faith for us as we are going out without New Tribes partners in the town with us. We have instead partnered with a local spanish church to reach out to the Tepehuan Indians. We are excited to start this new journey!!

 Water Games to Beat the Heat

Summer activities are in full swing at the Brickyard.  Intense heat and dry, dusty conditions are not hindering the work God is doing at the Brickyard.  Plans are in process to lay concrete for the floor, which will help with the dust problems. Also, plans are in process to get power to the ministry building.

  Literacy Classes

Monday is ladies Bible study – attendance is up and more and more new ladies are joining us each week. Please pray for Margarita, a Tarahumara believer who has been doing some translation work of the studies for the ladies who dont understand the teachings in Spanish.  Also pray for Linda, another believer who has agreed to begin teaching the kid’s bible classes.

Wednesdays is youth/kids activities and literacy classes.  We are in the process of improving the building we use for ministry. Painting walls, building a stage, putting up some walls, and decorating. We added wipe boards and chalk boards for the literacy classes. We also added a few beds in one room for a nursery since it seemed to be a real need for the ladies to be able to attend classes.

  New Nursery Already in Use

Friday is Bible Club – which is the highest attended ministry. A friend and fellow missionary has prepared lessons on doctrine for the classes and we have been teaching it so that they can understand it. The month of July the plan is to have classes 4 days a week to go through the doctrinal lessons. Please be in prayer for this task – it is very time consuming and energy draining for all involved.

 Hand Games are a Hit