Merry Christmas to y’all!

Home for Christmas!

With my plans coming together for moving to Mexico – possibly in February – I am blessed with being able to stay home for Christmas with my family.  Last year my family was altogether, but this year my brother won’t be around.  He’s currently overseas until March or early Spring.  But my parents, sister, sister-in-law, and two of my grandparents will be together!  We are excited to just have a laid back holiday with each other.  Right now it’s time to go over to Mom & Dad’s for dinner & presents with the grandparents.  I made cranberry sauce (for the first time), pumpkin/cheesecake pie, and sweet potatoes!

God’s Perfect Timing

Amy Heckman & I are very close in reaching the required 60% monthly support level.  Amy has reached 54% & I’m at 52.6%!  How cool & amazing is that!

We received an email last week that we have a church to connect with once we reach Mexico.  They are excited to meet us & praying for us!  What a blessing is the body of Christ!

This last month we also learned that Glenn & Teo Urquhart – the missionaries whose house we were going to live in for two years – won’t be able to leave Mexico until Summer 2010.  That means that we will be getting a different place than what we were expecting.  Amy & I are looking forward to seeing how God will provide for us with another place to live in a different neighborhood!

We are also looking to God to see when & how He will be providing the last part of our monthly support.  We are both less than $235 away from our monthly goal!  Exciting!  We are so close to being able to head to Mexico, but we will need to reach 60% before we can set a travel.

I Praise God For…

• my family
• the opportunity to serve Him wherever I am
• the constant provisions in my life
• all of my prayer & financial supporters

Please Pray That…

• my brother will be safe
• the last $235 in monthly support will come in

I want to wish you all a blessed Christmas & a Happy New Year as we continue to remember Christ every day!

Crystal

October 2009

The month of October was quite exciting with the leaves changing colors and with a few flakes of snow here in Eastern Oregon.  It was also a month in which I was sick quite a bit.  After my trip to Florida and Louisiana, I was a bit worn out, and was hit with some sickness.  And then last weekend I got the swine flu, but I survived!  Now I’m feeling pretty good, just in time for a trip to Denver, tomorrow!

November 2009

I’m heading to Denver with our Youth Group as we head to a Dare 2 Share meeting!  It’s a youth evangelism meeting that teaches teens how to share their faith.  I attended one a couple of years ago, and it’s very good and helpful with sharing your faith with your friends. We will be leaving early Thursday morning, and returning to Baker City, Oregon late Monday night!

Winter 2009-2010

It looks like Amy & I will be able to spend the holidays with our families.  I’ll be in Eastern Oregon, and Amy will be in Florida.  Then we are praying to be able to head to Mexico in January or February, but it will continue to depend upon our support levels.  Please pray with us as we wait!

Streams in The Desert Devotion
November 1

When the cloud remained…the Israelites…did not set out. (Numbers 9.19)

This was the ultimate test of obedience.  It was relatively easy to fold up their tents when the fleecy cloud slowly gathered over the tabernacle and began to majestically float ahead of the multitude of the Israelites.  Change normally seems pleasant, and the people were excited and interested in the route, the scenery, and the habitat of the next stopping place.

Yet having to wait was another story altogether.  “When the cloud remained,” however uninviting and sweltering the location, however trying to flesh and blood, however boring and wearisome to those who were impatient, however perilously close their exposure to danger – there was no option but to remain encamped.

The psalmist said, “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry” (Ps. 40.1).  And what God did for the Old Testament saints, He will do for believers down through the ages, yet He will often keep us waiting.  Must we wait when we are face to face with a threatening opposition, surrounded by danger and fear, or below and unstable rock?  Would this not be the time to fold our tents and leave?  Have we not already suffered to the point of total collapse?  Can we not exchange the sweltering heat for “green pastures…[and] quiet waters” (Ps. 23.2)?

When God sends no answer and “the cloud remain[s],” we must wait.  Yet we can do so with the full assurance of God’s provision of manna, water from the rock, shelter, and protection from our enemies.  He never keeps us at our post without assuring us of His presence or sending us daily supplies.

Young person, wait-do not be in such a hurry to make a change! Minister, stay at your post! You must wait where you are until the cloud clearly begins to move.  Wait for the Lord to give you His good pleasure!  He will not be late! from Daily Devotional Commentary

• My Spiritual Life – as I continue to be a living example of who God is to all those around me
• Preparations for Mexico – get rid of the extra & pack the essentials
• Patience as I wait for God’s timing to send me to Mexico and wisdom in knowing what to do until then
• Praise God as HE continues to supply my needs
• Amy & I as we prepare for new challenges in Mexico!
• More laborers to share the Gospel!

Support Level

God continues to show His power & love in providing for Amy & I. In these last four months God has doubled my support level! When I sent my last newsletter, I was at 20% & now I’m at 47% ($1490)!

This little picture shows the progress of my monthly support! New Tribes – Mexico would like me to have enough support to make it to Cortez, Colorado, which is 60% before I can set a travel date & go to Mexico. But I would like to make it closer to the green star – which is past Albuquerque, New Mexico, about 80%. Currently “my car” is at 47%, which is at Woodside, Utah – about 9 hours from Oregon & 11 hours from El Paso, Texas! Amy has reached 57% and she is so close to reaching the required 60%. $31 a month equals 1% of my support. So I only need 14 individuals or churches to help me set my travel date to Mexico! If you have some more questions about this, please ask!  I only need to raise $400 of monthly support in order to set my travel date!

Can Amy go to Mexico when her support reaches 60% without you?

The simple answer is “No.” She will have to wait until I reach my 60% support level, and then we will both head down to Mexico together!

How much longer til you get to Mexico?

I know, I’m wondering that same thing myself. I think that this time of waiting has been teaching me a lot of things about God. Like “God does what He says He’ll do”, it’s a phrase that I learned while I helped out with 2 summer kids programs. In Psalm 46.10 it says: “Be still & know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” This verse has been an amazing reminder to me as I wait, wait for God’s timing to allow to me to leave for Mexico. He’s really the one doing the work & He can use me when & wherever He needs me. And His goal will continue to be: that everyone should know who He is! It takes a lot of pressure off me!

**I have been trying to mail this letter for the last week, but have had no Internet access on my laptop.  Hopefully I can get it mailed while I’m at one of the three airports I’ll be in today!**  Sunday update:  didn’t happen at the airports.  This is being sent from Oregon!

Here is a quick recap of my last four weeks.

Four weeks ago I was in Oregon & packing to head to Florida!

Three weeks ago I was in Florida!

Two weeks ago I was attending an amazing Seminar in Florida at the NTM Home Office – “Sharpening Your Inter-Personal Skills”.  It was a great seminar and will greatly help us with our friendship, our co-workers & teammates, & also in the future with anyone we come in contact with!  I normally hate attending seminars/workshops, but this was very good because it had a great amount of interaction with each other, and there was no boring lectures!  Following the seminar I was able to spend some more time with Amy & her family, and we even got to go to the Gulf of Mexico side of Florida!  Life was busy & exciting in Florida!  And I even saw my alligator!!  He/she was around 10-12 feet and I could have reached out & touched him!

One week ago I was in Louisiana.  I came to Louisiana with the big purpose of sharing at my cousin’s church in Erwinville, Louisiana.  I was able to share with their church on Sunday (9/6) for about an hour!  It was a great time & I came away totally encouraged by this church and their desire to see God’s name reach people all around the world!  I’ve been able to stay with my Aunt Rosie, and I have seen almost all of my cousins that live in Louisiana.  We even took a trip to Mississippi to visit with my cousin & her family.  Now I am helping my aunt pack for our trip to Oregon on Saturday!

My Aunt & I will flew home to Oregon on Saturday.  Then Sunday I plan to 56will drive her to my grandma’s house and she will spend about 2-3 weeks with her, while I will only stay until Wednesday.  And that is all of my traveling (I think) for just a little bit.  My next big travel plans should be to Mexico!!!

When I get back home to Oregon the next big plans are: continue to raise my prayer & financial support, prepare for a yard sale, & pack my things for Mexico.  Currently my financial support level has reached 41% ($1299 out of $3152)!!  Amy & I have been trying to plan for a leave date to head to Mexico, and while we would like for it to be October, we are really going to have to wait until our support level reaches 60% ($1900).  And then we will be able to plan on heading down to Mexico!

Please continue to pray for us as we seek to do God’s will in our lives.  Also as we are getting closer to heading to Mexico, and for our families as we will soon be leaving them.  And also praise God with us as He continues to prepare the way for us to head to Mexico!

Patiently waiting on the Lord,

Crystal Pierce
en route to Mexico with
New Tribes Mission
www.ntm.org/crystal_pierce

P.S.  You can also check out my website – it has now turned into a blog & it looks pretty good!  www.ntm.org/crystal_pierce And Amy’s is www.ntm.org/amy_heckman . ]]> http://blogs.ntm.org/crystal-pierce/2009/09/22/september-2009-travel-update/feed/ 0 http://blogs.ntm.org/crystal-pierce/2009/07/28/julyaugust-2009-prayer-requests/ http://blogs.ntm.org/crystal-pierce/2009/07/28/julyaugust-2009-prayer-requests/#comments Tue, 28 Jul 2009 04:00:00 +0000 Crystal Pierce Here are some of my prayer requests & praises:

• Our support level needs to reach 60% ($1860/3100) before we can leave for Mexico this Fall!
• For the kids in Haines that sacrificially gave so Amy & I could have mattresses to sleep on! (They raised almost $200!) That’s totally a God-thing!
• For some wisdom as there are still a few more decisions to be made. I have my car insurance figured out & my immunizations are almost complete, but there are other things/issues that go along with moving plus leaving the country! In my free time I’ve also been working on purging my stuff & packing the needed items for Mexico!
• My spiritual life – that I would continue to seek God. I have recently completed two Bible studies: Ruth & Isaiah! Those books are so rich with truth about God!
• Team of prayer partners & financial partners
• More laborers to share the Gospel!

Hey y’all,

This last month I have stayed busy with helping out at two Vacation Bible Schools, house-sitting, filling in for my sister at the church office while she was gone for 10 days, and hanging out with my family & friends!

Here are two pictures from the two Vacation Bible Schools (or Summer Kids Club!) I helped out with! The picture on the left happened at First Baptist Church in Haines, Oregon. Every day I was able to give a short presentation about Amy & I moving to Mexico. We were able to talk about fiestas, food, transportation, piñatas, and so much more! On the last day we had a fun quiz and reviewed all that we had learned, including learning about animism! It was cool for these kids to hear about what the kids in Mexico believe and how the kids there live in fear every day. The kids at Haines were so generous and raised money for Amy & I to buy mattresses after we get to Mexico!

Then after the 4th of July I helped out at my grandma’s church in Condon, Oregon. This time I was a group leader of 6-10 kids, depending on the night. The last night with my little group I explained about why I was moving to Mexico! The kids asked some really good questions about “why” I am moving to Mexico.

Here is my updated support level: 28%! Which is $868 committed monthly support out of $3100 of my recommended support! Just two months ago I was at 20%! It’s cool to watch how God provides for us as we trust Him to! My “car” has made it to: Blue Creek, Utah – which is kind of in the middle of nowhere Utah! Amy & I are praying for the opportunity head down to Mexico this Fall! God has risen Amy’s support to around 35% ($1085/3100)! Please be praying as we continue to seek out more financial support, we need to be at 60% ($1860/3100) before we can leave.

Click here for my prayer requests.

Thanks for letting me keep you updated on what’s happening in my life!
Your missionary en route to Mexico, Crystal

● The new language program, our Mexican Host Family
● I have loved sharing with churches in Idaho & Oregon!
● Immunizations are done!
● Spiritual Life – continuing to get to know my God
● Awesome opportunities to share about missions with churches & individuals – to get them excited about missions
● Preparations for Mexico – purging stuff & packing the rest!!
● Team of Prayer Partners & Supporters
● More laborers to share the Gospel!

Within the last two months my travel plans to Mexico have changed twice!  The date for my arrival in Mexico is in mid-September!  There are some amazing & awesome changes happening in the Spanish Language & Culture Program for Amy & I!  We will be spending our first month in Chihuahua with a Mexican Host family.

The goal of our first month spent with our Mexican family is for us to bond with the Mexican culture first, assist us in problem-solving in adjusting to a different culture out of my comfort zone, and form deeper relationships with the Mexicans & the Mexican Church! Our Mexican family will take us grocery shopping, to church, introduce us to their friends & family, help us begin our Spanish language study, show us where to eat, and so much more! We will see the leaders of the NTM Spanish Department once in the first month & receive weekly phone calls.

I am extremely excited about this new host family program! Since our first month will be spent solely with our Mexican family we won’t see some of our missionary friends there. This will be an awesome opportunity for us as we bond with our Mexican family & their culture!

Support Update
It is amazing how God continues to provide for us in spite of the economic situation around the world. In April God raised my monthly support level by: $100!!! Which puts me at 20% of my monthly support level! Amazing!

This little map shows the progress of my monthly support! New Tribes – Mexico would like me to have enough support to make it to Cortez, Colorado, which is 60% before I can go to Mexico.  But I would like to make it closer to the green star – which is past Albuquerque, New Mexico, about 80%. Currently “my car” is at 20%, which is near Greenwood, Idaho! $31 a month equals 1% of my support. So I only need 80 individuals or churches to help me get there! If you have some more questions about this, please ask!

Why do you need monthly support?
My monthly support covers insurance, taxes, living & ministry expenses. New Tribes Mission does not salary their missionaries. We rely on God to provide for us through churches and individuals.  This is a way for them to be involved in spreading the gospel around the world to those that would never have a chance to hear the good news of Jesus Christ.

March & April Travels

Amy & I have traveled & shared at 7 churches, shared at 7 Bible Studies, 2 teen lock-ins, one Ladies meeting, one Awana camp & allowed hundreds of people the opportunity to understand more ways that they can be involved in spreading the reach of the gospel to Mexico!

New Tribes Mission
Of the world’s 6,500 people groups, 2,500 are still
unreached.

New Tribes Mission helps local churches train, coordinate and send missionaries to these tribes.

The NTM missionary team learns the tribal language and understands the culture, so the message of the Gospel can be presented in the language and the manner the people will understand.

The missionaries translate God’s Word, teach people how to read and write their own language, and teach through the Bible chronologically, laying a foundation for the Gospel among people who have never met the God of the Bible.

Missionaries disciple the new believers, equip them to lead their church, and help them reach out to other villages within their own tribe and to neighboring tribes.

Prayer Requests
● Spiritual Life – continuing to get to know my God
● Awesome opportunities to share about missions with churches & individuals – to get them excited about missions
● Preparations for Mexico – Immunizations & finalizing my will are next on the list
● Planning my Spring & Summer traveling
● Team of Prayer Partners & Supporters
● More laborers to share the Gospel

That I can be an encouragement to fellow believers as I share about how God has changed my life & what will be happening in the future.

I have two churches and a women’s camp to share at in the next few weeks! Pray that I can give a clear testimony of what I’ll be doing in Mexico.