teaching God's word

As we approach the end of 2011 this letter comes to you with our hearts overflowing with thankfulness!  Another year of ministry together which brought about lives being transformed by the power of the Gospel. God is at work and He is using you to reach every tribe, tongue and nation.

God is doing exciting things in the Philippines. The Manobo New Testament is now printed in two different dialects and the Manobo churches are sending out their own missionaries! In another remote village and completely different language, missionaries have begun evangelistic Bible lessons. Over the past year four new missionary families have moved into three different villages to begin learning the language and customs of the tribe so they can one day teach God’s Word to these precious souls for whom Christ died.

In Manila, at the Mission Center, we have seen God put together a great team to run the center in our absence and keep the “hub” of mission activity running smoothly.

Back in June 2011, our “Home Assignment” started off with an amazing meeting at  Fellowship Alliance Chapel.  Debbie and I gave an update on our ministry in the Philippines and then we were followed by Gracia Burnham. She humbly shared God’s amazing work in and through her life.

Debbie and I will be returning to the Philippines in January 2012. We will be leaving our three precious children in the USA. Our “home assignment” has been a refreshing time for us as we have had an opportunity to share in person with many of you all that God is doing. It is so encouraging for us to see your enthusiastic interest in our lives and ministry.

Christmas together

Speaking of our three precious children; Eddie, Ashley and Brianna are really doing well as they all desire to obey and follow God with their lives.

Christmas breakfast

Eddie continues his studies at Philadelphia Biblical University to serve the Lord in youth ministry.

Ashley serves  as an in-flight medic and unofficially as a “ Chaplain” to many.

Brianna is attending New Tribes Bible Institute’s two year Bible program and is serving with the high school youth at a local church in Milwaukee. She is putting into practice the things she is learning.

We are thankful for your partnership in our ministry. It takes a team, and without you we could not continue to serve in the Philippines.

ahh yes a job well done

Things are somewhat back to normal after the flood, especially for us here at the Mission Center.  We still have many guests coming & going all the time which keeps us busy.

We have completed 7 queen size bedspreads and 13 twins size out of all that fabric we showed in a previous update.  We are also working on reupholstering furniture.  With 34 guest rooms there is lots of furniture to make, refinish, recover, etc.

What in the world does this have to do with Church planting, the Gospel and Bible translation?  It shows that we are all part of the team.  There are missionaries, language consultants, mission teams, family members of missionaries, pastors, doctors, training personnel, all staying with us at the Martin Burnham Mission Center for various reasons such as medical, dental, travel, some may be here for training seminars, well you get the idea all kinds of people using the Center.  Yes, we are all part of the team planting churches among unreached people groups.

Taltak & his mom Kilsit - Taltak needs surgery on his face

For example the picture attached of the boy Tatak and his mom are from a village where the missionaries will begin teaching God’s Word early next year, in the tribal language.  He was here for 6 weeks trying to get medical attention for the growth on his face (actually to find out the source of the growth).  He will be back in January to have this taken care of.

Thank you for being a part of God’s team with us in reaching the lost.

Nick (works with Ed), had the radio playing in the workshop and a song came on in English which sang about being “blue” and he asked “what mean blue, the color blue?”  and Ed told him malungkot (sad) and proceeded to tell Nick that is how we are feeling now as Thanksgiving and Christmas approach because we miss our friends and family back in America.  So please pray for us as we do MISS YOU!

People in the village soon to hear the gospel!

Prayer Requests:

Please pray for Tatak, his and the many others in his village that God would continue to prepare their hearts and minds to understand and receive the Gospel.

Pray that we can encourage those the Lord brings through the Mission Center to continue on serving as we do not know how long we will have the freedom to spread the Gospel in this or any other country.

Pray for Debbie as she will be having some major dental work done Thursday night your time (4 old crowns redone) they are decaying underneath.

We do Praise the Lord for the health and strength He gives us to serve Him.

Thank you for praying!

May God richley bless you!