NTM - New Tribes Mission | Planting Tribal Churches

Here is news from a Tribal Team YOU have been a part of:
Thank you for your support of our ministries. Which support, has in turn, had a part in this team reaching out with the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Malamanda people of Papua new Guinea.
This work in the Malaumanda Tribe of Papua New Guinea is staffed with three of our former students. Christina H. (the first newsletter excerpts are from her family’s newsletter) and Eric &Judith H., went through their missionary training in Baker City when we served there. We still support their works today through our ministry at the US Home Offices, in Member Services. Please remember to pray for these dear brothers and sisters in Christ, the missionaries (John & Christina, and Eric & Judith, as well as the Tribal believers and those who still need to understand and believe that Jesus paid for their sin).
Now, here are excerpts from their letters, first Christina’s:
“Dear Praying Friends,
It is hard to believe it is already the middle of October. I imagine that most of you are beginning to experience the changes of Fall; leaves have long turned, cooler temperatures have arrived and fewer hours of sunlight. All of these things let you know that there is a change of season occurring. Here too, we are seeing signs of a change; indications that we are entering a new season in the growth and maturity of the Malaumandan church….
There are several very encouraging things that God is doing here that we wanted to share with you and ask you to be praying specifically about:
Teaching Through The Book Of Galatians
In our last email, we mentioned that our co-worker Bob Kennell had successfully completed his time of formal language study and was beginning translation of Galatians. Praise the Lord! through His enabling Bob and Alene (a tribal man) were able to get a first draft roughed out and Bob has since been able to do comprehension checking on it. He has also been working on writing Galatians lessons. Lord willing we will begin teaching this epistle beginning this coming Sunday. We will be teaching twice an day (morning and afternoon), four days a week (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday), for four weeks. Please pray that the lessons would be communicated clearly. Pray that the minds of the hearers, would be prepared to hear. Pray that there would be no distractions, the Devil would love nothing better than to see the church here in Malaumanda distracted from hearing God’s Word. (Emphasis mine.)……
Inter-church Leadership Conference
As soon as we finish Galatians, November 23-25, Bob and I will be heading to an inter-church leadership conference hosted by the Bagwido church . This is another language group where NTM missionaries are located. Lord willing, this conference will be a good opportunity for the different tribal churches to build a broader support basis through interconnectivity, and for the three Malaumandan men whom we will be taking with us, some very good teaching in the area of church leadership and discipleship. Pray for these men, Alene, Kambo, Yapata. Pray for other men to be raised up who desire to be faithful men; men who will follow Christ…..
Thank you again, for your continued prayers on behalf of ourselves and the Malamaundan church.
We continue in the Grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
John, Christina, Josiah and Owen H.”
A NOTE FROM ERIC & JUDITH, presently on Home Assignment in Dallas, Oregon:
“Now, true to form, it sure seems that the enemy of our souls certainly doesn’t want these believers to grow in their understanding and focus on Christ. We mentioned in a previous update that many of the believers are staying out of the village panning for gold. While this continues to be the case a whole new distraction just recently ‘came to town’. Apparently a new gold exploration company is set to move back into the valley and will probably be based right there at the airstrip. There is supposed to be a twin engine plane and a helicopter arriving on Monday. We don’t know very many details yet as to their intent, but we do know from past experience that these sorts of things do create a significant distraction to the whole community; including the church. Please pray for Bob and John as they seek to teach and disciple in the midst of this rather unsettled situation. Pray also that the hearts of the believers would have a strong desire to hear this teaching.”
Thank you for your prayers and support for our ministry as we serve these folks serving overseas. Handling their paperwork and other issues at home, enables them to serve a little more undistracted on the mission field. We do so appreciate the part you have had in our ministry and thank the Lord for His provision through your faithfulness and generosity!

Many Blessings,
George and Linda Heckman
Serving at the NTM Home Offices in Sanford, Florida

Be sure to look over the NTM web page for the latest news on the Bena Bena and the other tribal groups hearing the Gospel for the first time in their own HEART language.

Thanks so much for partnering with us on our team to see the Gospel go out to these folks! Our labors here at the Home Office facilitate the missionaries on the field to be able to concentrate on their language study, and work so they can teach and share the GOOD NEWS!

I had a note from some missionaries going to INDONESIA last week that said, “Thanks again for being the missionary to the missionaries with your service on our behalf. It is such a blessing to have a great team at Sanford doing so much for us. ”

So now we thank YOU for allowing us to labor here on behalf of the many many missionaries in the NTM family serving around the world.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

George and Linda Heckman
Member Services NTM US

PRAYER REQUESTS-OCTOBER

Wisdom in our work, and in encouraging the missionaries we have contact with.

Pray For Amy and Crystal to have continued good success with language and culture study and in ministry in Chiuahua Mexico.
Praise the Lord Amy will get to come home for Christmas!

Wisdom with “Our Kids” from the MK’s and Friends Youth group. Today’s teens—tomorrows leaders!

For Beka as she continues her Paramedic studies, and continues to minister at Deltona Lakes Baptist Church.

For safety as we travel over the next couple of weeks- to North Florida this weekend, and then to South Florida and beyond the 18th through the 23. Also for the kids to do well at home; for David, as he will be running the home business.

For Brett and Debby as they seek God’s leading, and for a healthy baby due in March. Chloe is learning Potty training! Pray that she will trust the Lord as her Savior at a very young age.

George and Linda to have balance in ministry and business. Working ALL the time isn’t really our desire, but often is our reality. Praise the Lord for His provision through our wonderful friends, families, and our businesses.

Pray for Tim and David in their studies and in their ministries as they begin helping in other ministries. (David is leading music at 2 other fellowships during the week, as well as often at our youth group. Tim is helping out with the Children at a Sunday night church in Orange City, as well as faithfully inviting his friends to Youth Group.)

Pray for the leadership of the Mission as they seek God’s wisdom and direction for the future and in handling difficult issues from the past.

October 2010
Dear Friends,
Happy Fall! Our weather has taken on a brisk feel and it is so refreshing! Some of the few trees that have a color change here in Florida are starting to turn. It is pretty to see the seasonal changes.
Our work at New Tribes Mission is continually a blessing. We love to be able to serve our members. We work on several projects as well as carry on general correspondence and phone work in our daily tasks. Often we speak with donors and other who have unique questions. Linda is verifying member dates for all of our members and working on letters of Appreciation for our past members.
We were excited to hear that Amy will be able to take a few weeks of vacation time at Christmas and come home for the Holidays! YAY! We are blessed that she is doing so well in her studies, and ministry, and that we have the technology to see her and talk with her often through Skype, Facebook, and on the phone.
Monday our Youth group is had a time for a free bowling night at a local bowling alley. We are praying that the times of interaction with these kids will be a time that we can really connect with them, and be an example of the believer to them. Many of them are dealing with BIG problems, and we praise the Lord we have a BIGGER God!! We desire to point them to HIM.
Linda’s niece is getting married this weekend in Mexico Beach Florida. Beka is a bridesmaid, and Chloe may be a flower girl! The boys are ushering. We will certainly enjoy this family time. God has provided for us to be able to have a family time with George’s family the 18-23 of October as well. We will go on a 5 day cruise to Mexico to celebrate Mom and Dad’s 55th anniversary. We are looking forward to that special time.
Our business may gain a new affiliate in Idaho soon. We are excited to have a nice family renting our rental house. God is so faithful to us and we are encouraged to see the ways He is setting out for us to be used by Him.
Thank you so much for the blessing you have been in our lives and ministry. We appreciate your care and prayer support. Please continue. We can’t do this alone. We are so thankful for the part you have on our team. Please see the prayer requests on the separate attachment. Thanks a million!
In His Strength, George and Linda Heckman

A Few Musings from Linda

Ahh-Weddings!  What fun I had doing the flowers for a wedding this last month.  Our sweet friend from MKs & Friends who recently graduated from NTBI in Waukesha was married over the Labor Day weekend.  Her sweet mom asked me to do some of  the flowers for the wedding.  I had done the flowers for her mom’s wedding years ago when we were in the same class in NTM Missions training!  AHHH memories!

I had great fun doing the flowers.  Carnations, roses and Hydrangea’s (in silk).  But I was unable to attend the wedding as I had a conflict in my schedule. 

George and I attended the FLorida Bible College Bible conference in Kissimmee.  We saw classmates, and youth directors, and teachers from the days we had at Florida Bible College.  Lots of fun memories.  We also got to “touch base” with friends from our years in Colorado. 

God is good.  We enjoyed our time.  To cap it off, Brett and Debby and Chloe spent most of the weekend with us too!  They are looking for direction fomr the Lord, and their pastor suggested they come and meet folks at the gathering.  They had a good weekend and were encouraged.  We even celebrated Brett’s, George’s and Chloe’s birthdays on this weekend!  Great fun together.  We are glad that Debby is feeling a bit better now.  (Baby #2 is due in March.)

We’d love to hear form you!  You can contact us by email or on Facebook, or even a comment on this blog!  Wow, technology!!

Middle of September already!!!! WHAT!?!?
Labor Day Weekend: George and I attended the FBC Bible Conference in Kissimmee, FL . Brett and Debby & Chloe joined us and we had loads of fun and meeting new people and seeing old friends from years ago. Linda shared in song at the meeting Sunday Afternoon, and George had a seminar on Worldview Evangelism on the schedule.
Emergency Room! A week ago, Beka came home from Soccer and swimming and felt like perhaps she had ruptured her spleen. George and Tim took her to the ER and she had a CT scan done. She was fine, just was bruised. Later, talking to her Paramedic instructor, he said she could have indeed ruptured it and it had stopped bleeding by the time she got to the ER. Pray for her full recovery from Hepatitis, and for wisdom as she plays! She is really enjoying her Paramedic program, and was at the fire station 12 + hours today.
Amy & Crystal are doing well. They really love it there in Chihuahua. Their newest addition is a little gray kitten. Not sure of the name yet, but she is getting lots of love!
David has started school and is learning a lot in Statistics, and Economics, English, and Physics this year. He still keeps busy with Craig’s list trading, as well as leading music at 2 church services per week, as well as sometimes our “regular church” and Youth Group. He has done some teaching as well. It is a joy to see him walking with the Lord!
Tim is doing well at school so far. He is so faithful to invite kids out to Youth Group. He will be starting soccer soon. He is beginning to learn guitar, too.
Brett, Debby and Chloe are keeping busy. They have a “Picture” of the new baby on their Facebook site if you are interested in ultrasound pictures! (BrettDebbyChapman is their Facebook name). If you are not into Ultrasound pictures, there are some cute ones of Chloe who just turned 2!!!
The Last Weekend in August & 2nd Weekend in September; We had an Open House at our rental house in Deltona. I think we finally have a renter lined up to move in the first part of October.
George and I are keeping busy on different projects at the Member Services office along with our other activites. All listed above are the “extracurricular activities!” Our Mission is going through some rough waters these days. We are praying much for a good resolution, and for the Gospel to continue going out to those who need to hear, regardless of the storms of life. We work to help our members to be the best they can be for the Lord. We hear weekly of new tribal groups that are hearing of the Savior’s provision for their salvation. How exciting to have new members being added to the Family of God through sound Bible teaching. You can see more detailed stories about these groups on the NTM website. www.ntm.org. You can see some other details about our ministries as well on our website. It is www.ntm.org/george_heckman .
THANK YOU!!! We couldn’t do it without you! I can’t imagine trying to go on a long camping trip with-out supplies. In the same way. I can’t imagine trying to serve here and be involved in our ministries without your prayers and support.
Thanks again! Please let us know how we can be praying for you!
Sincerely in Christ,
George and Linda Heckman
NTM US HOME OFFICES 1000 E. 1st Street, Sanford, FL 32771
Home address: 2651 Hibiscus Court, Deltona, FL 32738

June/July 2010
Dear Friends,
Greetings from (very) warm Deltona, Florida! In this last week we have had temperatures over 100 and the heat index is way up there! The afternoon/evening showers are a welcome relief from the humidity, and also a spectacular lightening show!
Since we went to Beka’s graduation, we have been running “full tilt”. She did graduate at the top of her class, and she even set a school record for the most credit hours taken. What a gal! We are very proud of her. She is working this summer and getting ready for her Paramedic course this Fall. Her entrance test was Monday, and they only take the top 24 students-usually about 200 take the test. She turned in her test results and was told that no one ever gets that high of a score, so she was IN!!! She was very excited. Thanks for your prayers for her, as she would like to take this course to use in a tribal setting when she completes the NTM Missionary training. THANKS!
Our Youth kids decided they would like to continue meeting over the summer, and we are teaching through the Chronological Bible lessons, as we have many kids coming who are not familiar with that teaching approach. Pray for these that is they are not trusting Christ for salvation, they will gain an understanding of how much Christ has done for them so they can have eternal life by trusting in Him alone to save them.
This summer in the Member Services Department, we have folks taking vacation through the summer months. We plan on two weeks in July to go to Michigan to work through some estate issues, and work at the Michigan property that is now the family property. Please pray we have much wisdom in the settling of the estate. Linda’s sister is the executor, and there are a few “bumps in the road”, so to speak.
We are enjoying the work and relationships God has give us. It is a pleasure to have Beka home again for a while. Amy is doing well in Mexico. The boys are having a good summer. We get to see Brett, Debby and Little Chloe often. We are so thankful for God’s manifold blessings.
God is faithful to us, and He will provide for all of our needs. We can continue to trust Him for everything. He demonstrated His trustworthiness to us this last week, through a gift from an unexpected (to us) source. What a huge blessing! Thank YOU so much for the part you have on our team. Your prayers and support enable us to continue in ministry here.
Please join us in prayer for the many new families and singles who have become members of NTM this last month. We had 35 folks finish training, and we have processed their documents to make sure all is in order, and they become members of NTM-US. There were several other couples from our training centers going on in Missionary service as well, but not with NTM.
Thank you, again, for your care and support for our ministries. What a privilege we have to partner with you. Happy Summer! Stay cool! 
George and Linda Heckman, and family
NTM US Home Offices, Personnel Department, Member Services

“But if any of you needs wisdom to know what you should do, you should ask God, and He will give it to you.” James 1:5

BIG NEWS!!!  Amy and Crystal have reached 60% of their recommended support level and are “cleared for take off!!”  The Field has e-mailed and given them a date towards the end of February, to be in El Paso, Texas for a 2 day Orientation, and then their Host family will take them across the border (In New Mexico) and to their next stop, CHIHUAHUA!  Then Immersion in Language and Culture will be the name of the game.  Please continue praying with us and the girls: 1-for their initial adjustments, 2-for God’s direction and provision for the next steps they will be taking (Wisdom), and 3-for them to reach their full support level which will allow them to minister freely in Mexico.  MUCHAS GRACIAS!!

On our Home Front, we are running full speed, dealing with Youth group, taxes, responsibilities and projects at the NTM Member Services offices, and running our bookstore.  We really need wisdom from above for all of the responsibilities we have facing us.  Linda is still working on a settlement for her claim against Wal-mart from a slip and fall accident in September 2008.  We are praying it will be resolved soon.  We are also still dealing with some estate issues regarding her parents’ property in Michigan.  Wisdom from above needed, still!

There are leadership meetings going on at the Home Offices.  Please be in prayer for the leaders in our organization to see God’s direction in the decisions that need to be made.

Thank you so much for your kind and gracious support for our ministries.  We have been extremely busy and are leaning hard on the lord for wisdom and strength these days.  Thank you for your gift of $30 which we received this month.  We appreciate your care for us.

Please feel free to check out our web page at www.ntm.org/george_heckman.  We would love to hear from you as well, if you would let us know how you are doing and how we can pray for you!

Thanks,

In Him,

George and Linda Heckman
Member Services-NTM Home Offices

March 2010

Dear Friends,

We have passed some milestones this last month. Join us for a re-cap of “the ride”.

The whole month of February we have been sick. Tim brought home a bug he shared with us all. Linda was down for an entire weekend, and George ended up with Walking Pneumonia. Gladly, Amy got over the worst of her turn before her trip.

February 24, Amy flew to El Paso, and the 26th she and Crystal arrived and moved into their apartment in Chihuahua, Mexico. They are settling in well, and seeing God faithful to provide their needs of furniture and appliances.

We have been doing a study of Ephesians at MK’s and Friends. What a great study! This coming weekend they are having a camping trip at Blue Springs park. We have over 30 folks going.

In the Member Services department we are working with several couples who are retiring from a lifetime of service. We have been in contact with 94 families who are on Home Assignment from their field of service. We have been working with 27 families who are in transition from one ministry or field of service to another. Presently we have 17 families awaiting assignment, and 45 which are enroute to their field of service. Another new class graduates from the Missionary Training center in April, and we look forward to processing their paperwork to get them “on the road” to their field of service. Please pray for these families which these numbers represent. These dear folks have given their lives to serve the Lord in the hard places. They have the same needs that each of us do, they are just ordinary people, trusting a BIG God, to follow His command to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

Other changes in our lives: David now has his driver’s license and has been enjoying the freedom of driving himself to activities, and also learning the responsibilities of vehicle maintenance. David has a heavier class load this semester, and he is doing some elective classes with his friends. Tim has his driving permit and has started having some lessons in driving. He was recently inducted into the National Honor Society. We are very proud of him!

Thanks much for your prayers for us. We appreciate your involvement in our lives more than you can imagine. God is using you to be a part of our ministry through your prayers and your financial support. You are appreciated. God is faithful!

With our love and prayers.

George and Linda Heckman and Family

Dear Friends,

Just wanted to pass along this exciting news from our friends in the Stewardship Development office.
This is the BIG news, the Kodiak plane is soon on its’ way to South East ASIA where it will have a large part in seeing the Gospel reach out to the many who have not heard there. Please read over our co-worker’s letter below. Please pray with us about the many folks this will be instrumental in helping to hear the message Gospel.
Thank you so much for your prayers on our behalf.

Because He Loved the WHOLE world,

George and Linda Heckman
Serving at the NTM Home Offices
Member Services
Sanford Florida

Dear Praying and Supporting Quest Friends,
An exciting day has arrived in the history of the Mission.
Presenting Kodiak Serial #0031 — the first of 14 Kodiaks to be delivered to New Tribes Mission!

Just a bit of history: New Tribes Mission (NTM) was founded in 1942 and today has 3,076 missionaries working in 20 countries. As our name depicts, they work primarily among primitive tribal people seeking to fulfill Christ’s Great Command to evangelize and make disciples among “every tribe and tongue.” NTM is now working among 255 tribal groups and began work among nine new language groups in 2009. NTM has 108 Bible Translations in progress, with 48 completed, of which 5 were completed this year. It is documented that there are some 2,300 language groups yet to be contacted with the gospel. The task of world evangelism continues for us using these new Kodiaks as a valuable tool!

Here is #0031 just last month

At the end of December it rolled out of the paint-shop in Everett, Washington

This first NTM Kodiak will soon be flown to Indonesia to be based on an island in support of the NTM helicopter. The tribal areas being served and opened up to the Gospel are so remote and rugged that NTM must also use a helicopter to reach some of these 23 isolated language groups on the island. Only two of these tribal areas can be reached by road –if you wish to travel 9 hours on what is euphemistically referred to as a road but actually is actually only a jungle path.

This Kodiak will also be serving other islands with hopes to continue expansion further east to other islands. NTM has operated a fleet of 28 piston powered Cessna 185 and 206 aircraft. Paul Wyton reports that “Avgas is very rare and expensive in Indonesia and the Kodiak, being turbine powered, will be a huge help because it burns less expensive and available jet fuel. Two of the areas to be served have been without air service for a number of years and the Kodiak will greatly help those programs move forward.”

Below is a typical mission airstrip! Obviously this 185 landed just fine, but looking over the nose of PK-YMU at this short airstrip, you might offer a prayer for the hundreds of such landings and take-offs in these primitive settings every day. This is a Kodiak strip for sure -but it is a reminder to us to uphold these men and their amazing machines.

Paul Wyton adds… “We at New Tribes Mission are thrilled with what God has done to provide this crucial tool. We believe that for decades to come the Kodiak will play a strategic role, providing access and sustaining tribal church planting teams in some of the most remote tribal villages on the face of the earth. People groups who are today cutoff and isolated will have an opportunity to hear the Good News of the Gospel, lives will be changed and churches will be planted. We are so thankful for Quest Aircraft, for their vision to undertake this very difficult task and for their unswerving determination to see it through. We are also very grateful for the many Quest donors who have given generously to provide the matching grants that subsidized the purchase of the 14 Kodiaks NTM has on order.
Thank you so very much!”
Paul Wyton – NTM
Director of Development
Write to us for the address for contributions if the Lord places this project on your hearts.