Archive for January, 2010

Jason’s Trip to Florida

Posted by Jason and Angie Bechtel on Monday, January 25th, 2010
I enjoyed walking on the lakefront to bookend each day.

I enjoyed walking on the lakefront to bookend each day.

Extremely cold temperatures had turned all the grass from it's typical green.

Extremely cold temperatures had turned all the grass from it's typical green.

NTM HQ

The weather was PERFECT!

Mark is Jason's counterpart in the US HQ

Mark is Jason's counterpart in the US HQ

Last week I had the privilege of visiting our co-workers in the NTM USA Headquarters. I didn’t bring my camera, so here are some pictures that Karl (one of two other guys on this road trip) took.

Both Karl and I are relatively new to the NTMC Headquarters, so this trip was primarily a chance to build relationships with our counterparts in the NTM USA home office.

One reason for going sooner than later is the redesign of the NTM.org website. The Communications Department in the USA is working on plans for a complete redesign, so myself and two others from the NTMC homeoffice drove down to find out how we can be a blessing in this project.

That’s right, we drove. Going down we drove to Columbia and stayed there for the night. Coming back we felt a little bit more adventuresome and drove through the night to surprise our wives. I was reminded once again that surprises can backfire.

Before going home I stopped for flowers and chocolates. Once home, I found myself locked out and Angie and the girls GONE! So much for surprising her. Luckily she wasn’t far. I went to work and had a friend call her and have her come to the NTMC office. Angie just assumed I had ordered flowers. Nope, no flowers at the head office—just me. Delena was the most surprised. The first thing she said was “I thought you were in Florida!”

2-year old Delena reading

Posted by Jason and Angie Bechtel on Wednesday, January 20th, 2010

Delena (2 years old) loves to be read to—a lot. So much so she memorizes the books. Here is her “reading” one of her favourites.

Notice how she is reading to her dolls.

Also notice how she uses different voices for different characters in the story. So cute!

Fire destroys Salvation Army in Clinton

Posted by Jason and Angie Bechtel on Thursday, January 14th, 2010
No one was hurt in the fire January 12th

No one was hurt in the fire January 12th

Tuesday afternoon word got to me that there had been a devastating fire in Clinton, the home town of both Angie and I. It was only doors from where my mom works, so I tried several times through the afternoon to track her down. Eventually she did call me back to let me know she was okay, and that everyone was okay.

Apparently my brother Sean was the one who called the fire department. On his way through Clinton to work he was one of the first on the scene.

Judy Renner took the top photo on January 12. Mickey Nott took the second photo the following day.

January 13th Ministry Update

Posted by Jason and Angie Bechtel on Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

bechtel94

How has the New Year been treating you?

For me it has been an exercise in jumping in with both feet. Last weekend Angie and I had the opportunity to get away for a married couples retreat at Joy Bible Camp near Bancroft. You can read about that adventure here: http://blogs.ntm.org/jason-bechtel/2010/01/13/laugh-your-way-through-marriage-retreat/

This weekend I am driving to Florida with two co-workers for a week of meetings. We really do appreciate your prayers. Safety on the road is one need, a profitable week of meetings is another. While I am gone Angie and the girls are going to spend some of the week with her parents.

I continue to squeeze in time for the Lauje Tribal Bible. It is supper exciting to think that later this year the Lauje people of Indonesia will have the New Testament in their language for the first time. Praise the Lord with us that the funds for the printing of this New Testament have already come in. If you are interested in helping fund other Tribal Bibles (or maybe your church is) please let me know! Please be praying for me as I continue to format the Lauje New Testament. There is so much potential for a slip of a finger and a letter being added in or taken out!

Angie and the girls have all had minor colds in the last couple of weeks. Praise the Lord that this has all been minor. Please be praying that both girls start sleeping better so that Angie and I can sleep better too (I know, we are selfish!)

In cause you were wondering which prayer card was the most popular, option #1 ended up with a significant lead over my (Jason’s) personal favourite! Don’t worry, my feelings aren’t hurt (that much).

Oh, and Lorelei is officially sitting up on her own now. She still is prone to “tipping over”, but for the most part she has this mastered. Yay Lorelei! Please continue to pray for Angie and I as we raise these two gifts from God. We really want to live lives in step with God which our girls want to model their lives after.

Please check out this video on our website: http://blogs.ntm.org/jason-bechtel/2009/12/31/dagamee-does-your-heart-hurt-too/
Dagamee, a baby-Christian in the Moi tribe of Indonesia, explains: “The Creator God is our true Father and we look to Him to meet our needs — our hunger, our wounds, our hunting. For things big and small we cry out to the Creator.” Angie and I are also keenly aware of God’s blessings in our lives. He went to Calvary for our greatest need, and continues to care for us, even down to money for our hunting trips to the grocery store!

Angie and I feel so privileged to have a part reaching , and others like him around the world, with the Good News about Jesus Christ. All of you who are supporting us, either in prayer, financially, or with much needed encouragement, are also helping the Gospel go where it has never been before!

Millions unreached, none unreachable.

Jason for Angie, Delena and Lorelei too

“Laugh Your Way through Marriage” Retreat

Posted by Jason and Angie Bechtel on Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

LYW logo

This past weekend, Jason and I had the privilege of going to a couples retreat at Joy Bible Camp, just outside of Bancroft, ON.  Lorelei was able to come along too since her milk machine was going.

Friday, at noon, we loaded the girls up and took Delena to her Nana’s (1.5 hours).  We then joined up with my parents for the next 5 hours.  Once at the retreat, we met up with my sister and her husband.  Not only was it a couples retreat, but a family affair as well!

The couples retreat was called “Laugh Your Way through Marriage”.  It was a video series by Mark Gungor.  And laugh we did.  We thoroughly enjoyed the series.  He was very frank and we learned lots, but as Jason said, “It was hard to tell if he was doing a marriage seminar or just stand up comedy.”  We would highly recommend him.  If you’re interested in seeing what he’s like, just search “Mark Gungor” on YouTube!

We had a great time getting to know the other couples, plus a friend of mine from the area was able to come over Saturday afternoon for a visit.  The staff at the camp were great too.  They were totally accommodating for us bringing Lorelei along.  I wouldn’t be surprised if we find ourselves making another trip up to Joy Camp sometime, but maybe not for awhile because it is a LONG drive!

Bechtel Christmas Update 2009

Posted by Jason and Angie Bechtel on Monday, January 4th, 2010