Jason and Angie Bechtel Bringing Hope to Unreached People Groups
Want to see someone really excited about their salvation in Jesus Christ? Then check out this video from the Siar tribe in Papua New Guinea. God is doing amazing things around the world.
There is also a list of updates on the Siar tribe on the NTM website.
Let’s see…we’re now in 2012…what has happened in the last little while?? I guess I’ll start back at Christmas. We had a wonderful Christmas break. It was fun having Delena home every day. It seemed a little strange though, I’m not sure why since it was only a couple months ago that she was home every day! We actually spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at my parents, with my sister and her family and my brother. We haven’t all been together on Christmas morning in three years probably, just because of work schedules mostly.
We spent Boxing Day with Jason’s Mom and all his siblings.
Then the 27th we were back at home in order to have Jason’s Dad over to our place. Each day came with a turkey dinner and, of course, there were lots of leftovers to follow! 
It was also nice that Jason could have a few days off between Christmas and New Years where we didn’t have to go anywhere or do anything!
New Year’s Eve we were home with a few family members and we managed to make it until midnight! It was a short night though with church in the morning!
The next week we had a nice surprise and my cousin was able to come for a visit with her two boys. We’ve stayed at their place a number of times, so it was nice to have them to our place for a change. I got to take them all for the winter version of the ‘Jungle Camp’ tour. I think the kids just liked building the snowman at the end of the tour. They didn’t really care too much for trudging through the snow, but at least they all slept well after that!
Yep, the bridge can hold their weight!
Julie and her boys had never been to Jungle Camp
That week there was also free skating each afternoon at the Durham Arena, so we decided we should attempt to take all the kids skating. Ever been skating with a 1, 2, 3, and 4 year old? That doesn’t even include Myelle! Jason and my brother both came with us to help and it still took us a half hour to get everyone’s skates on! That left us with a half hour to skate, but that was enough. Thankfully some friends were at the arena and one of them graciously watched Myelle on the sidelines and another one helped Lorelei out quite a bit. By the end of the time, the kids were just starting to get the hang of things and we forgot our camera, so we decided to try again the next day.
Lorelei showing us how it is done. Not bad for being the first time on skates.
eventually Delena did catch onto how to use the pilon
Our second round of skating, Jason stayed home with Myelle and just two adults took the four kids. Again, a half hour of lacing, but the allotted skating time was longer, so we could actually be on the ice for a full hour. This time we took lots pictures and the kids did a lot better!
Here is a news story from the field of Paraguay written by Ian Fallis that I loved.
Angie and I have personal friends that worked with this unreached people group for 17 years and are now living near us. Hearing how the Bible translation is coming along is thrilling to my heart. Bible translation is a vital part of reaching the unreached with the gospel of Jesus Christ, and seeing a mature church planted and established that truly glorifies God. And to hear that pastor-elders are being appointed, this is extra special!
All the pieces are coming into place for the Manjui church to stand and grow.
The Manjui New Testament is nearing completion. Colossians and 1, 2 and 3 John were printed and made available to believers and Bible teachers in October. With that step, 24 of the New Testament’s 27 books were printed.
Last month, 2 Corinthians was checked for comprehension, to see how well the translation was understood by Manjui people. “This now leaves only a couple of checks to go for this difficult book,” wrote Gordie and Nancy Hunt, who work among the Manjui people.
The only books left to translate are Hebrews and Revelation.
Three of the Manjui Bible teachers were recognized as pastors and leaders last May, and these men have been teaching through Romans and Ephesians.
“The Manjui church is definitely growing spiritually as the pastors have been teaching,” the Hunts wrote. “We are asking you to praise God for what He is doing among these people.”
For the second year in a row, the NTM@work magazine in November is a calendar. You can see the Canadian version below. If you didn’t get one in the mail, I would love to send one to you. Just email to let me know!
New Tribes missionary Jason Swanson prays for the Siawi church.
New Tribes Mission seeks to establish mature churches among people who are isolated from the gospel. After teaching chronologically in the tribes’ own language and culture, believers are discipled to lead the church and partner in the Great Commission.
Here is the latest NTM@work magazine. I have gotten piles of very encouraging feedback about the articles in this NTM@work. Just to be up front, if you enjoyed anything in the NTM@work, it had nothing to do with me. NTM-USA does the magazine for themselves, and generously allows NTM Canada to reprint it. I take the liberty to substitute in Canadian specific information in the place of USA specific information (such as featured missionaries, State-side giving opportunities, etc.), but the field-related content is identical.
A lengthy procession of more than 3,000 people sang praises to God as they made their way to the area where they would sit through a sun-scorched, five-hour ceremony.
Jungle Camp was the highlight of our two years of tribal missionary training with New Tribes Mission. So it is with fond memories we look forward to each summer when a new class of missionaries-in-training move into the bush for 4 weeks.
As staff at the home office for NTM in Canada, we got a sneak peak at how the students are doing. The actual open house isn’t until July 2-3. I encourage everyone to plan a day trip and see for yourself how resourceful and creative the students are.
Round 1 of Questions about Jungle Camp
Hot Water Plumbed into our Jungle Camp Home
That first week after my trip to Indonesia was a killer. Not only was I battling jet lag, but I was working hard to get the May 2011 edition of the NTM@work magazine “Canadianized” and to the printer. Well, with the help of Peter and Elaine Yoon, the magazine did get out the door that first week back. And today they are being mailed.
Can’t wait to get your copy? Well you can read it here!
Along with the magazine, Elaine wrote up a fantastic article to introduce the new Leadership Team for NTM Canada.
New Tribes Mission is working with many different people groups in Papua New Guinea. Many of the people we work with have never been into town, so riding and escalator for the first time can be quite entertaining, if not for this grandfather, then for those of us watching.
