NTM - New Tribes Mission | Planting Tribal Churches

Tribal missionaries, Paul Pries, Phil Svado, Tim and their families, haven’t yet finished their runway and rely on this old junky 1981 cruiser to drive the terrible road leading to their tribe. Over the years their vehicle has slowly been destroyed by others working on it, the worst being the wiring. Many of the wires had been cut and rubbed through in so many places and had dozens of splices that were just wrapped and taped. Where there should have been 5 and 10 amp fuses, the shop had put 30 amp fuses and bolts. Basically the ignition system and windshield wipers were the only thing that sort of worked, and it would randomly shut off still. Also you had to turn the wheel a full two times before it would start moving the tires. Nothing had been greased for years, and tie rods and brake wheel cylinders needed replaced. As well as one u joint and some bulbs died in the shorting problem.

But with this past week of work, I have been able to get it up and going, repairing and replacing all it needed. I’m continually amazed that God would give me the wisdom in each situation to do just what I need. I’m so thankful for the years of experience He has given me for times like this! Now the tribal missionaries can drive back into their remote villages where they are learning the language and will be teaching the Bible to the indigenous people there.

That's a head, shoulders and back for those of you who are visually challenged.

Yes, it is true. We are going to have a baby. It is 16 weeks in the making, and we are greatly anticipating our next February 1st appointment where we will learn if it is a boy or a girl. So exciting! It is due June 27th, and we will go home to Alaska to have “it” there.

Yes, we are still going to Asia Pacific in February.

And, no, this doesn’t mean we are changing our ministry or staying stateside from now on. Life will resume as…relatively normal with even a trip overseas in the Fall.

Finally, yes, we are very excited

Jason and I made two movies of our time in Indonesia. One focuses on the tech areas where Jason served and the other one is all about the medical side of things that I was involved in.

Check out the TECH video here.

Check out the Medical video here.

This is our most current information, check it out HERE.

59 days in Indonesia. Six tribes with tech and medical needs. Two missionaries with hearts to serve God’s people and continue having a part in indigenous tribal church planting and Bible translating wherever we are.

Sorry we are not including tribal names, as it is only for the safety of those serving there.

Tribe number 1: Even though this tribe already has believers and an indigenous church plant, they do not have the entire Bible in their heart language. There are two missionary families (one American and one Indonesian) wanting to move in but asked Jason to determine what tech needs they would have in that location and whether or not they should go with solar or hydro power. Jason also fixed one of the tribal missionaries vehicles when the timing belt went out.

Tribe number 2: As the first phase of Bible teaching was complete, the tribal missionaries discovered they needed more power than their solar could provide to run their printer for the lessons of the second phase of teaching. Having a steady water flow with lots of head, made this tribe a candidate for a hydro system. Because hydro always takes second place to solar, the need must be really great to move in this direction. Because of regular cloudy weather, Jason installed from start to finish a hydro system for these missionaries. He also fixed their chain saw, generator, and we both helped dig a new septic hole. I assisted in the clinic each day diagnosing malaria, pneumonia, ear infections, eye infections, and cleaned and bandaged many wounds.

Tribe number 3: This tribe of believers  is completely independent of missionaries except that the hydro system left by the missionaries which occasionally needs maintenance. Even though this was a quick trip, Jason repaired their hydro system. It now has 60 amps which will provide electricity to the entire tribe.

Tribe number 4: As a new work, we joined three families to help them with tech and medical needs while they continued learning the tribal language and culture. Jason installed fans, lights, and switches for one family of 6, and did several days worth of repairs for another family of 7. One house he hooked up an entire solar power system including all the electrical circuits needed inside. These families now have power to run their computers for language learning and eventually for Bible teaching and translating. I helped run the clinic there and got lots of experience with the many different people who came through. Common illnesses were malaria, pneumonia, elephantiasis, abscesses, and wound care.

Tribe number 5: After years of dedication and service in this tribe and a indigenous church plant as a result, two families continue to work on Bible translation from the States because of the health conditions of their wives but return for translation checks. Jason fixed their generators, motorcycle tires, worn out brakes, hydro system, an oven and hot water heater, and a solar power system. Now they can focus on their language checks and not their tech needs.

Tribe number 6: Last but not least, before we even went to their tribe, Jason fixed their vehicle and motorcycle so when they come out they have good dependable transportation. While in their tribe, Jason worked on minor projects but focused his time on gathering information. The three missionary families need more power, and Jason took all the sun and water measurements to determine if they should go solar or hydro. I helped bandage wounds on a young girl and diagnosis malaria on a gentleman. We plan to come back to this tribe in a few months to help them set up their new system. These families are here to complete the translation for the amazing group of tribal believers who are so hungry for God’s Word.

Six tribes and six different types of service. But all were made possible by our faithful financial partners. Because of THEM, we were able to do this.

Are you interested in becoming a part of our team? Can we be your connection to tribal missions? We need you! Find out more by clicking on the About or Give page above. Thanks!

The last night in our last tribe seemed symbolic. When the tribal believers heard we were coming to help fix things for the missionaries, they told us they wanted to fix us a meal for dinner.

Immediately after eating, we were led to the church for a special service for us. The men sat on the left and the women on the right. This is not missionary influence, but their own cultural preference. They sang songs accompanied by a guitar followed by a sermon in both the tribal language and Indonesian (because some of the new missionaries are still learning the tribal language). When the sermon was over they asked Jason and I if we wanted to share anything. Something was on my heart and so I spoke in English, which was translated into the tribal language for the people. I paused after each sentence and allowed time for my translator to repeat my thoughts.

I said, “Jesus said, “I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was hungry, and you gave me something to drink. Even though I was a stranger, you took me in. Jason and I have come here, and even though you don’t know us, you have invited us into your homes. You have given us water to drink and food to eat. We are so thankful for your hospitality and generosity even though you don’t know us. But in a way we are not strangers. As we sang earlier, I was thinking how we are singing and praising the same God together. We are brothers and sisters and children of King.”

After 21+ years of service in an Indonesian tribe, missionaries, Ed and Steve, returned this week for a visit to their indigenous church plant. After their many years of living among the people, teaching the Bible chronologically, translating the New Testament, and handing the reigns to the new believers they are back continuing to translate the red of the scriptures now including the Old Testament. Because of health issues, their wives are unable to live in the tribes because of weak immune systems from the years of malaria. So a few times a year their husbands come back for translation checks as they continue translating into the heart language of this people group.

We arrived in their tribe one morning, and the helicopter brought them in about an hour later. It was a really weird feeling being dropped off alone with Jason there wasn’t anyone else there who could speak our language. This must be what it’s like for a new tribal missionary to be dropped off for the first time among a people group so different from their own.

Jason spent the day fixing a whole list of their broken things including generators, flat motorcycle tires, worn out brakes, hydro system, an oven and hot water heater, and a solar power system.

At about dinner time he was finishing up a hard day of work, when we learned we would be cooked a meal by the tribal people. What a surprise! These believers told the missionaries that us and Steve and Ed were their responsibility to take care of because it was because of all our help they are able to have the Bible in their language. They told the missionaries, “We’ll take care of you.”

It was so humbling to eat in their tribal hut, on their plates, on their benches and served by Indonesian believers. It might have been a short trip to this tribe, but we were reminded how we cannot out give God. We might have paid thousands of dollars to fly across the world and used our time to fix tech issues for the tribal missionaries, but that day we did not out give God. With even that meal and the rewards for helping these people be able to read the Bible in their own language, we feel God is blessing us beyond what we could imagine.