Jason and Shannon Swanson Just another weblog Jer 29:11-12 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
God has a purpose and plan for all that happens in this world. Of that we are confident. Whatever comes our way, we know for certain, it has come through the loving filter of our great and wonderful God. Moving out to our supply center in December was a very uncertain move. We were uncertain about Shannon’s health. We were uncertain how the Siawi body of Christ would respond in our absence. And we were uncertain whether the Lord might be leading us home to America. And yet, in the midst of the uncertainty there was a quiet and very assured peace and calm. God was and is still in control. We have now lived in the town where our supply center is located for the Sepik region for the last 5 months and seen God’s hand at work in many different areas. The body of believers continues to meet several times a week. The bible teachers have had numerous opportunities to strengthen their faith and grow in their shepherding skills. Four Siawi men and 1 Anu and one Amto man were able to come to supply center for the Sepik region for an intensive look at how to study the word and disciple others. We have seen more and more care taken for other believers as people give an offerering each week to the Lord. There has also been great enroudes made on constructing their own Siawi worship songs. The outreach to Anu and Amto continues to go strong. Each week 8 men , sometimes accompanied by their wives and children travel the 5 hour hike. This is not done for pay or praise of man but so the Anu and Amto might hear God’s word in their own heart language.
I, Jason, over the last 6 months have made 5 one-week trips into Siawi alone to teach the word of God to the Siawi believers and disciple. These teaching times have proven very profitable not only to illuminate new truth from God’s word but also as a really good sharpening time with the key believers. As different struggles come up and they are forced to deal with these issues alone, without me, they are learning to function as a group of men sharing leadership. This is God’s design for the church. They have also been given lots of opportunities to teach from God’s word as well. All in all we are very encouraged with how the beleivers are doing and applying God’s word to their lives. There are still many more things which they must learn in order to be equipped to function on their own. But with the completion of 1 Corinthians quickly approaching, it is exciting to consider teaching through 1 and 2nd Timothy. As we strive to train up and disciple these fellow believers in Christ we have been reminded that it is God’s Word that is the key. God’s Word truly is sufficient and adequate. It can do the work it was set out to accomplish. Please pray that Linda would finish the New Testament translation in the next year. This will cost around $20,000 for printing and binding. If any of you would like to give to this project you can send the financial gift to NTM and merely designate on the check: For the Siawi Translation Project.
