John and Melanie Kerstetter Our family in ministry SAME but DIFFERENT
As humans, most of us don’t like change; it is hard to face. Even though we have faced many changes this year, we recognize the things that have remained the same: 1) our desire to serve the Lord, 2) our vision of reaching the unreached for Christ, 3) continuing with New Tribes Mission (NTM), and 4) our need for a support team. In light of these constants in a sea of change, we are excited about our future and the possibilities God has for us!
“Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” (Proverbs 16:3)
As we sensed the Lord leading us to leave Brazil, we were praying about the new ministry to which He would lead us; our desire to serve Him has not faded. It was difficult to wrap our minds around the thought of leaving the country where we had served the Lord for over 20 years, but God confirmed our new direction in many ways.
With much prayer and consideration, we are confident that the Lord is directing us to work with the MK (missionary kid) Education Center, based here on the campus of the Missionary Training Center (MTC) for NTM, where we now live. This being our home area with our sending church and some family living here, we are very grateful to settle in this location.
Although neither of us has formal training in education, we have 13 years of experience working with MKs at the school in Brazil. Our earlier years of experience in the tribal setting will also be beneficial to our new ministry as we have contact with the missionary candidates who are preparing to take the Gospel to indigenous groups all over the world. We are thrilled at the prospect of being involved here because, rather than serve missionary families in just Brazil, our lives will have a global impact! We count it a privilege to have a part in the task of world evangelism, and hope to spend the next 20 years still involved in reaching the unreached for Christ!
“I am excited about John & Melanie Kerstetter joining the NTM MK Education Center staff next year. Their extensive field experience, personal and ministry gifts, and hearts for supporting NTM families in cross-cultural ministry through MK care and education are an excellent fit for our team at the Missionary Training Center. It will be great having them join us.” -Britt Hemphill (NTM MK Education Center Coordinator)
The MK Education Center is a part of NTM’s MK Care & Education Department, whose primary purpose is to provide support for missionary families worldwide in the care and education of their children. Among its many responsibilities, the department assists in the areas of learning differences, home schooling, and shepherding MKs. It also helps prepare missionary candidates at the Training Center through teaching some courses like Child Protection and Parenting & Education, and provides information for what parents need in planning for their children’s educational needs—both here and when they go overseas.
Due to some major staff changes in the Department this past year, we don’t know yet specifically what we’ll be doing in our day-to-day tasks, but we are trusting the Lord to fit in beginning August 2012. However, our acceptance to this new ministry is unofficial at this point because of our support level. The MTC leadership requests that we raise our level of support to at least 60% of the recommended amount. During our years of service in Brazil we received less than half of the mission’s recommended level of support for our family for Brazil. With the move from Brazil to the States, we have already lost some regular support and our current support level figures out to be about 42%. We believe the Lord is leading us to this new ministry, so we are confident that He will, in His way and time, raise our financial support to meet this requirement.
“Faithful is he who calls you, and he also will bring it to pass.” (I Thessalonians 5:24)
We recognize the fact that we could not have continued in our ministry all these years without a team of partners like you. There are many who have faithfully prayed for us, others who have sacrificially given, and some who have expressed care and encouragement, especially during difficulties and stressful times we have experienced. During the time leading up to August we want to reconnect with current partners (who we are very thankful for!) as well as invite new partners to join our team. We plan to travel, visit, and share our vision. As we prepare please let us know if you would like us to come by and visit you.
Please pray for us during this time of transition as we settle here and develop our partnership team. Thank you for your participation in our ministry. We value you as a vital team member in reaching the world for Christ!
January 2012
All together on the same continent!
We have enjoyed the changing seasons with the fall colors and dropping temperatures, and now winter with a little snow. This is the first Stateside fall and winter for us in 8 years, so we are finding it a little exciting!
New Year…
It’s hard to believe we are already in the year 2012! We trust that in reflecting upon a new year of new opportunities, we will all seek a heart of renewal.
Enjoying family…
We are so loving being close to all our kids now! Even the ones in Wisconsin seem “close”—they are only less than a 10 hour drive away instead of a whole continent away! We’ve had some special times with them and are enjoying being able to see them fairly frequently.
She said "yes!"
Wedding bells…
We are very happy to announce the engagement of BJ to Carissa Richards! Carissa’s parents are NTM missionaries who have been on staff at New Tribes Bible Institute in Wisconsin for about 20 years (Carissa grew up there.) We have actually known Carissa’s family since Melanie and Carissa’s mom were both single and in the training together! We had some very fun family time in October in Door County, WI (thanks to some special friends!), and while we were there, BJ popped the question! Carissa said, “YES!” and the wedding is set for July 7, 2012. We know they would appreciate your prayers as they plan for their special day and for their future together.
Together for the Holidays!
Christmas memories…
We were privileged to have all of our kids, including our future daughter-in-love, with us for Christmas! We felt very blessed to have everyone here to celebrate our Savior’s birth together, and we also fit in a few fun activities. We just lacked some snow to really make us feel “in the mood”, but we actually had some pretty mild weather to enjoy some outdoor time. The 8 days with everyone together went quickly, but we had lots of time to just relax and play together and make more memories!
Future ministry…
We are excited about the possibilities before us! We are looking to fit into the MK (missionary kid) Education Center for New Tribes Mission beginning in August 2012. This is located on the campus of the Missionary Training Center where we are currently living. Maintaining our same vision of reaching tribal people with the Gospel, we will be involved in equipping missionary families to educate their children while living in often difficult settings overseas. A letter to come will give more details about our new ministry.
Many blessings…
As we look back over 2011, we realize that we have so much to be thankful for! God has blessed us in so many ways, and we don’t want to take for granted His blessings. We are thankful to be feeling more refreshed and rested and healed as the days and weeks go by, and we are blessed to be in a location that has been conducive for this to happen. We are also blessed by your partnership with us and we covet your continued prayers.
Tags: New Tribes Mission, NTM
Word Analysis
Analysis [noun] – a method of determining [something's] essential features and their relations
(Definitions taken from http://dictionary.reference.com)
A lot has happened since our last update. God has been faithful and has been proving Himself to us in many ways. We praise Him for His numerous provisions, for the time we’ve had with our kids, and for the summer we were able to just stay in one place and get some much needed rest. As we slowed down we have taken some time to do some evaluating, and we’ve also done a little bit of analysis with some words that have recently become more a part of our vocabulary.
Re-entry [noun] – an act of reentering; “refers to the transition pressure and the reaction to it” (NTM Member Care)
During the past few months of re-entry we have been processing these pressures and reactions we’ve been experiencing. We have had time to rest, reflect on, and recover from not only our move from Brazil to the US, but also the load of responsibilities and stresses of events we left behind, and the 7-year-long term we had on the field. Needless to say, we left Brazil very drained. Two words have been very prominent to us during this time of re-entry—transition and healing.
Transition [noun] – movement, passage, or change from one position, state, stage, subject, concept, etc., to another; change
- leaving Brazil (and all that went with that—our house, friends, pets, and most of our belongings) and beginning to reestablish ourselves in the country in which we have spent a total of about 4 years in the past 20 years
- readjusting to the country and culture that feels so familiar and yet so foreign
- settling into our new home on the campus of the New Tribes Missionary Training Center in Roach, MO, and trying to determine what are urgent needs for getting settled and what we can live without for awhile as we get reestablished here
- planning our year of home assignment with traveling and visiting that needs to be done to reconnect with our support team and also to raise up new supporters
Healing [verb] – the act or process of regaining health
-
physically
- we have been doing a lot of sleeping and relaxing, and just “laying low”
- we are trying to develop a regular exercise routine
- we are slowly taking care of medical needs as we are able
-
mentally
- we are trying to limit commitments
- we are trying to avoid mentally exhausting tasks
-
emotionally
- we are avoiding involvement in emotionally taxing issues
- we are asking the Lord for patience and grace with each other as we all deal with the stress of the transitions we are going through
Highlight [noun] – an important, conspicuous, memorable, or enjoyable event
- the simple pleasures and comforts of life in the United States
- reuniting with our family
- being closer to our kids and seeing them frequently – Josh is with us, Bethany and BJ are only a 9+ hour drive away (as opposed to on a different continent!), and Charity lives on the same campus we do
Children [noun] – plural for son or daughter; offspring
Besides the fact that some of our children are facing most of these same transitions with us, all of them are also facing their own individualized transitions. We all would appreciate your prayers for them in the various areas mentioned.
Josh (in blue shirt) – left the school that he has attended (every year except 2nd grade when he was home schooled) and the one he imagined he would graduate from; is beginning the new school year in the local public high school; is making new friends; is learning how to fit in as “the new kid” in a new environment
Bethany – graduated in May from high school; had her first summer job at a camp snack shop; has started the 2 year course at New Tribes Bible Institute in Waukesha, WI; is working part time at a grocery store
BJ – graduated in May from New Tribes Bible Institute in Waukesha, WI; moved into his first apartment with 3 friends; is working 2 part-time jobs (driving buses and working at a wholesale food distributor); is learning to balance life responsibilities and a relationship with his girlfriend
Charity – finished one year of child care work at New Tribes Missionary Training Center (right here on the campus where we are living); went on a missions trip to Haiti; is working another semester in the same child care; is contemplating future options for working with children
Remember [verb] – to recall to the mind by an act or effort of memory; to have (something) come into the mind again
As we have faced these transitions, the Lord has caused us to remember Isaiah 40:28-31, which says:
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.”
The word in these verses that stands out to us now is:
Renew [verb] – to make effective for an additional period; to restore or replenish; to revive, reestablish
We are encouraged as we are finding renewal in the Lord these days and we are grateful for His strength and power that He promises for the weary and weak (ie. US!).
We would appreciate your continued prayers for the following:
- continued spiritual growth, healing and renewal that only the Lord can truly give us
- our home assignment time with traveling, visiting, and sharing our ministry
- God’s continued provision as we try to get reestablished here in the States
- the sale of our house in Brazil
We hope to see many of you sometime this year. If you are interested in us visiting you or speaking in your church, please let us know. Our next update will include information about our future ministry. Thank you once again for your prayers and gifts and for being a part of what God is doing in our lives and ministry! We appreciate YOU!
Finding renewal in Him,
John & Melanie Kerstetter & family
School Retreat
Our annual school RETREAT was great! We had good weather, fun activities, and great meetings. The grade school group learned about their real significance in Christ. The high school group learned about some “red flags” of the flesh, and truths of walking in the Spirit. John & Melanie enjoyed leading team building activities for the high school students. We always enjoy this time of the year when we can get involved with the students at a different level and become more involved in their lives.
John’s Birthday
We had a surprise 50th birthday party for John (turned 50 last month) and a friend, Steve Parker, (turning 50 this month). Our Steve’s wife and Melanie have been “planning” this party for about a year, so they were really glad to have been able to pull it off! And the guys didn’t even suspect a thing! Everyone was invited from the school. We had a good evening playing games and enjoying fellowship with each other.
News from Charity & BJ
We just have to take the opportunity to share with you about Charity and BJ, who are in Bible school together in Wisconsin. We are thankful for the Internet phone we have here at the school that allows us frequent phone conversations with them, plus we have communication by e-mail. They are loving “college life” and all that goes with it. CHARITY recently used her nail painting skills by giving pedicures for 4 hours at a “Girls’ Spa Night” they had at school. Time did not allow for all the girls that wanted their nails done, so some made “appointments” with her for a later time. She also enjoys helping out with AWANA at her church each week. BJ, who already plays guitar, is learning to play some new instruments—drums, ukulele, and, the most challenging, cello! He is also using his computer skills by helping out his church with their web site. We are excited at the various opportunities God has given them in different areas. We are also so thankful that they are maturing well and, most importantly, growing in the Lord.
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” -III John 4
Following are some quotes that we’ve received from them:
“I have had a really good year filled with lots of growing experiences in better understanding who God is and also understanding what His Word is all about.” - Charity
“Bible School is “the bees knees” and everything I’m learning has just blown my mind!! …My walk with God is indescribable, I have never been closer to Him than I am right now.” - BJ
“Learning how to accept people how they are and learning how to get along with people no matter what our differences are has become something that I am very aware of …. it is only through God that we are able to love people unconditionally.” - Charity
“Depending on Him, knowing that I do not have anything but I am perfect and complete in Him, knowing that because of Christ I can have a perfect relationship with God and living my life for that relationship – that is my purpose in life.” - BJ
“[Please pray for me] to be able to appropriate what I have in Christ.” - Charity
I love God and have been learning to trust Him for everything.” - BJ
Thank you for your prayers for them and please continue. Because of the time of year and the economy, both of them are getting in hardly any (or zero) hours of work at their jobs. BJ has applied for taking census (which would be a great temporary job to help get him through these slow months at the coffee shop) and Charity has some babysitting and other possibilities (which would help supplement her job at the health food store). Please pray for God’s provision for them.
Charity’s Newsletter
Dear Friends and Family,
Wow this semester sure has gone by quickly and now we are already into a new semester! Christmas is already gone and the new year is now here. This means that I only have one more semester at New Tribes Bible Institute left until I graduate. Which means that I need to start making plans for after I graduate.
girls on leadership
Being an RA at school this last semester has been a good stretching and growing experience. I have learned so much during this last semester. One thing that I have learned is just how important relationships are with people. The world is made up of people and any place you are in life you have to deal with people and interact with people. This means that you have to give people time, energy and a listening ear. Yes this can be exhausting but only if you are doing it in your own strength. When we are looking to God for the strength to be meeting peoples needs then we find that He gives us the strength and energy we need and we don’t get burnt out.
Learning how to accept people how they are and learning how to get along with people no matter what our differences are has become something that I am very aware of. It is not just a matter of putting up with people for as long as you can stand them, rather it is being able to love others with the same love that Christ loved us when He came to this earth to die for us. In and of ourselves we as humans cannot love others unconditionally. Our love for others is based on whether or not we think that they deserve our love or not. So you see it is only through God that we are able to love people unconditionally. This is just one of the many things that God has been teaching me.
charity
Thanks so much for all your prayers. I appreciate it a lot.
In Christ’s love,
Charity Kerstetter
Prayer Requests
* to be able to APPROPRIATE what I have in Christ
* to be able to TRUST Him for the finances that I need
* take every OPPORTUNITY I can to WITNESS to those around me
* that I wouldn’t WORRY about what I’m going to do after Bible School, but LOOK to Him
Praises
* Showing Himself FAITHFUL to me
* all the ways He has PROVIDED for my needs
* for ALL the things He has TAUGHT me over this past year
Happy New Year!
TIME
Where has 2009 gone? Where has the decade gone? As time seems to pass so quickly, we are reminded of James 4:14, which says,
“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life?
You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
And as we realize how quickly life passes, we also think about how often we lose focus of what is really important in life. In our full, busy days dealing with so many issues calling for our attention, it is easy to get caught up in the cares of this world and forget to follow Colossians 3:2, which says,
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
We need to remember to ask ourselves, “In the light of eternity, what is really important here?” We pray that God will continually teach us this truth.
SCHOOL
The first semester of this school year finished with a Music Program on December 10th and Open House on December 11th. During our month-long break we continued to work on school issues, while trying to find time for some personal needs and a little R&R. We just began the new semester on January 11th and are looking forward to what God has in store for us!
HEALTH
We’ve had some extra health issues recently with Bethany and Melanie both needing some chiropractic treatments. Bethany has had improvement, but Melanie continues with persistent lower back pain, as well as a brachial plexus problem that she’s had for 3 years. Melanie is also awaiting surgery to remove a spot of skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma) from her right shoulder. It’s already been 6 months since we started looking after this, so we’d appreciate your prayers that it would get taken care of soon.
GOD’S PROVISION
As always, God faithfully meets our needs. Even though we’ve lost some financial supporters this year, the Lord has recently blessed us with several extra one-time gifts, enabling us to put more towards some outstanding bills (medical and travel). We are confident God will continue to provide for us in His way and His time, including these extra medical expenses.
Once again, THANK YOU for being such an important part of our ministry! We are very grateful for your support—whether it be through prayers, financial gifts, letters, e-mails, or love and interest in us.
New Year’s Resolutions & Blogs
Figuring things out
In December of 2009 we made a resolution to be better communicators. So, beginning in January of 2010 we are going to try to use this resource better and keep everyone better informed on what we are up to.
More laborers
There is still a big job to do here in Brazil (over 100 unreached tribes), let alone the rest of the world. Please pray for more laborers to help in the work yet to be done. Currently there are six tribes here in Brazil with needs for workers, as well as the many we hope to soon start working in as a mission.