NTM - New Tribes Mission | Planting Tribal Churches

Now, two days into the dorm ministry we lo0k back and are amazed at all that God has done.  Providing for our needs while going through missionary training and paying for our unsold home, selling our home, providing enough supporters for us to go to PNG.  Then there was the mad rush to get our things on the container before it was too late.  Christmas, birthdays, and goodbye parties, and long flight, and a new home on the other side of the world.  God has brought us through sickness, helped us learn a new language, build relationships in the community and share our love for the Lord Jesus Christ. 

We have prayed for and anticipated serving in this ministry for over 3 years and we are loving it.  I am sure there will be bumps in the road and struggles but we have already really enjoyed getting to know each of the girls God has placed in our dorm and we can see why it is His best.  We know that God has given us a special ministry here and we are so thankful.  It has also been exciting to get to know each of the parents and hear about their work in planting churches and translating scripture so the gospel will continue to go forward throughout PNG. 

Last night we had a “Special Dinner” with candles and no utinsels.  Our time ended with a spaghetti noodle fight in the back yard.  Everyone had a good laugh!

It seems like since the day we landed we have been busy preparing for the Dorm Ministry in many different ways.  Learning the culture and Language of PNG was a big and important part of that time.  There have also been many various projects from sanding & refinishing chairs and a table, repairs, decorating, yardwork, making hamburgers, and errands for dorm supplies that have consumed our time over the past month.  We have also had many dorm meetings, correspondence and meetings with parents, learning about finances and taxes to fill our time.    

In the midst of all this we were able to go into the bush for a week, try to maintain our friendships with some of the nationals we have built relationships with, help with vacation bible school, celebrate a birthday, and get ready to recieve 6 wonderful teenage girls into our home & family.  We hope you will enjoy a few pictures from the past 2 weeks.

Sunday Worship With The Simbari People

Well, our time visiting the tribe was definitely unforgettable!  We flew in on a Wednesday only to have Katelyn and Chloe get the worst flu virus we’ve ever experienced.  Katelyn threw up throughout the week, her last time was on the plane ride back.  Chloe threw up 21 times in one night (we lost count after that).  Both had diarrhea.  We were very concerned with how lethargic they were becoming in a very remote location.  We were so thankful Shari Ogg was a nurse with a lot of experience in “the bush”.  Sunday they seemed the worse, but by that night they finally kept some liquids down. Then Ben got a 104 degree temperature on Sunday and an earache.  We were supposed to come back on Friday (10 days total). However, due to weather (90% rain, clouds, and fog throughout the week) and sickness, NTM Aviation and the Oggs thought it would be good to get out as soon as possible.  The Lord directly answered prayer and opened up the sky on Wednesday morning when we hoped to fly out!  That day Katie and Ellaina struggled with fevers and were thankful to be home.  Had we stayed through Friday, the weather would not have permitted us to get out until the following Monday! Praise the Lord, God has never failed to take care of us!

Katelyn, The Airplane, The Church Building

 While it sounds like a miserable adventure, there were some awesome highlights as well!  Shari watched our sick kids for us while we went to church on Sunday.  What a blessing to see what God has done in the lives of the believers in Simbari.  You can see the light and joy in their eyes.  They’ve written their own worship songs.  God has raised up godly men who now lead the service with worship, prayer, and teaching.  I had to fight tears when I thought of where these people were 10 years ago. Through the Oggs and their teammate they’ve learned to read God’s Word in their heart language which is one of the most difficult to learn/speak in PNG.  The missionary team is now translating parts of Romans, Corinthians, & Revelation! 

 We are so thankful to support this ministry by having the Ogg’s daughter, Rachel, in our dorm!  We were able to spend time playing board games, sharing meals, and singing with the family.  We really enjoyed our time with them and know it was very valuable before we care for their daughter. 

Grass Strip & View

 Lastly, we were reminded in many ways what an awesome creator we worship!  The view while flying over (and around) the mountains in central PNG was amazing!!!  In the small airplane we had a close view of waterfalls, rivers and gorges, small villages, and mountains layered with mist and clouds.  Top that off with landing and taking off on a grass runway on a mountain ridge and all you can say is “breathtaking”! 

Relaxing at "That Pretty Pace"

Even though our anniversary isn’t until January 6th we’re so thankful the Lord worked it out for us to get away together just the two of us for the first time in 2 years.  Our fear was that it might be too busy in January while getting ready to go to PNG. 

Some friends of ours graciously put us up in a Bed & Breakfast in Shipshewana.  It was a beautiful Christian run place with amazing breakfasts.  We were able to relax, go for a long walk an enjoy the shops in shipshewana.  http://www.thatprettyplace.com/

One of our highlights was going to the musical “The Confession” at the Blue Gate Theatre.  It was excellent.  I wish everyone could see it!

The Big House

Our other highlight was attending the the Michigan vs. Wisconson game at The Big House.  It has been my dream to attend a Division I football game and we were finally able to do it.  It was awesome! Even though U of M lost:(  

Overall, Katie and I were refreshed and found ourselves so thankful for God grace, for His hand in our marriage, and wanting to see our family grow closer to Him!

October 31st, Halloween night. 

Some kids might be out trick or treating, but I have my own trick or treat to experience.  I think I took a red squirel’s home away climbing into this Hemlock tree.  He’s been barking at me from every direction he can find.  I’ve never been so tempted to try my bow on such a small target before.  5pm rolls by and I hear leaves rustling in the distance.  Here He comes, not a trophy by any means but a good size buck that looks like a six point.  I stood while it was behind some brush.  It started walking towards me quickly so I drew back while his view was blocked.  Just as I finished my draw he was under me and I grunted!  He stopped just as my arrow penetrated between His shoulder and backbone and down into His heart!  He bolted with my arrow flopping, but I heard him fall in the distance.  Although I couldn’t find Him until the next day (no exit wound/ no blood) He was only about 60 yards from where I shot Him.  The trick was on him and the treat was mine!

It was just a year ago when i missed over the back of this buck (my friend shot a week later), and then I nicked a 7 pt. out in the state woods.  I may still be outscored in the game but this round belongs to me! 

Special Thanks go to my great friends the Bay’s and the Ackley’s for allowing me to hunt on your beautiful land!