Lance and Laura Ostman Helping to equip the Higaunon People of North Central Mindanao
a warm welcome
Less than a week from our arrival in country and we arrived in the village we have called home since 1983. Praise God for an absolutely wonderful trip. Everything went smoothly and we know it was because so many people were praying! Thank you!
As we type this, we have 48 hours to our check-in time. Many of you have written assuring us of your prayers. Several have given towards our trip and also towards being able to see our daughter and her family. Praise the Lord, we have received enough not only for our trip, but also we have been able to purchase some needed items that we’ll use during our time there. Thank you to all who are praying and to those who have given.
We trust this finds you doing well and encouraged in the Lord. As we sit here and type this, we realize anew just how much we take things for granted.
We don’t know about you, but we didn’t wake up this morning concerned about contracting some horrifying disease. An email this morning from Ron & Michelle mentions a strain of TB that is resistant to the common drugs used in treating patients. Several people in the village are on a treatment plan but for some, it doesn’t appear to be working. Two of the church leaders pictured here are sick with TB along with others in the village. The one on the right is in the hospital. Please pray!
Enjoying the grandchildren
We trust this finds each of you encouraged and rejoicing in the Lord. Thanks to each of you who are praying for us as we adjust to life here.
What exciting days we are living in; so many are re-defining “truth” as something fluid that changes with time and circumstances. What a privilege to serve an unchanging God! “Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not!”
Us with Sona and Yanit saying "goodbye"
They say home is where the heart is and our hearts are where we are so I guess that means we are home! 
We are grateful for our church here in Florida that has provided a wonderful place where we can live and work on the Old Testament translation for the Higaunon. We are also thankful for all of you who have been praying for us.
We did have some bumps on the way here… but that was all good.
Happy People
We wanted to update you during this time that Laura is in the US to let you know how things are going…
Laura reports cold weather, snow, snow and more snow but LOTS of lovin’ on the grandkids. The picture with this update was taken by the webcam just after Laura arrived. She said that Nicole has mentioned over and over just how grateful she is to have her mom there while Justin is away. We’re glad that Laura could be there to be a blessing to her during this time. (She even got out one day and shoveled snow!)
Higaunon Children singing to their hearts content!
And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10,11
Amy Carmichael said, “When you are facing the impossible, you can count on the God of the impossible.”
Thinking about all those years ago when Mary was going through the “impossible” in her life and all the things that passed through her mind – and in the end, what do we learn? We learn that with God, “All things are possible!” We are so grateful to the God of the impossible for the incredible things He has done and is doing in our lives.
It’s harvest time here in the mountains and people are busy bringing rice in from their fields!
This year has been a particularly good harvest for which they are all very thankful. They have had just the right amount of rain and sunshine at the right times to ripen it. The village is often empty during this time of year because people are working to get the harvest in before it rots with the oncoming rains or the rats get it. It’s important to get it in while the getting is good. (Speaking of good – it is delicious! Wish you could be here to enjoy it with us!)
Higaunon church leaders enjoying time together.
Thank you for praying
Okay, who messed with the thermostat? Isn’t Florida supposed to be warm? But then, anything below 70 degrees (f) is cold to us! We stopped off in Hawaii to visit good friends and it was even unseasonably cool there! All joking aside, we praise God for a safe trip and for exit row seats all the way! For those of you who may not realize, that means extra leg room and a more comfortable trip.
(more…)
The “Precious Cargo” of Higaunon New Testaments arrived safely at our NTM Guest House on Tuesday this week. Later today the shipment will be put on a truck and dear friends of ours will bring the shipment TOMORROW. They plan to leave at 4 AM, (4 PM Thursday EST) and the Lord willing, they should arrive somewhere around noon.