NTM - New Tribes Mission | Planting Tribal Churches

Greetings from finally snowy Michigan! As in many parts of our country we have had a relatively warm winter so far, but all that has changed, and we are finally having a real Michigan winter. Things were quiet at New Tribes Bible Institute for the past few weeks, as most of our student body was on Christmas break. But that all changed this last week. Life is back in full swing here at NTBI-Jackson as the Spring 2012 Semester began on January 18. God is doing great things in the lives of the students that are here to study His Word. Marc continues on in his position as supply buyer for the maintenance department here at NTBI , a job which keeps him on the go all day long. Alison is enjoying her new position in the Business Office. There has been much to learn, and still learn, but she is excited to be involved and see the Lord work in this new area of ministry. We have also, once again, taken on the role of Dorm Parents, with 10 girls as our “daughters” this year. It has been good getting to know them and we look forward to getting to know them more this semester .

The boys always love the visit from Grandma and Grandpa Knorr

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers as Marc prepared for, and travelled to Africa. He has been able to call almost everyday, and all reports have been good.  Here are some of the emails that I put together as I heard from him.

Oct. 6, 2010

Just to let you know, Marc left at 2:40pm yesterday to begin his trip to Guinea, West Africa. I last heard from him about 4:15pm yesterday as they were leaving Washington. I am hoping to hear from him soon, and will update you as I get info. Thanks so much for all your prayers for him, we so appreciate you all lifting our family up to the Lord while we are apart. I am so excited for him, as he goes on this adventure, and can’t wait to hear what the Lord teaches him during this time. Again, thank you for your prayers.

Oct. 11, 2010

Thank you all for your prayers! I have heard from Marc almost every day, which is much more than I expected, and things are going very well for them in Guinea. After about two days in Conakry, purchasing supplies and adjusting to the hot temps, they drove 8 hours to the city of Labe (Lah-bae) where David’s house is. They found the house in good condition, and the solar panels all still working. The car is running, and one water tank is good. The other needs to be cleaned, but things are going very smoothly for them, and we praise the Lord for that! Thank you again for your prayers, and for all of you who have shown your interest in Marc’s trip. Keep praying that they stay safe, and that the rest of the things they do get done smoothly.

My parents just left to return home after a good visit this week. We really enjoyed having them, and the help that they were to the boys’ and I. We are sad to see them go, and ask that you would pray for us (and me) as we adjust to being just three this next week and a half. Marc returns on the 21st. Thanks so much, and have a great week!

Oct. 13, 2010

We continue to thank you for your prayers and support during this time. We send out a big THANK YOU to those that have sent in financial support for Marc’s trip. Travel is not cheap, and we are looking to the Lord to provide the funds needed for these added expenses to our monthly income. If you would be interested in giving to help with these expenses, please send you gift to : New Tribes Mission, 1000 E. First St., Sanford, FL 32771. Make checks payable to New Tribes Mission, and include a note designating the funds to Marc and Alison Keeton – Africa trip. We have a special fund set up to receive these funds. If you are unable to give, then please lend a hand by praying for us during this time. Sometimes the greatest and most necessary gift is the one of prayers lifted to our Heavenly Father. Thank you so much, and feel free to email us at marc_keeton@ntm.org.

In His Service,

Marc and Alison Keeton

Marc and his cousin, David, as they begin their journey

Adding to this blog is still new to me, so I will update as I can and as I hear from Marc in the days to come. Thank you again for your interest in our ministry and lives as we serve the Lord with New Tribes Mission.

I am excited to tell you about an opportunity that the Lord has put before me over the last month.  During October  ,  I (Marc) am planning to go to Africa.  I will be travelling with David, a missionary with an organization called Pioneers. Some of you may know that David is my cousin, he is also a close friend and we grew up together.  He was an instrumental part in challenging me into missions and showing me God’s heart for people.   David and I are also from the same church in Ohio.     He and I will be going to make repairs and working on several different projects at his house in preparation for the return of his family to their ministry among an unreached people group there that need to hear the life changing message of Jesus Christ in their own language.  There is a dominate religion in the country of which over 90% belong to, and many times the people there are persecuted if they become a Christian.  David and  his wife have been working among the this unreached group for three years now – learning the language, building relationships, and doing outreach ministries.   They have been back in the U.S. on home assignment for the last year and a half and are wrapping up their time here, after having twin girls this past January, travelling thousands of miles catching up with ministry partners, and sharing the need for Christ amongst the  people of Africa.

 I am excited to be able to have this opportunity to assist David.  I also see it as a great opportunity to renew my own vision for missions, as I see the work that is going on first hand.  What a great experience this will be to convey to our New Tribes Bible Institute student body when I return, and I am looking forward to what the Lord shows and teaches me personally through this trip.

 I would ask that you would pray for us as we go out.  We will be doing a lot of traveling by plane and car in a remote, third world country and would ask that you would pray that the Lord would give us a safe trip.   David and I will  be far away from our families during this time too, so I’m sure our wives would appreciate your prayers for them as well.  I thank you all so much for your partnership with us in this and our full-time ministry here at New Tribes Bible Institute.   We feel blessed to know so many people are praying for us and behind us in our ministry and vision of seeing the unreached reached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.