Phil and Jackie Burns

The Rest of the Story:

Phil and Jackie — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 04:07:27 +0000

Let us share with you a little of the work of New Tribes Mission. Annually, the average rate of a people group starting the chronological Bible teaching is one every 45 days. Over the last few years we have shared with you some of the exciting stories of a few of the tribal groups as they were being taught through the Bible chronologically. We would like to update you on a few of those groups so you can see how the Lord has been working in their lives and hear ‘the rest of the story’. If you have time, look up the more complete update online. We are sure you will be blessed as you read how the Lord has worked in the lives of these tribal people after hearing the Word taught in their own language.

In January of 2011 we mentioned the Akolet of New Guinea who were hearing the Bible taught for the first time. In our March letter we mentioned that as of March 31 there were 13 Akolet believers and more have come to know the Lord since then. At that time there was opposition from another religious group. The latest news we received about the Akolet is that the missionaries Adam & Julie Martin are in the U.S. on maternity absence. They have received encouraging news of the Akolet church from visiting missionaries and, also, letters from some of the believers of the tribe. Pray that the Akolet church will be encouraged and strengthened until the Martins are able to return and continue teaching the Word. To read more of the Akolet story copy this link and check it out online:

In February we asked you to pray for the Mwinika in Mozambique, Africa. Phil had built a small portable sound component rack to be sent to the missionaries in the Mwinika tribe. The missionaries had just begun teaching the Bible to this tribe and would use the rack for their new sound system. The lastest we have on the Mwinika is that The NTM missionaries living with them are teaching literacy classes and working on Bible translation. You can read more about this online: http://usa.ntm.org/field-news/it-just-got-worse

In our August letter we shared about the Dinangat people of New Guinea. We told how a delegation of religious leaders from another village was attempting to remove the missionary team from the area. Here is a recent report on the Dinangat: Please pray for Jeremiah and April Markley as they minister to young Dinangat believers. Pray that these young believers will become firmly grounded in God’s Word and that their faith will stand strong in the face of difficult trials. Pray that they will grow in grace to choose loving and wise responses rather than reacting to hostile attacks in anger and self-righteousness. For the rest of the story: http://usa.ntm.org/field-news/husband-and-wife-put-wrongs-behind and http://usa.ntm.org/field-news/gods-word-convicts

Gracia Burnham Visits our Mission School

Phil and Jackie — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 03:51:33 +0000

Our mission school just had Gracia Burnham speak in a chapel for the school kids. You may remember that in May of 2001 Martin and Gracia were kidnapped from an island in the Philippines. They had served as missionaries with New Tribes in the Philippines for 17 years. Martin was a missionary pilot, flying missionaries, supplies, mail, and the sick and wounded and also encouraging those he came in contact with. On May 27, they were kidnapped by a militant group. Martin and Gracia were with the group for over a year when a firefight broke out. Martin was killed in the crossfire. Gracia was wounded, but was freed and returned to the States. As Gracia shared her testimony and told what happened to a few of the group who had been her captors, the kids were mesmerized. After answering many of their questions she challenged them to use their God-given abilities to serve the Lord.

FAMILY NEWS:

Phil and Jackie — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 03:45:41 +0000

Haley turned 19 on the 9^th of this month while she was at Bible School in Wisconsin so we didn’t get to help her celebrate. Cody left us recently to return to school in Jacksonville to continue his aircraft mechanic classes. He was told he didn’t have to be there the first three weeks since he had already completed that part of the course so he returned here to work a little longer and to spend more time with his girlfriend, Beka. He will leave again soon to finish his training. Heather continues to train in Mississippi learning to fly a new airplane. Jason & family had a scare recently when Mason, their 8 month old, was exposed to another child who became seriously ill with meningitis. We are so thankful that Mason did not get sick.

Back to Remodeling

Phil and Jackie — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 03:41:03 +0000

We have enjoyed having our volunteers here again and have been sad to see many of them leave. They are always such a blessing! This year Vernon was a special blessing as he helped Phil get our bathroom project underway again. Vernon had to leave and the bathroom still isn’t finished but it is a lot further along than it was a month ago. Thanks for being a blessing Vernon & Carin!

Visit from Phil’s brother, Paul

Phil and Jackie — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 03:34:31 +0000

Recently, Phil’s brother, Paul, and wife, Glenda, were invited to a pastor’s forum here at New Tribe’s U.S. Headquarters. We enjoyed them spending a week with us while attending the forum and even made it out to the beach one day. Unfortunately, it was a little windy and cool but they said it was great compared to some of their beach days on the west coast! Another day we went on a boat ride down the St. John’s River – the alligators were out in force that day! We enjoyed their visit! It was good getting to spend time with our missionary friends Dave and Diane Yunker who have moved her to work at the U.S. Headquarters.

Ministry – What’s Happening Here in Florida in January?

Phil and Jackie — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 03:10:18 +0000

We are gearing up for an influx of volunteers here at NTM U.S. home office. They work in various departments doing whatever is needed and are a real blessing .

As we look into the new year, we remember why we are doing what we do. We desire that every tribe, in every country, hear the good news that Jesus saves. God is working around the world. Tribal languages are being learned, Bibles are being translated, lessons are being taught, and the Holy Spirit is taking the Word of God and convicting the hearts of tribal people and they are being saved! Last year every 45 days another tribe was hearing the Gospel for the very first time. Pray that our efforts will be in line with His plan and will accomplish what He desires. This is God’s work and we are happy to have a very small part in it. We trust that you feel the same!

Jackie on school trip with kids to LegoLand.

Going to Visit Heather later in January

Phil and Jackie — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 03:05:32 +0000

Heather has invited us to her graduation from the T6 trainer aircraft on the 18^th of January. She has two more test flights to complete but feels confident that she will make it. We plan to go and will visit a supporting church and some of Jackie’s relatives along the way.

Holidays with the Kids

Phil and Jackie — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 02:20:14 +0000

It was great to have three of our four children home with us for the holidays. Jason and Tiffany and our two grandsons, Jaxon and Mason could not make it, but spent their Christmas with family in Colorado. Our daughter, Heather, flew back to Mississippi a few days ago. Haley will be with us for another 10 days more before flying back to Bible School in Wisconsin. Cody has been with us since July when he cut his finger and had to drop out of school. His school up in Jacksonville has asked him to wait until the next class of airframe (he is studying Air Craft Mechanics) reaches the point where he dropped out, and then come back. We will enjoy his company until March.

They really do love each other!

Dinangat Tribal Update from New Guinea (Aug., 2011)

Phil and Jackie — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 01:04:45 +0000

What appeared to be a tense situation among the Dinangat people of New Guinea has been calmed and has served to unify the church in an “awesome way.”

News arrived a few days ago that a delegation of religious leaders from another village was attempting to remove the missionary team from the area. The threat resulted in a plan of action that brought a team of NTM leaders and police to meet the delegation.

The police immediately took control. The delegation was very surprised to see them and right away said that they intended no harm. The religious leaders were given the opportunity to make their accusation and demands before the floor was given to the believers.

The police spokesman repeatedly declared that Papua New Guinea is a free country, where freedom of religion and freedom of speech are honored and absolutely cannot be denied to anyone, citizen or non citizen. He emphasized that the missionaries have every right to be in the village and the people have every right to listen to the teaching.

About 120 Dinangats were there to testify of how God has changed their lives. “After these men heard the testimonies, one man proposed that we can stay until we finish the [Bible] translation,” Gary wrote. Please pray that God will continue to have the victory among the Dinangats and that those who have opposed the teaching of God’s Word will come to know the truth. (To read more of this story go to: http://usa.ntm.org/field-news/god-gets-the-glory)

Heather Training to Fly Aug., 2011

Phil and Jackie — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 00:46:17 +0000

Heather just soloed in a trainer jet. Please pray for safety for her as she trains to fly. Also, pray for her walk with the Lord as she studies and trains in a secular environment. She has found some Christian friends and even met an MK from Bolivia.