NTM - New Tribes Mission | Planting Tribal Churches

We recently took some photos as a family to capture this stage in life. Our kids grow so fast it is incredible. Though a picture can’t freeze time, it can definitely capture a moment. When we are in Indonesia in 50 days from now we will look back on these and remember. Check our our latest pics in our photo gallery

Happy Easter.
Technology has so many blessings. Saturday we were able to have an Easter Egg Hunt with April’s parents who live 4 hours away. We called them on Skype and got the video going. Then Ryan followed the kids around that yard as they discovered treasures. Then they got to sit and watch the kids open their Easter baskets. It was a lot of fun for the kids and my parents. It is crazy to think that we will be able to do that when we are across the world in Indonesia. I guess it just goes to show there are multiple ways to celebrate together.

We had a wonderful Easter. On the actual day we enjoyed church in the morning, a nap in the afternoon, and an evening with Ryan’s family. It is always amazing to stop and reflect on the sacrifice of Christ and the power of His resurrection. Jordan told his Grammy (Ryan’s mom) that Jesus was killed on a cross and put behind a big rock that got rolled away because Jesus is alive. It was so sweet to hear and watch his rendition of the story with motions.
Enjoy our pictures from Easter but never forget that Jesus is alive and that is what is important.

Simplifying our life in order to move it down to Indonesia in only 10 boxes is crazy. We are getting close though. We don’t have much in life. But for people who don’t have much it is amazing how much stuff still makes up not having a lot. Though it may be inconvenient to have to go through so much stuff, each item we go through is a reminder of just how much God has undertaken for us over these past 4 year of our journey. He is sure an awesome God.

When asked the question, “If you could have any superpower in the world, what would it be?,” I know what my answer would be…..

Recently we pulled into Kennewick WA after having been away for way too long. Kennewick was Ryan’s home pre marriage and it also was our home as a newly married couple.

After moving back to Vancouver, WA to finish Bible college we thought nothing of jumping in the car to head 3 hrs east to see our church and friends here for the evening and then driving back home that same night. We did that with no problems, until…KIDS.

Our kids have the superpower of being able to zap the energy right out of person. Here we are to visit friends, and what are we doing? Well, I thought you’de enjoy a snapshot from our first day here…

My answer to the superpower question, would be that I’de want the same superhero power my kids have, “Energy zapping force.” Then I’de use it against them and they would be the ones sleeping on the couch (not me) and I would retain my strength.

Our answer to what it takes to move to a different country is to packing one tote at a time.

We get to take 8 totes to Indonesia with us. 400 lbs of stuff will be our life. That space and weight goes really fast we are learning. We are quickly realizing that we are having to make tough decisions between what are wants and what are truly needs. Please pray for us as we actively are in this process. It is not easy to let go sometimes.

Last week April, I and the kids spent a wonderfully relaxing week up at my parents cabin in the snowy mountains. For a 3 day period we neither saw nor heard from a single other person. No cell phone service, internet, ups man ringing our doorbell. It was glorious:

Events of the week:

-Snowmobiling, puzzles, roasting hotdogs, movies, walks, sledding, games, wrestling, adventures to be the king of the mountain on snow hills, naps, and more.

Check out some pics from the trip

This really was just what the Dr ordered and it was great for April and I to get the chance to talk through and mentally prepare for our last big push before we head off to Indonesia July 5th.

There is no snow in Indonesia. Unless you count the white Christmas tree flocking we may one day end up spraying on our Christmas palm tree.

This morning we woke up to our first snow of the year and before the sun even came up outside went Jordan, determined to build a snow man. I of course followed and after throwing clothes on him as he ran, we were ready to go.

Jordan’s first official snowman may end up being his last. What a crazy reality to think that July departure is just around the corner.

Having been on such a long journey leading up to our departure, we have spent the last 3 Christmas’ thinking this might be our last Christmas’s stateside. This Christmas being our actual last one definitely makes the reality of our soon coming July departure seem ever close. This is going to be a Christmas to be cherished and remembered.

Please pray:

1) That we maintain margin in our lives between balancing time with others, family, and just the 4 of us.

2) That we can be re energized remembering what Christmas is all about.

3) That we stay safe while traveling everywhere

Yes, planting tribal churches is what we want to do with our lives! Now, after waiting patiently for years for the Lord to open up doors and give us clear direction, He has once again proven Himself faithful. We are excited to share with you that officially we are leaving for Indonesia in early July.

Consider this… we are applying for religious visas in a country that is home to the world’s most dominent religion opposed to our beliefs. Those visas will allow us to do religious work among them. God is making that happen. We will be able to spend 100% of our time doing the tribal chuch planting and Bible translation work we are setting out to do.  While the journey to get there has required us to learn much patience, the payoff is worth it. Please continue praying that doors stay open and the visa process moves forward without problems.

Thanks for your prayers, support, and encouragement as we have journeyed. We are so excited to be able to share this news with you now.

Please enjoy some recent pictures of our lives.

       Six years ago, just prior to the Lord gripping my heart to become a missionary, I built a home. To me, it was my dream home. However, when the reality of finances hit us, we realized we couldn’t afford it. When you do the math of having a mortgage payment, being a full-time college student, and living off of April’s social worker’s salary, the numbers just didn’t add up. Imagine that! Heartbroken, we put it up for rent.

       Our jouney to get down to Indonesia as missionaries has provided many opportunities to learn patience and dependence on the Lord. Yet, we have never yet been dissapointed with the Lord’s provisions as they are always better than we could imagine. Knowing we will soon be leaving for Indonesia, we never even let ourselves dream of being in our home. Yet again, God has come through, blowing open doors, to make us living in our own home a reality. Even if just for short while.

Please enjoy seeing some pictures of our home here