NTM - New Tribes Mission | Planting Tribal Churches

One last hug - Grandma and Abigail

Grandma and Jonathan

We recently learned that Stephen’s parents, who have been the Guesthouse Managers on our island for the past four years, will not be returning to this ministry.  They are taking a six-month furlough, during which time they will attend a memorial service of a dear friend, and spend time with their mothers who are aging and in poor health.  Presently they are planning to return to the Philippines to a different ministry which will be clearer after they assess the needs at home in the States.

Grandpa, Stephen and Luke

It has been such a blessing for us and for our children to have family on the field with us.  This is a difficult time for our families, especially with the uncertainty of their future.  Yet, we can see God’s hand in the timing of it.  Upon our earlier-than-expected return from Manila (for Abigail’s medical needs), we were able to help them pack and prepare for returning to the States.  Hopefully we were a blessing and encouragement to Grandpa and Grandma Jordan.

Grandma, Rebekah and Ginger

We would ask prayer for comfort and encouragement as we have just said good-bye for an unknown time.  And please pray for wisdom concerning their future direction, that they would have peace in whatever the Lord places before them.  Please also pray for us as we are back in the village now and the Bible studies will continue in a few days.  Thank you for journeying with us, and praying with us, even in the difficult times.

Abigail at Physical Therapy

After months of praying together, communicating with doctors all over the world, miles traveled, and seeing two doctors in Manila, we have come to the decision to delay putting Abigail into a brace for her scoliosis at this time.  This past Tuesday, the doctor in Manila ordered a new x-ray.  This new x-ray revealed that Abigail’s curves in her spine have not progressed in the last three months.  So, the doctor suggested waiting on the brace, and simply observing Abigail.  So, in July we will return once again to Manila to get another x-ray done and have a follow-up appointment with the doctor.  As mentioned above, we saw two different orthopedic doctors here in Manila.  Since we had been expecting to begin the process of getting a brace, we wanted a second opinion before delaying.  The second doctor agreed that waiting and observing would be fine.

Our Abi

This is a huge relief for Abigail, but it doesn’t mean she will never have a brace.  We praise God that Abigail’s curves have not worsened and we thank you for praying for her.  Please continue to pray that the curves will not increase, especially in the next few years as she grows.  It is very important for Abigail to faithfully do her exercises daily with Stephen.  On a good day, this only takes 30 minutes.  However, on a frustrating day, this can take over an hour.  This past week, Abigail has shown great strength and encouragement through her exercises.  This is a huge step forward for her and we praise God for this.  Please also pray that her heart will be tender toward God at this time.  Her scoliosis is not just a physical battle, but truly is a spiritual battle too.  We still need wisdom to know how to best help her as this will be a long term medical concern.  Thank you for praying and for sharing your love to us and to Abigail.

Agutaynen walking to Home Bible Study

March 6, 2013 will mark the one-year anniversary of Stephen officially reaching the level needed in the Agutaynen language to teach God’s Word.  We are still praising God for the endurance and strength He gave Stephen to cross that finish line.  One year later, for God’s glory, Stephen is currently leading three Home Bible Studies in partnership with three Agutaynen believers.  In these three Home Bible Studies, over 12 Agutaynen households are represented in faithful attendance.

As God’s Word is being proclaimed weekly in the homes of Agutaynens, their worldview is being challenged.  Many of these Agutaynens are now speaking out against their own traditions and superstitions.  They are recognizing that these things are of Satan and not of God.  As they accept the truths of God’s Word for themselves, the darkness and lies they have lived in are coming to light.  In the Home Bible Studies, as a result of accepting these truths, they are asking difficult questions concerning their worldview and traditions.  This is revealing their clear understanding of the message being taught from the Bible and their desire to know the truth.

Agutaynens attending Home Bible Study

One particular Agutaynen appears to be very “close” to salvation.  However, if he says “yes” to Christ, then he must say “no” to his family and to their traditions.  For him, this would be almost impossible.  However, all things are possible with Christ.  Please pray that this young man would say “yes” to Jesus and not only him, but also his wife, siblings, father, and aunts.  Please also pray for the salvation of all those currently hearing God’s Word.  As a result of your prayers, God’s Word is being proclaimed and lives are being changed for God’s glory.

A few weeks ago, we sent out an email detailing the physical health concern of our daughter Abigail who has scoliosis of her spine.  As a result, we have been in touch with doctors in the States, Germany, and here in the Philippines.  Every doctor has given us the same advice: Abigail needs a back brace asap to hopefully stop the increasing curvature of her spine.  So, we have made an appointment to see an orthopedic doctor in Manila, Philippines, in April with the plan of having a back brace made for Abigail.  Already, our daily lives and routines have been adjusted to help Abigail with her daily physical therapy (exercises).  The addition of a brace will add to those adjustments, especially for Abigail.  Most doctors have expressed that Abigail will need to wear the brace 23 hours a day.  The brace is only to be off for exercises and for bathing.  She has already poured out many tears concerning these exercises and the idea of getting a brace is very overwhelming to her.  Please pray for us and especially for her.  Please pray for Abigail’s strength, both physically and spiritually.  Please pray also for the needed funds for this brace and the expenses of traveling back and forth to Manila to have the brace made and follow-up appointments every 4-6 months. Thank you very much.

After much planning and preparing, we made it through a week of being “in charge” of childcare for the babies and toddlers.  Another mom agreed to be in with the babies every day, so that allowed Ginger to dedicate her time to the toddlers.  We had a great group, and a lot of wonderful help!  Three young ladies from Australia came and worked with Ginger and the toddlers every day, and they did a great job!  Along with everything else, they entertained the kids with their balloon creations each day.  With the supplies that the church sent for the crafts, decorations, and story; along with all the supplies the “regular in-charge” people left in storage to use, we were all set.  The kids played a lot, heard a Bible story each day, sang songs, and took home whatever crafts and coloring pages that hadn’t been completed during class.  Everything didn’t go exactly as planned, but we had lots of options which made things go smoothly each day.  All in all, we are thankful for a job well done, and for the many helping hands.

Our house during the storm

The sky is gray, adding a gloomy look outside.  The wind is very strong.  The tops of the trees sway back and forth with the wind.  Now and then coconut branches are broken off the trees.  The wind reminds me of the crashes of waves on the beach during the storm.  God has kept the trees from falling on our house and not letting the wind strip the solar panels off our roof.

Fallen leaves and branches on the road

The volleyball court is strewn with old coconut branches and leaves.  The wind makes the bamboo leaves look like they are dancing.  The wind stops for a moment like a person stops to get a breath and then blows out again with a big huff. Then all is calm again.  This happens again and again.

Agutaynen home with roof damage

The storm is now slowly cooling down but there is still rain and wind.  After the storm, I finally went outside and surveyed the scene.  Our yard is covered with leaves and branches.  As I look around the village, the scene is the same.  Dad took a walk around the village yesterday.  Many homes that had thatched roofs were damaged.  Many rice fields no longer have rice.  But thankfully no one was hurt seriously.  Thank you, Lord, for helping us weather this storm.

From the Mouw Family

From the Ras Family

Every Christmas, God blesses us and you encourage us with many Christmas cards.  This past year, Ginger saved all these Christmas cards and put them on our kitchen counter.  Each day this year, we would take a card out and we as a family prayed for the one who sent us that card.  So, we weren’t just blessed last Christmas, but the whole year through as we pulled out each card.  Four times a day (breakfast, lunch, dinner and at bedtime), our kids would ask: “Who are we praying for today?” and then do so.  Sometimes, especially Jonathan, would stop in the middle of his prayer and ask: “Who are we praying for?”  We were excited to see our kids desire to pray for you, too.  As 2012 is drawing to an end, we are on the fourth round of praying for each family.  We hope and pray that God blessed you this past year with strength, encouragement, and with Himself.

From the Eash Family

El

Last Saturday, El, our friend and brother in Christ, passed away.  His death was totally unexpected, and leaves our hearts with mixed emotions.  We are saddened because his faith and his testimony for Christ was the strongest of the believers here.  El was always reading God’s Word and sharing the gems he would find.  On numerous occasions, neighbors would question his faith and he would always reply, “Come by my house this afternoon and I will show you from the Bible.”  This last month, El mentioned several times to us missionaries, “When I die, I know that I will go to heaven.”  Without a doubt, he was ready to die because he had placed his faith in Christ alone.  It saddens our hearts that he is no longer with us.  On the other hand, we rejoice because his testimony is still pointing people to Christ.  We also rejoice because he is the first Agutaynen, as far as we know, to step on the streets of gold.

El teaching on Noah

El was faithfully helping our partner Manfred with lesson preparation and actively co-teaching with Manfred in an Agutaynen home Bible study.  Every Sunday, El would play his banjo during our meetings.  Since El died last Saturday, our meeting the following day was full of tears.  Stephen shared a short message from Hebrews 11 and added El’s name to the list of men and women who showed their faith through their lives.  El, like Enoch, was pleasing to God.

El playing his banjo.

Please pray that many will be saved through the death of El.  And praise the Lord that El’s wife is standing strong in her faith in Christ alone during this difficult time.

Jordan kids and the BIG box

Just about every year one of our churches, Bethel Baptist Church, in the Detroit area sends us their leftover VBS supplies. These supplies have been used each year for our team of 6 kids. We can’t communicate how important and how special this is for our kids.

Bug Zone, VBS theme for Little Kids Conference

This last year, Ginger shared with Bethel Baptist that she would be overseeing the 0-3 year olds at our annual conference for NTM missionaries. Well, a very large box arrived this week. Inside included exactly what we need for the kids: banners, decorations, craft supplies, curriculum, Bible visuals, music, and more. This year it looks like there will be close to 10 kids that are 2-3 years old. They will greatly enjoy “Bug Zone, Transformed by our Big God”. Thank you, Bethel Baptist Church!

Jonathan and the boy's new bulldozer

But that isn’t all. The church blessed our family by filling the box with more stuff:

Abigail and her new backpack

clothes, books, erasers, stickers, fruit roll-ups, glitter glue, more clothes, “Cars” coloring activities, hot chocolate, coffee, pencils, UNO, balloon car racers, canned chicken, goldfish crackers, “Cars” cups, more clothes, crayons, toy cars, more canned chicken, bulldozer, digger work truck, more coffee, pepperoni, Twizzlers, craft scissors, PJ’s, “Teddy Grahams”, backpacks, headbands, notebooks, and more clothes. WOW, all that and more in one big box! Thank you, Bethel Baptist Church.

Luke and Jonathan in their new "basketball" outfits

. . . and more!!!

Over the years individuals, groups, and churches have sent this type of a box to us. It is a huge blessing to us to receive things that remind us of “home” in the States. It’s difficult to put into words how these tangible items help us feel connected, not forgotten, and loved. We are greatly blessed!

Together, Stephen and Manfred baptized each believer.

On October 21, sixteen men and women from our village were baptized!  It was a day of rejoicing as these believers courageously stood and proclaimed to everyone that they are followers of Christ, that they have placed their trust in Christ alone for their salvation.  What a glorious day!  Please pray for these believers to be strong in their faith and bold in their witness.  Rejoice with us and praise Him for the mighty things He has done among the Agutaynens.