Here is news from a Tribal Team YOU have been a part of:
Thank you for your support of our ministries. Which support, has in turn, had a part in this team reaching out with the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Malamanda people of Papua new Guinea.
This work in the Malaumanda Tribe of Papua New Guinea is staffed with three of our former students. Christina H. (the first newsletter excerpts are from her family’s newsletter) and Eric &Judith H., went through their missionary training in Baker City when we served there. We still support their works today through our ministry at the US Home Offices, in Member Services. Please remember to pray for these dear brothers and sisters in Christ, the missionaries (John & Christina, and Eric & Judith, as well as the Tribal believers and those who still need to understand and believe that Jesus paid for their sin).
Now, here are excerpts from their letters, first Christina’s:
“Dear Praying Friends,
It is hard to believe it is already the middle of October. I imagine that most of you are beginning to experience the changes of Fall; leaves have long turned, cooler temperatures have arrived and fewer hours of sunlight. All of these things let you know that there is a change of season occurring. Here too, we are seeing signs of a change; indications that we are entering a new season in the growth and maturity of the Malaumandan church….
There are several very encouraging things that God is doing here that we wanted to share with you and ask you to be praying specifically about:
Teaching Through The Book Of Galatians
In our last email, we mentioned that our co-worker Bob Kennell had successfully completed his time of formal language study and was beginning translation of Galatians. Praise the Lord! through His enabling Bob and Alene (a tribal man) were able to get a first draft roughed out and Bob has since been able to do comprehension checking on it. He has also been working on writing Galatians lessons. Lord willing we will begin teaching this epistle beginning this coming Sunday. We will be teaching twice an day (morning and afternoon), four days a week (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday), for four weeks. Please pray that the lessons would be communicated clearly. Pray that the minds of the hearers, would be prepared to hear. Pray that there would be no distractions, the Devil would love nothing better than to see the church here in Malaumanda distracted from hearing God’s Word. (Emphasis mine.)……
Inter-church Leadership Conference
As soon as we finish Galatians, November 23-25, Bob and I will be heading to an inter-church leadership conference hosted by the Bagwido church . This is another language group where NTM missionaries are located. Lord willing, this conference will be a good opportunity for the different tribal churches to build a broader support basis through interconnectivity, and for the three Malaumandan men whom we will be taking with us, some very good teaching in the area of church leadership and discipleship. Pray for these men, Alene, Kambo, Yapata. Pray for other men to be raised up who desire to be faithful men; men who will follow Christ…..
Thank you again, for your continued prayers on behalf of ourselves and the Malamaundan church.
We continue in the Grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
John, Christina, Josiah and Owen H.”
A NOTE FROM ERIC & JUDITH, presently on Home Assignment in Dallas, Oregon:
“Now, true to form, it sure seems that the enemy of our souls certainly doesn’t want these believers to grow in their understanding and focus on Christ. We mentioned in a previous update that many of the believers are staying out of the village panning for gold. While this continues to be the case a whole new distraction just recently ‘came to town’. Apparently a new gold exploration company is set to move back into the valley and will probably be based right there at the airstrip. There is supposed to be a twin engine plane and a helicopter arriving on Monday. We don’t know very many details yet as to their intent, but we do know from past experience that these sorts of things do create a significant distraction to the whole community; including the church. Please pray for Bob and John as they seek to teach and disciple in the midst of this rather unsettled situation. Pray also that the hearts of the believers would have a strong desire to hear this teaching.”
Thank you for your prayers and support for our ministry as we serve these folks serving overseas. Handling their paperwork and other issues at home, enables them to serve a little more undistracted on the mission field. We do so appreciate the part you have had in our ministry and thank the Lord for His provision through your faithfulness and generosity!
Many Blessings,
George and Linda Heckman
Serving at the NTM Home Offices in Sanford, Florida