Dear Friends,
We have heard some great news from our friends in PNG. In the Malaumanda Tribe, where several of our former students are laboring
Many encouraging things that have been happening:
“In July, after the Phase One (Creation through Christ) chronological teaching for the kids was completed, and having spent a few Sundays reviewing Romans chapters 6-8, we began teaching the book of Ephesians. This was the first time for most of the Malaumandan believers to hear these truths. The apostle Paul packed a lot of foundational and practical truth into just six chapters so it was necessary for us to work through it slowly. In the morning we taught the new material, and in the evening we review what had been taught and opened up the time for questions or for one of our teachers in training to expand on that section. In addition to our teaching times, and possibly a more valuable time for really clarifying what we had taught, was each day between teaching times, we missionaries would be in different houses or just out in the village wherever people were talking about God’s Word. One answer to pray, in this area of getting out to the houses, was the fact that during the entire Ephesians course, three Bisorio church leaders (Markus, Mathias and Maile) were here to assist us in the teaching. They were such a blessing. I can’t tell you the number of times that as I was heading to a house or an area of the village, I would hear, “Oh, Markus was already here.” or “Mathias was teaching until past midnight”. Praise the Lord for these Bisorio leaders. They are true servant leaders and a real blessing.
Please continue to pray that the Malaumanda believers would
Continue to grow in their understanding of the Grace of God and that they allow these practical truths to bring change to every aspect of their lives and relationships.
Another exciting thing that is happening is the ongoing discipleship of 12 men. Eric, Bob and I have divided those men who have been coming faithfully to the Tues. /Thurs. discipleship meetings into groups of four. We have been meeting regularly with these smaller groups for prayer, Bible memorization, deeper study of the Word, but mostly just to be investing time into these young believers. It is very exciting to see how these 12 men are growing and attempting to apply what they are learning into their lives and marriages and in the community. Please be praying as we begin to meet with these men and their wives as couples. Pray that Christina and I would be good examples to them of a Godly marriage and Godly parents. (It is very sobering to think that WE missionary couples are the example that needs to be living out before them.) Pray for these young couples as they are working through the clash between their culture and God’s Word in these areas. Pray that we would have wisdom, patience and love to help guide them through. Pray that we would begin to see MORE men and women involved as discipleship continues.”
What a neat thing to see tribal believers discipling other tribal believers. Feel free to go see the Hedeen’s or Hutteman’s website on www.NTM.org. I am sure they will have the full story for you there.
We just wanted to share this little bit with you and say THANKS again for your partnership in our ministry over the years. What a blessing to be a part of the team that is reaching the Malaumanda tribe with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
As we continue laboring here in the Home Offices of New Tribes Mission, we really appreciate your prayers for us to be faithful, content, and have wisdom from above. We minister to missionary teams worldwide and hope to be a channel of blessing and encouragement to them. We minister to many missionary kids and other teens in the MK & Friends Youth Group on Fridays.
We are so thankful for those who have gone up to the New Tribes Bible Institute in Wisconsin and are learning God’s word there “for themselves”. His word will not return void, and we are thankful for the folks on the team at the NTBI that serve our ”kids” as they are there and learning God’s word, and life skills to serve Him.
Thanks again for your partnership, and care for us!
We appreciate you!
In His Strength,
George and Linda Heckman