THE GOD WHO KNOWS OUR THOUGHTS

The Spring 2008 semester is well under way. 30 new freshman students joined us on the 11th of January for orientation. Classes began on the 14th.

Our staff is always encouraged with the help given to the new students by the upper classmen. It’s a sure sign that they are internalizing the teaching that they have received.

Despite record amounts of snow and extremely cold temperatures, New Tribes Bible Institute continues to be a cozy environment with plenty of “Son” shine for our students. We thank God for each one that the Lord brings our way.

Recently we heard from two of our NTBI alumni working in Papua New Guinea. Tony and Tara Sutton completed their studies here in 1996. In 2003 they began to live with the Inanbimali people along with 2 other couples.

On January 23rd of this year, after 5 laborious years of language study, culture study, and lesson preparation, their team began teaching the Scriptures to this tribe. 90 percent of the village was present.

In preparation for this day, the missionary team had taught the people to read. As the teaching began, the Suttons and their partners presented the village with a translation of Genesis 1: 1-25.

One of the things that amazed the Inanbimali people was that God knows everyone’s thoughts. "We saw a lot of scared looks on their faces," Tim wrote. One tribal man said, "I never knew that ‘the God’ could know my thoughts … wow, that’s power!"

Please pray for the Suttons and their partners as they continue to teach the people from God’s Word. Pray that the Inanbimali people would respond positively to the Gospel as they continue to hear it taught in their language. Pray for two tribal chiefs, Manu and Kandal, who are speaking out against the teaching (see photo above).

Once again we are reminded that the Suttons and all of our missionaries sacrificially committed themselves to years of training in order to be well equipped to teach God’s Word to people of different languages and cultures. For most, that training began with 2 years of intensive study of the Bible right here.

Thank you for your contribution to our ministry and, by extension, to the ministry of New Tribes Bible Institute. Be assured that your gifts have eternal value. Please support us with your prayers for the following:

• That we would seek to grow in our faith and personal walk with Jesus who knows our every thought and still loves us unconditionally
• That we would be effective in our ministry to both students and staff here at the Bible Institute
• That many of our students would dedicate themselves to reaching tribes with the Gospel
• That our new class of freshmen will adjust quickly to the rigorous academic schedule and will apply what they learn to their daily lives.

Yours for the Harvest,

Jan & Cheryl Bast