“The Early Days” – Jared and Diana met in the First Baptist Church of Union, Nebraska in 1967. Missionaries and Evangelists came often to the little church sharing the Good News and the reality that “you can go too”. It was through that exposure that led them into missions.
Jared attended New Tribes Bible School in Waukesha, Wisconsin for two years (1972-1974) and Diana attended Grace College of the Bible in Omaha, Nebraska for two years (1973-1975). They were married in July 1975 and entered the second phase of mission training in Baker, Oregon in January 1976. They continued their missionary training with New Tribes in Michigan (January 1977) and also in Missouri (August 1977 – May 1978). They arrived in Paraguay in April 1979.
Jared and Diana have served with New Tribes Mission in Paraguay for thirty years. For the first fourteen years of service they were in a remote location living and working among the indigenous people known as the Ache.
Their areas of ministry have always been one of “helps”. During their time with the Ache, Jared was in charge of maintaining the upkeep on the property; he managed the colony store in order to teach the ache the value of money, and worked alongside of the Ache in agriculture. He also took part in buying supplies for the Aches and the missionary families who lived there. If anything was broken, he fixed it!
Diana was involved in the colony clinic. She learned that if you want to quickly get to know the people, that was the place to be. At times, she was also responsible for keeping books on the station. She taught pre-school in preparation for first grade because paper, pencils, colors, and books were so foreign to them. She also had a part in checking scripture translation for clarity of understanding amongst the Aches but did not do translation.
After fourteen years of being with the Ache, they were asked to become a part of the administration team in the capital city of Asunción. Jared took the position of Field Buyer for a few years and then moved into the Administrator’s chair. His job description hasn’t really changed over the years; he is still in the ministry of “helps” but now it was much broader and included many more families.
Diana has been in the Print Shop for many years. She photocopies and binds scripture books, study materials, and curriculum for our indigenous schools and literacy programs. Because of her ministry in the Print Shop she has a part in reaching all the indigenous people that we are involved with. She was also the “Post Office” of the field and stamped all mail going back to the states. Her other responsibility was helping in hospitality to those coming into town whether for business, pleasure, or a much needed break.
Jared and Diana count it a privilege to have been involved in what God had chosen for them to do in Paraguay. There is no better place to be than right where God wants you to be.
“The Present” – In 2009, Jared and Diana joined the staff at NTBI (New Tribes Bible Institute) in Waukesha, Wisconsin. It seems wherever they serve it is always with “helps” in mind. Jared was placed on the maintenance team and with his “jack of all trade” background has been a blessing. Diana started out working in the Childcare Department, where those little ones just warm your heart and then moved into the Education Office, where she has learned new things on the computer and has gotten to know more of the students and staff.
This change in ministry has been challenging for Jared and Diana. After being in Paraguay for thirty years nothing in the US seemed familiar. There were now new work places and routines to learn. There were also new faces to get to know and relationships to build. How thankful they are to see God’s faithfulness as HE leads them in areas that are unknown!
“Family” – Jared and Diana have three children. They were all born in the states but were raised in Paraguay. All have lived in a remote location and in a large city. They have all experienced being home-schooled, attending public schools on furloughs, and they all graduated from the same Christian High School in Asunción. The Lord has also blessed them with four grandchildren.
“The Future” – Jared and Diana are thankful to be part of the team serving at NTBI – Waukesha and for the opportunities to be involved in the lives of the students. They host Student Fellowships and Evangelism groups in their home every semester and Diana, also has had the privilege of mentoring young women who are involved in the school’s intern program. The “life” lessons they have learned in Paraguay have helped them in the adjustments to this stateside ministry. They are excited to see what God desires to teach their hearts in order to make them more like Him. Pray for them as they continue to “walk by faith”.