
Before my language evaluation in late June, Amy and I prayed together several times regarding the results. We had a lot of questions about the new testing standard I was pioneering for NTM Mexico, and I felt a lot of pressure to test out and be done! With Amy’s formal studies completed, my own goal – one level higher than Amy’s – was the last official requirement to meet before we would be free to leave Chihuahua. Obviously, we really hoped I would pass and we could start heading toward the mountains!
However, even though our own goal was clear, we wondered while praying if God might have another immediate purpose. I often felt like an icebreaker, as if being used to clear a path others could more easily follow later. What if God desired I not pass this time, allowing our leadership a chance to re-evaluate and improve the final stages of Spanish study? With this thought in mind, Amy and I prayed that God would provide His best outcome: that either I would pass, or that in not passing we would see Him at work – for both our good, and that of future coworkers.

As we shared in our previous update, I did not receive the rating allowing us to move forward. You might imagine this was discouraging – and frankly, you would be right! Yet before that same day ended, we received a phone call from our field leaders – informing us that they would meet to review the graduation process, and evaluate what we truly need to see from our new missionaries in Spanish before sending them to the mountains. What a quick and complete answer to our prayer! Even while disappointed in many ways, this was exactly what we had hoped to see God do through that result.
After our leader’s careful and prayer-filled consideration, two decisions were made. The first is, I am still being asked to reach ‘Advanced Mid’ ability in Spanish. This represents a new, higher standard than has historically been in place… a level of study not previously required in Spanish, but instead only in the indigenous languages of church planting ministries. However, past experience has shown that our limits in Spanish affect how hard it is to learn a third language. The more clearly I can communicate in Spanish, the further I can also go in the Nahuatl language! Even though this is a more difficult standard to achieve, the hard work now will pay large dividends for the clarity of the Gospel message in Las Moras… as well as in future ministry once the work of that church plant is complete.

The second decision from these meetings is that I (and others) will have a lot of new help! Our language program is changing dramatically with the adoption of this new standard, and my nerdy side is super excited for the challenges and opportunities ahead! We will have classes digging into advanced features of Spanish (particularly those most unlike the familiar English grammar), which will be a good start. New local ministry opportunities will allow me to gain better experience, while pushing forward more intentionally on language. Finally, in November we will have a two-week workshop on discourse analysis – training which will not only apply to Spanish study here and now, but opens up possibilities for providing consulting help to other missionary teams down the road.
While this clearly is not our most preferred result, clear communication of God’s Word in Las Moras is too important for incomplete preparation. We are therefore absolutely willing to prioritize the next twenty-plus years of ministry over arriving in the mountains a few months earlier! As we prepare for one more phase of intense Spanish study, we are so encouraged to see how different this time will be than what came before! Amy is healthy again, unlike most of the past year… and is even done with her own study, freeing me to get out and pursue more opportunities! The backlog of extra work from that difficult phase of life has almost been completed, which provides more time to take advantage of the new resources our consulting program will provide. Finally… it just will be a lot easier to pursue our daily study goals with the aid of our new truck!

Yes, we’re fairly excited about this! Just as we were committing to a local vehicle search instead of importing from the United States, God brought the right truck along in a way only He could have done. What we need was so specific due to family size and ministry details, and at times seemed impossible to find. Yet God provided… and within 18 hours of finding this truck, the importers said it would pass the amazingly strict importation process. This is no minimally acceptable rig, but in many ways the best we could have hoped to find! We bought the truck, and it will be ready for the importers after minor repairs.
We will share the full story in our next update, but for now – as God has clarified our next steps here in Chihuahua – please join us in thanking Him for His many kindnesses to us. We are excited for this final season of study, and grateful we will be much more mobile going forward than has been the the case for quite some time.
‘Now What?’ Updates from the Nahuatl Bible Teaching
God’s Word continues to go forward among the Nahuatl people! There has been solid attendance – at times more than our teammates anticipated! – and the people seem to be understanding the message well. We are so excited to see what fruit God brings from His Word among the Nahuatl people, as they finally hear of Him in their own language!
Our coworker’s son Kester burned himself badly at the beginning of this month, and the Hypki family had to go to town for a few weeks for his treatment and a more sanitary healing environment. This caused a temporary pause in the teaching, but Kes is now doing well and teaching has resumed.
- Read Pete Hypki’s recent update to hear his words on the first day of teaching back in July, and how a few weeks later God provided a clear path through thunderstorms to get Kester out for medical treatment!
- Next, take a few minutes to read Katie Moore’s account of the adventures of daily life among the Nahuatl people… and the privilege which comes from walking with God through each one.
Praise God with us!
- For the provision of the truck we’ve needed
- For a clear view of our next steps in Mexico
- For God’s Word going forth among the Nahuatl people
- For people continuing to come hear what God has to say
- For Kester’s healing and safe return to Las Moras
Ways you can pray:
- For the Nahuatl people to hear God’s Word and come to Him
- For our teammates in Las Moras, persevering in teaching
- For our family adjustment to this new phase in Chihuahua
- For the logistics and importation of our new truck
- For strength and quick learning as I re-enter language study
Jordan & Amy, your updates are so clear and leave us with a great picture of how the Lord is working with and through you. We give praise for your attitude toward seemingly grey news, may this all be for His glory. Love seeing the news about the truck! Onward …
I’m so glad our thoughts come through well – and more yet that God remains the One directing this from start to finish. (And yeah… I’ll admit I’ve already daydreamed of idling up to CBC in that rig, Lord willing next year… that’ll be a fun day. =D) Affirmation much appreciated, Mark – please pass on our greetings to the rest of GO and the whole CBC family; we are so grateful for you guys!
Thanks for the updates Jordan. We will keep you and your family in prayer.
We appreciate that greatly – thank you!
You are loved and prayed for continually. Your new truck is beautiful and a great answer to prayer.
God is good and is working through you at all times. A little delay is God’s opportunity. He won’t
waste it and neither will you. Thank you for up- dating us and for your Godly attitude in a different
plan. We will pray you through. One day we may look back and see the reason why this happened
and thank Him for taking such good care of you all. But whether you ever see it or not, His way and
His timing is always best. I’m thankful that you see it that way. God is the Blessed Controller of ALL
things. What a God we have!!!
My love and prayers always,
Grammie
Love you so much, Gram. =) Glad you enjoyed seeing how God is moving through the news… I keep remembering how grateful I am that He is ultimately in charge, rather than me! Imagine how terrible things would turn out if all of my plans came to fruition exactly as I ordained them. =) (Sounds funny to say it that way, but… it’s true). Thanks for your encouragement and your love for us!
Greetings from Abu Dhabi!im overwhelmed with gratitude hearing the many ways Hod is at work in and through your lives. What a beautiful example of complete surrender to Christ you are to your kids and your community. I love your hearts.
From Psalm 16:
O Lord, you are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; you maintain my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; yes, I have a good inheritance.
I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; my heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me; because He is st my right hand I shall not be moved.
So much love and hugs to you all and rejoicing for little Kester’s healing!
Thank you, Aunt Linda, for your kind words… God has so faithfully sustained us, and it’s honestly only by His grace that we can respond to our circumstances with anything approaching an attitude which glorifies Him. But we know He knows what He’s doing… and that makes it all worth the while. =) Much love to you too!
Your heart’s are good and you faithfully wait on the Lord. He will multiply frustrations into great blessings in His time. Thank you for your willingness to serve our Lord. Please tell your fellow partners that they and the people hearing God’s word are being held in our hearts and our prayers. I am especially happy to hear of your truck and of Kester’ s wonderful healing.
Love to all of you!
Thanks so much for that encouragement, Janet! We will pass that word along, and your prayer for the Nahuatl people and our teammates means the world to us. Miss you guys!