Have you heard the one about the little boy who swallowed a coin and was admitted to hospital? Relatives called to enquire about his condition but were told, ‘Sorry, no change!’
‘No change’ could hardly describe this past year for us!
Changed Country
Last June we left Papua New Guinea after almost twenty years of service there and are now living and working at our New Tribes Bible Institute here in the US in Jackson, Michigan. We have really enjoyed the seasons that we missed in PNG and being close to family – which has really changed since our arrival in PNG in 1985!
Changed Ministry
The Bible Institute is the first phase of training with NTM. Even though some students come to simply study the Word, it is presented without apology in a missionary context.
The heart of the Bible Institute training is to equip and establish believers in the interpretation and application of the foundational truths of the Bible. The Bible is for life whether on the mission field or not.
James is teaching the classroom while Lisa is part of the Dean’s department that focuses on one-on-one discipling. This coming semester, James will be teaching Pentateuch and Prayer while Lisa will be working particularly with the married ladies.
Changed Family
We have another grandson! Tiernan, born to Benjamin and Missy on 16 May, 2006.
Our youngest, Isaac, left for college in Missouri in January.
Changed Lives
Although we have only been here for one year, we have come to know and make friends with a number of the students who recently graduated in May. A theme of their testimonies before they left was how the Word of God has impacted and changed their lives.
On the other side of the world, the Word of God is changing lives as well. Since we left PNG, the gospel has been presented in a number of different tribes including the Moi and Mibu. Recently we heard of the first baptisms among the Moi and the first Mibu to go to heaven.
No Change!
While it seems that almost everything has changed, yet certain things haven’t changed.
• It hasn’t changed that we minister with New Tribes Mission.
• It hasn’t changed that to minister we need your prayers and support.
• It hasn’t changed that we are extremely grateful to those of you who faithfully pray and give so as to ‘Expand the Reach of the Gospel’ through our ministry.
Most important, ‘Jesus Christ, the same yesterday and today and forever’, has not changed and nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus – not even change!
How You Can Pray
• Pray specifically for James developing his courses for this coming semester
• Pray specifically for Lisa to build good relationships with the married ladies and see them built up in their faith.
• Pray specifically for ways that we could be light & salt in the Jackson community.
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