Last month, we had the privilege of attending graduation here at Ethnos360 Training. We are so grateful that we had the opportunity to get to know the missionaries-in-training who graduated and are headed to Mexico, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and other countries. In each location, unreached people groups continue to live with no Bible in their language and no church. The graduation ceremony focused on this question: Is He worthy? The graduates have to say goodbye to friends, family, and a language and culture where they feel at home. They will join with believers from other countries and languages as they team up with one goal and purpose. And each one of us involved in the effort, from the training center to the farthest people groups, have to ask: Is He worthy?
You are worthy, our LORD and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.
Revelation 4:11
We know He is. And we know from 2 Corinthians 4:18 that what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. It may not feel “worth it” in the moment to say hard goodbyes, to go through transition, or even to live in unfamiliar settings. But the unseen eternal impact of reaching others with God’s Word—and His eternal truth—is worth it.
Even though graduation happened, there is still plenty going on here on campus! The students in their first year of training are still here and currently engaged in their Simple Living course. The students move out to the woods, build simple shelters, and live “off grid” for 18 days. In childcare, we taught fire safety, snake/spider identification, and other simple outdoor skills and safety lessons. Nick went out to the woods to help teach about chainsaw safety and how to correctly use them. This part of the training is all about the practical skills of living remotely, as well as learning how to work together as a team.
Other students recently started an 8-month intensive linguistics course that will equip them for language learning and Bible translation in the unwritten languages of unreached people groups. So, even though we sent some students out last month, life is still busy here!
Last summer, we moved here to Missouri without the goodbyes we planned to make with the many amazing people and churches that make up our partnership team. We are excited that we have the opportunity to make up for those missed goodbyes in a small way this summer! We are making a brief trip to TX, FL, and PA in June to share at churches and thank all those who partner with us in our role with Ethnos360. It won’t be long, and we know we won’t get to see everyone we’d like to. But feel free to reach out and ask us our schedule so that maybe we can cross paths in June!
Thank you for partnering with us. Pray that we continue to stay focused on God and the reasons why He is worthy.
Kathy, let me know your PA schedule.