This week we got a shot in the arm!

No, I don’t mean that we went to get our flu shots; although that is something we should probably look into. This week a development team from our Missionary Training Center in Camdenton, Missouri was here to train our staff in how to effectively develop and maintain ministry partnership teams. Most of us have been in New Tribes Mission for many years and have come to the place where we don’t know how or where to look for new partners. Quite a few of those who have supported Ellen and me for most of our 30 years with New Tribes Mission are now in their 80’s and 90’s. We thank the Lord for these dear saints who have sacrificed and given, not from their abundance but from their lack. But now as we look to the Lord for the future, we realize that we need new people to join us if we plan to continue ministering into the next decade. We thank the Lord for Dave, Adam, Luke and Laura who spent hours giving us a biblical basis for partnership methods as well as teaching us to use new tools that New Tribes Mission is recommending for sharing our vision with others.

Dave and Adam shared their experiences in meeting new people and passing on their vision for reaching the lost tribal people of the world. Laura was able to teach us how to use new software to help us better connect with our support team. Luke looked at our finances and helped us see where we are at and how much support we need to raise to be able to retire at the end of our missionary service.

Having just returned from a week of meetings in Florida last Friday, and after having a busy weekend at church, we both went into this seminar a little unmotivated and lacking enthusiasm. Now as the week has come to an end, and we are seeking to absorb what we have learned, we are both excited about using the tools we have been given to better communicate with those who give and pray for us. We say a big thank you to these four who were such an encouragement to us.