…speeding up at times? Excitement is building…anticipation of the unknown…what is this new thing? What will happen…in Jackson, MI; in Waukesha, WI and in two villages on the other side of the world. What is going on?
Both NTBI’s are preparing for up to 200 new freshmen to walk through the doors the weekend of the 21st. How we pray that they will all be able to come. We know that God will use many of them in missions in the future…to take the gospel to unreached people groups such as the Wano and the Uriay.
Both the Wano and the Uriay are hearing the Bible taught in their language for the very first time. NTBI Alumni are among those presenting the lessons chronologically and within just a few weeks, Lord willing, churches will be born in both locations. Please pray for all to go as planned and that God would prevent anything from interrupting the presentation of the Gospel to these dear people. Here is a quick excerpt from Mike and Libby’s recent email about the Wano…
“This a big talk that you guys are telling us.” The young man who said this has been helping us in preparation for teaching. He has been involved in checks that ensure that we are clearly communicating. He has already heard parts and pieces of the lessons but this week when the teaching started on Wednesday he heard the first lesson in complete. Morgan thought he looked teary as Mike began explaining that this was a big talk and it was for them, for all the people here, for the ones who chew betel nut and the ones who don’t, for the ones who smoke and the ones who don’t. We have these lessons recorded and they are on 4 hand crank mp3 players. The young man came to our house Wednesday night after hearing the lesson again in a hut where the people in our village gathered. He said, “I just wish my dad could have heard this talk.” His dad died in 2007. Already, the weight of this message is being understood by this young man.”
In the Uriay people group, Lisa reports…
Next week’s lessons will start with the proclamation of John the Baptist’s birth and Jesus’ birth by the angel to Zechariah and Mary. John is born, the angel foretells Jesus’ birth and then Jesus is born. We finish off the week with Jesus traveling to Jerusalem with his parents and amazing the teachers in the temple as he answers their questions. We’re looking forward to them putting the pieces together – that Christ is the Redeemer we’ve been talking about – and that His death was not only necessary for their sins but the payment for them. We’re on the home stretch here as we move into the life of Christ – exciting days to come! Continue to pray for distractions to be minimal and attendance to be high. Pray that God would continue to draw these folks to Himself!
As you go through your day and are challenged with what is really important, may the Lord bring these folks to mind. Here they are, on the brink of hearing the Gospel for the first time in their language…about to be offered the gift of eternal life…and many will trust Christ as their Savior, I truly believe that. Get ready to rejoice Angels!!! May the Lord cause your heart to rejoice again with the fact of your eternal life…your being delivered from sin and all its stench! Hallelujah, what a Savior! Thank You Lord!