The Ellis Family

Missionaries with Ethnos 360

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:14-15

Moving to Missouri

In June of this year, we moved to Roach, Missouri, where the Ethnos 360 Training Center is nestled into a beautiful cove off the Lake of the Ozarks. We arrived ready to serve in whatever way the Lord had for us. It is so cool to look back over the last 20 years of our marriage to see how God has prepared us for the work He has had for us every step of the way. Rob and I have been attending classes to learn how students are currently being trained. We have both taken on administrative roles which is again a testament to how the Lord has prepared us for the roles He has for us.

Our three kids have been so blessed to have made friends so quickly here. They have been running around on campus with friends almost every day since we arrived. (swimming in the lake, playing in the gym, soccer on the field, building fires in the firepit, watching movies and just hanging out) Donovan joined the city league soccer team and had his first games last weekend. They won both games and he scored a goal in the first game. Shelbyanne has started pre-season basketball practices at the high school and is so excited to be back to playing sports again! Marilyn has joined the ladies choir at school and is looking forward to auditioning for the upcoming school play this fall.

Looking back to move forward

It has been over a year since we left Tanzania. It was so hard to say goodbye to a place we had called home for over 10 years. Some days our time in Tanzania feels like so long ago and other days it feels like we just left recently. I am thankful that here at the training center we have many opportunities to remember and talk about our friends and experiences that we had there. We are excited that the work there is continuing and pray that many people get to hear the Gospel of Christ because of the continued work of our co-workers who are still in country. Please pray for the work that is continuing right now to teach and train local pastors and believers. Pray for preparations that are being made to go out and share God’s story with the people in the remote villages.

God is at work all over the world through men, women and children, living outside their home countries, who are passionate about sharing the truth of God’s Word with those that cross their paths and bold enough to not back down when they meet adversity. May all believers in the Bible, no matter where we are, have that same passion and boldness, allowing the Holy Spirit to speak through us, when we don’t know what to say. If you have any questions about how to “know” God, and not just know about Him, please reach out to me or someone you know that believes in the God of the Bible. He is calling you to Himself and desires for you to know Him.

What does moving forward look like to me?

It’s remembering what I have been through and how the Lord has been with me all along the way. It’s choosing everyday to walk in humility and to give Him praise for all He has done. Not looking back and seeing all I have done as My Own accomplishments, but knowing that it is all because of Him. I am daily being molded into the person He has created me to be. I have been fearfully and wonderfully made by the God of the universe who knows my innermost being and loves me anyway. He gave me the opportunity to live for over 10 years in an amazing country amongst wonderful and complex people who need Jesus just as much as I do. And now that I am living again in my Home country, I am called to the same purpose, to love God and make Him known. So I move forward to what’s ahead, ready to be used, passionate about the truth of the Bible and bold to share those truths with others!