Can you even imagine what it would’ve been like to sit on the Mount of Olives while Jesus delivered that wonderful message? It is portrayed in the movie Ben-Hur ever so briefly, In the Greatest Story Ever Told, and (although I have not seen it) I guess the new movie Son of God. What a moment in history that has proven to be. Many people around the world tend to have an admiration for Jesus when they are able to read the testimony of Scripture regarding that event.
How different it had to be on the hill of the crucifixion. The man that had delivered a message that could change the world, then hanging at that moment on a cruel, tortuous, bloodied cross to utter His final Word “It is finished” – then die. Devastated, those who had been so filled with hope witnessing the end of a innocent and good man, his disciples were then left to fear and concealment.
Now picture it. A dead body, limp and bloodied beyond recognition being lowered into the arms of those whose hope is removed. These same men and women now seeing that body wrapped in cloths and laid in a cold, empty cave-grave. The sealing stone rolled into place now, never to be removed. He’s gone…
Imagine being there. “We went to our homes. We talked on the way. The significance of all WE had heard and seen about those reported events. We waited. Before our hopes were totally dashed to bits we got together again, there is more, there is additional information. We’ve got the rest of the His instruction, something MORE AMAZING THAN EVER has to happen.” Then it did, The cave-grave was open – no one inside!” Imagine…
As our family has gotten older, over the years, we have considered these accounts (recorded by eye-witnesses). The most world changing events in history. The most talked about. The most controversial. The most dividing, momentous event EVER! Nothing has impacted this world so greatly. We’ve thought it through, discussed it. We prayed, sung about it and worshiped! The foundation for our life journey has been realized. God has made it possible for us (and all mankind) to be reconciled to a right relationship with Him – through the RISEN Christ – Jesus the Lord. It impacts every step forward from here until our deaths in this world. There is no greater need we have than the one which has been forever met through Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection NONE. Our journey continues on the sure foundation.
With the celebration gatherings close at hand, we are so grateful for God’s completed testimony of His Son. We are able to read for ourselves and celebrate with all who believe. Around the world new members of the Body of Christ are joining and remembering how great a salvation has been provided for them and they celebrate!
Our prayer this year is that your life has been impacted by knowing the reality of the historical events – Jesus lived. Jesus was crucified and He DIED! AT the time He prophetically declared it would happen – He ROSE FROM THE GRAVE!! Today, Jesus LIVES! He lives not just in the hearts and minds of those who have trusted in His finished work, He LIVES in glory, seated at His Father’s right hand – the place of Authority – as the Intercessor for all those whom He has redeemed to salvation. this is where the focus of believers” minds often race. The place where they will be at their appointed time. In the heavenly realms, where Jesus IS – FOR REAL. This is what we hope you life is daily impacted by.
Along that note, here are some encouraging stories of how God is bringing this truth through faithful servants invol
ved with NTM. http://canada.ntm.org/monthly-
Some brief updates on our ministry/family: 1) God provided $15,000 to upgrade the servers here on campus!!! The previous ones are eleven years old and should be completely replaced by the end of April. Roland is busy with so many aspects of his ministry, that it is challenging to keep current. He teaches an upcoming class for the missionary candidates: Jungle Camp Tech. He is constantly busy serving the Emanate training program and NTMC Main offices with their telecommunications and technology needs. Ocassionally he gets to serve others with needs relating to their personal devices and laptops.. even his wife (smile). The ICT department is still praying for another co-worker, yet praising God for the Director of Operations who helps frequently. Additionally, he is thankful for our son Elijah, who has been volunteering since January.
2) We are praying our permanent residency will be approved soon. We applied last March, and website informs us that is takes 13 months. Elijah is planning to return to Bible school next January and he really wants to get a job! Moriah is also wanting to work part-time. Thankfully both girls get asked to babysit at least once a month.
3) We have three teenagers in the house now. Susan turned 13 on the 1th and Elijah was 18 on the 21st. Susan enjoys gymnastics and running, and is currently training for field day. She and the other drama students are also working on dramatizing the book of James for Academy Night. Moriah is handling the challenges of public school and received the highest mark in 3 of her 4 courses last semester. She is hoping to make the soccer team with her friend Alyssa. Elijah went to Michigan for a few weeks to help some friends/supporters of ours with the debris in their burnt down garage. He is now enjoying some fellowship and discipling time with a staff member at NTBI.
4) Jinni is enjoying her grade one/two students at the Academy, and appreciated the “Spring” (haha, not in Canada yet) break. She was able to fly to St. Louis and visit her Dad, and then travel to Lynchburg, VA to visit RJ. He is a theatre major at Liberty University and was in his second production. She attended 4 of the 6 performances, and her sister and Aunt joined her on Sunday. The play was called, Everyman. It was written in the 16th century, by an unknown writer, and the director, choreographers, designers & cast members did an amazing job! They received 4 nominations from the judicator that reviewed the work. Maple syrup time is here again. Jinni took her students up to the “bush” so they might experience how to tap the trees, collect the sap, and boil it down for syrup.
We thank you so much for your continuing support of our family and your partnership in the ministry of tribal evangelism, church planting and Bible translation the we are so closely linked to – with you. We realize we couldn’t serve the Lord in this way without you. We pray for many of you daily and are thankful for those who are part of our praying team calendar, too.
May the Lord Jesus captivate your mind and heart during this year’s Resurrection Celebrations!
serving the RISEN Lord Jesus Christ, with you,
Roland and Jinni and family
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