Spreading seeds and trusting God to do the growing is what we’ve been about for quite a few years. Sometimes it’s tempting to try to make the seeds grow or to try to figure out what kinds of soil we’re working with. But we know our part is spreading the seeds wherever we are and pray that God would be glorified through the fruit.
Tim and I read Luke 8 this morning which includes Jesus’ parable of the sower. The generous heart of the sower who knows that some of the seed will doubtless fall in places that will not bear fruit. Yet the knowledge that some will not be receptive to the seed, does not keep the sower from scattering his seed all through his field.
Some of our teaching groups, if you look on the outside are laughable. Just a few people, whose worldview is so different from our own. Nothing to impress, and much that would intimidate us at first glance. Yet we have taken courage from the generosity of the sower. He shares the word of God to the ends of the earth. Accepting that some of his efforts will not bear fruit, yet others will multiply into an unimagined harvest.
Tim and 3 other men had an opportunity to be part of teaching about 17 pastors in Malaysia for a week. These men work in numerous different village areas and are wanting to learn how to better share God’s with people who have little to no foundation in the Bible. These 17 pastors serve in many Iban villages throughout Serawak Malaysia. It was a good learning experience for Tim and exciting for him to share the foundational Bible teaching that has been such a blessing here in Deranuk.
Our family is doing well in the midst of some busy schedules. The kids have been healthy and Titus has fully recovered from his whooping cough. He is now 9 months old and thinks he’s ready to start walking already. He enjoys being out in the village, adores his sisters and has a great appetite. Dina & Abby are finishing up 4th grade and looking forward to summer break in June.
This last week we began kids club in the village. It’s been awhile in coming but we’re thankful it’s finally time to begin sharing God’s message on the kids’ level! One of our friends has offered to host the club and we had 30 children there this last week. We are teaching some songs that we have translated in the local language, have a memory verse, a lesson, and games and coloring. We have taken “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”, and have used it to begin to communicate God’s power and ability, it goes like this: “The whole world is in His hands, the whole world is created by God, the whole world is watched over by God, He holds all things in His hands.” The kids loved learning it! We look forward to all that God will do in these little lives. Our coworker Irene and I (Andrea) are the ones running the club. Pray with us for wisdom as we teach and also that we would have the language proficiency we need to communicate clearly. Thanks!
We’ve recently completed some of our evening study group. Two groups that were going through the foundational Bible lessons are now combining with the other believers. Our hope is that the Holy Spirit would make His presence known in their lives. Also the fellowship of believers would strengthen and encourage them in their new faith. We are working through the book of Acts and teaching them what the first believers did and how they trusted Christ through the challenges of life. We’ve been so encouraged by the testimonies of these young believers and their simple steps of faith!
Thank you so much for your prayers, emails of encouragement and financial gifts.
Let us know if there are ways we can pray for your family. We love any updates from your family as well.
Sorry our internet connection did not allow us to upload any pictures this time.
Grace Sufficient,
Tim & Andrea Ullum
PS. New Tribes Mission has recently changed their name to Ethnos360. This change is an effort to open more doors for ministry around the world. We appreciate and value the leadership of NTM/Ethnos360 as they seek to be faithful to the task God has called us to in our generation.