Dina and I have been listening to an artist Tauren Wells who is a popular contemporary Christian music artist. One of the songs that we like is Hills and Valleys, from his album Undefeated. “When I’m standing on the mountain, I didn’t get there on my own. When I’m walking through the valley I know that I am not alone. Your the God of the hills and valleys,”
For the people that we are working among, they have heard from their ancestors that the hills and valleys are the places where we can make contact with the spirits. There are special places in the valleys and hills that allow closer access to spirits and therefore are better for intercession and asking for things that we want.
Most of the modern tribal people will know that these things are true, yet they will deny that they really believe it. After living in this area for several years we have seen that the most modern person, complete with access to the internet, money, transportation, and higher education when difficulties come into their life it’s common to return to the “hills and valleys” for help.
One of the reasons that we have stayed on working in this area is to see the hand-full of believers God has raised up here, become grounded in their faith. We want to walk with them long enough that we can go through hard times together and consistently turn our eyes up, above the hills and valleys, to the God of the entire universe. The maker of heaven and earth. That they would be sustained by El Shaddai, which has the meaning, “God of the mountains.”
This past month we have had some hills and valleys of our own. Ups and downs in life and ministry. We are discouraged to see such in-consistency among the believers in the village where we are living. The weeds of life that take hold of the new believers and the pursuit(s) of other things takes over. Those weeds can be very beautiful in and of themselves, yet when you consider the negative impact they have on our growth in the things of the Lord, they are slow killers. Pray for these believers.
There are also hills. God is doing a work in the hearts of a study group in a neighboring village. Last week and this week we are finishing our foundational teaching. This week we will review and discuss the big picture message of salvation. Pray for the new believers in Silingan.
These people have been very consistent to gather and study. Last week we even had three of our regular guys come drunk. They didn’t want to miss the lesson. They were very talkative, which made for a lively meeting :). All in all this group has shown a real clarity on the gospel, and a desire to keep learning and growing.
Also we were able to baptize 3 more people from the village that we are living in. They are people who have studied with us for quite awhile now, yet recently have gained more clarity on the gospel and the meaning of baptism. One of the guys told me, “being put under water can kill a person. I am going under the water to show my identification with Jesus, in his death for me.”
We have also had some family hills and valleys. Last Christmas we got some repelling equipment and have recently gotten to use it on a big rock here in the area. It’s been fun to see Dina, and Abby overcome their fears and go over the edge.
We covet your prayers. We are feeling lonely, yet trusting in God’s sustaining presence.
So Sorry to hear this Georgia 🙁 Very sad. Praying for them and you.
Warmly,
Andrea for us
Hi Carol,
Thanks for your nice email. Yes we will add you to our list of weekly prayer requests. Thanks for your interest in our family and ministry and for praying for us. The girls have done repelling twice in a local area near our village and they’ve really enjoyed it!
Blessings to you!
Andrea
Tim, Andrea, and family,
Thank you for your story on the “hills and valleys.” It is good for us to walk together as a body of believers upholding one another in our struggles. I would like to commit to praying for your family. If you have regular e-mail bulletins (with prayer requests), I would love to receive them.
I (and my husband Jim and five kids) were involved in tribal church planting in West Africa for eighteen years. Now we serve at NTM Homes in Sanford. I am involved in several ways on the property here. One of my ministries is as administrator of the NTM Homes website. Ethnos360 links to our website and your post popped up on our site this morning.
Anyway, please add me to your list of prayer partners!
Enjoy the day and all of God’s rich blessings!
Carol Sheffield
NTM Homes
P.S. I would be interested in hearing more about Dina and Abby and their adventures in repelling. I am a rock climber and yet have not had the experience of doing so in the great outdoors! Also, if ever you find yourselves in Sanford, look us up. We would love to meet you. And… if the girls would like to have some indoor climbing experience, they could join me at the climbing gym in Longwood, Florida.
I fully enjoyed this note. Of course, I realize that Torin had not yet been born when this picture was taken, I love keeping informed about you six.
Love,
Joyce
God is in control. We pray believing for changes in lives.
Vicki
I love that song too, the reminder that “I am not alone” along with the difficult reminder that “Father, you give and you take away” ~ something that’s often missing in teaching today. . .
Thank you so much for your transparency, your resolve to stay the course regardless of the difficulties. May you always sense His presence, even in the deepest valleys. . .
Thankful for you,
Donna & Chuck
We also are encouraged to have you tell us about God’s blessing with fruit in your lives and ministry, even using alcohol to bring them!!! When you teach them Ephesians they will learn the difference between which Spirit/spirits to fill them.
We’ll pray on for you there. Even though Jesus felt great loneliness at times, He comforted Himself saying, “…yet I am not alone, for the father is with Me.”
art and arlene zimmer
Love your beautiful family!! Those boys are too cute!!
Answered prayer x4!!
Praying for you to feel the presence of God in the daily chores.
Thankful for your willingness to go!!
Please pray for our boys. Chris & Jay have completely
walked away from the Lord. We know He is Sovereign ,
But we’re heartbroken.
Love, Georgia