New study group, new school year, new challenges, these are the things ahead for our ministry and family. As I’ve been reading through the Old Testament and the journey of the Israelites into the promised land I’ve thought of how much they were probably ready for new beginnings as well. Their new leader Joshua was encouraged and even commanded several times to, “Be strong and courageous”. Sounds like perfect advice as he began to lead the people into the promised land.
Also good advice for each of us as we face the situations in our lives. The encouraging thing is that we don’t have to muster up this bravery or courage to do hard things, it’s Christ in us that enables us to walk forward. For Joshua, he had the promise that “the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Josh 1:9b I’m so thankful that we also have that promise (Rom 8:31) to combat the fear and discouragement that we can easily be burdened by.
During the summer months we were able to make a trip into our village home and ministry location as a family. It was a really good time to connect with long time friends, have a few teaching meetings with the believers, and let the kids do some reminiscent things from when they were younger! One of our coworker families was able to come into the village for a week and we enjoyed running a kids club together.
The new study group I had mentioned, is a group of men in the village who had been exposed to some truth through their involvement in helping with the translation. They have heard some sections from the NT that have help them realize how important this message really is. So over the summer we began a new Evangelism (Phase One) teaching with them. Pray for them as they begin this journey. Because our family is now located in town, Tim continues to make trips into the village once every other month, for connecting and teaching.
Dina & Abby have started into their 10th grade of school and Titus in1st, Torin in Pre-K. Homeschooling continues to be a great option for us, but does have it’s challenges! We also meet on Tuesdays with other kids for sports and activities.
In town Tim has had some opportunities to teach from the book of Romans in our local church body. He also stays connected to a training center for tribal believers who sense God calling them to cross-cultural ministry. Earlier this month Tim taught a module on cultural anthropology.
Birthdays for Titus and Dina were celebrated with friends and it’s hard to believe we have a 6 year old and a 16 year old now! We’re SO thankful for the family the Lord has blessed us with!
We truly appreciate you walking this Borneo journey with us. We do hope you feel a part of what is going on as you hear and pray for the work here in Asia Pacific. We keep you in our prayers and thank the Lord for your investment in the ministry here!
May you also be strong and courageous! Remember Who is for you.
Tim & Andrea
Thanks so much for this update with photos! So happy to hear that the translators in the village know how important the message of the bible is and now doing a study with you. Answer to prayer! We prayed for that in TPC! Praise God! We really appreciate these newsletters/photos. Great to see the kids, they are getting so big! Praying all things for you & family through this incredible ministry there for strength, endurance, health, safety in all you do at home & ministry.
Thanks so much for this extremely informative update! Love all the pictures which, of course, add so much context. Hard to believe that Dina is 16!! She’s beautiful! And it seems like only maybe a year ago that the boys were added to the mix, and look at what big boys they are now! We are so blessed to have such an awesome family doing all that you’re doing for the sake of the gospel. May the Lord continue to bless all that you put your hands to until He returns!
With His love,
Donna