Hi Friends! We hope that 2024 is off to a good start for you! I don’t often do it, but this year I decided to choose a word/concept that I wanted to focus on through the coming year. After much thought I chose the idea of Abiding in Christ. Not a new concept but such a key for us as followers of Christ to dwell, continue to be present with, and maintain unbroken fellowship with Christ! I’m looking forward to further study!
We wanted to just give a quick update on our time in the village. December 27 our family headed interior and our first stop was at a Christmas gathering of several hundred tribal believers. They meet once a year for encouragement and fellowship together. These areas first heard the gospel in the 70’s and 80’s through the ministry of faithful Ethnos360 missionary teams. Now there are maturing church with a heart to reach out with the gospel to those around them.
Tim was able to share at their youth gathering after we hiked up to a local waterfall, mini sound system and all! We enjoyed our time there!
Following the meetings, we then headed down to the village area we served for many years. We still maintain a house there. Getting in at dark is always tricky to get the house cleaned enough to feel ok about sleeping in it. Removing the first layer of dust and cobwebs and then a dose of bug spray for any large spiders is usually enough for the first night. We’re all thankful to sleep under mosquito nets so no critters find us in the night 🙂
It was great seeing our friends again and connecting with the believers for a Christmas/New Year’s fellowship together! They continue to desire time together and love to hear the Word taught. We also went to the other outreach village and were met with smiles and excitement about studying together!
Our kids enjoyed the time in the village again. The boys were outside the whole time finding trees to climb, chickens, to chase, and several puppies to play with. 2 long time friends of the girls’ were around and made for a fun time for all!
Please continue to pray with us for the believers and for their growth. 2 of the men are still in need of good communication and reconciliation with one another in order to be able to lead the others in an edifying way.
There are still plans in the works for 2 young families to move into the village and continue on the teaching and discipling there. Pray that there plans will come together for that to happen as the Lord wills!
Our trip back out to town was an adventure! With the road getting increasingly better, the trip should have taken 9ish hours. Instead it was 17 hours, with several of them spent on the side of the jungle road while a local man tried to fix the transmission issues with our car. We saw God’s hand in several very specific miracle-ways and we rejoice! Hard times keep us more aware of our need for God and more sensitive to His presence with us!
Thank you so much for your prayers and for your support of us! We rejoice, we serve, we live here in this place to see God glorified and His message spread!
We hope you had a special Christmas celebration and are off to a New Year of seeking God’s face and trusting His heart in whatever lies before you!
Blessings,
Tim, Andrea & Family
Hi Andrea! I love your positive spin on adventures! Your words and photos make me smile so big! Thanks for sharing this update so we know how to pray. I like your focus for this year. I may steal that from you for next year, but this year mine is confidence; confidence in sharing the gospel, in my faith, in His plans, in His promises etc… Love, hugs, and prayers to you and all!
That saying, “A picture’s worth a thousand words” is so appropriate for this post! So, so sorry for the difficulties but so encouraged by your faith-filled perspective in every situation. . .
Thank you for your commitment and faithfulness to what the Lord has called you and your family. You are truly a blessing to us as well as to those you serve in a difficult part of the world!
Love reading your updates and adventures. Thankful for your dependence on the Lord in the daily challenges. I needed that reminder today! Love you guys!😘🙏
I am so thankful his mercies are new each morning and available to us. I pray for his continued protection over your family and an outpouring of his love and grace on You.
Oh Andrea, what fun abiding in Christ. I chose a word, as I have never done this before, loving kindness. I read an article in Dayspring magazine about choosing a word or concept and following it. So I will be interested to see how it unfolds for you!