issue 3, number 1 march 2009
do you have a favourite Bible? There are likely several in your home: a variety of translations and some with study helps. But is there one which is your favourite? How easy would it be for you and your family if you did not even have one Bible? What would your church be like if no one had a Bible? One of the essential aspects of the character of God is that He communicates with mankind. It is exciting to be involved in this work of communicating the Gospel with those who have never before had the chance to hear.
God’s word in the hand
Young men proudly display their prized possession.
It is not by chance that there even is a Bible. It has been God’s plan and intention that His involvement in human history and His instructions be recorded in writing as an unchanging record and reference for all humanity. Even before the birth of Christ, people recognized the precious value of God’s Word and laboured to translate it to make it accessible to more people. Jewish scholars translated the Hebrew Scriptures into the common Greek language from the 3rd to 1st centuries BC. Over the centuries the Bible, and portions of it, has see Translation on page 3
NTM
by
numbers
people groups with whom we are working 281 5 people groups where teaching began in 2008 tribes that heard the Gospel for the first time in ‘08 4 3 NT translations printed in 2008 108 translations in progress 20 countries with church planting ministries* 15 official sending countries* 2,777 total number of career NTM missionaries 150 total number of associate NTM missionaries 250 total number of Canadian missionaries
missionary training
graduation Saturday, May 30, 2009 2:00 p.m. Hanover Missionary Church 628 - 11th St, Hanover
* some countries have church planting ministries and also send missionaries to other countries
GPS...find your place in missions
Campus
Development In late 2008 work on the six-apartment residence slowed due to limited resources, but we praise the Lord that we are now able to install drywall. It has been said that once the drywall is up a building is half-finished. What remains is taping, mudding and painting followed by the installation of plumbing and electrical fixtures, cabinets, flooring and trim. Praise the Lord for His continued provision. We look forward to the day when these apartments are ready. Thank you for your prayers and gifts toward this valuable project.
Now there’s a thought
grave situations Most of the cemeteries across Canada are well kept. Are we superstitious or do we just like things looking neat? A missionary serving the Kuman people in Papua New Guinea recently described two ‘grave’ situations in her community. One day while hiking with some tribal friends they passed the grave of a friend. One lady noticed the grave and asked, “Where is the betel nut?” The betel nut, chewed by the Kuman people, is often left on a grave as an offering to the deceased. This lady’s comment was more than a question; it was a chastisement of someone’s neglect. Some days later she noticed some old ladies cleaning another grave site near to her house. This was not routine maintenance but a demonstration of their care for him in an attempt to keep the dead man happy and keep his spirit from pestering them.
After a full morning in the classroom, students in the Missionary Training Centre are thankful for the chance to work with construction supervisor Hank Demark (in cap and grey t-shirt). This is a great opportunity for them to learn skills, work as a team, think about what they are learning in class and, of course, make progress on the project.
What’s
Happening?
Keith & Mieke Jacobs (Regional Director for Missionary & Church Relations in BC & AB) participated in Missionfest Vancouver in January. Now they are in Papua New Guinea for February & March to participate in a conference and visit with missionaries and field leaders. Ed & Annette Esau (Regional Director for Missionary & Church Relations in SK & MB) participated in Missionfest Winnipeg in January. Ray Jones (NTMC Leadership) will be in Mexico with colleagues from NTM-USA for one week in April, for ongoing discussions regarding international partnerships. Missionary & Church Relations department – NTMC staff who minister across Canada will be in Durham, May 1315, for their annual conference. Missionary Training Centre will have its graduation ceremony, Saturday, May 30, in Hanover, Ontario.
The Kuman people’s lives are characterized by fear and concern for the appeasement of spirits. But one believing lady recently encouraged the missionaries with her report of conversations with others about the spirits. She was able to tell them with confidence, “God’s Word says that when you die you either go to heaven or to the place of fire. The Bible doesn’t say our spirits linger to haunt others.” These were not her own thoughts; she was sharing what she had learned from the Bible teaching. When you rake leaves and clean your yard, or visit the grave site of a departed loved one, are your thoughts full of fear and superstition? Be thankful that you do not live in such spiritual darkness as so many tribal people do. To live life in the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is more wonderful than we often appreciate. Praise the Lord for His salvation and for the opportunity to be a part of reaching people with this Good News. If you would like to become involved, contact us at personnel@ntmc.ca, or call 519.369.2622 today.
GPS...find your place in missions
Translation continued from page 1
been translated into many languages. And the list continues to grow. At the end of 2008 another Bible translation came off the press: a translation of the New Testament includes almost 400 pages of selected Old Testament portions. This translation is for a people group in South America.
reached people group. After he passed away in 1984, she continued on in the ministry. Then she took on the translation project in 1997, with her son, daughter-in-law and other team members. The end result is God’s Word translated, printed, bound and given to the believers in this tribe. They can now read, study and teach the small groups of believers who are scattered throughout the rainforest.
My Word shall not return unto me void, it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper... Isaiah 55:11
And there’s more! The New Testament was also read and recorded at a studio in California to produce digital “Talking Bibles”. Many
In 1962 a young couple from Owen Sound, Ontario, moved to South America to minister among this un-
of the A group of Spanish-speaking pastors ask God to bless the distribution of the Bibles and the teaching of His Word at the Bible-dedication celebration.
tribal people can’t read but now they can listen. God’s Holy Spirit dwells within the believers and through them is manifesting the life of Christ in the community. With the New Testament – the Sword of the Spirit – in the hands of His people He will continue to convict hearts, convince of truth and build His Church.
Staff Conference 2009 “Serving the Lord by Grace, in Light of Eternity” was the theme at the NTMC annual staff Spiritual Refreshment Conference, February 18-20. Life and ministry on the campus is always busy and every winter we take three days off for relaxation, fun, fellowship and good Bible teaching. The Missionary Training Centre’s first-year students organize activities for the children, while second-year students are in class with a guest teacher.
Time in the mornings was also spent in singing, prayer and personal sharing. Afternoons were free for sports, games and visiting, while special events were planned for the evenings. It was a very enjoyable and refreshing time; an important reminder that in the midst of busy ministry schedules we ought to take time to minister and encourage one another.
Mr. Dennis Rokser of Duluth Bible Church, Duluth, Minn. shared in four sessions. He highlighted 15 characteristics of Paul’s ministry, from 2 Corinthians 3-5, emphasizing that grace, which is central to salvation, ought also to be central in our daily lives and ministries. millions unreached...none unreachable
missionaries into ministries
at home and abroad Finally! To launch into ministry after years of planning, praying, training and anticipating!
Steve and Penny Enns (on left) graduated from NTMC’s Missionary Training Centre (MTC) in June 2007 and moved to Indonesia in April 2008. They are presently in Culture & Language Acquisition i.e. learning to live and function within the Indonesian culture. During this time they are considering where the Lord might have them serve in a tribal church-planting context.
Jason and Angie Bechtel (on right) graduated from the MTC in May 2008 and began their ministry here in NTMC’s office in October. Jason works
field note:
Indonesia Jakarta
Population: 245.5 million Land:
1,919,317 km2
Language: Indonesian
Contact us regarding how you can find your place in missions: personnel@ntmc.ca
Praise the Lord with us that the airstrip in the Moi tribe has been completed.
While there is nothing about the LORD that changes, He delights to see positive change in us. He loves to effect this change in us. He carefully works in each one of our lives, changing us into agents-of-change.
Capital:
primarily in the Finance Office, and Angie helps in childcare and the Academy.
Stephen and Carolyn Crockett, along with the rest of the team to the Moi people of Indonesia, have had the privilege of seeing God change Moi lives. God changed the Crockett’s lives, and through them, a number of Moi are enjoying changed lives. But now it is coming full circle—the Moi are having an opportunity to challenge lives around the world.
The NTMfilms team recently made a trip into Moi land to begin shooting footage for an upcoming short film. For nearly two weeks they battled the elements, listening to story after story of lives being changed by the Creator of the Moi. Will you please join us in praying that, in God’s strength and by His power, the testimony of these Moi believers will bring glory to God around the world?
New Tribes Mission of Canada PO Box 707 Durham, ON N0G 1R0 519.369.2622
ntmc@ntmc.ca
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