WHAT ABOUT THE In a remote tribal village a missionary begins her day contemplating how to balance her two main responsibilities: connecting with the ladies in the village and meeting the educational needs of her children. Children’s education is an ever-present challenge for missionaries and there are few options: children can attend a school run by NTM (or the broader missionary community) or they can home-school. Mission schools are usually in a large town, far away from remote church-planting teams. This means that other missionaries are needed to provide a safe and loving ‘home-away-from-home’ for the children. Going to school and living with friends is an environment that many children love, leaving the strain of separation to be felt more by the parents. The alternative, i.e. keeping the children at home when ministering among tribal people, is not always an easy decision. Children can be a bridge for the parents in connecting with the tribal people, as often they are quick to learn the language. However, in many people groups it is common for girls to be married off at a very young age. A missionary’s young daughter therefore could be considered a potential wife, and considering the immorality in some communities, it might be safer for the children to attend school elsewhere. There are many factors for parents to consider when determining what is best for their children. Alan and Rachel Whatley and Steffan and Julie Pyle serve with NTM in Indonesia; Alan provides orientation to new missionaries and Steffan is a pilot. In fellowship with the NTM Indonesia MK (“missionary kid”) Education Committee, these families have devised their own solution and ... continued on next page
children ?
NTM
believes that one of the highest priorities of missionaries is the care of their own children. But this need not conflict with ministry. In fact the children of missionaries are often a vital part of ministry within a tribal context. You can be a part of the team expanding the reach of the Gospel, by teaching missionary children in a school or tribal context. Invest one to two years as an Associate, or make it your career. Either way, you can have an impact in the lives of children, their parents, and tribal people – for eternity. Contact us for more information.
“
It is truly amazing how the Lord led me to where I am today
”
—Jessica Wease, Associate Missionary
formed a small home-school co-op. Rachel says they started the co-op for a couple reasons: her own desire to teach missionary children and to help her co-workers in their ministries. Rachel explains, “By teaching in a co-op I can give some of my time helping meet Julie’s children’s needs and we are done before noon.” Their home-school co-op functions on a normal school schedule, but being at home creates a family atmosphere. The kids love getting taught by their moms but also enjoy the interaction with the other children and their assistant teachers; a young Indonesian teaches Indonesian and gym class, while older MK’s occasionally assist with other classes. In the Philippines, Chuck and Shannon Talbot are building a house in a Ga’dang tribal village. They have five children with one on the way. Shannon says, “Over the years as we have sought the Lord about the educational needs of our kids, we believe that He wants us to keep our kids at home even while in the village. The demands of learning Philippino culture and language have shown us how hard it will be to balance teaching our kids while learning the tribal culture and language.” Enter Jessica Wease, a young friend from Ontario who has committed to be an “Associate Missionary,” homeschooling the children for one year. Jessica has found teaching to be a huge learning process that she truly
Chuck and Shannon Talbot and their family, along with Jessica Wease (centre), are living by faith and trusting God to use their lives to reach the lost.
enjoys. She writes, “I look forward to days when the children grasp a new concept or are excited about the material they are learning.” Her new experiences are broader than the classroom: “Living in a third world country has been an experience that is eye opening and life changing. It is truly amazing how the Lord led me to where I am today.” The Talbots share in the blessing. “Without Jessica,” Shannon says, “I would not be able to spend time with the ladies in our village.”
“Associate” missionary? What in the world is that?
For both of these families, the key is balancing family and ministry needs. Pray for missionaries as they work together and trust the Lord in choosing the best educational options. Pray also that they would have time and energy to be effective in the ministry that the Lord has called them to.
A person with skill, trade, or experience who fills a specific need for six months to two years.
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eastons & easton Reaching tribal people with the life changing message of God’s love and mercy is a family affair — in more ways than one. Dennis and Valerie Easton (Lael, Aria, Quinn) were challenged to reach the least-reached people on earth while taking a Missions Perspectives course. Sent from L’Amable Bible Chapel, they are moving their family from Bancroft, ON to Manila, Philippines. Their heart’s desire is to be a part of a church planting team, taking the Gospel to those who have never heard.
Brenda Easton (Dennis’ sister) is helping speed the Gospel to yet-unreached tribes by serving two years in the Philippines as an associate. Brenda will be helping with the education of Lael, Aria, and Quinn, freeing up Dennis and Valerie to focus on learning culture and language in order to effectively communicate God’s message of salvation where it has never been understood before.
Aria’s transition to life in the Philippines will be easier with her aunt Brenda along.
wHERE IN
THE WORLD IS...
...the need? Teachers are needed for all grades, in almost every subject, all over the world: • Bolivia • Brazil • Guinea, West Africa • Indonesia • Mexico • Mozambique • Philippines • Papua New Guinea • Senegal • Thailand Visit www.canada.ntm.org/go and enter “teacher” in ‘Career Search’.
Missionary Training
GRADUATION Thursday, May 27, 2010 7:00 pm Hanover Missionary Church 628-11th St., Hanover millions unreached...none unreachable
Families life Overseas
Preparing for The breath hangs for a moment before drifting away in the cold morning air. The crunch of footsteps signals movement. The weekend is over and students are making their way to class. Adults are on their way to Monday morning chapel ready to start another week in the Missionary Training Course (MTC). Their kids are off to school too, at the NTMC Academy. We usually think of adults when we think “missionary”. While that is an accurate association, the reality is that it is not just adults but whole families who usually make the journey overseas and become part of the missionary team.
centred curriculum teaches the necessary language and math skills and helps the child develop a Biblical worldview in the process. The small teacher-student ratio provides the opportunity for teachers to get to know the children, even as the MTC trainers are getting to know the parents. MTC students are in Durham for two full school years before moving on to overseas ministry. Our small Academy is a safe and secure environment for their
children to adjust to the transitions that the whole family is experiencing. For many children the NTMC Academy introduces them to a small school environment similar to what they might experience overseas. All of our present teachers have served overseas with NTM and understand the challenges that lie ahead for missionaries and their children. For more information about the NTMC Academy visit: www.canada.ntm.org/train/Academy.php
New Tribes Mission of Canada’s MTC is an in-depth and comprehensive two-year training course intended to equip believers with the skills and tools needed for a challenging ministry in a foreign culture. But what about the kids? The NTMC Academy provides an education from grades one to twelve for the children of NTMC staff and the students in our MTC. Our GodWilfried and Lily Dueck (back row, 2nd & 3rd from left), from Edmonton, are first-year students in the Missionary Training Course and hope to serve the Lord in Paraguay, South America. A variety of teachers are involved in teaching their children, Cameron, Matthew, and Rebecca (front row), as well as the other children in the Academy.
New Tribes Mission of Canada PO Box 707 Durham, ON N0G 1R0 519.369.2622
ntmc@ntmc.ca
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