Here’s a quick review of June:
1. Regional Conference
Our campus was the location for a 3-day regional conference for our NTM co-workers, Indonesian co-workers, and church leaders from each of the 6 tribal works in our Central Indonesian region (Sulawesi and the Maluku Islands). All that attended were encouraged at the opportunity to come together with believers from other tribal areas, fellowship and share common experiences, and worship the Lord together. Every night we heard songs and testimonies from each area – at least 8 different languages. Just a little piece of heaven, where people from every nation, tribe, and tongue will praise the Lord as one. So cool! (pictures are below)
2. Speaking Opportunity
Russ continues to meet twice a week with his language helper, and in mid-June we were invited to take part in a Sunday morning service at his church. Russ brought the sermon, and Dina sang a special with another co-worker. We look forward to visiting this church again – Russ will be adding a Saturday morning study to his language study routine, meeting with some of the church leaders. (Speaking of Russ’ language helper, please pray for his wife – she was diagnosed last week with breast cancer, and because of her recent stroke she is unable to undergo an operation, so they will be pursuing an alternative treatment.)
3. Australian Team & other guests
We have had quite a few Western visitors to the campus in the last few weeks. Several NTM co-workers who are still studying language came up to visit during their summer break, and others spent a few days here as they passed through to their new ministry location. The area we are in is a popular tourist location, so they were able to see some of the sights of the area, in addition to seeing a tribal work and finding out more about the training center here. The campus here has also been a host location for a team from Australia who have come to see what missionary life is all about. They are currently visiting one of our tribal works, and will be back this week for a few days of debriefing before returning to Australia. We hope that this experience will be life-changing for them, and that the Lord will challenge some of them to be involved in missions as a result!
4. Workshop
Dina was invited to teach a card-making workshop last week at a Baptist Youth Camp up the mountain – we had to quickly improvise, as 52 campers signed up for the 20 available spots! We had brought a few extra kits, so 28 students crammed into a tent to make an envelope book, and everyone ended up with a project they could use and be proud of. It felt good to be recognized by Christians from the Manado area and beyond – the camp was in a mountain village we have been to before (the hometown of one of our former house girls) so many people recognized us, especially the kids!
5. Language Class
Though the training center is on summer break, there are several families on campus right now. We have had several tribal families register for the upcoming semester, and many of them have a need to expand their Indonesian language skills and adjust to life in Manado before classes begin. We are looking forward to another full campus this coming school year! Please pray for our students as more prepare to move to the campus in the coming weeks. Pray also for the staff here as the men prepare to teach 4 different classes beginning in August. Pray for our family too, that we will continue to find ways to connect with the students and to be a blessing here on campus and in the community.
6. Family stuff…
Emmaleigh finished Kindergarten with flying colors, and Evan has just one more subject to finish up in 2nd grade. He is working through standardized testing this week. Elliot is potty training and making progress every day. Benjamin is happy to have new glasses – his last ones had gotten broken and we were finally able to replace them. Dina’s been enjoying the opportunity to wind down a bit after several busy months. She was able to send stamped card samples that will be displayed at the national Craft & Hobby Association convention in Orlando at the end of the month. We were able to revise the health books, and the Lord provided for 30 copies to be handed out to national missionaries and church leaders at the conference. Her next project will be to compile a complete set of health course teaching notes and materials. Russ has been supervising the building of a carport behind our house, and waiting on a friend who is looking for a car for us. After the summer break, prices will be more reasonable.
Guess that’s all the news from our corner of the campus…
Counting our blessings,
Russ & Dina
06 July 2009
06 June 2009
C. Indo Regional Conference
Here are just a few pictures from the recent regional conference held here in June.
Team Tugutil shares some of their experiences in church ministry, outreach and development
Attendees from the Wana tribe share a song in their tribal language. (If I remember right, it was "In the Sweet By-and-By", and I could hear people singing along around (with) me in 4 different languages - very cool - little piece of heaven.)
One afternoon was spent in a fun game time.
I was able to share a song in my own tribal language on the last night - American!
The Buru team meets for break-out discussion.
Team Tugutil shares some of their experiences in church ministry, outreach and development
Attendees from the Wana tribe share a song in their tribal language. (If I remember right, it was "In the Sweet By-and-By", and I could hear people singing along around (with) me in 4 different languages - very cool - little piece of heaven.)
One afternoon was spent in a fun game time.
I was able to share a song in my own tribal language on the last night - American!
The Buru team meets for break-out discussion.01 June 2009
May runs right into June...
Another month flew by – I think I just need to accept that as a reality of life for us! During the month of May, we:
1. finished up teaching the health course to 2 classes of missions students…
This 3 week course packed in a lot of information, but hopefully will be a good starting place for these students as they prepare to serve in locations where there is no doctor. The text book we were able to provide them gives a lot of general information that will help them identify diseases and either medicate them intelligently, or discern when they need to seek help. Russ was able to give some hands-on instructions on first-aid, which was really a big help (especially on the things that I got light-headed just reading about!). The Lord provided for us to be able to make the text books available to all our national missionaries, and we’re thankful for that too!
2. worked with the graduation committee to honor 2 families who have completed their training as tribal church planters…
The 2 families that have finished our course are true and beautiful testimonies to the process of indigenous church planting – both families come from a church plant in the Wana tribe that was started by NTM missionaries. How amazing to be able to train tribal believers as church planters, and to see their desire to reach out to other tribes with the same Good News that changed them!! As far as their graduation, I played the piano for worship, and saw to it that all printing-related things were in order (certificates, theme banner, invitations). Russ created a power-point slide show that showcased the graduating families’ training, mixed in with pictures of tribal people from around the world. Twice during the presentation, a voice boomed out the verse from Isaiah: "Whom shall I send, and who shall go for us?" and in response each family shot up their hands and said, "We will!" as they went to the front (I get goosebumps still just thinking about it!).
3. both spoke on separate occasions at a church in town, during their month of missions emphasis…
A large Chinese church in town organized a month-long missions conference, and invited missionaries from our campus team to participate. I was privileged to speak to the ladies’ group on the 27th, and Russ spoke to the men’s group on the 28th. The topic they provided for both of was “Families on a Mission”, and we were able to challenge both groups with the fact that missions begins with a strong relationship with the Lord, knowing who He is, and loving what He loves. We look forward to seeing how the Lord will use this time to strengthen our relationships in the community, and this church’s vision for missions.
4. put our minds towards helping to organize a regional conference with our NTM and national co-workers…
From June 3-5, our campus will be hosting missionaries (from NTM and our Indonesian sponsoring board) and tribal church leaders from our region (Sulawesi and the Maluku Islands). We look forward to the fellowship, and updates from each work! Our Central Sulawesi base team has been building up again, after several years of inactivity due to religious unrest. Now that our flight program is reopening, possibilities for discipleship in existing tribal works and opening of new tribal works are the topics of much discussion. Our part in the conference is “documentation” – we know that involves taking lots of pictures, but beyond that…we’re not quite sure yet!
On the home front….
--The kids are getting close to finishing up their school year. Both Evan and Emmaleigh have worked very hard, despite all the interruptions to our routine!
--Our house helper left us unexpectedly, so once life settles down (?!?!!?) we’ll be looking for a replacement. Pray for a good ‘fit’ for our family, possibly someone who just comes in during the day, rather than a live-in.
--Evan turned 8, and Emmaleigh lost her first tooth!
--We celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary at a nice hotel restaurant in town.
--We transferred funds we’d invested in the States to our bank here with the intention of purchasing a vehicle soon!
As always, we appreciate your prayers for us as we seek to walk with the Lord each day. We know that our days look very different from yours, but we also know that the God whom we serve here is the same God you serve where you are, and we thank Him for the unity we have with you, in Him and because of Him.
1. finished up teaching the health course to 2 classes of missions students…
This 3 week course packed in a lot of information, but hopefully will be a good starting place for these students as they prepare to serve in locations where there is no doctor. The text book we were able to provide them gives a lot of general information that will help them identify diseases and either medicate them intelligently, or discern when they need to seek help. Russ was able to give some hands-on instructions on first-aid, which was really a big help (especially on the things that I got light-headed just reading about!). The Lord provided for us to be able to make the text books available to all our national missionaries, and we’re thankful for that too!
2. worked with the graduation committee to honor 2 families who have completed their training as tribal church planters…
The 2 families that have finished our course are true and beautiful testimonies to the process of indigenous church planting – both families come from a church plant in the Wana tribe that was started by NTM missionaries. How amazing to be able to train tribal believers as church planters, and to see their desire to reach out to other tribes with the same Good News that changed them!! As far as their graduation, I played the piano for worship, and saw to it that all printing-related things were in order (certificates, theme banner, invitations). Russ created a power-point slide show that showcased the graduating families’ training, mixed in with pictures of tribal people from around the world. Twice during the presentation, a voice boomed out the verse from Isaiah: "Whom shall I send, and who shall go for us?" and in response each family shot up their hands and said, "We will!" as they went to the front (I get goosebumps still just thinking about it!).
3. both spoke on separate occasions at a church in town, during their month of missions emphasis…
A large Chinese church in town organized a month-long missions conference, and invited missionaries from our campus team to participate. I was privileged to speak to the ladies’ group on the 27th, and Russ spoke to the men’s group on the 28th. The topic they provided for both of was “Families on a Mission”, and we were able to challenge both groups with the fact that missions begins with a strong relationship with the Lord, knowing who He is, and loving what He loves. We look forward to seeing how the Lord will use this time to strengthen our relationships in the community, and this church’s vision for missions.
4. put our minds towards helping to organize a regional conference with our NTM and national co-workers…
From June 3-5, our campus will be hosting missionaries (from NTM and our Indonesian sponsoring board) and tribal church leaders from our region (Sulawesi and the Maluku Islands). We look forward to the fellowship, and updates from each work! Our Central Sulawesi base team has been building up again, after several years of inactivity due to religious unrest. Now that our flight program is reopening, possibilities for discipleship in existing tribal works and opening of new tribal works are the topics of much discussion. Our part in the conference is “documentation” – we know that involves taking lots of pictures, but beyond that…we’re not quite sure yet!
On the home front….
--The kids are getting close to finishing up their school year. Both Evan and Emmaleigh have worked very hard, despite all the interruptions to our routine!
--Our house helper left us unexpectedly, so once life settles down (?!?!!?) we’ll be looking for a replacement. Pray for a good ‘fit’ for our family, possibly someone who just comes in during the day, rather than a live-in.
--Evan turned 8, and Emmaleigh lost her first tooth!
--We celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary at a nice hotel restaurant in town.
--We transferred funds we’d invested in the States to our bank here with the intention of purchasing a vehicle soon!
As always, we appreciate your prayers for us as we seek to walk with the Lord each day. We know that our days look very different from yours, but we also know that the God whom we serve here is the same God you serve where you are, and we thank Him for the unity we have with you, in Him and because of Him.
10 May 2009
Pondering.
"Do not long for the absence of problems in your life. That is an unrealistic goal, since in this world you will have trouble. You have an eternity of problem-free living reserved for you in heaven. Rejoice in that inheritance, which no one can take away from you, but do not seek your heaven on earth.
"Begin each day anticipating problems, asking Me to equip you for whatever difficulties you will encounter. The best equipping is My living presence. My hand that never lets go of yours. Discuss everything with Me. Take a lighthearted view of trouble, seeing it as a challenge that you and I together can handle. Remember that I am on your side, and that I have overcome the world." (Jesus Calling, Sarah Young)
The reading above wasn't today's, but caught my attention as it seemed to address a struggle I have been having lately. After a couple of months of revamping curriculum and mad preparation for the health class at every possible moment, I find myself to be in self-preservation mode. For 2 months, I feel like I've hardly gone out of the house except when it was required of me (ladies' staff meetings, classes that I've committed to go to). I don't really remember what normal feels like, but it seems at some point before, I had a life...! The class is over, but life rages on - graduation is fast approaching, and the following week Russ and I will be sharing (separately) at some missions focus meetings at a church in town, then our campus team is hosting a regional conference the week after that. With all these things there will be preparation, practices surely, studying, projects, while keeping our homeschool schedule moving (we have had a lot of setbacks, so are behind where we'd like to be...sigh).
I will be dropping one of my outside commitments at the end of June in an effort to keep things more flexible. There are things I'll miss about it but also am thankful for the freedom to let it go.
I'm an introvert by nature. Not that I'm shy really, but it's been said that introverts are drained by excessive interaction with people, while extroverts thrive on it. I am in a ministry which requires that I interact with people. When I'm stressed I tend to 'burrow' and avoid...I need to work on better time management too, planning ahead, working on things little bits at a time. When I get stressed I tend to block those things out.
Around Christmas time someone donated a keyboard to our church, and I am one of 2 people that know how to play. For some reason it is overwhelming to me to have the pastor rely on me to be available to play. I think...I am afraid to be a disappointment? *Gasp* - a missionary hesitant to help? Afraid to say no? I know very few of the new songs they have been singing (from a new book), so playing weekly would require time to practice with someone else to even learn the songs, and also comes with the expectation that I will be there every week. I can't promise that. And I think the anticipation of the stressful situation (or the disappointment) is just as tiring as the situation itself. And it's not the small thing they think to 'just teach someone else how to play'!
So.............................since I suppose it's not realistic for me to ask the rest of my life to please not stress me out................I guess the key is here: "The best equipping is My living presence." Think I need to camp there for a while - soak in His living presence. Read and reread Psalm 139...and pray for wisdom. Still not sure what to do about the piano thing. I feel that my ministry priorities need to lie here at the campus, and since I have been busy working on course materials I haven't spent the time out of the house that I need to, visiting with the ladies, other staff, etc. I feel like I need to rebuild those connections first.
Appreciate your prayers and thoughts as I try to find my footing again - that my strength would come from time soaking in the truth and each decision would be made with prayer and wisdom...that after a time of running that the Lord would provide a time of 'walking and not fainting', of refreshing as I trust and walk with Him.
"Begin each day anticipating problems, asking Me to equip you for whatever difficulties you will encounter. The best equipping is My living presence. My hand that never lets go of yours. Discuss everything with Me. Take a lighthearted view of trouble, seeing it as a challenge that you and I together can handle. Remember that I am on your side, and that I have overcome the world." (Jesus Calling, Sarah Young)
* * *
I used to have a pondering/venting blog, but I don't now. Is it ok if I ponder here? I'll apologize in advance for the randomness...The reading above wasn't today's, but caught my attention as it seemed to address a struggle I have been having lately. After a couple of months of revamping curriculum and mad preparation for the health class at every possible moment, I find myself to be in self-preservation mode. For 2 months, I feel like I've hardly gone out of the house except when it was required of me (ladies' staff meetings, classes that I've committed to go to). I don't really remember what normal feels like, but it seems at some point before, I had a life...! The class is over, but life rages on - graduation is fast approaching, and the following week Russ and I will be sharing (separately) at some missions focus meetings at a church in town, then our campus team is hosting a regional conference the week after that. With all these things there will be preparation, practices surely, studying, projects, while keeping our homeschool schedule moving (we have had a lot of setbacks, so are behind where we'd like to be...sigh).
I will be dropping one of my outside commitments at the end of June in an effort to keep things more flexible. There are things I'll miss about it but also am thankful for the freedom to let it go.
I'm an introvert by nature. Not that I'm shy really, but it's been said that introverts are drained by excessive interaction with people, while extroverts thrive on it. I am in a ministry which requires that I interact with people. When I'm stressed I tend to 'burrow' and avoid...I need to work on better time management too, planning ahead, working on things little bits at a time. When I get stressed I tend to block those things out.
Around Christmas time someone donated a keyboard to our church, and I am one of 2 people that know how to play. For some reason it is overwhelming to me to have the pastor rely on me to be available to play. I think...I am afraid to be a disappointment? *Gasp* - a missionary hesitant to help? Afraid to say no? I know very few of the new songs they have been singing (from a new book), so playing weekly would require time to practice with someone else to even learn the songs, and also comes with the expectation that I will be there every week. I can't promise that. And I think the anticipation of the stressful situation (or the disappointment) is just as tiring as the situation itself. And it's not the small thing they think to 'just teach someone else how to play'!
So.............................since I suppose it's not realistic for me to ask the rest of my life to please not stress me out................I guess the key is here: "The best equipping is My living presence." Think I need to camp there for a while - soak in His living presence. Read and reread Psalm 139...and pray for wisdom. Still not sure what to do about the piano thing. I feel that my ministry priorities need to lie here at the campus, and since I have been busy working on course materials I haven't spent the time out of the house that I need to, visiting with the ladies, other staff, etc. I feel like I need to rebuild those connections first.
Appreciate your prayers and thoughts as I try to find my footing again - that my strength would come from time soaking in the truth and each decision would be made with prayer and wisdom...that after a time of running that the Lord would provide a time of 'walking and not fainting', of refreshing as I trust and walk with Him.
07 May 2009
pictures from health class
Just a few pics to share from the last 3 weeks as Dina team taught the health course here. 
Students try to diagnose a sick person (Dina's teaching partner, acting as a tribal person)...
Practicing first response help for an unconscious person...
A local doctor came to answer questions and give some first aid tips (made me feel good that we had already covered most of what she went over, and the students already knew it!).
Thanks for praying as we passed on what we could to help equip these dear friends with skills and information that will be a huge part of their future ministry!
Students try to diagnose a sick person (Dina's teaching partner, acting as a tribal person)...
Practicing first response help for an unconscious person...
A local doctor came to answer questions and give some first aid tips (made me feel good that we had already covered most of what she went over, and the students already knew it!).Thanks for praying as we passed on what we could to help equip these dear friends with skills and information that will be a huge part of their future ministry!29 April 2009
April highlights
Just 4 weeks ago we were separated as a family on opposite sides of Jakarta – me with the 3 younger kids at our mission home, and Russ with Evan at the hospital, recovering from an emergency appendectomy. Evan has done an awesome job resting and easing back into normal activity. He’s really doing great! Tomorrow he will go for a follow-up appointment with a local specialist. Now he’s counting down the days to his 8th birthday…
The night Evan had his surgery, one of our national missionaries was lost at sea in a tragic accident. He has never been found, and we find peace in knowing Petrus is with the Lord. Please continue to pray for his family and co-workers.
While we were in Jakarta we were able to get all the kids’ passports renewed, and we have them in hand now. Soon our local government rep will begin processing the annual renewal of our visas.
Elliot turned 3 on April 8th, the day after we returned home from Jakarta. We celebrated with chocolate cupcakes, topped with some hoarded fudge frosting from home…and you can bet there were sprinkles on top!
Dina sprained her thumb playing volleyball, and that has slowed her down a little, but life goes on…
Russ continues to study language twice a week with Pak George – he is such a delightful little man, and such a blessing to our family.
Health class began April 20th and has been going well. So far we have covered the basics of disease, with a heavy focus on prevention, and this week our focus has been on medicine – use, dosage, and safety. Next week Russ will help out with some first aid basics. It has been neat to see the students’ desire to learn these basic concepts, understanding how it will impact their future ministries – 1) in taking simple measures to stay healthy so they are physically able to handle the challenges of ministry, and 2) as an avenue of outreach to the people around them.
Our missions students (3 families) returned from their 3-month practicum interior. They were encouraged by their progress in culture and language acquisition in such a short time. It’s so nice to have them back! They will graduate from the Missions program May 23rd.
Busy month, lots of little tidbits…yet fingerprints of God in each one. May He bless you as you seek His best today!
The night Evan had his surgery, one of our national missionaries was lost at sea in a tragic accident. He has never been found, and we find peace in knowing Petrus is with the Lord. Please continue to pray for his family and co-workers.
While we were in Jakarta we were able to get all the kids’ passports renewed, and we have them in hand now. Soon our local government rep will begin processing the annual renewal of our visas.
Elliot turned 3 on April 8th, the day after we returned home from Jakarta. We celebrated with chocolate cupcakes, topped with some hoarded fudge frosting from home…and you can bet there were sprinkles on top!
Dina sprained her thumb playing volleyball, and that has slowed her down a little, but life goes on…
Russ continues to study language twice a week with Pak George – he is such a delightful little man, and such a blessing to our family.
Health class began April 20th and has been going well. So far we have covered the basics of disease, with a heavy focus on prevention, and this week our focus has been on medicine – use, dosage, and safety. Next week Russ will help out with some first aid basics. It has been neat to see the students’ desire to learn these basic concepts, understanding how it will impact their future ministries – 1) in taking simple measures to stay healthy so they are physically able to handle the challenges of ministry, and 2) as an avenue of outreach to the people around them.
Our missions students (3 families) returned from their 3-month practicum interior. They were encouraged by their progress in culture and language acquisition in such a short time. It’s so nice to have them back! They will graduate from the Missions program May 23rd.
Busy month, lots of little tidbits…yet fingerprints of God in each one. May He bless you as you seek His best today!
31 March 2009
Just a quick update on Evan – I went and spent a few hours at the hospital today, hung out with the guys, and brought some things so Russ could take a shower. Evan is recovering well – he was able to keep water and milk down today, and the surgeon said it’s fine for him to start trying to sit up and walk around a little bit. He was supposed to get some rice to eat for dinner. They are in a Class 1 room, which is nice, shared with one other girl who has Dengue Fever. Russ has to share Evan’s bed, and he’s tired of Cartoon Network, but he’s holding up ok.
I heard yesterday and shared with some of you that one of our Indonesian Manado-based coworkers was returning to his family and ministry location Sunday night (probably around the time of Evan’s surgery), and was lost at sea when the boat he was on collided with another larger boat. The boat was able to limp to a nearby island after the accident with its passengers, but our friend was unaccounted for. It’s thought that he was thrown overboard. Other co-workers spent the day in a helicopter searching for him and found nothing. Pak Petrus was a graduate of the National Training Center where we serve, and had been an instrumental part of outreach and discipleship ministry in the Taliabu work. He was returning to his 4 children, and his wife Yuhana, who is due with their 5th child any day. Please pray for the family, their ministry team, and our greater mission family as we look to the Lord in this difficult situation.
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