RA

“I have seen your salvation which you have prepared for all people.”

Merry Christmas!!

As Teresa and I go for walks around our little town here in western Canada, we see a lot of “Christmas” activities. Lights are going up all over the place and front yards are filled with Frosty the Snowman, Santa, his sled and his reindeer. Some yards have a number of candles out there along with wreaths, decorated trees, deer and candy canes. So to us it was a great blessing find a Manger Scene in one of the yards. Yes, what a joy it is to reflect on the historical accounts of Matthew and Luke once again this year and revel in the wonder of Christmas, the unbelievable story of the eternal Son of God becoming the Babe in the manger, who eventually became the Savior on the cross, and who would come yet again and reign victoriously from the Throne of David. Yes, how privileged we are to reflect on these glorious truths, and to have them in our hearts, just as many reached people groups around the world do.

Below we’ve posted a photo of our son Josh, his wife Josie, and their four children with the two oldest boys’ wives as well. After serving in the Asia Pacific region for around 18 years, they are now living in Wisconsin. Josh works as an accountant and Josie as a counselor. And we’re proud to mention that our first great grandson is Micah, and he is in the front row!

In the photo above, we are with our daughter Jodi, and her husband Brent, along with their three kids…and Taiga their dog. They continue to serve up in the Yukon as missionaries with two inter-married indigenous people groups. Below you’ll see them out on the lake below their home, braving it on the ice with this years’ extreme cold Dec temps at -43 centigrade. They even got up to -55!

How we thank God for our children, grandchildren, and great grandson!! How special they all are to us. Your prayers for them are much appreciated.

Teresa and I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! May we continue to live in these amazing truths as we anticipate our Lord’s second return!

Rejoicing in Babe in the manger who is now seated at the right hand of the Father in Glory,
Merrill and Teresa

Jesus, beginning with the beginning words, shared with them in a big way regarding the message that God caused to be written down, right from what Moses wrote straight on through to what the prophets wrote. And all that which was written regarding himself he taught in an opening up sort of way, so that they would really get the stuff about him.
Luke 24:27

Ecclesiastes 7:4

A wise person thinks a lot about death, while a fool thinks only about having a good time.

Death!

Right now we are looking death right in the face as we watch Wes, our beloved sibling, struggle through the throes of Melanoma, stage 4. It certainly isn’t fun, but very painful as we watch his descent “into the grave”, so to speak. However, what makes this whole experience so different for us as believers is our huge hope in Christ! Yes, my brother is filled with hope! He is filled with calm and peace! There is no fear there at all but rather great anticipation for what is coming. For sure he is sad about leaving his beloved wife and family behind but the excitement of his upcoming face to face encounter with his Savior is palpable.

It was back in July of 2021 that we lost Wes’s first wife, Brenda. Then in October of 2022 we lost our brother Murray. Then in July of 2023 we lost Howard, another brother. And now, here we go again! But what makes this so doable is our rest in the bigness and greatness of our faithful, loving and sovereign Father. He is our strength, sustenance, hope and rest. In Him we breathe more easily. Yes, the tears flow, but there is no panic, no trying to twist God’s arm to get Him to do what we want, but rather a quiet rest in God’s will. Psalms 139:16 states: “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” So, if Wes has lived out his days, well, it’s time for Graduation!!! And like I said, we rejoice at his grand promotion into GLORY coming up!!

Dreadful Death!

During our 25 years of living among the P people there in South America, we were struck with anguish as we watched many good friends of ours pass into a Christless eternity before we were equipped language wise to give them the Gospel message. How extremely heart-wrenching that was! I remember this young gal of about 14 years old. I was holding dear Mari as she breathed her last. Then there was our good friend Parachico. He was a powerful shaman and very resistant initially to the Bible teaching. However as he got older, he became more and more interested but at the same time was becoming very hard of hearing. I was still able to teach him though using a small amplifier which he held up to his ear. But you know, I fear that he never clearly understood the message. I remember the day before he died when he suddenly grabbed my arm and anxiously said in a panic, “Grandson, talk to your God for me. I’m very afraid. I’m very afraid of the cold ground. I’m very afraid of the cold ground consuming me. I’m afraid of the fire. Talk to your God for me!” Yes, we prayed for this dear man a lot, but were never sure if he understood what Jesus had done for him on the cross.

There were many sad events like these that we experienced as we lived among the people which are now forever etched upon our minds. How sad it was to have arrived too late for many of them. But oh how sweet the day when we knew enough of the language and culture to clearly give them the truth of God’s word. No, we weren’t giving them “our truth” or “their truth” or the “truth” that the culture was pushing, but rather God’s truth!

Joyful Death!

During our many years on site with the people, we saw several hundred come to salvation in Christ. And we also saw about 50 of them graduate on to Glory to be with their Lord and Savior. What a difference death was for the believers compared to the unbelievers! I can still easily recall the first death of a believer. Paulina was a young mother with three children who seemed to have a mal-absorption problem. We fed her lots of good food but she continued to get thinner. I finally asked her if we could call in the “high-going-fire canoe” (the airplane) to take her to the big medicine house in the large village. She said no. She said, “I trust Jesus, my Lord-Owner-Boss. If He wants me to get better, I’ll get better, but if He wants me to go to be with Him, then I will. I’m good with whatever he wants”. And it was just a couple of days later that the Lord took her home. And as the believing family put her into the hole and covered her with dirt, they began to imagine her chatting with Jesus. They were all excited about that possibility. And then they mentioned Enoch and Abraham, along with the disciples, and many others, that she was possibly visiting with them too! This burial became a wonderful celebration of life! Suddenly everyone was saying, “Truly we are those who live with exceedingly much hope!” Yes, there was a great party celebrating their huge hope in Christ!

Check Out Some of Those Who Have Graduated below!

Thanks for praying…

• for continued progress clarity, wisdom, diligence, and strong backs as we continue to produce radio podcasts We now have 166 done in our series from Genesis to Revelation, and still lack another 60 or so. Pray that we’ll have these all ready to go on the air by March or April of this next year.
• for the safe arrival of 250 more solar-powered radios and the recently printed Bibles into the hands of the people
• for the effective distribution of about 700 radios to remote villages all over P-land, that our coworkers will be able to safely deliver them without them being confiscated at check points, and that the P people will be open to receive them.
• for hearts that will be open to the daily “Creation to Christ” Bible broadcasts as they commence now in March or April
• for a really profitable time for our team with the consultants as they meet the 21st till the 24th of this month
• for much grace for my brother Wes as he moves toward the end of his life, and for his family as well

And Thanks Again…..

….for your partnership with us, for your prayers, for your encouragement, for your notes, and for your fellowship in the Gospel. God is working and is building His church among the Unreached People Groups of the world. Thanks so much for being a part of the team to plant mature churches among the P nation.

Insufficient in our selves but sufficient in Christ,
Merrill and Teresa

The joy of family and ministry!

Back Closet Ministries!!

After spending January thru May in Mexico to produce 62 radio podcasts, we have now been back Canada for a few weeks. Since the need is great for teaching God’s word to the P people, and the radio broadcast doors are wide open, our desire has been to continue producing radio podcasts here in the north as well. And that meant we needed another recording studio. But then the question arose, where should we put it? What room would be best acoustically for producing podcasts? And the answer came quickly! And so we purchased a nice desk on FB Marketplace, plus the needed recording equipment and voila, we had our recording studio! And where did we put it? In our walk-in closet!!!!! Kind of weird, eh….but it works perfect! With all the hanging clothes everywhere, there is no echo and the production quality is excellent! And so “Back Closet Ministries” has officially launched! As a matter of fact, I’ve already put out ten new programs in this new office! It works like a charm! So thanks much for your prayers as we continue to produce programming for the beloved P nation.

Some Items of Praise to our Lord:

1. PTL that we continue to be on the air each and every day teaching Bible truths to the P believers.
2. PTL that even though the government of our Host Country is doing an investigation on the radio station, they haven’t been able to shut it down to date.
3. PTL that we were able to get 62 more radio podcasts done during our recent stint in Mexico! We have about 150 more to go to complete our Genesis to Revelation Overview so thanks much for praying with us about that.
4. PTL that we have successfully done a reprint of the P Bible, and that Lord willing it will be safely in the hands of the P believers during this next Dry Season, which is Dec – May.
5. PTL that we were able to purchase more solar-powered, pre-tuned, shortwave radios for the P believers to receive the daily programs. We hope to distribute all 600 of them during this next Dry Season to reach a much larger audience.
6. PTL that we were able to have printed and delivered two more books of Bible Curriculum to the P believers, which is about 450 pages of teaching.
7. PTL that He continues to give us health and oomph to push forward in this exciting ministry. We keep thanking God for the huge privilege of partnering together with Him to see mature churches planted in the P nation of South America.
8. PTL that the P church continues to gather for teaching, and growth in the Lord. Thx for praying too for several disgruntled believers who appear to be controlled by their flesh instead of the Holy Spirit, and who feel it is their mission in life to straighten everyone else out. They have made life difficult for some of the other saints.

Family Time

We had the great joy of connecting with family and celebrating several things in the last couple of months. Here below are some pictures and explanations:

In the above photos, you can see us together with our son Josh, his wife Josie, their daughter Julia, their son Spencer with his wife Rebekah, along with the youngest daughter Katrina. It was great to see them all again. Not long after our visit, Spencer and Rebekah welcomed their first child, Micah William, on June 26. (below) So wow, now we are officially great grandparents…although we always knew we were “GREAT” grandparents!!!

God also allowed us to spend some time in Santa Barbara, California, as I needed to have another hernia surgery. And that gave us the joy of hanging with Teresa’s twin brother Steve, and his wife Pam. And Teresa and her brother even got in some boogie-board time at the beach! Yeah, was a great time of hanging out together and encouraging one another in the Lord.

A month after our return to Salmon Arm, we were blessed by a week-long visit from our daughter Jodi, her husband Brent, and their three kids. We had a great week together and enjoyed everything from water slides, go-carts, the water park, picking cherries, and times at the beach. And as their departure drew near, we had yet another thing to celebrate.

Photos below of the big celebration of my mom’s 99th birthday!! My oldest brother Wes and his new wife Sue were also here for the celebration along with Wes’s three children and grandchildren. It was quite the party!

My older brother Wes is facing another challenge. Four years ago he endured the trial of losing his first wife, Brenda. The Lord graciously brought Sue into his life, and they were married last September. (see below) Well Wes is now facing another challenge. He has melanoma stage 4 and is in a fight for his life. Wes and I have always been close. We entered Ethnos Bible School (New Tribes Bible Institute) together back in 1971, were in missionary training together with him and his first wife Brenda, and have enjoyed many times of fun and fellowship down through the years as we served our Lord together, he and his family in Indonesia, and ours in South America. Anyway, please pray for Wes and Sue as they face this tough challenge.

Further below: Two old men together, Wes and I, still thankful for times to hang out!!

And Thanks Again…..

….for your partnership with us, for your prayers, for your encouragement, for your notes, and for your fellowship in the Gospel. God is working and is building His church among the Unreached People Groups of the world. Thanks so much for being a part of the team!

Weak, but strong in His strength,
Merrill and Teresa

Ephesians 5:14
…for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, Oh sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

Our Changing Culture

As we believers continue our brief pilgrimage on this fleeting planet, we can easily see how our culture is continually changing and bombarding us. I remember arriving in the States or in Canada every 5 years for our time of Home Assignment, and we always noticed a change in vocabulary, a difference in the way people spoke, how people’s beliefs had changed, and how sometimes sin wasn’t sin any more. I also remember how during our 5-year absence the meanings of verses had changed, and suddenly they were interpreted to mean something different. It reminded me of what the prophet Isaiah said back in 5:20: What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.” It seems like we have entered the age where this happening on a regular basis, for so often evil is proclaimed as good and good is seen a evil, and conformity to the new standards are pushed hard.

And in the P world view…

…it isn’t any different because the shamans continue to receive new revelations from the gods and the ancestors, injecting new so-called truth into the culture. And this “new truth” also comes from their dreams which they believe are a true picture of what is transpiring in the spirit world. And some of this “new truth” then collides with former beliefs.

A brief review from our Last Update

In our last update, we shared about how one of the pastors was horribly abused by some of the believers who had become unhappy with him after he had confronted them for tolerating sin in their lives. He suffered endless gossip and shaming, accusations and threats of physical attack, and had his garden produce stolen. And yet with everything that happened, this dear pastor lived in enormous victory and blessing as he banked big on the truth.

Awake, but not Woke

When the pastor sent me an audio message recently, I was amazed at his tone, his words, his joy and his thinking. I was thrilled that He was following a Biblical compass and not one imposed on him by his godless culture. Here is a brief snapshot of some of what he said as he responded to my earlier audio message:

Your message to me was like truly tasty coffee for my soul. They were valuable and important words. But now let me tell you about what has happened. We left our former dwelling place. and now live in a new place just downriver from where you used to live when you lived among us, right close to Goadä Creek. It is strange that I have returned to the place where my dad lived, to the place where I grew up, to the place where you and my dad were good friends, and where you saw me as a child. Yes, after enduring much pain and hardships, I have moved over here. No, my blood didn’t run out on the ground and they didn’t physically attack me but the trials were great. But I choose to not mention their names or gossip about them. And today, well I’m not angry at anyone. My heart is light and easy. I’m so thankful that God brought us to this new place. We didn’t bring much. Just the tin from the roof of our former dwelling. And I didn’t carry any of it of course because my back won’t allow me to carry heavy things anymore. But yes, I’m thinking with a relieved heart and very joyful to be here. But no, I didn’t just suddenly leave without anyone knowing. No, I went and visited all the villages. I spoke clearly to all of them without anger. I didn’t hurl words at them either (cast blame). No, I just told them that we were moving upriver. I told them that I was leaving but that I still cared for all of them. I told them how I hadn’t been stingy with the words of the true God and now they shouldn’t be stingy with one another either. I told them as well that many of them needed to begin to teach their people even as I had. Many of them were sad when I said we were leaving. Those with ear holes (obedient hearts), those who longed for truth were sad. But others were probably happy that we were leaving. But I told them with no hiding, but also said that I would be back now and again to visit them. Yes, we left our garden and all our fruit trees, our pump and well pf water, along with our whole house. But it is so good to be here now. I’m totally thinking without my liver (being joyful).

Everything in color above is exactly the opposite of what their woke culture demands. However, this pastor isn’t woke, he’s AWAKE!! And here below are many more believers who are now WIDE AWAKE…in Glory!

 

Praise and Prayer to God….

• Praise for allowing us to get the first 51 radio podcasts done for the Creation to the Ascension teaching series coming up
• Praise for our Lord’s continued strength, encouragement and blessing as we labor on with joy
• Praise for our national team that is about to head out once more to encourage the P believers
• Praise for the fact that the last details for the second printing of the P Bibles were sent to the Publishing Company and for all the good improvements that were made to the translation
• Pray for quick the quick printing of the Bibles and the rapid delivery to the people before the rainy season sets in and the creeks and marshy areas fill up making them impossible to pass by vehicle
• Pray for continued eye health. I have had some surprises with my two new corneas lately which has caused discomfort and deteriorated vision.
• Pray for my upcoming hernia surgery in Santa Barbara, CA I have an appointment coming up soon
• Pray for God’s provision for continuing to print Bible curriculum for the people. The printing of these Bibles pretty much emptied our Print Fund. (If you want to help with the print fund, please write us at merrill.dyck@gmail.com)
• Pray for the encouragement of each pastor, that they might humbly walk before the Lord and remain emboldened to faithfully teach God’s Word
• Pray for those disgruntled believers who are making life rough on some of the others, for deep brokenness and repentance
• Pray for continued freedom in the country to minister to the many different people groups that the saints are working with

And Thanks Again…..

….for your partnership with us, for your prayers, for your encouragement, for your notes, and for your fellowship in the Gospel. God is working and is building His church among the Unreached People Groups of the world. Thanks so much for being a part of the team!

Looking for the Lord’s Return,
Merrill and Teresa

“Let’s not be teaching the true God’s Words like an armadillo!!”

A Stubborn Heart

None of us really have stubborn and obstinate hearts, do we? We aren’t stiff-necked, are we? And we’re always quick to forgive and move on, right? I think we all know the answer to these questions. And it isn’t a rare thing among the P people either. And this has been played out all too well with one of the village chiefs whose name we will call Justico. He became a believer in the mid 90s and immediately became an avid student, being very aggressive to learn and also to evangelize and teach. He had a great memory and had even memorized the genealogies on the hand crank audio players that we had for each family. He faithfully listened and grew in the Lord. But as the years went by, we noticed a certain souring that was taking place in his heart. He became very reactionary to any truth or input that was specifically to help him in an area of weakness or sin. Talking to him about personal sin was NOT okay.

Well, fast-forward to 2024 and once again that stubborn heart manifested itself. One of the pastors, Hernán, went to see him to encourage his people to not be stealing pigs from the ranchers who lived quite a stretch away, as this was not pleasing to God, nor to their neighbors. Well, Justico didn’t accept it but began to lay into the pastor. He got downright ugly with him. And it wasn’t long before he and his people travelled about 40 kilometers (about 25 miles) upriver to get away from things. Many had actually hoped that this troublemaker would stay there but he returned several months later. And when he did, some of the pastors went to see him again but all in vain. The response was vicious. He began to gossip and malign the pastors, especially the one who had first spoken to him, Hernán. And then suddenly all that pastor’s produce from his garden started disappearing. Each time he and his village went to get the yuca root or corn, beans or squash, it was gone. Someone had taken it. The people are all poor as it is, but when the fruit of all your labor suddenly disappears, that makes things even harder.

And then, on top of all that, some of the people from Justico’s village, whom the pastors feel are not believers, started coming to the meetings and creating a ruckus, making it very hard for the pastors to concentrate during their teaching. And then the final straw was when Jusitco and his adult son suddenly showed up at their village in a rage. They tried to cut all their hammock ropes so people would have to sleep on the ground, and then they went about dumping the food out that the ladies were preparing and even taking some of it. The situation got very ugly as he then threatened the pastor and his village saying he had contact with the rebels in the area and that he would have them come and kill them. Well, things had gone from bad to worse to downright crazy!

(Now let me just explain something culturally to you all. The P people as a rule are a gentle and timid people, usually quiet and quite stoic. They don’t want to cause waves or make a scene but rather just keep their mouths shut and live their lives. This was actually one of the laws from their ancestors. So what Justico and his son did was way outside of cultural norms. This type of behavior has mainly been observed when believers have become demonized. Not possessed but rather heavily influenced by the enemy as they gave him a foothold through believing lies, succumbing to fear, and unforgiveness, which produced wild and uncharacteristic behavior. And Justico had certainly done that. He had a real nasty anger that kept festering and was harboring bitterness toward this pastor and his village for over a year. And in spite of the many opportunities to make things right and brotherize as they say, he refused to forgive!)

As things continued to get worse, the pastor and his family decided to move. So off they went as typical semi-nomads. They left their house, their well and water pump, their fruit trees, their garden and simply the place they had called home since around 2003. They walked carrying as much as they could about 30 kilometers upriver (about 19 miles) and set up there. They put together makeshift type houses out of palm branches and regular tree branches. And they just sent word to one of our national coworkers to help them get their tin and poles from the house they left behind with his truck. So there they are out in the open plains having to start all over again.

The Rest of the Story

What we have heard so far is only part of the story. Some of this we were already aware of from last year when our national team was camping out with the believers. But truly things have really ramped up. Right now our team is heading out there and will be with this pastor and his village for a few days. Then we should hear the rest of the story. In the meantime, would you please pray for Hernán and his village? This is a difficult situation. Three ordained pastors and a few of the pastors in training are part of Hernan’s village. How will this effect the church? Only 2 ordained pastors remain, and a few pastors in training as well. What is God going to do? He truly is magnificent at taking Satan’s handiwork and turning it around for His great and brilliant GLORY! Let’s pray that Hernán and his village will be encouraged in spite of all the challenges and that God would use this powerfully for His glory. Let’s also pray for Justico and his village, that those who have not trusted Christ as Savior would, and that others will come back to the the trail of truth as repentant believers. (See a list of prayer requests below. We really need your spiritual support)

This first picture…
…is the pastor who has been so attacked. He is the same dear brother with whom I had the great visit through our satellite connection. He will truly need our prayers.

This second picture…

…is a typical setup when the people hit the road and live out on the plains. This will be like what Hernán and his people are presently living in.

This third picture…
…is the national family that is presently out there with them.

Prayer and Praise:

• pray for Hernan and his village, that they will trust the Lord Almighty through this huge trial and not become discouraged or bitter. May they enjoy the rest and peace of God through all this, learning new spiritual lessons that will serve them wonderfully down the road.
• pray for Justico and his village, that they will repent, make things right with Hernán and his village, and with the other pastors
• pray that they will make restitution for the crops they have stolen
• pray that this whole ugly mess will be wonderfully used to glorify God and to advance the growth of His church among this precious people group
• pray for Jacinto and Ruby, our national coworkers, that they will have much wisdom as they seek to encourage Hernán and his village. Pray for their protection out there as things are always dicey!
• pray for our other coworkers, Andrés and Esther, that they can find a reliable Christian family with whom their son Elías can board while he continues his education in the city. This will allow Andrés and Esther to join Jacinto and Ruby out with the believers now during Dry Season. (Jan thru May more or less)
• PTL that our reprint of the P Bible with some good changes is about to go to print.
• PTL that about 165 new improved solar-powered radios are about to be shipped to the P people for distribution among the many unreached villages. (the Gov. census in 2001 indicated there were 11,000 people in this group, and more than likely there will be more now)
• PTL that book 8 of the Bible curriculum is getting out to the people now.
• PTL that book 9 will shortly be printed in the country.
• PTL that book 10 is moving along
• PTL that we have been able to start the radio programs taking us from Genesis through the ascension of Christ. These will be broadcast starting approximately in March or April to the unreached villages. Pray that the influences of Hell would not prevail and that God’s Word would go forth in great power and might!

Thanks again so very much for your partnering with us. We are indeed thankful for the ongoing opportunities to serve the P. believers by preparing additional resource material for them. Thanks again for all you do to keep us going!!

Enjoying our brief pilgrimage on planet earth with His strength and oomph,
Merrill and Teresa