Updates

Behold, HE IS RISEN….and that message has touched the P nation, PTL!!

April 1, 2018 By JD Leave a Comment

If we believe in the one who raised the Lord Owner Boss Jesus from the dead, then we will be made acceptable, just like Abraham was. For the true God gave His Son on our behalf in order to exchangingly die for us. And in order that we might find acceptability before God, He raised Jesus from the dead. Romans 4:22b-25

Christ is Risen!!

At this time of year, we celebrate the glorious resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ! How wonderful that many different People Groups around the world also know about and believe in the Risen Christ!! And how sweet it was to see some of the P believers reveling in this amazing truth too. Praise be to God for the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ!!

Here is an approximation of Matthew’s account of this blessed event as written in the P translation:

And on the next day right after the resting day, early on Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene, as well as the other Mary, went to the hollow in the stone. And suddenly the earth trembled severely. It was surpassingly severe. For when the servant of the Lord came down from heaven, the land severely trembled. Its true! Because he moved the heavy stone to the side, and because he sat on the shut closed-rock, well the earth trembled severely. And the servant who came down from heaven, well he was exceedingly bright like extreme lightning, in such a way that the human eye couldn’t look on him. And his clothing was surpassingly true white. And when the soldiers saw him, they became very fearful, thinking with trembling. And they fell over like dead ones to the ground, fainting. But the servant from heaven said to the ladies:
“Don’t be afraid. I know regarding you. I know that you are looking for Jesus, the one who died on the pole. But look, he isn’t here. He has risen, just as he said he would,” he said to them. “Come see the place where he lay. And after looking carefully, run over to Jesus’s companions to tell them. Go tell them that Jesus, having died, has risen. And look, precisely Jesus himself goes before you to Galilee land. You will meet him over there. You will see him over there. For in order that you not be ignorant, I have told you”, he said to the ladies, the servant from heaven.
And because of what he said to them, they entered the rock hollow in order to see the place where Jesus had lain. And after seeing it, they took off quickly. And even though they were afraid, they ran thinking with surpassing joy, in order to inform Jesus’s companions. And as they were running, Jesus himself suddenly appeared before them. And greeting them he said to them:
“Are you still living?
And the ladies kneeled before him. And grabbing his feet, they thought about him prettily.
Then Jesus said to them:
“Don’t be afraid but rather go to my brothers,” he said to them. “Go tell them in order that they go to Galilee land. For there you will see me. Go!” he said to them.

A great trip!

Praise the Lord that we had a great trip down south! The great Door Opener went before us and opened up the way to connect with some of the P pastors. What a treat to hang out together again and fellowship around the Word and together with the resurrected Christ! We missed their wives and some of the other church leaders, but we thank God for those who could come out. Truly things have changed in huge ways in this land. Thanks so much for your prayers during this stint. God greatly undertook in multiple ways. Truly this is His work, and He continues to lead and guide and build His glorious church among this beloved nation!

Bits and Pieces of This and That:

On one of the trips that our coworkers took to a remote location where the P believers live, a bunch of young guys suddenly ran up to the stopped vehicle. What were they asking for? Not for fishing hooks or garden seed or matches, but for Bibles!!
On that same visit into P-land by some of our V coworkers, they were amazed with what rapt attention the young people were sitting and listening to the Word of God being taught!
More and more P bilinguals are reading the Scriptures in their own language!
Three elderly men who were believers have died in P-land. And before they passed on, they gave strong testimonies of their trust in the Payer, and the uselessness in believing in the old teachings. They encouraged the teachers to continue to faithfully teach, and the young to follow the straight truths of written word
On the road trip to meet up with the P pastors, we passed through multiple check-points and PTL there were no difficulties whatsoever! God opened all the doors! God sent distractions to so many guards as we drove through the checkpoint.
Due to a total lack of matches and salt, the P people are back to lighting all their fires by rubbing sticks together, and eating all their food in a bland sort of way
It was exciting to hang out with two new pastors in training and see how well they are doing in their reading and spiritual understanding
We were thrilled to hear of the new freedom some of the pastors are experiencing as they live before the Lord and not before people
It really was surprising to suddenly see many of the P people looking much better physically than the nationals. PTL that they have their gardens, wild roots and fruits and seeds, as well as their fishing and hunting to sustain them during this tough time in the country
Some of the P pastors are more committed than ever, others seem to be pulling back a bit. They all need our prayers for growth, encouragement, and Spirit-filled living
An item of concern is that formal literacy classes have stopped. Some teachers are discouraged, some are hungry and need to get out to fish or go to their gardens instead of sitting in a classroom, etc. etc. Please make this a prayer priority as READING is key to the ongoing development and growth of the P churches
What a joy it was to meet with these three men during an eight-day period and talk about the bigness of God, life in the Vine-one, shepherding the flock, raising kids, and reviewing the first 24 chapters of Genesis. Pray for continued growth for all those teaching and shepherding the flock
When the Scriptures are read in Spanish among the bilingual folks, the ladies don’t pay attention at all, but when they are read in the P language, they all listen and quickly hush their kids up, telling them to listen too. Thanks for your ongoing prayers for the many bilingual communities
Some nationals have coerced several bilingual P to steal from the homes of our V coworkers, and are now threatening to kick them out of the area, that is out of Pretty Water. Thanks so much for your prayers regarding that too

Thanks Again…..

….for your partnership with us, for your prayers, for your encouragement, 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!

Rejoicing in the Resurrected Christ,

Merrill and Teresa

God Almighty Opened the Doors!

February 19, 2018 By JD Leave a Comment

The Great Door Opener of the Universe has once again suddenly surprised us and opened a bunch of doors!!

All Clear!!
We are very happy to report that things are looking ‘good’ for us to make a trip down to visit our beloved P people. Once again, God has done many miracles along the way and we praise the Most High that this is His work, and that He will indeed build His glorious church among this people group, and that the powers and influences of hell will truly NOT prevail! (The pictures in this post were just taken recently when our coworkers made a trip into this remote community. And as far as we know, most of these dear people have been “twice-egged,” that is born again!)

Please Pray:

that God Almighty will be hugely glorified through this trip
for God’s solution to be brought to bear on this broken and hurting and devastated country
that God will continue to open new doors and windows needed to accomplish His will in a country where so many have been slammed shut
for God to continue to grow all 9 of the different P churches
for much wisdom, strength, and clarity as we continue to disciple the P pastors
for the P believers to be greatly encouraged, and for mutual encouragement for all of us
for our health, strength and protection as well as that of the P people

Thanks so much for your letters, your prayers, and your partnering with us. We are so weak, but in His strength we are strong!! Thanks for being a part of the team.

Rejoicing in our Sovereign and Sufficient God,

Merrill and Teresa

Mari and Jodi, Birth, Death and New Birth

January 22, 2018 By JD Leave a Comment

A birth, then new birth, a double death, and then yet another birth.

The Harsh Reality

Back in the days when we lived in P-land, we were always amazed at the rough conditions that expectant mothers endured for child birth.

More….

These pregnant women simply gave birth on the dirt in a little hut without an attending physician, nurse, midwife or pediatrician. There were always older women around to help and give support, but the birth happened in very dirty conditions. They could deliverer in the light of day or in the darkness at night. It could happen during a violent wind and rain storm, or during the suffocating heat of the noon hour. There was no clean water, pain relievers, soap, nor any provision for emergencies. And yet during our many years of living among the people, hundreds of little ones were brought safely into this world.
(In time things got a little better as we were able to provide materials that would make this easier like flashlights, clean fabric, something clean to cut the umbilical cord, soap, medicines, and emergency flights out for additional help)

Mari

And then little Marilu was born (pictures below). No, they didn’t name her at birth but rather quite a few months later. And it wasn’t actually the parents who named her but rather they asked us to give her a name. And so we named her just like we had a lot of the kids there. And we had the joy of watching little Mari grow up as she lived in the village closest to us. She was full of life and mischief, a really fun little gal.

And after a time she became old enough to search for food with her mom. We would often see her going past our house with her digging sticks or a machete, along with her basket over her head. And then the time came when a marriage was arranged for her. And so as a young lady, she now had a husband (pictures below).

And after many years of marriage, dear little Mari was now the mother of four children. And not only that but she was also a child of Light, for she had come to understand the glorious message of what Jesus did for her on the cross. Yes, she put her faith in his completed blood-death payment on her behalf, as had her husband Dapjai, along with her parents and most of her siblings.

And then it was time to deliver number five.

The Sad News

But number five didn’t make it. The little one died. And dear Mari died as well. We heard about it a short time ago because out coworkers received a note sent from Mari’s husband with a visitor who had visited their remote area. He wanted to be sure to let us know that his beloved wife and child were in the ground, as they say. Yes, it was sad to receive this news….BUT HOW WE REJOICE that the Gospel of Jesus Christ arrived there in time for Mari and for so many others! Yes, they died having huge non-disappointing HOPE in the Substitute Payer!

The Happy News!

While we were saddened with the death of Mari and her fifth child, and feeling for our dear brother Dapjai, the Lord gave us a new granddaughter! What joy she has brought to all of us already! And my goodness, what a different place our daughter gave birth in compared to where Mari gave birth. How thankful we are for the great blessings that we have here in our land.

Prayer Requests:

for little Sophie, that she grow up to know Jesus as her Savior and bring God much glory throughout her life
for the comfort and encouragement of Dapjai, along with her parents and siblings who also mourn her death
for continued open doors in our beloved Host Country, and that God’s will be done there. Yes, from a human perspective things look so impossible but then we know that with God ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE
for the P nation, that they continue to walk in truth, and increase in their love and worship of the Savior
for their continued faith and rest in their Lord Owner Boss God for all their physical and spiritual needs
for continued wisdom in preparing Bible lessons for the P believers, and for a possible rendezvous with the saints if the Lord opens the way for us to get down there once again
praise that my new cornea part continues to function well without being rejected. The Doc tells me that once you have it for two years, rejection doesn’t happen, and then he will be ready to do the other eye. Thanks for your prayers in this area
for our many national coworkers in our very broken country of service, who continue to serve under very trying and stretching circumstances
for many more missionary laborers who will join forces to work with our Missionary God to see the Unreached People Groups of the world reached. Check out this video from one of our pastors: https://vimeo.com/228755241

Thanks so much for being a part of the team that is working together to see multiple NT churches planted in P-land. Your partnership is much appreciated and we thank God for all of you.

Rejoicing in the God of Daniel that rules supreme over the nations of the world,

Merrill and Teresa

Merry Christmas!

December 20, 2017 By JD Leave a Comment

Merry Christmas!!

Teresa and I, together with our children and grandchildren, want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas as you celebrate the riches of all that our Great God has done for us!! How blessed we all are because of this marvelous Story that began in eternity past!! A big hug for you from all of us. Know that we love you and truly thank God for your part in the work to see solid NT churches established among the P people.

Josh and Josie and their four children are still on medical leave from their country of service and we trust they will see improvements in the health of Josie, and their daughter Katrina, beforelong. Thanks for your prayers for them as they journey onward. We will miss them here in the North Land but thankful they can be together with family there in Wisconsin.

Jodi and Brent are here in Salmon Arm, BC to have their second child since medical services in their host country aren’t adequate. We are delighted to be able to hang with them this Christmas and get to know our newest little grandson Hudson! Jodi is due here shortly and your prayers for a safe delivery for mom and baby would be appreciated. And yes, thanks for your prayers for them too as they continue on in life and missions.

Here is an approximation of how some of the Christmas Story from Luke 1 sounds in the translation of the beloved P people:

When Elizabeth had been full with child for six moons, the true God sent his servant to the town of Nazareth. It’s true. He sent Gabriel to the town that was located in the land of Galilee. He sent him to a girl named Mary, to her who had never once slept with a man. For she was promise-given to Joseph who was a descendant of the deceased David. Precisely to him was she promise-given to become his wife. And Gabriel, arriving to where she was, said to her:
—Look woman, be joyful, for precisely the Lord sees you with great compassion. He is with you.
But when Mary heard these words, she really thought deeply wondering: But what is he saying to me? Why is this servant from heaven speaking to me like this?
But Gabriel said to her:
—Look Mary, don’t be afraid. For the true God sees you with truly much compassion. For you will remain pregnant and after a time has passed, you will give birth to a baby boy. You will name him Jesus. And he will be truly valuable / great. People will say to him that he is the Son of the surpassingly great God. And above and beyond that, he will live just as his deceased forefather did, sitting on a truly important seat / position. It’s true! By the Lord God causing it to happen, he will live as king just as his ancestor David did, becoming the king of the descendants of Israel. He will live forever as their king, being a ruler —he said to her.
But Mary asked the servant from heaven:
—But how will I give birth? For I have not ever slept with a man, not even once.
But the servant from heaven answered her:
—Look, the true Spirit will come upon you in such a way that you will be in the sphere of the surpassingly powerful God, in such a way that you will become pregnant. Therefore, the child that you will give birth to, well, he will be exceedingly holy, being one who will not mix with evil. And the people will say to him, “You are the Son of the true God.” However, when you hear these words that I’m telling you, you could think that you can’t really become pregnant like this, that it isn’t possible, but know that the true God is easily able to make this happen. And look, even your aunt has become pregnant not so long ago. It’s true! Six moons ago, Elizabeth also became pregnant. Even though she had become old, even when it didn’t seem like she could become pregnant, it happened by her husband, the true God having caused it. And the true God can cause the same to happen to you even though you have never slept with a man. For the true God easily does those things that seem like they can’t be done. Even when there is nothing one can do, the true God does precisely what is needed, for nothing is impossible with Him —the servant from heaven said to Mary.
And when Mary heard this she responded to the servant saying like this:
—I am the servant of the Lord. So may he do to me as you have said. May what you have told me become fulfilled in me.
And the servant from heaven left her.

Thanks again so very much for your partnering with us as we continue to provide resource materials for the P churches. And thanks so much too for your continued prayers for the P nation, for their spiritual growth, and for their homeland that is hurting so badly right now.

Rejoicing in the TRUTH of the Biblical record of what Christmas really is all about,
Merrill and Teresa

The Christmas Story from Matthew…and more!

December 6, 2017 By JD Leave a Comment

Five-Year Visas!!

Teresa and I are happy to report that our trip down to our host country was a great success! Everything went quite smoothly and there were no huge bumps in the road. Thanks so very much for praying!! Many of you were standing with us during this time and we thank God for your partnership. We got our paperwork all up to snuff and now have an additional five years of ministry opportunity down there. It would appear as if the angel Gabriel is camped out in the visa department!!

It was sad though to see the condition of this beloved country that continues to deteriorate on almost every level. We could never have imagined that things would become as they are now. However, our faith is in our great Sovereign Lord, and so we continue to rest in Him to accomplish his purposes, knowing that HE WILL BUILD HIS CHURCH in whatever political environment, AND THAT THE POWERS OF HELL WILL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST HIM!! Yes, how good it is to rest in Him and be still before him. How good to realize that He who shed His blood for the P nation will continue to open the needed windows and doors of opportunity so we can take the needed steps to cross the finish line.

Praise:

praise for all the updated paperwork
praise for God granting us a terrific trip down there. How very good it was to reconnect with so many different friends, coworkers, and fellow believers
praise for all that God continues to accomplish there, even in the midst of huge challenges
praise for the many nationals who are giving their lives to take the Gospel to Unreached People Groups
praise for how God enables us to continue to adjust our strategies in order to move forward in ever-changing contexts
praise for a great report from the Cornea Specialist regarding my new eye part, and that the other eye has not deteriorated further

Pray:

pray for continued open doors for the preaching of the Gospel
pray for the encouragement of the whole team as obstacles and barriers arise more than ever
pray for health and safety of the different teams as medical supplies and food are often hard to come by
pray that each of the P believers will continue to function with the gifts that the Spirit of God has given them
pray that God will be wonderfully meeting the needs of the P believers and that they will learn to depend on Him more and more
pray for God’s solution to be brought to bear on this beloved country

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

Thanking God for your partnership with us in this great work,

Merrill and Teresa