New Year Resolutions

Perhaps like me you don’t bother much with New Year resolutions. Surely if we need to make some changes we wouldn’t wait until the New Year to do it. Having said that, the passing of another year is a good time to reflect and refocus. How have I been spending my time and energy? Do I need to reaffirm my goals? Do I need to set some new ones? In what way might God want to direct me in the months ahead? And if God wants to take me along a new path this coming year, would I be willing to follow?

We will all have choices to make not just at the New Year but continually throughout the year. Only with God’s help will we make the right ones.

Can I throw a couple of questions ‘into the pot’?
What involvement do you have in missions?
What do you know about mission?
Are you prepared to find out more?
Would you be willing to go on a mission trip?

Take a look at the information below and ask God if this is something you should focus on in 2008.

Philippines - 12th July-2nd Aug

Mexico - 27th July-18th Aug

Interested? Contact me at: summit @ntm.org.uk

Happy New Year to you, I trust it will be an exciting adventure with God.

Gracia Burnham in Ireland

Gracia Burnham and her daughter Mindy have just spent a week in N. Ireland. Gracia spoke at numerous meetings around the Provence and spent hours talking with people who came to hear her.

For those of you who don’t know about Gracia, she and her husband Martin were missionaries with New Tribes Mission in the Philippines. Martin was a pilot and in charge of NTMs flight programme in the Philippines. In 2001 Martin and Gracia were taken hostage from Palawan Island, Philippines by the Abu Sayaf. After a year of captivity in the jungle Gracia was rescued by the military. Martin lost his life in the gun battle between their captors and the Philippine army.

As Gracia tells her story it is clear that she has found God to be faithful to her in those most difficult of circumstances. She is extremely honest about her own thoughts and feelings during captivity but has emerged from the ordeal with an even greater confidence in God who is ultimately in control in every situation.


‘In The Presence of My Enemies’. Written by Gracia Burnham this book tells their story from that morning at Dos Palmas when she and Martin were taken hostage.

‘To Fly Again’. In Gracia’s second book she reflects on what it was like when life was totally out of her control. She shares many of the spiritual lessons she learned. Max Lucado called her book, ‘A training manual for anyone seeking to fly above discouraging circumstances’.

Reunion Weekend

From time to time we organise reunions for our teams that have gone out on SUMMIT mission trips. Not everyone who has gone on a trip is free to come to reunion but for those who are it is a relaxing time to get together with friends they have made, to recall the things they did on their trip, the fun things that happened and the more serious things they saw and heard. They browse through photos and watch power point and video presentations of their missions experience.

At our most recent reunion at the beginning of November teams to Thailand, Brazil, Mongolia, The Philippines and Mozambique were represented.

Our weekend ‘kicked off’ on Friday evening as everyone arrived at North Cotes for supper. The chat and ‘craic’ carried on throughout the weekend. On Saturday we went out for lunch and afterwards walked along a nearby beach where hundreds of seals come each year to have their young. It’s a cold and exposed place but worth the visit to see the cute little baby seals. After dark on Saturday we joined with some of the staff and students for a bonfire and, as became our custom throughout the weekend, finished off with some more snacks. On Sunday morning we had our own ‘service’, enjoying singing and worshipping together and once again hearing a challenging message from God’s Word.

Reunion provided an opportunity for us to remember our mission trips with others who shared those same experiences. We were reminded again of the things God said while we were away and of the need of a world without the gospel. I think as we looked back over our time on the mission field we were thankful not only that God had given us the opportunity to go but for His guidance, protection and help while we were away.

Visitors From Around The World

Recently we had a visit from friends from Brazil. Miles and Coleen Templeton are missionaries originally from the US, they have worked for the past 35 years with NTM in Brazil. A few years ago we took a team to work at the NTM School for missionary children in Vianapolis. The Templetons were our hosts and Miles was in charge of our work project. We didn’t expect that we would ever see them on this side of the Atlantic so were delighted to have them spend a couple days with us.
They only had about a day and a half with us but we were able to visit Slemish – Miles climbed to the top; then we went to Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and on to the Giant’s Causeway, Portrush and Portstewart for an ice cream! In the evening we took them to friends who had taught at Vianapolis School a few years ago.

At the weekend we enjoyed a couple of hours with another friend from the US. Joel Brooks was in N Ireland for less then a week while he visited some of the interns who work for UCF in Ballymena. It was great to catch up with him too.

We have no photos of Joel's visit this time but recall the day a couple of years ago when Joel, Lauren and the girls climbed Slieve Donard with us.

Now this past weekend we have had friends visiting from Thailand. Dave and Fran Jordan have served with NTM for over thirty years, working with the Prai people in Northern Thailand. Their daughter was getting married here in N Ireland and so they arranged to see us. Also with them was the son Kaleb who lives in Thailand and two other daughters Kami and Kerri who now live in the US. Ruth went to mission school with the girls and was thrilled to meet up with them again after so many years. We had a great time talking about Thailand and the people we know there, reminiscing and generally enjoying their company. Once again we had the opportunity to be tour guides around our north coast. It was cold and windy this time at the Causeway but that just made the sea and waves even more spectacular.

Life in mission necessitates many partings and farewells but with that comes many new friendships, those around the world who become like family to us. They understand our struggles and share with us in our blessings. What a joy it was to see all these friends again.

Mark 10:29-30
‘Assuredly I say to you, no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time – houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and land, with persecutions – and in the age to come, eternal life.’

A New Phase in Peru

This week David and Alicia finish formal language study in Arequipa. At the end of next week they move ‘down’ to Ilo to commence their ministry there. It is ‘down’ in more ways than one, Ilo lays about four hours drive to the south of Arequipa and being on the coast it is about 8000ft lower in altitude!

To follow their progress check out their blog at: http://davealiciaandsarah.blogspot.com/

Serious Blog Health Warning – I take no responsibility for David’s taste in football teams!!

'Unpacking My Suitcase' - the last few items

So what about the palm trees and coconuts I mentioned earlier? Some of the men in the village climbed the trees and treated us to fresh coconuts, also in the village we were able to take advantage of the beautiful palm lined beach.

Drinking water from a coconut

On another day we went ‘island hopping’ in Honda Bay, snorkelling and enjoying the islands’ sandy beaches. Mission trips certainly aren’t all hard work!

The last item from ‘My Suitcase’ was something I observed when we went out for pizza. I hadn’t heard of Shakey’s pizza before in spite of it being around since 1954. While we waited for our order I noticed the sign on the wall; you could hardly miss it! But it was the exhortation to all Shakey’s customers including our missions team that I felt was so appropriate, ‘…your mission is to spread the Word’. Imagine that! I think Shakey had something different in mind but as we left the Philippines this message should have been ringing in our ears; it is our mission to take the gospel, to spread the Word, to every tribe and tongue and people and nation.

'...your mission is to Spread the Word!!!'

'Unpacking My Suitcase' part 3

Everyone on the team was looking forward to our visit to the Tagbanwa village in northern Palawan. As is so often the case, getting there was part of the event. There was some uncertainty about the journey as bad weather including heavy rains was expected for that area. We left in four-wheel drive vans and were able to make it all the way into the tribe with little difficulty. For the return journey we arranged for the NTM plane to shuttle us out to the nearest town and then travelled on by local bus service – all part of the experience!

Danny & Philippa Brooks were the only missionaries in the village when we arrived, their partners, Ray & Chris Pollock had gone home on a short furlough. In the evenings Danny & Philippa shared their testimonies with us; how they came to know the Lord, how they met and eventually came to the Philipines to work with New Tribes Mission. Their love for the Lord and for the people in the village was evident to us all.

During the day they took us around the village, visiting in homes and introducing us to their friends. There was a birthday celebration going on for a little boy at one house, so there were lots of people to meet and interact with there. Another family was making new roofing for their house. They showed us how to fold the coconut leaves and tie them together with ‘thread’, also made from coconut leaves. Learning this new skill was much less important than spending time with these warm and friendly people.

As we said in a previous ‘post’ the gospel was presented for the first time in this village a few weeks before our visit and about thirty people trusted the Lord. These new believers need further teaching and encouragement from God’s Word, with the Pollocks away it has fallen to Danny and Philippa to build them up in their faith.

While all of this has been going on other events have been taking place in the village too. The village is located on the coast right at a beautiful beach. Private businessmen have recognised the potential of the area as a tourist site and are keen to develop the beach front. This will have a huge impact on those who live in the village especially the small landowners who are dependant on their rice fields and coconut plantations close to the beach. Already the developers have employed security men who have been moving into the area in preparation for work to commence.

A few days after we left the Brooks were having a Bible study with the believers, some of the security men came to join in with them. After the meeting these men asked if they too could go through the chronological teaching programme. It always amazes me that when circumstances don’t look favourable, God is in control and in grace He can bring about good.

Maybe one or two items still to 'unpack'

'Unpacking My Suitcase' part 2

The majority of our time in the Philippines was spent at the mission guest facilities in Puerto Princesa on Palawan Island. Egil and Rita Gammelsaeter are the guest house hosts and supply buyers in Puerto. Norm and Jacque Rice came in from their normal work with the Palawano people to supervise the work project. Both these couples enriched our lives. They were fun to be with and yet demonstrated the value and satisfaction there is in serving the Lord unreservedly. Each testified that their years of serving the Lord, ‘were the greatest years of our lives’.

Norm & Jacque - Egil & Rita

What is your idea of a missions trip? Going to some exotic place with palm trees and sunny skies? Sitting around with locals drinking water from fresh coconuts? We actually did these things, but that was later. First there was a much less romantic task to be done – our project for this team was to dig and install a new septic tank and sewage system complete with multiple metres of trenches around the property. The soil was hard, the weather was hot and humid but the fellowship was good and as we took turns at the hardest of the work the job was eventually completed. There were other jobs to be done around the property, mostly painting walls and windows and of course it was a fulltime job keeping everyone fed!

The girls on the team were privileged to have a part in another project; the story goes something like this:
Nilda and her daughter Mona lived in a very run-down little shack. Mona, who is twelve, developed a genetic condition about two years ago and is entirely dependant on her family for all her care. There is no assistance available from the local authorities and no medical help because they don’t have the money to pay for it.

When missionaries discovered their circumstances they decided to help as best they could. With Nilda’s family still living in the house they arranged for foundations for a new house to be dug, walls to be built and a roof to be put up – all around the old house. Finally the old house was removed and the inside partitioned off into rooms. It was a transformation, a much more comfortable place for them to live. Even just having mosquito screening made such a difference.

One morning after breakfast Egil took some of the girls to visit Mona and her mum. Armed with brushes, rollers and paint they painted the entire outside of the new house while they were there. Later in the afternoon they took them out for something to eat.

I think we all like it when someone shows us some special care or attention. I know Nilda and Mona were overwhelmed by the provision of a new home to live in but I think they also enjoyed the girls taking them out and spending some time with them.

Still more to be 'unpacked'.

'Unpacking My Suitcase' - Philippines Trip

One necessary task for me after every missions trip is to unpack my suitcase. Things are not so neatly arranged on the return journey as they were on the way out. There are numerous items for the laundry, some additions in the form of gifts and souvenirs, some things that weren’t used at all during the entire trip and others didn’t make it home again. It only takes a short time but it’s a job that has to be done.

Another task I find equally necessary is to ‘unpack’ my mind; to reflect on the many things that have taken place, on the blessings and difficulties of the experience. Like my suitcase many events are untidily packed into my memory. Only as I look at pictures, read my notes and talk about the experience can I begin to recall God’s faithfulness and answers to prayer throughout the trip.

So I have started this familiar ‘unpacking’ process once again having just returned from the Philippines

Our time in Manila was brief but we were able to squeeze in a number of things before moving on to Palawan Island. At Faith Academy we were given a comprehensive tour of the school and learned how it meets the needs of many missionary children whose parents serve the Lord throughout Asia. We also learned of the needs the school has, primarily for qualified teachers to join their staff.

Payatas Squatter Site
Over 10,000 families live and work at the Payatas city dump. Scavenging for plastic, metal and other items that can be recycled, they make their living from the waste that is hauled in from around Manila each day. Payatas is a sad place with sad memories. In July 2000 after weeks of torrential rain the huge mountain of garbage began to move and hundreds of the squatters’ homes at the edge of the dump were completely covered. It’s reported that thousands were killed, mostly children. Pastor Vir works at the Bread of Life church in Payatas, he is an enthusiastic man with a heart to help the people both with their spiritual and practically needs. He told us of that disaster and of the twenty two church members who were killed in the land slide. He took us around the area and explained the various ministries of the church, from children’s and youth ministries to regular church services. This church is bringing real hope to people who have hope from no other source.

Payatas Memorial

How do we react to scenes of men, women and children living on the pickings of a city dump? Do we ignore or try to forget what we’ve seen? Do we leave with feelings of guilt that we have so much and they so little? We can of course contribute in some small way to assist ministries that are helping them. But what can we do of significance? It seems clear to me that most of these people will be unable to go far beyond the boundaries of Payatas. The believers there will be restricted to ministering to those around them. We, however, have the privilege of a social and financial status that allows us to go almost anywhere in the world. It is our duty to use that privilege to serve God and bring the gospel to those who need it wherever they are. ‘For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required’. Luke 12:48


More to be ‘unpacked’ later.

Tagbanwa People Profess Faith in Christ

In our last post we mentioned our plans to visit a tribe in the Philippines where missionaries where preparing to present the gospel for the first time. The following is an account of what God has been doing with the Tagbanwa people. There will be new believers for us to meet when we get there!

As the first round of evangelistic Bible lessons drew to a close among the Tagbanwa people of the Philippines, 30 of them professed faith in Christ.

Right through the teaching missionaries Ray and Chris Pollock saw good attendance with few missing a lesson here and there. The Tagbanwas responded well to the lessons. Last week the Pollocks began teaching the final lessons on the death and resurrection of Christ. "It has been really exciting to see faith begin to develop in the hearts of the people leading up to these lessons," wrote Ray.

There was a positive response from the first group that contained 30 attendees. Some spoke up and declared that the teachings were the truth and they believed. On Sunday the Pollocks had a follow-up meeting with this group. They went over a few previous lessons and gave them some scriptures of assurance. Ray and Chris emphasised that if the Tagbanwas were trusting in Christ alone, they are now the children of God.

When the Pollocks asked if anyone wanted to share their testimony, one woman, Minda, stood up. She told everyone how hard her life was, but now that she's heard the truth, she was really happy. Since the Sunday meeting, "we have seen some of our friends walking around and they just seem to look different. As they talk with us, there seems to be a real peace and happiness," wrote Ray. One woman in particular went up to Chris, put her arm around her, and said "Now we are sisters!" Please pray that these new believers will grow and flourish, and that they would be a light to the rest of their people.

(For full report and related details see: http://uk.ntm.org/news/news_details.php?news_id=5537 )