Administrator

Dear Friends,

Recently I have been reminded that we need to live for this day. By nature, I am a visionary person. From as early as I can remember, I would plan and dream about the future. When Lorrie and I were traveling doing construction oversight in the Alaskan villages we had the opportunity to travel down the Kuskokwim River with an elderly Native man. He told us as a boy he would sit in the front of the boat and always try to see around the corner ahead. Instead of focusing on the things that he could now see, his attention was on what he could not yet see. Often that describes me.

There’s an old song that says, “One day at a time sweet Jesus/That’s all I’m askin’ of you/ Just give me the strength To do every day what I have to do/Yesterday’s gone sweet Jesus And tomorrow may never be mine/Lord, help me today, show me the way One day at a time.”

Let me paraphrase Matthew 6:34; “Don’t worry about tomorrow because there are sufficient things that need our attention today.” In Philippians 4 we are reminded not to be anxious for anything, but in everything with prayer and thanksgiving let your requests be made known to Him. We are also told in Jeremiah 10:23 that it is not in man that walks to direct his own steps.

If we are so busy with the cares and concerns, and yes even the joys, of tomorrow we very well may miss the Lord’s assignments for today. It is beautiful to watch the sun as it rises over the ocean where we live in the Philippines. But the beauty only lasts for a short amount of time and is only enjoyed by those who are watching. There are things to see and words to be heard and thoughts to be shared throughout the day – and often only at a certain opportune time. Proverbs tells us pleasant words are sweet to the soul and health to the bones. They bring health to the receiver and perhaps even the giver as well.

Last year is past. It is past with its victories and regrets. We have begun a new year. As you and I walk this year, will our eyes be open to see His fields that are white unto harvest around us every day?

John and Sandra Knutson from Alaska are completing their teaching series this week at the Bible School in Virac. They have been instrumental in bringing healing of past hurts to the young people in the class. We are always thankful for those of you that are able to come and share your talents with us as we serve in the Philippines. We have found that those that come not only bless but are blessed as they give of themselves.

Please remember to pray for the students and staff at the Bible school as well as the pastors that serve throughout the Philippines. Most live in remote areas and have very little worldly goods. They dedicate themselves to seeing God’s kingdom expanded.

Thank you for your love and encouragement. We are here because you have chosen to trust and support us with your prayers and finances.

Your friends,

Nels, Lorrie, and Amy

Dear friends,

Last Sunday I spoke at a church on “Hope.” I Peter 3:15 tells us, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” Three things stand out to me, one, we must “sanctify” ourselves which means “to be set apart.” Do we deliberately follow after God in our hearts and our ways? Number two; is there sufficient difference in our lives that people will ask us about our faith? Or are we so much like the “world” that no one notices a difference? And three, because of our relationship with Him, we have a natural hope that the non-Christian doesn’t possess.

During the last days and weeks we have had three youth camps. One camp was on the island of Leyte, the one that was severely hit by last year’s typhoon. The camp went very well with many saved and 13 baptized in water. The second camp was on the island of Palawan. They also experienced many who were saved and 14 who entered into the waters of baptism. The third camp was on our island of Catanduanes. Lorrie and I had the opportunity to speak at this camp where 16 were baptized in water. Through your prayers and the hard work of many Filipino brethren, the camps were again this year a huge success!

This month, Lorrie and Amy were asked to be the speaker’s at a Ladies Fellowship in Cebu. Over 60 ladies attended the daylong meetings. The theme of the day was, “The Proverbs 31 Woman.” Lorrie said, “It was exciting to share with them about being the women God created them to be.“ She was able to encourage them to not be under condemnation, but to seek God so that they could live their destiny. Amy shared several different Biblical examples of women who were used by God in a variety of circumstances. She emphasized that we are all important to God and He is able to use us at each stage of our life.

While on the island of Cebu, they were blessed to participate in an outreach ministry to children in a rural village. Lorrie shared the story of creation and then they participated in the late distribution of Christmas “shoe boxes”. Amy said, “It was incredible to see the joy such simple gifts brought to the children who have so little.”

As an additional bonus, Lorrie went to the plaza one afternoon. While there she was able to share the gospel with two teenage girls and give them tracts in the Filipino language. The next day she met them and asked if they had accepted Jesus as their savior? They both said they did and they desired to learn more. Lorrie introduced them to a Christian lady from our church in Cebu. She immediately conducted an introductory Bible study with them. Praise God these young girls have found hope for the future! Romans 15:13 “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Nels, Lorrie, and Amy

April 2014

Dear Friends,

Paul says in Romans we are to be “living sacrifices, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” He goes on to say, “do not conform to this world, but be transformed….” One definition of conform means to take on another’s pattern in mind and character, whereas, transform means to change into another’s form. The Lord is exhorting us through Paul to not be like the world, but rather be changed by the infilling of His Holy Spirit.

In II Corinthians, we are told we are new creations through Jesus Christ, the old has passed away and He has given us the ministry of reconciliation. In other words, we all have been given the ministry of sharing our faith with others.

With this in mind, Lorrie and our daughter Amy, were asked to share at a weekend graduation retreat for the Criminology class of a local college. The retreat was held at a beach. Amy encouraged the young people to remember it is the duty of the strong to protect the weak. Lorrie exhorted the students that they can be life changers in the Philippines. God has a purpose for each of them and they need to surrender their lives to Jesus. Lorrie was able then to individually talk with many of the young people. She found many of them lacked direction and purpose and needed healing from their childhood hurts. She challenged them to receive Jesus into their lives, the one who could touch them and change their hearts and lives forever.

For the last months Lorrie has been teaching the Book of Genesis at the Bible school in Virac. Amy has been teaching English as well as some art. I have been teaching the Book of Acts. It has been a pleasure to share with these young people that have dedicated their lives to the Lord.

This month we enjoyed having an old friend, Bob Nath, visit us. He was a blessing to the Filipino people and us as he shared and prayed for many.

Because of your generosity, we are able to continue to help the people of Leyte that were hit by the devastating typhoon last year. We bought a long-bar chainsaw enabling them to make lumber from the fallen coconut trees. The lumber is being used to build new simple homes for those that were completely destroyed. We were able to give extra money and materials to some widows. We also are helping on a new water system for the village and a new well. Our latest project is to build a classroom for their school. Two of the three school buildings were completely destroyed.

Please be in prayer for our May camp in Virac. Lorrie and I will be part of the speakers this year.

You can now go to our website, www.reapint.org and give donations using PayPal.
In His service,

Nels, Lorrie, and Amy

Dear Friends,

A few days ago, we went to the special needs school here in Virac, Catanduanes. The Bible School students and I (Lorrie) did puppets, a short drama, children’s action songs, clowning, balloons and face painting. We then did a demonstration on how to brush your teeth correctly and then gave them each a toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste. Our daughter Amy was the chief photographer.

It was so special to touch those kids lives! After the presentation, the principal invited us to come back in November to perform for the whole school. We are excited about the potential to reach many kids and families for the gospel! Thank you Lord for the children!

Our next presentation will be to a local public school in our neighborhood. We are expecting over 250 children, as well as teachers, principal, and staff. We have bought toothbrushes and tooth paste to give out for each one of them. We know God will touch hearts and lives! After this, we have been invited to minister at a local children’s feeding program. We will look forward to clowning around with the kids, bringing them Jesus!

Last weekend, I was invited to go on a hotel, restaurant tour with our friend, who is a professor at Catanduanes Polytechnic College. There were 65 students on two tour buses, 2 professors, and yours truly, local missionary. After the three and one half hour ferry ride we boarded the buses and headed for Manila, an all night excursion! (We also had four tour guides and four bus drivers accompanying us.)

My friend asked me to share freely with the students. As it turned out, I had many opportunities to minister to the students, tour guides, and even the bus drivers. One guide especially, named Maki, was affected by the story I shared of the prodigal son. I later heard that he is the son of a pastor with 3 of his brothers in the ministry! He said he was the black sheep of the family. He had been a stand up comedian in the past. He was very cynical at first, but we saw him change right before our eyes as he heard of the Father’s compassion and forgiveness to his son, the lost one, who came home. Please pray for this lost sheep to fully find his way back home to Daddy God.

We are continually reminded of how privileged we are to serve in the Philippines, to be sent ones, representing our King. Representing you, our family, friends and churches. You share with us in all the souls that come to Jesus. We thank God for that and for you!

Love to you all, In Jesus name!

Lorrie and Nels

We would appreciate your prayers as we have had several medical and dental issues among our students this year. Please pray for both healing and finances for these needs.