Administrator

Dear friends,

I recently read a statement that God calls us to be stewards of our lives. As I have pondered that thought, it is easy to see scripture supports it. In Genesis 2:15 we are told God set Adam in the garden and told him to tend and keep it. The word “tend” is sometimes defined as “to cultivate”, or in other words to prepare the ground. “Keep” is to guard or watch over. Adam had a job to do before the fall. In Matthew 13 we are told a parable about four seeds, only the fourth seed produced the desired fruit. And in Matthew 25 Jesus tells us of three men given different “talents” and each was expected to take what was entrusted to him and multiply the talents.

God sometimes gives us an ability, dream, or hope and we wait for its fulfillment. And we wait, and we wait. Nothing happens and we think we heard wrong or for some reason God did not give us what we thought He promised. I believe that sometimes we do not receive because we do not take the seed He has given us and diligently “tend” and “keep” it.

We are told in Ephesians 2:10, “…we are His workmanship created…for good works…” God created each one of us on purpose for a purpose. Are we diligently tending our gardens and being good stewards of what He has given us?

This month we had the privilege of hosting our pastor and family from Alaska, the Hopkins. They led and participated in several meetings in the short time they were here in Virac. Many young people attended two youth services we had and over 200 children enjoyed a Saturday ministry of clowning, balloons, games, and preaching. It is refreshing to see how simple things bless the Filipino children.

A new administrator, Allen, was selected for the Bible school. He just texted me and said he gave away his house to the new pastor of the church he was leaving, fully committing himself to the school. Has God put a seed in your heart to bless another person with the gift He has given you? Maybe He is just waiting for you to step out “on the water” like Peter or like Allen.

At the school facility, our administrator is working with us in developing livelihood projects for the present and future pastors. We are planning to build a fish pond and piggery on the grounds. Work is continuing on the roof of the new chapel. We were able to pour a large portion of the roof and are now waiting for the concrete to dry completely before we remove the forms and start on another section.

Your fellow sojourners,

Nels, for Lorrie, and Amy

PRAYER REQUESTS

• Pray for the upcoming Graduation
• Pray for protection, as we have had several thefts and break-ins recently
• Pray for us as we travel

REAP International, Inc.

Sow That you may REAP John 4:36

Dear Friends!

The world has made another trip around the sun and we’re still here! Every New Year I am reminded that this is yet again a chance for new beginnings, a new start – but truly, every day is that with God. We don’t have to wait until the start of the year, or the month, or the week; wherever we are, whatever we are doing, when we need a new start, He is faithful to give us another chance! We read in Lamentations 3:22,23 “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

I often feel the burden of not being good enough, not worthy. “Why is God asking me to do this?” I ask. Isn’t there someone else? Someone more qualified, more eloquent, more gifted, better educated? Anyone else? When God called Moses to lead Israel out of captivity, Moses was quick to list all of his faults and insecurities. I feel an affinity with Moses when he said “…please send someone else.” But God told Moses and He tells you and I, in II Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Because of Him, “We can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

I KNOW I am not perfect, I have cracks and weaknesses in my life, but I also KNOW that if I allow Him to use me, He will shine through my life and even use those problems and issues to light up the darkness!

I love reading the account in Matthew 14:25-31. In response to Jesus, Peter stepped out of the boat and, at least for a short while, walked on water. We sometimes concentrate on the fact that he began to sink, but remember he DID walk on water!

Maybe there are things in your life that God is calling you to do. Are you afraid like Moses and feel inadequate or ready to step out of the boat with Peter?

We are looking forward to a new year here in the Philippines. God is moving and we are excited to move with Him in whatever He has planned.

As we speak the chapel roof is continuing to be built. Plans are being made for the April and May camps, and we are anticipating a new school year starting in June.

Thank you for your faithfulness in 2017 and we look forward to working together in 2018!

Amy, for Nels and Lorrie

Prayer Requests

• Pray for the upcoming Graduation
• Pray for healing for Amy’s Bronchitis
• Pray for us as we travel

Dear Friends,

We read in James 1:17 that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” Christmas certainly is the time that we celebrate the perfect gift that is Jesus and all the gifts that God has given to us all. It is said that in the Philippines, Christmas is only celebrated in the Brrrrr Months-September, October, November, and December! There is a hyper focus on the Christmas Season and all its trimmings. Decorations are up wherever you go, all the stores have Christmas themed music playing and the night markets are in full swing. It’s easy, with all the hustle and bustle that comes with Christmas, to lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas. It’s wonderful to spend time with family and friends, to enjoy gift giving and parties, but we have to remember to keep our focus on Jesus in the midst of all of it.

Last month we were able to go to Palawan and speak at the anniversary of the church in BusyBees. We participated in the wedding of two of our former students, had a Pastors’ meeting, and another church service. It was quite the adventure getting there! We travelled by plane from our island to Manila and from there took another flight to Puerto Princessa, the main city on Palawan. Our flight was delayed several hours, but we eventually got there. From Puerto, we took a bus five or so hours to TayTay and from there went by tricee (motorcycle with sidecar) and then banca (boat) to the wedding site and back again. We took another bus to Busybees, only two hours, but over verrry rough roads – at one point they unloaded the bus and had the passengers walk across the temporary bridge to lighten the load. The roads have improved significantly since I first came in 1994, however when you go back into the villages, the access is still limited. On our return to Puerto, the bus had engine trouble and our trip ended up taking over six and a half hours. The plane was delayed several hours as well, so it was a very long trip all around. In summary, though travel often was difficult, it was wonderful to sense the Holy Spirit moving in love and unity among the pastors and believers.

Mom and I flew into Catanduanes and drove directly up North to a village called Oco, where I had been invited to give a presentation to the high school students for National Reading and Writing Month. I had been expecting fifty or sixty students, there ended up being somewhere between 400-600! It was a wonderful opportunity for mom and I, as we were able to share some of our testimony as well as the prepared slideshow. Both the students and staff were very receptive and very appreciative of our visit.

As we close out 2017, please consider giving to Reap so that we can continue helping and serving the Filipino people.

May your Christmas be filled with love, peace, and joy!

Amy, for Nels and Lorrie

Praise and Prayer Reports:

• Praise God for our safe travels to Palawan
• Praise God for the Spirit of Love and Unity among the pastors
• Especially Praise God for the gift of Jesus!
• Pray for our pastors and families
• Pray for our students in field training
• Pray for our pastors and families, especially this Christmas season
• Pray for an increase in giving to meet the monthly budget

Dear Friends,

The Bible is a book of relationships beginning with God and man in Genesis and continuing throughout the New Testament. God could have created us as one single unit, but He chose to divide us into “families”. All through the Bible He uses terms describing relationships to help explain spiritual concepts. The church is referred to as His bride and His body, each part doing his or her part and each joined to others to complete the body. In our natural body, every part must stay connected to the rest of the body in order to function. As in the natural body so in the spiritual body; we need to connect with others to grow and live life abundantly.

The older I get the more I realize that I need to be aware of the people God puts in our path. Each is an opportunity to share and listen, to help and be helped; to encourage and be encouraged. Sometimes we have the opportunity to choose our friends, but often the people that become our friends are the ones God puts in our paths. We share times together and they become our friends, the ones we are connected to in His body.

We were blessed to have Mike and Marcia from Bend, Oregon, come and share at the Pastor’s Conference and at some of our churches. Their sharing blessed the Filipino people and we enjoyed our time with them sharing past and present experiences. There is an old poem that says, “Make new friends, but keep the old. New found friends like new wine age will mellow and refine…make new friends but keep the old, new are silver, old are gold”.
We are able to be in the Philippines and serve the people primarily because of you, our friends. You are not just supporters, but natural and spiritual family to us. We are your hands extended to this part of the world and you provide strength, encouragement, and natural sustenance to us.

Pastor’s Conference

Our annual pastor’s conference was a great success! Over 20 of our churches were represented together with many church workers filling our building to overflowing. During the week, Mike and Marcia, Amy and Lorrie and I spoke as well as local Pastors. There was a spirit of unity and rejoicing throughout the week.The last day was a divided session. Nels and Mike spoke with the men and youth while Marcia, Lorrie and Amy shared with the ladies.The conference ended with a youth meeting Friday night where over 100 youth listened intently as Amy spoke.

We thank you for all your prayers and financial support!

Nels, for Lorrie and Amy

Praise Reports

• That the Conference was such a success!
• Typhoon diverted away
• Funds have come in to begin construction on the Chapel roof

Prayer Requests

• Safety while Traveling-We have several marathon trips upcoming and need prayer for protection and safety while traveling
• Upcoming meetings in Palawan
• Continuing Finances
• Christmas Outreaches
• Unity