Newsletters

“…Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God”
Mark 10:14

Dear friends and family,

Christians all over the world have just celebrated Easter. Because of His death and resurrection, we have hope for today and for eternity. And because of Jesus Christ, we have a message to share both here and to the ends of the earth.

Lorrie and I have returned to Alaska from a very productive time in the Philippines. We were able to meet with our friends, Pastor Ding and Mona both in Manila and in Virac. They have been working with Edna, our administrator, and staff as they finish out the bible school year and continue to oversee the ISOM video classes.

Ding and Mona have been traveling to various areas in the Philippines training teachers and church workers. Next week, they are bringing teachers and adults to Virac for a graduation service and a Summer Bible School program. Last year, they brought all boys from Manila for the summer school and this year they will bring all girls for the summer program.

Mona writes, “At the same time, while they’re doing their Summer Bible school program, I will be proceeding with filing documentations and requirements under the Dept. of Education so that we could open our 1st kindergarten class next school year. Our target children will be coming from the communities around the Reap Bible school…they are from families with low income (fishermen, construction workers or meager jobs). Our purpose is to give opportunities for children to enroll in a better quality and most especially a Christian education…We will be offering a free education program for these school kids.”

You make this ministry possible by your prayers and giving.
Nels, Lorrie, and Amy

The days of our years are 70; and if by reason of strength 80, yet …it is soon cut off, and we fly away… So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Psalms 90:10

Dear friends,

In Psalms, we are reminded that our years on earth are limited and will “fly” away. The author instructs us to apply our hearts to wisdom and not waste the years we are given. We are told in Proverbs 3:6 “as we acknowledge Him, he will direct our path” and in Jeremiah 10 “it is not in man to direct his steps.”

It has been more than 30 years since Lorrie, and I first visited the Philippines and began working with the Filipino people. When we originally visited in 1992, we never imagined that we would spend much of the rest of our lives in that part of the world.

Lorrie and I individually before we married and together as a couple, decided we would endeavor to do whatever the Lord wanted us to do. Little did we know that a major portion of His plan for us was working with the Filipino people.

We will soon be heading across the ocean to the Philippines again. We are anxious to see our friends and coworkers in Catanduanes. Our friends, Pastor Ding and Mona, are overseeing the Reap ministry there. Edna remains the administrator at the school and together with her husband, Boboy, and the many staff are blessings to us and to many.

We anticipate watching what God will do with the ministry in 2026. We are planning to continue and expand our use of ISOM, a media Bible school. We also are increasing our children’s ministry. We believe through Pastor Ding and Mona, there will be some exciting changes this year.

Thank you for your prayers, financial support, and encouragement this past year! We wish for you a very productive 2026 as you serve Him.

Your friends and fellow laborers,

Nels, Lorrie, and Amy

Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. 1Th 3:11 

“. . . they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest . . . ” Isaiah 9:3

Dear Friends and Family,

In Alaska, we have entered the fall season. For the farmer, it is a time of harvest, the gathering in of the crops that were planted and tended throughout the summer. In the Philippines and in many places of the world, it is also the beginning of a new school year. In some ways, it is a time of planting and nurturing a new batch of students in anticipation of a future harvest of souls.

Below is an update from Pastor Ding and Mona:

“ the nine teenage boys who participated in the summer program at Trinity Bible School in Virac were amazingly ignited with higher spiritual passion and empowered to wholeheartedly pursue God’s calling in their lives, embracing His guidance in every season and circumstance.”

About the new school year:
“The new academic year has commenced for the one-year residential Fundamental Bible Training program, welcoming students from diverse backgrounds—some arriving from the remote island province of Palawan, while others represent local communities within Catanduanes.”

“The extension program is currently in development, with staff and teachers actively inviting participants from diverse local congregations. Efforts are underway to finalize scheduling details, including the program’s launch date and weekly meeting structure, ensuring alignment with community availability.”

Ding and Mona

We are excited to have our long-time friends, Pastor Ding and Mona Teodoro helping us oversee the work in the Philippines. They are an encouragement to the school staff as well as to us bringing fresh ideas and enthusiasm.

Thank you for all your prayer and financial support over the many years. This work would not be possible without your faithfulness!

In Christ,

Nels, Lorrie and Amy

Photos from top to bottom-
Welcome Service for the new students.
Actively participating in dramas for kids ministry.
Taking turns sharing God’s word in our Youth service every Sunday.
Leading Bible study groups-Every day is an opportunity to share the gospel while moms wait for their kids at our school.

Please Continue to Pray With Us!

• For the new extension program.
• For students hungry to grow in their faith and understanding of God.

We are Thankful:

• For Pastor Ding and Mona’s help in leading the Reap ministry in the Philippines.
• For Sister Edna and staff of the Virac school.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
-Ephesians 2:10

Dear Friends and Family,

I hope you are enjoying the spring season wherever you live. This is a favorite time of the year for me in Alaska as the snow has left and the brown grass and trees are turning green with promises of summer just around the corner.

The following is a report from Pastor Ding and Mona from the Philippines. They sent eleven boys from their church in Manila to have their first Summer Bible School Program in Virac at the school.

“It’s been awesome for the 8 teen-age boys and one 27 year old from New Hope and joined in by 2 boys from locals (11 in all) to study a month long Summer Bible School Program. It actually connected them coming from our Kids ministry and coming into a deeper knowledge about Jesus and the Bible as they grow older. The course ends this May 23 but their life-changing testimonies prove growth and continues hunger for God’s word. They’re confidence to share Jesus and His word has been evident when they do Superkids in Virac and street evangelism.

Thank you so much Nels for the opportunity. We plan to do this again next summer for the girls, if the Lord wills it.”

We are excited to partner with Pastor Ding and Mona in Virac. They have been friends of Lorrie and I and our family for over thirty years. Pastor Ding has served on our Reap school board and on the Reap International Ministry board in the Philippines for several years.

Thank you for all of you that financially and prayerfully support the Reap ministry. Because of you, we can continue to reach out to the Philippines.

Your friends,

Nels, Lorrie and Amy

Photos from top to bottom-Students in classroom-3 subjects per day, taking turns doing Devotion every day at 5am, street evangelism in Virac.

Please Continue to Pray With Us!

• For new students with a love for the Lord and a desire to grow in their spiritual walk.

We are Thankful:

• For the successful Summer Bible School Program under Ding and Mona’s leadership.

“…when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord….”
-Acts 3:19b

Dear Friends and Family,

Lorrie and I greet you from the Philippines! We have been here since the middle of January and have been very busy traveling, meeting with friends and coworkers, overseeing projects on the facility, and teaching at the school and churches.

We just finished a retreat for our school staff and pastoral leadership for Trinity Training Center. It was a very special time for everyone involved. Pastor Noel and our daughter Heather were the speakers for the entire retreat. Pastor Noel gave excellent encouraging messages and Heather shared and even sang several songs in the native language. I was amazed that she still remembered the Tagalog language! In addition, they spoke at two churches and at the school. One of the main emphases was praying for people to receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Many were touched by the Holy Spirit and two of the teachers enthusiastically testified of being significantly touched by God. As an extra bonus for Lorrie and I, Noel and Heather brought their two older children and our grandchildren, Jewel and Isaac. It has been nine years since their last visit to Virac.

Traveling still can be challenging in the Philippines. We went to the airport to fly to Manila from our island and the plane was cancelled because of rain. (There is no radar at the airport on our island so planes must have visual site to land.) We then traveled to a nearby city by car, took a ferry to another city, God provided a ride for us to take to Legazpi. We spent the night and early the next morning took a trike (a motorcycle with a sidecar) to an airport 45 minutes away in another city. Next, we took a plane to Manila and met our guests. We always tell our guests – and ourselves, be flexible and rejoice!

Thank you for your participation with us as we are your hands and feet extended to the Filipino people!

Your friends,

Nels, Lorrie and Amy

Please Continue to Pray With Us!

• For some Students that have various health issues.
• That there will be a greater awareness of the Holy Spirit within the school.
• Some Students are struggling with home sickness. Pray that they won’t give up.

We are Thankful:

• That we had a very successful staff retreat!
• That the Holy Spirit moved in the students’ lives.
• That Noel and Heather and kids were able to come and minister.