Newsletters

Dear friends,

I just turned the youthful age of 70. Now to some that may not be seen as youthful, but then you are probably much younger. I say youthful because as the years have passed I still feel young in my mind even if my body doesn’t always agree.  I remember my mom saying to me a hundred years or so ago that she felt as young as me (I was in my early 20’s at the time) only trapped in an old body. I remember not being able to comprehend how she could feel that way. Now I can.

One of the concerns I have as I walk in the autumn of my life is the next generation.  I just read a survey stating “the number of freshmen attending America’s colleges who have left their faith over the past three decades has skyrocketed.”  We personally know of many intelligent young people who have walked away from the faith of their parents. I believe a major assignment we have as we see the winter of our lives approaching is to influence the next generation for Him.

There is an old poem called “The Bridge Builder,” by Will Allen Dromgoole.  In the poem the author says,

“…The old man crossed in the twilight dim; the sullen stream had no fears for him; but he turned when safe on the other side, and built a bridge to span the tide.  “Old man,” said a fellow pilgrim, near, “you are wasting strength with building here; your journey will end with the ending day; you never again must pass this way…the builder lifted his old gray head: “Good friend, in the path I have come,” …there followeth after me today a youth, whose feet must pass this way…I am building the bridge for him.”

One of the themes of the Bible School in the Philippines is:

2Ti 2:2* And the things that you have heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

We desire to teach what God has taught us through the years and train them to teach others as well.

Last month we had two youth camps, one at the Bible School facility and one in Palawan. Amy was one of the main speakers. She says;

“The theme for our camps this year was “Challenge: Accepted!”, and the Challenge was taken up by the youth attending, as well as those of us who were privileged to be a part of ministering and supporting the camps. There were 106 campers at the Virac Campus, with somewhere around double that  number with staff, counselors, and various assorted relatives helping out. The Palnab camp had 37 campers and forty or so support staff. Many games were played and much fun ensued, with a healthy dose of learning, worship and ministry to go along with it. Each day began at 4:30 with devotions and worship and continued on until lights out at 10:30, jam-packed with teaching sessions, worship, games, swimming, meals and fellowship. It was so wonderful to see the enthusiasm and boundless energy that these young people were filled with! Many of them accepted the call to serve and others rededicated their lives to Christ. This years theme was very appropriate for myself, as I was challenged to speak and minister even while I was sick, and did a lot of traveling-by plane, bus, van and Banca (boat), Tricee (motorcycle with a side-car) as well as by foot, through jungle, ocean and over exceedingly rickety bridges-and I am quite pleased to say that I was  not the one who fell off! It has truly been a whirlwind of a month, and I am glad to be home now (in Virac), preparing for the next school term and looking forward to all the new challenges and opportunities that will come!”

Thank you for enabling us to go and share Christ and His faithfulness to others!

Nels, Lorrie, and Amy

Hello dear friends! This is Amy.

Because of your generosity, the clean up and rebuilding after last fall’s typhoon has been going well. We have been able to replace the old windows on the front of the main school building and begin the reconstruction of the chapel. In addition to the projects, the work is providing jobs for several of the pastors.

This month we have been blessed to have Jon Dufendach from Alaska and Dan Ricciardelli from Florida teaching at the school and then Bob Bergeron also from Alaska. These men were well received and delivered some excellent teaching for the students. The students enjoy having different faces instructing them and the messages and ministry encouraged the churches where they spoke.

This week marks graduation for our third year students and the beginning of field training for our second year students. Soon they will be scattered throughout the Philippines, some to ministry, some for a short break before beginning Field Training. Please remember them in your prayers as they deal with the various issues that life brings their way. The new school year starts back again in June; we look forward to seeing all the returning students as well as the new ones that God will bring.

I have been asked to be the main speaker for the youth camps in May in Catanduanes and in Palawan. After the Palawan camp, I will visit some of our churches on that island. Many of our present and past students have been saved, re-dedicated their life, or encouraged to attend Bible School through these camps. Please pray that God will bring many to a closer relationship with Him.

Pastor Doming asked me to assist him in administrating the school this year. After much prayer, I have decided to accept the position. Please keep the school and me in your prayers! My heart is especially stirred with the plight of the students and pastors after they leave the school. It is my desire to find different ways to help them increase their income so that they will be able to support themselves.

From the Philippines,

Amy, Nels, and Lorrie

Dear friends,

It is hard to believe we already have started another new year! As often has been said, the older we get the faster time seems to travel. Lorrie just turned, while I guess she has stopped counting, and in a few months I will be the big 70. I sometimes feel like I am getting old, but am reminded that our new president is older than me and has a lot more to do before he stops.

Amy, Lorrie, and I are enjoying teaching at the Bible School and at the churches regularly. It is refreshing to share with the students, as they are always so eager to learn biblical truths. Most of the students are in their late teens or early 20’s but we have one pastor/student who is 52. He has a hunger to learn more of the Bible so he can better teach his congregation.

Two of our students are regularly conducting a Bible study in one of the villages on Catanduanes. Last week they told us that one person they prayed for was healed and another one received salvation. We believe a new church is being birthed out of this study and the kingdom of God is being expanded.

As most of you know, a very strong typhoon hit our island the end of last year. As a result many of you responded with prayers and financial aid. Because of your help, we are now replacing most of the old windows in the main school building with new ones that will not rust with the salt water. It is our plan to begin in March to construct a concrete roof on the chapel. The bamboo one was completely destroyed in the typhoon.

The students sing the song, “Blessed Be Your Name.” If you do not remember, part of the the lyrics are, “Blessed be Your name in the land that is plentiful where Your streams of abundance flow, blessed be Your name.” It goes on to say, “Blessed be Your name on the road marked with suffering though there’s pain in the offering, blessed be Your name.” No matter what we are experiencing, God is worthy to be praised.

I recently read Lamentations 3:25-26. Jeremiah writes, “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” As I write this, we could reflect on some very difficult events that have happened over the past year, but I choose to remember all God has done for us in the past and expectantly anticipate the future.

They sing a song here saying, “It is good to remember the goodness of God…”. No matter what you are dealing with in your life, take time to remember all the good things He has done for you. Stir up that hope that perhaps you have lost and choose to rejoice.

Your friends,

Nels, Lorrie, and Amy

Dear friends,

We just had a Thanksgiving/Christmas party in Virac with about 130 people attending. It was a blessing to sing and worship the Lord and to share of God’s goodness to us. Though life is often filled with challenges we can lift our heads and rejoice knowing He is in control and guiding our path.

Recently, we have found that a pastor we have been working with for many years has been involved in ongoing sexual sin and financial impropriety. Life Builders, the Philippine organization he led, asked for and received his resignation. Pastor Doming has taken over the leadership of the organization including the Bible School. The former pastor will no longer have any involvement in Life Builders. It appears that several of the churches may separate from the group and continue to work with him in ministry.

To maintain the integrity of Reap Ministry, we feel it is necessary to cut all ties with the former pastor and place our support behind Pastor Doming.

This has been and continues to be a very difficult time, but we believe God has and is continuing to guide the ministry. We see a greater unity developing and are excited about what God has in store for us.

It has been said, we should not look back but rather look to the future with great expectation. As Paul said in Philippians 3:13 and 14, “…forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things that are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” We are expectantly looking forward to God continuing to work in our midst!

John and Carol Dufendach Kevin and Yvonne Temple, and Eric Stossmeister from Alaska just left our island after conducting a water filter ministry. They, along with the Fairbanks Lion’s club, provided 16 water filters to be used in various villages to help give clean water in some remote areas. Many people were blessed and many more will be blessed now that they can have safe, healthy water! At the same time as the water filter training was being conducted, Carol and Lorrie put on a seminar for the ladies that included basic healthcare and first aid along with ministry sessions. It was much appreciated by all the ladies who were able to attend!

We hope you have a wonderful Christmas and are able to enjoy many special moments with family and friends.

Thank you for standing with us!

Nels, Lorrie, and Amy

PS: Please remember any financial gifts you desire to make for 2016 must be postmarked no later than December 31st. We thank you for all you have done to help make this ministry possible!

…

Dear friends,

As I write this letter I am sitting in a modern coffee shop. Outside the large glass window literally three feet from me is a mother with her three small children begging. Beyond the sidewalk are modern vehicles passing steadily by. We are in Tacloban where three years ago a major typhoon destroyed much of the city.

Yesterday, we were in the village of Bugabuga. To reach Bugabuga, you must walk or ride a motorcycle down a rough “road” for a mile and a quarter. There is no cell phone and therefore obviously no internet. They cook over wood fires and mostly live in small bamboo homes.

Because of your generous financial help after the typhoon most of the homes have been rebuilt and Bugabuga’s small church is flourishing. When we were last there, water was limited. Now with your help, there is a plentiful supply of water in the village coming from a cistern on the mountain. In addition, Jon and Carol Dufendorf and Kevin and Yvonne Temple and the Fairbanks Hosts Lions Club have supplied a water filter for the church.

This past week, Lorrie and I were the primary speakers at the annual pastor’s conference. Though we were at this remote location, there were still about 60 people in attendance for the conference. The topic was “Unity As One” and we were excited to see a lot of unity among the people that attended.

Let me share with you a portion of a couple of testimonies that were shared with us from former students.

Gilbert was originally from the village of Bugabuga. He was not a good academic student and seemed to have a harder time understanding. He had been a former drug addict and pusher. He was sent to a village on the island of Palawan to take a struggling work that the former pastor had left. After some months, the work has grown significantly. He says, “Even (though) there are difficult situations, the joy from the Lord cannot be broken….”

Rodel and Renan were sent to a very remote village on another island where the language is different from theirs. The village can only be reached by foot or horse. Renan relates, “…it is very challenging this mission because we don’t (know) how to speak their language…their culture is different from ours. But God made a way and I know it is one of His miracles. One Sunday, I said to Rodel, keep praying because we preach the gospel but we need to speak in their language, which is Visayon. God did it – we preached the gospel in their language. We saw all of them when they heard God’s word. They are crying they realize that there’s one God who loves them…HOW GREAT THE LOVE MERCY AND GRACE OF OUR GOD…all that happened by faith and praying of all Christians….”

The Good News is being preached and you are a part of making it happen!

Thank you,

Nels, Lorrie, and Amy