Reap News

“…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.

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government will be upon His shoulder; and His name will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
-Isaiah 9:6

Dear Friends and Family,

In August, we had the pleasure of hosting and traveling with our Filipino friends, Pastor Ding and Mona. Together with them, we shared at nine different churches and small groups some of what God is doing in the Philippines. Pastor Ding and Mona have agreed to become more active in the Virac Bible school. Sister Edna and her husband, Boboy, will remain as onsite administrators and Ding and Mona will serve as general oversight working in coordination with Lorrie and me. I am excited to see God’s plans for the school as they develop in the future!

As many of you know, the Catanduanes was hit by another strong typhoon last month. Several of our staff’s personal homes were damaged, but we praise God that no one was physically hurt. The school facility sustained minor damage with only the roof of the motorcycle shed being blown off and a few of the ceramic tile pieces on the main classroom building were damaged.

We realize how blessed we are as we review all that God has done in our lives and those we labor with in the Philippines. For almost 30 years, the Virac school has continued to train workers for His kingdom. We as Christians are assigned a task to make a difference with our lives while we are in the world. We are to be the salt, flavoring those around us, and the light, helping others to see the path better.

It is our sincere desire that you have a wonderful, peace-filled Christmas! Please take time to remember and give thanks for all your blessings. We thank all of you who pray for the students and staff at the school and for us personally. Thank you for your encouragement and financial gifts as well. Remember in order for your gift to be credited for this year, it must be mailed or sent online by Tuesday, December 31st.

Hoping you have a wonderful Christmas!

Nels, Lorrie and Amy

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I may finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
-Acts 20:24

Dear Friends and Family,

I recently read a small plaque that said, “Life is in the journey, not the destination.” In my personal time of prayer, God has often reminded me of the reality of this statement. By nature, I tend to be a visionary but so often in seeing the goal I can miss the joys of the journey. We are given today – not necessarily tomorrow. Paul said he desires to finish his course with joy. In the Greek, the word “course” is a race or career. My desire is to finish the course or journey God has given for me – and to do it with joy. There are many things that can cause us to be discouraged, but let each of us focus on, not only the joy of salvation, but the joy of the journey God has given us.

Lorrie and I recently returned from the Philippines. As always, it is a joy for us to see our friends and co-workers in Christ. We visited four village churches, ministered in the evening chapel services in Virac, and taught at the school. I was especially blessed at one small church; I noticed ten of the people attending were either current or former students at the school. It was very encouraging to me to realize there are many churches and no doubt they too have many former students that now are working in their communities touching the nation for Christ. Many students have chosen to continue their education and have become professionals in various fields.

We had a special time with our old friends, Pastor Ding and Mona from Manila. They brought three of their teachers to Virac to teach at the school for a full week. The students were blessed and encouraged as the teachers demonstrated ways to conduct children and youth outreaches more effectively.

Pastor Ding serves both on the Reap Philippine corporation board and the Trinity Bible Training Center board (previously called Trinity Bible College). Pastor Ding and his wife Mona have agreed to assist Lorrie and I in the general oversight of the school. They will begin to travel monthly to Virac and work with our administrator, Edna, in continuing and developing the ministry. They will also visit Alaska in September allowing many of you to meet with them and hear their heart for Reap Ministries in the Philippines.

As always, we cannot thank you enough for all you have done for us. Because of your support we have been able for over thirty years to reach out beyond the borders of the United States and touch the Philippines for Christ.

Because of Jesus,

Nels, Lorrie and Amy

Photos from left to right – Children’s Ministry, Nels speaking with School Administrator Edna interpreting, Pastor Willy working on the wall, Lorrie speaking with Edna interpreting.

Please Continue to Pray With Us!

• For the ongoing work on the perimeter fence at the school.
• For the Students as they continue their studies
• For Pastor Ding and Mona as they take a greater oversight role in REAP Philippines Ministries.

We are Thankful:

• For smooth multiple travel connections to and from the Philippines.
• For many long time friends and fellow workers in the REAP ministry
• That Pastor Ding and Mona received their visas to visit the United States!

Nels and Lorrie

Connect with us!

REAP International, Inc.
PO Box 10972
Fairbanks AK 99710

www.reapint.org

reap@globalmissions.net

Dear Friends and Family,

It’s hard to believe we are already into 2024. Time passes so quickly it seems, especially as we get older. In Psalms 90:12 we read, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.” David then says in Psalms 103:15, “as for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourishes.”

Recently a few of our friends died unexpectedly. Not unexpectedly to God, but to us. Lorrie and I were reminded that we are given today but not promised tomorrow. Today is the day we have an opportunity to flourish for Him. Today we have the joy and responsibility to encourage and train those people that God has put around us.

The school in the Philippines is going well. Lorrie and I are looking forward to seeing our friends and coworkers in February and March and spending some time teaching the students. One of the school’s main theme verses is II Timothy 2:2. Paul tells Timothy to take the things he has learned and pass them on to others who will then train others. That’s our desire, to train the next generation and have them in turn train others.

Who has God placed near you? Who needs to hear what God has done for you and through you over the years – the victories and failures that He has brought you through? Each one of us has people in our circle of influence that we can encourage.

We thank you as you join us (whether physically, in prayer, or by giving of your finances) in training the next generation in the Philippines. Because of you, lives are being changed!

Nels, Lorrie and Amy

Photos from left to right-Ministry at the hospital and ongoing construction on the wall.

Please Continue to Pray With Us!

• For the ongoing work on the perimeter fence at the school.
• For Visas for the remaining Philippine couples.#
• For the Students as they continue their studies
• For Lorrie and Nels as they travel to the Philippines this February

We are Thankful:

• For smooth multiple travel connections to and from the Philippines.
• For the unity of the TBS team.
• For many long-time friends and fellow workers in the REAP ministry.
• That we received a Visa for one couple!

I Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Dear Friends and Family,

Lorrie and I just returned from the Philippines and are adjusting back to life in Alaska. We went from high humidity temperatures in the 80’s to dry temperatures in the teens. From palm trees, sand, and warm ocean waters to spruce trees, snow, and ice-covered rivers.

We met with our friends and fellow workers in Catanduanes, spoke at four different churches on Sundays and Wednesdays, taught classes, and met with our leadership board. While there we began the rebuilding of the concrete perimeter wall that was severely damaged in a recent typhoon.

The leadership team at the school consists primarily of three couples. All six of the individuals are prior graduates of the school who now, after many years, have married and have families of their own. They are working very well together and carry on the vision of Reap with the same DNA we helped to impart while they were young.

It is our intention to bring two couples to Alaska sometime this next year. We extended letters of invitation to both couples. They will take them to the US Embassy to obtain visas. After we know the results of their visas, we will begin to raise funds and make plans for their visit. It is our hope to instill a greater vision for the school that will last beyond Lorrie and my lives.

As we draw near to Thanksgiving, we are reminded of how thankful we are for each of you. It is because of your prayers and generosity we are able to continue the Reap ministry.

Blessings to you,

Nels, Lorrie and Amy

Photos from left to right – Praise and Worship, Construction on the wall, Nels speaking with Sister Connie interpreting.

Pray With Us!

• For smooth completion of the perimeter fence at the school.
• For Visas for the Philippine couples.
• For the Students as they continue with their studies.

We are Thankful:

• For smooth multiple travel connections to and from the Philippines.
• For the unity of the TBS team.
• For many long-time friends and fellow workers in the REAP ministry.