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Dear friends,

One of my favorite scriptures throughout my Christian walk is Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. And lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

In Jeremiah 10:23 we are told: “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.”

I am a planner by nature and can spend a lot of time considering what I should or should not do. This summer was very different for me and did not proceed as I planned.

Gary Woody and I drove to North Dakota where I planned to spend the summer working with the family business. In only a few days after arriving, I was hospitalized for heart problems. After seeing a few doctors in various cities, I ended up in July at the Mayo clinic in Rochester Minnesota having open heart surgery. Praise God, the operation was successful and I am now recovering in Fairbanks, Alaska. I am thankful for the many people that prayed for me during this time.

Lorrie and Amy spent most of their summer caring for Lorrie’s parents. Lorrie’s mom had a stroke and her father has been experiencing some of the effects of aging at 90 years old. Both spent time in the hospital in Wasilla and needed full time care when they were out. They are presently in an assisted living home and will be moving shortly to another one in Oregon.

Lorrie is in Manila now and will be there for a little over one month. Amy will be going next week and plans to stay until early spring. She will teach at the school. The doctor allowed me to go for about two weeks in October so I can attend the annual Pastor’s Conference. Lorrie and I plan to return to the Philippines in January to host this year’s guests and to teach at the school as well.

As always, please continue to pray for the school, staff, and for us as well as we travel and teach these young people!

Sincerely in Christ,

Nels, Lorrie, Amy and family

“…In the world you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.” In John 16:33 (MEV) Jesus gave us both a command and a promise. It’s not an unexpected event to have trials and tribulations; it is a guaranteed fact of life. The test is how you deal with them when they come. When I (Amy) am going through hard times, my inclination all too often is to cry out, “God, Why ME?” The question should be, “Why NOT Me?” What’s the difference between a diamond and a lump of coal? Time and pressure–lots and lots of both.

In Romans 8:28 (NIV) we are told, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” I’ve heard that verse so many times, and quoted it to others as well. But when you are deep in the midst of life’s storms and earthquakes, sometimes it’s hard not to just mouth the platitude rather than really taking hold and believing in it. I know intellectually that my God is BIG and in charge and I say that I trust Him for everything that happens in my life to make it all turn out well. Sometimes I need some nudging to embrace this heart-felt belief and take comfort in this simple, wonderful fact: God is God. He’s the one who decides it all and I don’t have to stress. So no matter what we’re going through, we can be comforted that our God is in charge. When we let Him lead us, we will see great and wonderful things! He has commanded us “be of good cheer,” and all throughout the Bible this is emphasized: “a merry heart makes good medicine” (Prov 17:22), “Shout for joy to the Lord…” (Ps 100:1, others), whistle while you work. OK, that last one was from Disney, but very appropriate, yes? When I am confronted with a difficult trial and it seems like I am stressed to the breaking point, often I just laugh.

Please be lifting our family up in prayer. We are being given the opportunity to practice what we preach; faith and trust in God’s leading and healing. My grandparents have been in and out of the hospital; Grandma with a stroke and complications, Grandpa with congenital heart failure. Dad (Nels) has been to the ER and now is preparing for heart surgery. Mom (Lorrie) and Nathan fell down a mountain while hiking. Nathan very kindly broke Mom’s fall so she only suffered aches, pains and bruises and Nathan broke his ankle and leg in three places and has had one of hopefully only two surgeries. We are determined to continue to walk in His promises and trust Him as we live our lives with good cheer!

The youth camps went well again this year with many young people getting saved and baptized. It is always exciting to see lives changed and God’s kingdom expanded. The Bible school will once again start next month. This year we are working in conjunction with another local college and offering some secular training. We believe this will help our students in “tent making” after they graduate from Bible school.

Thank you for your faithfulness to our family and to the work in the Philippines!

Amy for the Church family

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