Reap News

Jeremiah 29:11  “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for peace and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Dear Friends and Family,

From time to time, we like to share with you testimonies from the students at Trinity Bible School in Virac, Catanduanes.  In December, Lorrie and I had the privilege of meeting the students attending the school this year and hearing some of their testimonies.

The following are some excerpts from a young lady named Celine.  She graduated from the Bible School last year:

“…I grew up in a Christian family with the belief in Christianity. My family always brought me to church every Sunday.  But there was a certain time in my life that I diverted my attention to my friends.  I stopped attending Sunday services…I treated my friends as my family and source of happiness…I forgot the importance of worship and commitment to God…my parents reprimanded me and rebuked me for what I was doing.  They reminded me of the things I have to prioritize and love, it is the commitment to the Lord.  I realized my parents were right and I needed to give my best in serving the living God.  I also realized that I have to be responsible as Christ’s ambassador.

When I decided to commit my life to the Lord, He brought many changes in my life…the one who was afraid to stand in front of different people was transformed into someone with confidence and boldness specifically in sharing God’s message.  When our church pastor asked me if I was willing to study in Bible school, I didn’t hesitate…Thanks to Bible school, I became spiritually determined and dedicated…. He called me for a purpose.  He gave me a new life in Christ Jesus…To God be the Glory.”

Celine had a Christian background but nevertheless, like so many walked away from the Lord.  Praise God for a pastor and parents who helped guide her to her own relationship with God.  As it has been said, there are no grandchildren in heaven – each person needs to have a personal relationship with the living God.

Because of you, Celine had a Bible school to attend and was able to continue her spiritual growth. Only God knows how he will use this young lady to serve Him in the future.

John 4:38  “I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor. ESV

Thank you for standing with TBS (Trinity Bible School).

Nels, Lorrie and Amy

Photos from left to right; Cooking for everyone in the outdoor kitchen, Nels speaking, with Connie interpreting, School grounds with vehicles, Nels speaking, with Edna interpreting

Pray With Us!
• Pray for the students studying at the Bible school. Pray for perseverance, encouragement, and joy as they live together and study.
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to move in each ones life. That they would pursue Him, seek His face and learn to listen to His still, quiet voice.
• For unity and peace to flow over the staff as they minister in the school, in their personal lives and families.
• Pray for new students to be preparing to come to the school this year from other islands also.
• Pray for health and protection against sickness and disease.

Praise:
• That the staff are working together and enjoying the ministry at TBS! (Trinity Bible School )
• For each one of you who pray for the ministry, staff and students.
• For the incredible staff and leadership team!
• That Pastor Ding, Mona and three teachers are coming to minister at the school next month.

Dear friends and family,

We are ending this year with joy and welcoming the new year anticipating what our God has in store for us.

As we look back over 2022, we see his hand in our lives working in ways we do not always understand. Though we have survived covid, lockdowns, and travel restrictions… We know he still is guiding our lives.

We look forward to being a part of his plan this coming year and seeing where he leads us.

We rejoice in what the Lord is doing in the Philippines with Trinity Bible School, the staff, and the students. It is obvious the Lord is moving in their midst! We were grateful to see and meet with many pastors and friends while we were there in November and December.

We thank you for your support and financial giving to the ongoing needs of the ministry.

To God be the glory!
Great things he has done!

With much gratitude,

Nels, Lorrie, and Amy

PS. We thank you in advance for any year-end contribution you may be able to make.

Photos from top; Nels speaking, with Edna interpreting, at the airport, ready to return!, Nels Speaking at New Hope Church, Pastor Ding interpreting, More teaching!

Connect with us!

REAP International, Inc.
PO Box 10972
Fairbanks AK 99710

www.reapint.org

reap@globalmissions.net

2 Timothy 2:1-2
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.

Dear Friends and Family,

We wish you a Christ-filled Christmas this year! Though the world is in so much turmoil, we are thankful we can walk in peace because of what Jesus did on the cross for us. Let each of us be reminded in our own family celebrations that Jesus is the reason for the season. God gave the greatest gift in giving His son!

Lorrie and I are now in the Philippines at the school in Virac, Catanduanes! It has been two and a half years since we were allowed to return because of COVID restrictions. Travel was normal other than taking a required test in Seattle to board the international flight.

It has been a blessing being with our old friends, staff, and students at the school. We are impressed how well the facility looks despite the typhoons that have passed through this past year. There is, and there will be, ongoing work repairing and improving the facility.

Since we first envisioned the school, it was our goal that eventually it would be wholly run by the Philippine nationals. We are seeing the fulfillment of that dream beginning to unfold in the last two or three years. At this time, we still see the need for Lorrie and I and still have the desire to be involved in the general oversight.

Three couples, all former graduates, now make up the leadership team. Together with their families, they live on the campus in homes we have built over the years. Sister Edna is the administrator and is doing a fantastic job coordinating the teaching and activities. Her husband Buboy is overseeing the facility maintenance and often preaches. Brother JoJo is an engineer, but still finds time to help as well as preach. His wife, Connie helps students with health issues as well as teaching classes. Joey continues to pastor a church in a village and oversees the livelihood projects on the school grounds. His wife, also named Connie, is completing her last year of secular college focusing on agriculture and she is the treasurer for the school and assists in teaching. In addition to the on-campus leadership team, we have a school board and teachers made up of friends who are pastors or leaders in their own ministries.

Several of the new students are children or relatives of former graduates. II Timothy 2:2, is one of our theme verses. Nels’ paraphrased version says, the things you have been taught, teach others, and encourage them to teach still others. We are pleased to see the Word being fulfilled at the school!

As this year is nearly passed, we want to thank each of you for your generosity for this ministry. Because of your continued giving, many young people are being trained to advance God’s kingdom on earth. Without you, this work would not be able to continue. On behalf of the Filipino people and Lorrie and I, we thank you very much.

Your friends,

Nels, Lorrie, and Amy

Photos from left to right; Nels speaking, with Connie interpreting, Worship Practice, School Transport, Praise and Worship 

Pray With Us!
• For the start of a New Year with all the opportunities and challenges to come.
• For fully funded finances to continue to raise and train up people to fulfill the mission.
• Health and protection against sickness and disease.

Praise:
• Thank God that Nels and Lorrie were able to travel to the Philippines and Minister!
• For our wonderful Leadership Team that makes everything possible.

Connect with us!

REAP International, Inc.
PO Box 10972
Fairbanks AK 99710

www.reapint.org

reap@globalmissions.net

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Dear Friends and Family,

Another school year at Trinity Bible School (TBS) in the Philippines has already begun. We know as God brings each new student, we have the privilege and the responsibility to train the student to be a more effective witness for Christ. God only knows how He will use each graduate to touch his or her generation for Christ.

The following is the testimony of Shekinah, a young lady from the island of Palawan. Both her mother and father graduated from the Virac school before they were married over twenty years ago.

“Before I decided to study here in Bible School. I was studying in college, 1st year taking Business Administration Major in Marketing Management. But because of my eyes I get tired and hopeless, so I stopped attending my online classes without informing my parents. I stopped dreaming for something in my life in the future. I spent most of my time watching Korean dramas thinking that at least on the last days of my eyesight I could enjoy it. That mindset of mine is so wrong. Days passed when Pastor Boboy and Pastor Joey (from Virac) surprisingly came into our house. At first, I had no idea about their intention but then I learned that they were looking for students to study in bible school. After hearing that, the first thing that came into my mind is my friend Emely. Because she’s the one who’s really interested in going to bible school. My mother asked if I also wanted to study in the bible school. I was double minded at that time. I wanted to say yes but I can’t because I was afraid. I thought Catanduanes is too far. I was so confused. So, I decided to pray and ask God for His plan for me. One morning, I prayed and ask God for His message for me through His word. I read the Bible and I came to Mateo (Matthew) 19:29, “Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” Then I made up my mind. I told My parents about my decision. To make the story short, I decided to go and now I am here. And all thanks to God for He never fails me. To God Be All the Glory.”

Shekinah’s parents graduated from our school, married, and now pastor a village church. It is a joy to know that now we can help prepare their daughter to do whatever God has called her to do!

The above is just one story of what you, together with us, are accomplishing as we Reap together.

Thank you for partnering with us as we join hands with God to see His kingdom expanded.

Nels, Lorrie and Amy

Pray With Us!
• For Miraculous healing of Shekinah’s eyesight.
• Strength and perseverance for all the students and staff while they continue to learn and minister.
• Increased openness for entry into the Philippines.
• Tickets for Lorrie and Nels to return to the Philippines.

Praise:
• For great friends and staff that continue to work with us to keep the school growing and thriving.
• That the school continues to grow and have an impact on the lives of students and the community surrounding it.

1 Corinthians 15:57-58 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Dear Friends and Family,

Since the beginning of the bible school, over twenty years ago, we have seen many victories with trials as well. Included in the word “Victory” is the understanding that there was something to be a victor over. In other words, without a trial, there could not be a victory.

The following letter was emailed to us from our friends in the Philippines. Ding and Mona pastor a church and a Christian school in one of the cities adjacent to Manila. Pastor Ding gave the graduation sermon this year at our school, TBS.

Hello Nels and Lorrie,

We had an awesome time at TBS. We got to know better Edna and Buboy and the other pastors. We are truly encouraged by the outcome of the graduation and with the 16 graduates, plus the attendance of their parents and the pastors of their sending churches. It’s so encouraging to see that there are already students signed up for the next school year. I believe TBS will be growing into what you and Reap have envisioned it to be. Everything is getting into place. The graduates going back to their churches passionate and ready to be used by God. You have a good team of pastors here, diverse in their courses to teach, yet united in the same vision and purpose with Reap, that is to empower and equip the body of Christ. It’s awesome to see the first graduates of your bible school and now they’re leading and have good relationships with the break-aways from Life-builders. Be assured that they’re loyalty is with you. We talked… a lot and they saw your sacrifices and love for the school.
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to be in the TBS graduation. And for next school year, I signed up to teach Children’s ministry (teachings, workshops, and hands-on ministry) and Ding for Servant-Leadership as requested by the teachers. It will be for a week for the 2nd semester, maybe January or February. I pray you can be here too.
I just want to encourage you both. All your heartaches and sacrifices are now paying off. Nothing was wasted. The people you sowed into many years ago are now your leaders and workers. They love you and the ministry they’re doing.
We pray you can come back soon. They are so grateful for everything you have been doing.
Love you always
Mona and Ding

The overall giving has dropped down considerably this year but with so many students the expenses of the school has increased. If you can give anything extra, it would be greatly appreciated. Lorrie and I want to thank you for helping us make TBS a success! Your faithful prayer and financial support have made REAP’s help to the Philippines a reality.

Thank you again!

Nels, Lorrie, and Amy

Pray With Us!

• For an increase in funding and finances for the ministry. 
• Continued protection from sickness for all the students and staff, while at school and while traveling.
• For the graduating students who are now leaving the school, that they will grow stronger in Faith and  Courage so they will have a major impact on the world for Christ.

Praise:

• For wonderful friends and staff that continue to work with us to keep the school growing and thriving.
• That the school continues to grow and have an impact on the lives of students and the community surrounding it.

The TBS board, planning ahead for the next school year. 
Graduation Invitation. Pastor Ding giving the graduation sermon.