Reap News

April/May 2020

Dear friends,

Psalms 139 is a favorite passage for me. In essence David said, You formed me and You fashioned all my days before I was even born. It occurred to me recently that I could say of each day, “Lord, You made this day for me!” That’s an amazing thought – today was formed with me in mind. If that is the case, then in spite of all the things that are happening in the world, God is not worried! He formed this day specifically for you and me.

He says in verse 23 NKJV, “search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxieties….” Are you anxious today? Are you wondering where God is in the midst of this virus that has brought much of the world to a screeching halt? God not only knows about it, He knew right where you are at yesterday, today, and in the future. We need not worry as long as we keep our trust in Him!

Lorrie and I just returned from the Philippines. As in normal years we were teaching in the Bible School, meeting with friends and co-workers and preaching in the churches. We were planning for a visiting youth team from Iceland led by Pastor Shane from Alaska and for a pastor’s conference. Then life changed! But before I go on, let me update you on the ministry at the facility.

Pastor Joey is our livelihood manager. He and his wife, Connie, are doing an excellent job in developing the program. Connie has been studying agriculture at the local university and Joey has completed a government course on agriculture. They are using compost to improve the soil and already experiencing great results with their vegetables. In addition to vegetables, the fishpond is having an abundance of fish and even some large crabs. The chickens are multiplying with the help of our new incubator and are providing meat and eggs.

We began a maintenance building this month. When it is completed, it will provide much needed storage space and a place for some practical skill training.

As I said earlier, we had plans – but God had other plans.

With the news of the virus, restrictions came to our island. Our one flight, four days a week, was suspended. Our ferries were off limits to everyone but essential travelers. Schools were mandatorily closed as well as churches and all public meetings. Most stores were closed. Only one person per household was allowed to leave their house. No one over 60 was allowed to go to the market. Later only 10 people at a time were allowed to leave the subdivision to get essentials. Our village is probably about 1500 people. In summary, no school, no camp, no conference, no church, and no building project was allowed. Lorrie and I were officially “retired.”

Then the US Embassy posted the following notice, “…U.S. citizens who wish to return to the United States should make commercial arrangements as soon as possible unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period….”

We decided God was saying to us, “It is time to return to Alaska.” Lorrie contacted some of her friends and governmental leaders. With help from the Department of Tourism, we were able to get a barangay (subdivision) clearance to leave, medical clearances for Lorrie and I, permission from a community liaison we knew, a ferry pass and a DOT (Department of Transportation) approved vehicle to take us to the ferry and another one to take us to Manila.

On the way to Manila, we were stopped many times by police or military personal checking our traveling papers and our temperature. We thankfully made it safely to our home in Fairbanks in less than 60 hours!

On a sad but joyful note, after arriving in Alaska, Lorrie’s brother called and said that their mother was dying. Lorrie was able to fly to Oregon that night but unfortunately, Connie died before she arrived. We are naturally sad by her passing, but thankful the Lord arranged for us to be back in the States. Connie was almost 89 years old and desired to be with her husband Gordon and with the Lord. She has successfully finished her race. She was indeed a blessing to us and to many others.

We love you and are thankful for the many that regularly pray for the ministry and for us personally!

Nels, Lorrie, and Amy

Dear Friends,

Greetings from Fairbanks, Alaska where it is easy to tell that it is winter. The temperature is in the teens, there is white snow covering the ground, and the days are short, and the nights are long. This year, Lorrie and Amy left in January for the Philippians and I stayed in Alaska recovering from open-heart surgery. They are enjoying the warm weather as they minister and visit with friends.

Below Lorrie and Amy share some of their adventures in the Philippines:

Last month, we arrived in Manila around midnight and were asked to speak at one of our churches the next day. The small building was packed with people standing outside listening and participating in the service. The praise and worship was enthusiastic and touching. Amy shared about “Being who God created you to be.” Lorrie then shared about the persecuted church and the need for all of us to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ in difficult places.

After a busy time in Manila, we left the guesthouse around 2:30 am on our journey to Virac, Catanduanes. Around six hours later, we arrived at the mission house in Virac. We were immediately faced with the usual challenge of cleaning up after the little bugs and critters that made themselves at home in our absence. With the help of the ladies on the compound, we washed linens and did the basic cleaning needed.

I, Lorrie, always love going to the market to buy our fresh foods and vegetables. It is fun to talk to, and share Christ with, the different vendors, many of who have become friends over the years. We also have been able to become friends with many people of the city. One lovely young woman that we have known since she was a little girl was going through a difficult time. I had the privilege of praying with her and witness the power of the Holy Spirit as he worked. We were both in tears as the Lord touched our hearts.

Early one Sunday morning, we traveled North on the island. Lorrie spoke at one church and Amy spoke at another village church. After returning that afternoon, Amy spoke at the church that meets on the school grounds. We love going to the churches in the villages and being with our brothers and sisters, many of whom we have known for years. They are always so excited to have us come and they share their best foods with us after the services. The fellowship is very special!

Amy teaches English to the students during the week. Lorrie will speak this week to a group of pastors on the island and at a Valentine’s dinner next week. The attitude of the churches and the people we work with is vibrant and expecting the Lord to move so it is easy to minister by the power of the Holy Spirit! They draw it out of you!

We have new students coming in early for the school year that will start again this June. We interviewed them and heard their stories. It is amazing to hear how God calls and has saved them out of lives without purpose and put a new spark in them to seek after the kingdom of God! We look forward to meeting the other new students that God will bring into our lives this year. We are excited as we prepare to began a new school year. We have a new name, TBS (Trinity Bible School), a new administrator, new curriculum, added skill training, and an active livelihood program on the campus.

Nels, for Lorrie and Amy

Prayers & Praise

• Pray for health and continued healing for Nels’s heart.
• Pray for protection while traveling.
• Please join us in prayer for the students that are already here and the ones that God will yet bring.
• Pray also for the staff. Pray that there will be a real spirit of unity and expectancy in 2019.
• Praise God for how well this trip has gone!
• Praise God that Nels’s surgery went well!

Dear Friends,

We hope you are finding peace and joy in the midst of the busyness of the holiday season as you prepare for Christmas!  No matter what day Christ was actually born, this is a good time to remember Christ sacrifice for us and His gift of life for all that ask.

In Isaiah 55:12, we are told we “shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace….”

Romans 14:17-19 tells us the “the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  For he that serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.”  Paul goes on to say in Romans 15:13, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

David in the often-quoted Psalms 23 tells us that even if we are walking through the valley of the shadow of death we can be comforted.  He goes on to say we can enjoy a feast in the presence of our enemies. No matter what you are experiencing in your life or the loved ones around you, He promises we can take hold of His peace and His joy and continue to have hope.

Lorrie and I just returned from the Philippines this past week.  We met formally and informally with many people while we were on Catanduanes.  There was a general feeling of hope and expectation for the new school year that will began in June 2019.  In addition to the academic classes, plans are being made for a tailoring class this coming year and potentially other skill training.

Currently, livelihood projects are being developed and are beginning to produce.  We enjoyed farm fresh eggs, pork from one of our pigs, crab and fish from the fish pond, and assorted vegetables.   In addition to the projects, we were pleased to see the many improvements on the facility buildings and grounds.

As 2018 comes to an end, we invite you to partner with us as we partner with the Filipino people.  Your financial gifts continue to help us make a difference in many people’s lives.

 

Your friends,

Nels, Lorrie, and Amy

Dear Friends,

I just read I Corinthians 15:50-58. Simply put, it is speaking of our final victory when we will be changed and our present body will be exchanged for an immortal body. Verse 58 concludes with, “…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.”

Some of you have or are going through very difficult times on your journey through life. God knows and reminds us that our “…labor is not in vain.” We may not see or understand our circumstances at the present time, but whether in this life, or in the life to come we still have the victory in God!

The summer and fall have been busy at the facility in the Philippines. Pastor Allen, our administrator and the staff at the Virac school, continue to oversee the development of the grounds and the teaching seminars. We have had 158 students from a local vocational school attend seminars on our campus in the past few months. Of the students attending, most made decisions to follow Christ. It is exciting to see many secular college students being touched by God. Though most will not end up being full-time ministers as a profession, they will touch their generation for Christ in their respective workplace.

Below are two of the many testimonies from the students attending the “Values Training” seminar at the Virac school:

“I have learned that in every problem God is in the center…I am overwhelmed and thankful because I feel perfectly the presence of God. I learned to thank Him everyday….”

“I have learned that God has unconditional love. We are special because He sacrificed his only child to pay for our sins. I have learned that we are to forgive and forget…especially our family…. I am learning how to love God and have a relationship with Him.”

One of the main purposes of REAP is to see the kingdom of God expanded. We are encouraged to see so many young people choose to become followers of Christ.

On a personal note, for those that do not know, I (Nels) have been experiencing some difficulties with my heart. We are planning to go to Mayo Clinic in Minnesota to have further testing done sometime this winter. Thank you for your prayers!

Nels, for Lorrie and Amy