For the past 3 years, we have flown South for the winter and much to our surprise the Lord rerouted us to begin this new decade. Due to some additional requirements for the campus in South Asia, it was best that a few of the local nationals work those details out before our family or any visitors return. We have been reminded during this season that Proverbs 16:9, says “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”
In the meantime, we rerouted to the North to the foothills of the Himalayan mountains where it is so cold that Breanna got to experience her first snow fall. We spent the first 5 years of overseas ministry here to disciple, be a part of establishing a School of Ministry that has now become a two-year Bible College and send out church planters. To see now years later how the Lord has expanded His kingdom in powerful ways has been very encouraging. We could not be more joyful to return to the place where our hearts first fell in love with this country, where we have dear friends, where we found out we were pregnant with Breanna and where we have now been reunited with many pastors, friends, graduates and students from all over this nation. Your investment and years of partnership with our family and the pastors / ministry here is hard to describe at times and we just want to continue to say THANK YOU!
Set Apart in the Mountains
The location the Lord has provided for the Bible College in the North is set apart in the mountains and an absolutely beautiful place to study the Word of God without distractions. We have scrubbed the campus, purchased needed items, put together bunk beds and prepared additional accommodations for students. There are 15 men that have traveled from near and far to study here this semester. Bond is teaching Daniel, Revelation, Acts and training one of the local pastors to teach these books in the future. Heather is helping with teaching English, administration, homeschooling and reconnecting with the locals at the shops, market and with many of the ladies in the community as they remember us from years ago.
Raising Up Interns
The task of reaching 3 billion unreached people with the hope of the Gospel is monumental, especially given that majority live in poverty or in hostile and remote regions of the world. But, in looking at the life of Jesus, he had 12 disciples that he poured into and they took the message of the Gospel and it spread throughout the world. Our hearts have always been passionate to invest and pour into others and make disciples. Our main focus has been to disciple nationals because they can go further than we could ever go and reach more people than we could ever reach.
However, we also know there are people God calls to GO just like He did for us. This past summer, we had the honor of teaching at the Calvary School of Missions in Mexico that Saving Grace World Missions has launched to prepare young adults for future mission’s ministry. As part of the program, an internship is recommended and we are grateful to have two amazing gals (Nancy and Lacey) who graduated from the School of Missions serving with us as interns this winter / spring. They have already been a huge blessing to our family and the ministry here and we look forward to all the Lord will do through each of them.
Love Penetrates the Himalayas
As love is celebrated this week, we are reminded of God’s great love for us. As Ephesians 2:4-5 says, “But, God being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ —by grace you have been saved.” It is because of His great love for us that we are compelled to share that with others here in S. Asia and around the world. We want to share with you that God’s love is penetrating and spreading in the Himalayan Mountains and setting people free! Thank you for your partnership, prayers and LOVE.