Here we are last week with the all the church go-ers in front of the church.

 

We also presented certificates to the baptized believers.

19 years ago....

How did we hear about New Tribes Mission?

 

Machelle had gone on a short term mission in Papua New Guinea through New Tribes. Tom Lotz, her high school volleyball coach, had told her about it.   It was there they she was introduced to the many people who have no Bible in their language.  There she was challenged to go to Bible School. 

 

Dennis had been in South Carolina doing V.S. (Voluntary Service) work with a Terry Reed.  Terry Reed had also gone on the same mission in Papua New Guinea that Machelle had gone on.    Terry called Dennis and told he what a great time he had and that now he was on his way to Bible school.   Dennis said, “Good luck to you” and he was glad he wasn’t the one going to Bible school.    But the Holy Spirit had other plans.   He could not sleep at all (and farmers usually have no problem sleeping) and all he could think about was that Bible school.     He finally asked Terry to have a brochure sent to him about the school.  When the brochure arrived and it had a picture of students sitting in the classroom he was disgusted.  He was never going back to school.    But God wasn’t giving up and convinced Dennis that is was His will for him to go to Bible School. 

 

Dennis and Machelle, how did you two meet?

 

We met in Bible School in Jackson Michigan.        The first day of Bible school we had both heard a prayer request to pray for Terry Reed since his car broke down on the way to Bible School.  Somehow we figured out that both of us knew Terry.   So that was our first conversation.  3 weeks later was our first date and one year later we were engaged. 
 

 

 How did you know that God was calling you to live with the natives in Mexico?

Our reason for moving to Mexico doesn’t sound very spiritual!    When we going through missionary training we were told that the number one reason people leave the mission field is because they can’t get along with their co-workers.   Well,  we decided that instead of picking the country to go to we’d pick partners that we can get along with.  We picked Terry and Renee Reed and they were headed to Mexico so away we went to Mexico.   I also remember a motivational speaker saying, “You can’t take the Gospel to the wrong address.”   We figured one unreached people group was as good as the next!  Plus, I’m sure it was how God was leading us. 

 

Have you always lived in the town of Chiltepin as missionaries?

We first moved to a town called Tojiachi.  These folks were also Guarijio and we began learning language there.  After 3 years we felt God calling us to relocate to a different village – but still the same language group.  We moved to Chiltepin and built our house and we haven’t regretted it once!

 

 

Revalation

Terry and Santos have finished the first draft to the book of Revelation!!  Every time Terry finishes another book of the Bible Renee makes Whoopie Pies. 

The girls are enjoying theirs!

Going shopping

Thursday morning Dennis decided to go to Arecheyvo to do some shopping.  The privileged  kindergartener got to go along.  (much to the disappointment of the older schooled children)

3 hours later they were back.

Some produce for us and our partners!

This was the Guarijio Church about 7 years ago. We'd meet in the shade at one of the believer's houses.

Lydia, Brooke and Natalie along with their friends Dilma and Elisa. (7 years ago)

Much of our ministry to the Guarijio has been building relationship with them.  Working together, living nearby, being available when someone is sick, and generally just rubbing shoulders with them on a daily basis.  This is where we've spent many hours of our lives - with the people, building their trust, and showing them kindness. 

Weakness

"..my power is made perfect in weakness."   

Oh, weakness.  I need to remember this verse often.   I usually try to avoid weakness, try harder, more effort, etc.   But weakness.  I think it involves surrendering. That's why it takes us so long to wrap our brains around it.

This week I feel weak in two areas:
 1.  Being a parent of teen agers.   Give me a crying baby - but a teen ager talking back?  A teen ager trying hard to grow up too fast?   Then I find myself getting sucked into their arguments and now I'm acting their age.   Lord! Wisdom.  But first surrendering and accepting that I am weak.  Not just accepting but embracing and glorying in my weakness.  Because when I do then I step aside and God works His strength into it and I can rest, stop striving, and give it to Him with open hands.  I am so thankful He is their perfect parent that I know I can't be.

2.  Being a missionary.   I am a failure at this too.   I don't sit up until midnight writing Bible studies.  I don't run around to 5 people's houses daily in the village teaching literacy.  Isn't that what I ought to be doing?  Sometimes I look back on the day and ask myself what I even accomplished for His Kingdom.   Maybe we all do that some.   

 I don't feel confident in the language.  I don't feel confident that I can even relate to the women here.  I don't feel like I communicate even when I am saying words that they understand.    I am weak.  But yet,  He has me here.  Yes, in some ways I can see the years here have connected us.  A lady was here today.  Her son was killed last year.  But I knew him and had memories of him because of the years we've been here. I believe it was a comfort to her.  Sometimes I think God purposely doesn't let us see how He uses us so we stay humble.   Yes,  I feel very weak.  I don't feel like I'm doing anything for Him.  But I'm willing  to keep this maid's eyes looking to the hand of her master (Ps123) and obey what He tells me to do even when I feel weak.  Especially when I feel weak.   
"So that Christ's power may rest on me."