Thank you all for your prayers during Andrew's trip North! We apologize for our late update, but wanted to wait until pictures were ready to share. To see pictures from the trip, go to our facebook page TRIP NORTH.
(Yvonne has posted a few here )
Andrew came back very enthusiastic from his trip, and encouraged by what the Lord is doing in the area he visited. Although the guys were not able to go into the specific tribal village that we are most curious in (as a potential location to live and minister), he was able to see other villages in the tribe and get a feel for things. Due to the hazards of rainy season, the guys are hoping to make another trip after it's over (rainy season ends end of December), maybe in January. As you might conclude, this is getting close to baby time for us (due mid-Feburary), so we appreciate your prayers as we plan this next trip.
One big highlight I'd like to share that Andrew told me from the trip- we mentioned before this particular tribe had NTM missionaries in it before that pulled out back in the late 80's. However, they were able to teach for a few years there, and Andrew was SO encouraged by the believers that remain from the teaching of the first missionaries that came into the region- a total testimony to the truth and power of God's message! Even though there have been several other cults come through this area, the few believers from the initial NTM church plant are still strong in their faith, know right teaching from wrong, and are hungry for the word to be taught to them! Please pray for these people- a tribal group in total of 30,000 people! Pray for us to continue to seek God's direction in this work- we know He never stopped even though the missionaries had to pull out years ago, and He will continue to build His church.
And, if you have any questions at all about this tribal group or how Andrew's trip went, please feel free to shoot us an e-mail by hitting reply. We have so much more we could share!
He is Faithful!
Megan & Andrew
Prayer Request:
1. Planning for another trip North- Please pray for the logisitics of all of this, and for us to trust God's timing and what He has for us.
2. Kids- please continue to pray for us to have wisdom as we raise our children. There are many challenges in raising our kids in an aparmtent complex in a big city- getting them "out" is no small thing. We are really searching for ways we can get the kids out more, and appreciate your prayers for wisdom and energy in this.
3. Special prayer request- a family from our home church in North Vancouver lost their husband/father last week. We ask that you pray for continued comfort for them and peace, and we praise God that Steve is in heaven now with his Savior, and that his family has already felt God's peace and comfort during this time.
Praise!
We have MUCH to be thankful for, and appreciate your recent prayers regarding the following!
1. Aria- we sent out a prayer request about a week and a half ago for little Aria, our friends' daughter who came down with Dengue fever. After the e-mail, and many prayers went up, she was starting to turn a corner in her sickness and was able to come home the Tuesday after being admitted to the hospital. Praise God for how He takes care of us and our children here!
2. The guys trip- again, Andrew had an amazing trip, and came back so energized from what he saw and experienced. Praise God for His love that compels us to love and reach out to others- we know this desire comes from Him, and we are so excited to see God bring glory to Himself in these far reaches of the world!
3. Church- I don't know if we have mentioned this yet, but in a whirlwind of events we have joined a new church in the last month, and just last Sunday had an opporunity to speak and share about our ministry. We are attending an Alliance church here in Manila just a 10 minute drive away, which is the same denomination as our home church in North Vancouver. It has been neat to connect with this small church of about 50 people, and they have an amazing heart for missions in their congregation. The pastor has already visited us at home, and taken Andrew out on a Filipino holiday here to observe the culture and traditions. We PRAISE God for how it was completely HIM that put us in this church- there's a story behind it if you are interested and want to e-mail to ask :)