Last Week

Phil was involved in NTM Board meetings at Laurieton last Tuesday and Wednesday. These are regular monthly meetings where the Board members meet to discuss an agenda, and also to pray and encourage each other, and to determine the Lord’s direction for the organisation.

Much of our discussion was around how to attract a new batch of qualified staff to the missionary training course. We are holding off on an intake in 2009 so as to be ready for a new 2-year course beginning in 2010. As the course is extended from 18 months to 2 years in duration, we will require more staff and with the addition of more Biblical studies units, people who are gifted in teaching that material.

Please be praying with us on this issue in particular, and for God’s wisdom in general as we endeavour to lead well.

Di and I both continue to have a role in mentoring some of the student families. This is a privilege and enjoyable opportunity to input into lives in a very real way.

Continue to pray for us health-wise. Phil is feeling better in terms of his high blood pressure, but Di is very much struggling to sleep well.

Thank you for your continued support. For those who give, we are truly blessed, and for those who pray, we are honoured to represent you in this ministry of reaching unreached people groups.

Below are a couple of excerpts from just 2 of the many works in the world. You have brothers and sisters in Christ in these remote areas because of the faithfulness of these people who went and are serving. Isn’t it a privilege to be a part of the team?

Papua New Guinea – ” Missionaries and tribal co-workers finished checking the Simbari translation of Acts this week. One Simbari man who helped with the project said, "The Bible in our language is hitting me right in the heart."”

Mexico – “Missionaries Andrew and Anne Marie Ferguson had a decision to make. After praying and consulting a doctor, their decision to wait proved to be the right one and a boy with a possible scorpion bite recovered. Praise God for giving wisdom and providing a doctor's input.” (Andrew is also a Taswegian, and has no medical training, but is faced with challenges like this frequently – please pray for them).

For more info on these and other real-life stories, check out the NTM website at www.au.ntm.org