The Messy Work of Planting a Church Page 16

@work NTMyour connection with tribal missions NEW MISSION TRIBES

The Messy Work Of Planting A Church page 16

00 NTM@work (ISSN 1527-9057)

Vol.70 • No.3 • February 2012

NTM@work team Executive Editor: Macon Hare David Bell, Debbie Burgett, Rex Crawford, Ian Fallis, Jon Frazier, Patrick Hatcher, Chris Holland and Dena McMaster

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Cover photo: Aaron Jex Photo this page by: Chad Mankins

#012374 contents 4 CONNECT: Find opportunities to pray, to give, to learn, to laugh and more.

16 COMING THROUGH THE MUD For centuries, the Tobo people of Papua New Guinea have held fast to their cultural beliefs, traditions and rituals. Breaking through the many layers with the truth of the Gospel would not be a neat and tidy task. But the missionaries hadn’t come for easy. They had come fully prepared for a messy, spiritual battle. And that’s what they got. This issue is the Tobo story.

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Interface: One Summer Was All It Took After spending her summer taking the Interface program in Papua New Guinea, Ragan Grime’s heart was changed forever. During the classroom time, she got a liberal taste of what missionaries learn during their training — culture, linguistics, phonetics, translation, and how the Old Testament and New Testament work together as a cohesive unit. During the evenings, she visited with support missionaries and heard stories of how God had worked in their lives, empowering and enabling them to be there. And later, she met tribal believers in a remote village where NTM missionaries had planted a church. Their vibrancy, knowledge of God’s Word and His redemptive work of grace in their lives awed Ragan and the other students. And something important clicked for her. “God revealed to me His heart for those who have not heard the Good News of Jesus Christ,” wrote Ragan. “I am so grateful for the time He used this summer to reveal the urgency of missions to me.” Find out what Interface has to offer you: ntm.org/magazine

That’s not very nice! David and Vanessa Maynard were in ka si mataba sila.” When the teacher the throes of language learning in Ma- gasped and his wife giggled, he knew nila. Now it was time to study family something had gone wrong. David terms like mother, father, aunt, uncle had meant to say, “They don’t have etc. When it was David’s turn, the spouses because they’re still young teacher asked him if his two sisters (bata pa’).” But he had actually said, were married yet and had families of “They’re not married because they’re their own. Wanting to be more adven- fat (mataba).” Once the teacher real- turous than just answering, “No,” he ized he was not being mean, they en- proceeded to say, “Walang asawa sila, joyed a good laugh.

4 PAPUA NEW GUINEA CONNECT WITH… Josh and Melody Simmons Children: Sarah, Morgan and Hannah Ministry: Tech services team Sending Churches: Avalon Hills Bible Church, Virginia Beach, Virginia; First Baptist Church of Shelbina, Missouri

photo by Dale Stroud Josh was raised in Shelbina, a small farming town in northeast Missouri. Throughout his childhood he was exposed to Christian- ity through sporadic church and youth group attendance. In 1996 Josh joined the Navy, and as a young man of 20 traveling around the world, made it his business to sample as much of it as possible. Before long, he felt the need for something more. One day Josh accepted an invitation to church from some fellows involved in a military ministry outreach. Through the Lord’s prompting, and love shown by his new friends, Josh discovered that Jesus was the only One that could fill the void in his life. He accepted Him as his Savior. “We are hard- Melody was raised in a home where both parents were believers, pressed on every so she was very familiar with the Christian scene. In the third grade she decided to ask Jesus Christ to save her from her sin. side, yet not Once away at college, there were times when Melody desperately crushed; we are struggled to lay aside her worldly desires for God’s desire. Because perplexed, but of those struggles, she has regrets. But those experiences helped her see how God’s grace can change lives. not in despair; After their marriage in October of 2002, Josh and Melody began persecuted, but preparing for a ministry in missions. Although there were many mission organizations to choose from, only one really resonated with not forsaken; them and met the criteria they had set. Number one, the focus need- struck down, but ed to be reaching the unreached people groups who had no access not destroyed.” to the Gospel. Secondly, they wanted to support Bible translation, church planting and discipleship. New Tribes Mission fit the bill. 2 Corinthians “After much prayer and searching, God opened the position of 4:8-9 Tech Specialist in Papua New Guinea as a ministry for us. We will serve missionaries working in a tribal context, solving their techni- cal problems so they can concentrate on planting a tribal church. This ministry fits our desires.” “Melody asked me once, ‘What inspired you to want to become a missionary?’ I told her, ‘I didn’t want to look back on my life realizing I wasted it chasing after worldly pleasures, but rather, I wanted to know I spent it focused on what was important to God.’ I can’t think of a more worthy cause than to be part of God’s dream for human- ity — helping those who live in spiritual darkness see the light of the Gospel.” ntm.org/josh_simmons 5 CONNECT

As if tribal ministry isn’t complicated enough … An important part of our NTM missionary training was learning about animism and how it affects the tribal peoples’ lives and complicates every aspect of a tribal church planting ministry. Animism is the belief that everything in the world, including people, plants, animals, objects and even dreams and ideas have a soul or spirit which “animates” them or makes them “conscious.” A tribal person believes that all these “souls” are “out to get him” and he must constantly either de- ceive or appease them with rituals handed down through many generations in order to secure his own well-being. So he lives in perpetual fear that his life, his health, his garden and his future are always photo by Dale Stroud hanging in the balance. Did the tree he just passed along the trail put a curse on him? How should he protect himself? Even with all this knowledge from our training, it’s still a huge shock to arrive and realize that it’s Look out below! really true — animism is a major part of their lives. You know you’re a bush But having been prepared, it is easier to deal with pilot when your fellow this sad reality — a reality that only the Gospel of missionaries contact you Jesus Christ can change. with the news that your — Chantal Pilon, Konyagi Tribe, West Africa next landing in their vil- Find out more about missionary training: lage might be a little ntm.org/magazine tricky. The tribal landlord had planted coconut trees on a third of the airstrip! Guess he didn’t want all that nicely cleared land to “When he prods me, I hear His go to waste. — Josh Dalton, Philippines voice and I have begun to obey.” Learn more about being a — Mario, Guanano tribe, Brazil missionary pilot: ntm.org/magazine

6 Dancing till You Drop The dance must be perfect. Everything de- pends on it. For days the Tepehu- ans prepare. They fast. WAUKESHA, WI They take ritual baths. CONNECT WITH… They hold their anger. Adam and Crystal Myers The Tepehuans of Children: Lily, Carl and Hannah Ministries: Adam- teacher; Crystal– childcare Mexico believe that if Sending Church: Silverton First Baptist Church, their god is pleased with Silverton, Oregon their all-night dance ritual, he will give them Crystal and Adam were raised in Christian rain and their crops will homes. For part of Adam’s childhood, his parents served with NTM, so his exposure to missions be- prosper. They believe he gan at an early age. “The Lord used the youth minis- will cleanse them from tries at Silverton First Baptist Church, our sending anger, sickness and pain. church, to kindle in both of us a love for Him, and a But if he is not pleased desire to see Him honored with our lives.” with the dance, they will While Crystal’s short-term trip to the Philippines in 2001 to assist a Worldventure church planter go hungry and get sick. was instrumental in her life and goals, the couple’s As evening falls on challenge to missions was less of a watershed-type the night of the ritual, of moment, and more a long and steady process of they begin the dance. seeing God’s heart for people throughout the Bible. Men, women and “As we began to date and think seriously about our future together in the summer of 2003, we were children skip and hop both already convinced that our part in the Body of around a large fire, seek- Christ would be serving the Lord in the context of ing their god’s favor. missions. We were engaged that fall, and married in One by one, exhausted the spring of 2004.” dancers fall to the dusty By the spring of 2007, the Lord had made it clear to them that the time had come to leave their home- ground. But as soon as town of Silverton and move more definitively toward they catch their breaths, missionary service. With the blessing of their home they join back in. church, they headed to New Tribes Bible Institute The dance has to in Jackson, Michigan. “Knowing that an overseas work. Dawn is coming. ministry would be unlikely for us because of our medical situation, we were looking for ways to aid in They must earn their tribal church planting while remaining here in the god’s favor. Their very USA. What a blessing to be able to serve those go- lives depend on it. ing to the uttermost parts by Adam helping to teach and disciple them in the Word of God.” Hear more stories like this: ntm.org/magazine ntm.org/adam_myers

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swimming hole — a series of under- Monkey Business ground caves that caught water during by Dena McMaster the rainy season and formed under- Sometimes the hindrances and ground pools. complications to missionary work can In spite of the trouble she caused we come in an unexpected package. were all sad to see Coco go. Not sad In this case it was a hairy little crea- enough, however, to take her home ture with long arms and a tail — a pet with us! monkey named Coco. We arrived at the caves and let Coco The monkey had been a source of out. She immediately took off for a contention for our team during her tree where several other monkeys entire life in captivity. She often es- were perched. They began chattering caped and wreaked havoc above us. to one another like long-lost friends. We would hear a noise on the roof It looked as though Coco had found a and Coco would peel back the tin and new home. chatter down at us. To me she always So we settled down to enjoy the fes- sounded triumphant. tivities and the food. We had carefully Sometimes she would even come saved a package of Girl Scout mint down into the living room and lead us cookies sent from home for several on a chase, throwing things at us as months just waiting for the right mo- she leaped from place to place. ment to enjoy them. Of course the roof would have to As I pulled them out and began to be repaired and eventually someone peel back the plastic, Coco swooped would manage to capture Coco and return her. Her owners were not immune to her attacks either. She would flit from place to place in their living room, tearing down curtains, throwing knick-knacks to the floor – all the while chattering happily, seemingly glad to have something ornery to do. Then the day came for Coco’s owners to leave for home assignment. They were going to release Coco into the wild and hope that she would reunite with her wild relatives. So we decided to have a good-bye party for them and Coco at our local photo by Dale Stroud

8 down from the tree, grabbed the cookies and took them up to distrib- ute them to her new friends. We sat speechless. Somehow Coco had managed to get away with yet PAPUA NEW GUINEA another evil deed. Our mouths were CONNECT WITH… watering for those cookies but we Leeanne Kirkpatrick watched helplessly as several monkeys Ministry: Church planter enjoyed our treat. Sharing this stolen Sending Church: Iron River Bible Church, Iron River, Michigan sweet seemed to cement Coco’s rela- tionship with her new friends. “I was 17 years old when I fully un- We were sad that Coco had re- derstood what Christ had done for me turned to the wild without even a on the Cross,” Leeanne wrote. “My glance back. I guess we thought she eagerness to spread the word of Jesus led me to volunteer for a mission trip might show a little remorse but she my church was planning in St. Vincent, just acted like a monkey. a small island in the Caribbean, to teach a week long Bible School. “It was miserably hot, humid and loud. We packed 300 kids into a small “Since I believed in Jesus’ church, and it seemed like the kids didn’t care about what we were teach- death and resurrection for ing them. However, the Lord was using me, I learned to read my us. We learned that around 30 kids had accepted Jesus’ blood as their payment own language, and now I for their sin. I had the honor of leading am able to read God’s Word sweet 8-year-old Chaze to his Savior, and I knew that I wanted to spend the every day! These words rest of my life telling people that the are very big and difficult to King of the universe came to Earth out of love to pay for their sin debt.” understand, but I pray ev- ntm.org/leeanne_kirkpatrick ery time before I read the Bible or prepare to teach a lesson and God opens my eyes so that I can ‘see’ the words and understand them. It is not my strength, but His, and I am so thankful that He has given me this work to do.” — Welsen, Tobo tribe, Papua New Guinea

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Keep Your Missionaries Gone! Tribal church planting in one word is hard. Precious tribal souls need the Gospel, but actually being able to do that work over the long-haul is difficult. Over time, missionaries can get discouraged, burned-out and sometimes come home much sooner than they really planned or wanted to. But here are some ways that you can help keep them gone. 1) Find a tribal missionary (or two or three) and connect up with them personally. Then stick to them like glue. Let that missionary know they are not alone and that you are rooting for them and for what God is doing through them in their tribal ministry. • Pray for them diligently • Give to them financially • Send care packages regularly • Email notes of encouragement • Visit them whenever you can — take a group of young people from your church and work with the tribal missionaries, seeing life through their eyes 2) Find a support missionary (or two or three) and do the same for them! They are one of the biggest assets in keeping tribal missionaries gone. Support missionaries teach the tribal missionaries’ children, fly the planes and helicop- ters, buy their supplies, fix their computers, make sure they get their financial donations on time, keep their taxes and insurance straight, and even write stories for this magazine so that people can stay informed. Without the substantial manpower support from their fellow missionaries, tribal missionaries must leave their remote locations and come home. If you believe tribal souls are worth it, help keep both tribal and support missionaries gone! Find a missionary: ntm.org/magazine

Asian Artichoke Dip Mix together and place in a shallow 1/4 c. sour cream baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 c. mayonnaise 15-20 minutes or until set. Use celery, 1 c. grated parmesan cheese crackers or pita/tortilla chips to dip. 4 oz. can chopped green chilies NTM missionary Kristie Harris 2-3 cloves minced garlic snagged this delicious recipe from a 14.5 oz. can plain artichokes (in sweet Asian lady and has been making it water – drained and chopped) ever since. Enjoy!

10 Um … is this a trick question? Still living in the city while learning the national language, Jake Ketchum ran into their little corner ASIA PACIFIC

store to get his daughter’s CONNECT WITH… favorite for dinner – Josh and Bethany Weeks ramen noodles. He met a Children: Nicole neighbor there and began Ministry: Church planting chatting. The missionary Sending church: Grace Baptist Church, Eureka, always tries to speak as California much of the language as he Bethany and Josh grew up together at Grace Baptist can, and if he gets stuck, Church in Eureka, California. Josh’s family had been go- people usually try to help ing to the church since before he was born and Bethany’s him out with whatever family moved there when she was 8 years old. Both were English they know to saved at a young age and became good friends, doing a keep the conversation lot of youth activities together. Bethany felt the call to moving. So after speaking missions while she was quite young. the national language “However I really began living for myself later in high for a while, his neighbor school and as I started college I was focused on getting suddenly asked him in a good career and making a lot of money. But the Lord convicted me and showed me that serving him and minis- English, “Do you like tering to other people were the most important things in me?” The question caught life and that he would take care of my physical needs as Jake off-guard. None of I trusted him. I began serving in our church and felt the the people had ever asked Lord calling me to full-time ministry,” Josh wrote. him that before. Would In 2005 Josh went to live with his uncle in the Asia Pa- his answer have cultural cific to get a better understanding of missions. While he implications that he wasn’t was there, he was struck with the reality that there were aware of? His neighbor many people who not only had never heard the Gospel, must have noticed the but never would unless someone came and taught them awkward silence because in their language. His heart was so burdened for these people groups that he began to ask himself before the he pointed to the noodles Lord, “What would keep me from going?” He concluded in the missionary’s that he had no excuses and would commit to going back hand. That’s when Jake someday. remembered that the word “I started at New Tribes Bible institute in the fall of for noodle in that language 2005 and began courting Bethany over Christmas break. is mie and is pronounced Bethany started at New Tribes Bible Institute the next like the English word fall. We were married and after graduating we moved to me. He was asking if Jake Missouri and continued our training at the Missionary liked the noodles. The Training Center.” missionary was thankful “In September 2009 our daughter Nicole was born. The Lord has given us an excitement to get back to the he hadn’t made a fool of Asia Pacific region and begin church planting among an himself by answering, unreached tribal group. Your prayers as we embark on “Yes, I do like you — as a this journey are greatly appreciated.” friend.” ntm.org/josh_weeks 11 CONNECT

I’m listening to lesson 69 again! A solar-powered media player, about the size of an iPod, has become a very important tool in tribal ministries in the last few years. After teaching the Bible lessons, missionaries record them on the players and the tribal people can listen to them over again as much as they want to. Missionary Phil Henderson found his translation helper, Sherife, listening to a player when he came by to visit one afternoon. “I am listening to Lesson 69,” Sherife said. “It is about the death of Jesus. I always listen to this lesson. It is my favorite. I listen to it because it reminds me of the mercy that God showed us. If it wasn’t for Jesus dying on the cross none of us would have any hope of being saved. There is no other way. If it wasn’t for Jesus’ death we would be in big trouble.” — Phil and Elin Henderson, Mozambique You can teach Firm Foundations lessons too. Get your teachers guide at: ntmbooks.com

Slippery Little Devils Lea Betts and her husband are learning the culture and language of the Karen people of Thailand. Since it was corn harvest time, Lea asked her “He also brought me up out of tribal friend, Joe, how his harvest was going. a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, “Oh, I’m not harvesting corn,” he and set my feet upon a rock, told her, “I’m grabbing eels.” Eels? She must have misunder- and established my steps. He has stood him. “But I thought you said you put a new song in my mouth.” were for sure going to harvest your corn starting this week,” Lea said. Psalm 40:2-3a “Well,” Joe admitted with a smile, “We are harvesting our corn. But it is so wet and slippery it’s like grabbing eels.” She should have known that Joe was always joking around.

12 praise *The Kuna people of Panama recently re- ceived Psalms, Prov- erbs and Exodus in their own language. This year, the entire Bible, Old and New Testa- ments, is expected to be PHILIPPINES completed in the Kuna CONNECT WITH… language. Now more Chris and Heather Sawdon Kuna people need to Children: Sierra and Joseph learn to read. Get infor- Ministry: Teachers mation on how you can Sending Churches: First Bap- help fund a literacy pro- tist Church, Fowlerville, Michi- gram among the Kunas, gan; Gibbsville Reformed Church, or how you can get daily Gibbsville, Wisconsin or weekly prayer up- dates from New Tribes “The Lord has been good to us and Mission: we can clearly see His hand in our ntm.org/magazine lives.” 8 Heather is from California and Wisconsin. She trusted Jesus as Savior at a Campus Life event. She felt called to missions while at Taylor University. After teaching in CA, Heather taught MKs in the Philippines for 4 years. Chris is from Michigan and accepted Please tell me Christ through AWANA. As a business owner, he never thought of missions I didn’t say that! as a possibility. It wasn’t until his late Kim Lockwood thought she knew twenties, after attending a mission conference, that Chris considered the Pal tribal word for “rolling.” So foreign missions. Leaving his home when her son was playing and rolling and career, he went to teach English in down a hill in Papua New Guinea, she Korea. He also went to the Philippines kept pointing and saying the phrase where he met Heather. for “rolling” over and over. Unfortu- They were soon married and returned to the Philippines in 2006. They nately, because of a misunderstanding served as associates for four years involving a dung beetle, she found at the NTM Guest Home and at Faith out later she was actually repeating to Academy-Mindanao. Their two children everyone, “I just had a bowel move- were born there. ment.” Lord willing they plan on returning to Faith Academy-Mindanao in January Find out how you can learn another 2012. language as a missionary: ntm.org/chris_sawdon ntm.org/magazine

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Squeezing each other’s hands, they Freedom knew that what they were singing about was true. It was real. Noth- Song ing else mattered except that God by Debbie Burgett, contibuting editor was bigger and more powerful than Barefoot and trembling, Mahli and anything. He could help them even her two friends stood shoulder to when … things were so hard. And He shoulder, almost holding each other could change things too … someday. up, as they faced the new tribal believ- Mahli’s thoughts flashed back to ers seated cross-legged before them. a young tribal girl being beaten and Mahli’s thoughts raced like one of forced into a canoe by her uncles to their escaping pigs. go marry someone she didn’t want to. Why are we up here? Are we crazy? In their Papua New Guinea culture, We can’t sing! girls didn’t have a choice in who they She tried hard to swallow the dust married. Male relatives made that in her mouth as everyone quieted decision — for the good of the family down. line. Fighting was not only useless, What possessed us to do this? but dangerous. The struggling girl Then she remembered why. The had gotten her hand smashed with Great Creator God. They were going the back of a bush knife as she tried to sing their song to Him — a song to grab on to a tree near the river’s they had written together one after- edge. But she didn’t have a choice. noon as they laid on their bellies by Mahli and her friends wouldn’t have the river. His death had set them free. a choice. But they did have a choice They couldn’t keep the words inside right now today. They would sing to any longer. the One who gave up everything for Clasping hands, the three young them. girls slowly began to sing. But it was Mahli searched out her own family more like a heartfelt whisper. seated among the new believers — and Thank you, Great Creator choked slightly as she saw them. She For all You have done had already noticed changes. God You took away our darkness could be trusted. He would take care And proved the spirits wrong … of all of them — and the culture they Their soft, timid voices grew in came from. strength with every word. Thank you, Great Creator You are the One true God For all you have done … You sent the blood-giver Mahli’s eyes smiled as she sang. Thank you, Great Creator No matter who she married, she was We are now free forever! already free.

14 Will wonders never cease? Bill and Kelley Housley had been praying for Amos’ wife for a long time. So when they returned to the remote Inapang village in Papua New Guinea after home assignment, they were thrilled to hear that she had been baptized. “Oh, I wish I had been here to see that.” Kelley said wistfully. But that wasn’t the only amazing change that had happened while they were gone. A tribal man now whipped out his cell phone and said, “You can see it. I took a video with my phone!”

See videos and pictures from around the world: ntm.org/magazine

Living in A World of Walls A new neighbor, Arlindo, just moved in across the street from missionaries Duane and Nadine Howe, who serve in Cruzeiro do Sul, West photo by Dale Stroud Brazil, at the mission center. And sure enough, the first thing going up is a big wall. Brazilians believe in tall praise brick walls for security and privacy. *In December, a group But it soon became obvious that the of Bulongish people in wealthy Arlindo believes in even Guinea heard the final taller walls! Firm Foundations Bible “What really amazes me … and still lesson and learned in does … are the walls,” said Duane. “I their own language about the death, burial have been teaching in several differ- and resurrection of ent locations from Psalm 139 … one Christ. Several placed of the statements that David makes is their faith in the fin- that ‘You have hedged me behind and ished work of Christ before, and laid Your hand upon me’ on the Cross. Find out how you can pray daily (v. 5). In the Portuguese translation it or weekly for the work says, ‘You wall me in.’ I like that,” he God is going among said. tribal people around the Living in a world of walls, Duane world, or learn how you knows where his real protection can buy Firm Founda- tions Bible lessons you comes from. He hopes to share that can teach: news with Arlindo someday soon. ntm.org/magazine 8 15 THE MESSY WORK OF PLANTING A CHURCH

Coming Through the Mud by Debbie Burgett, contributing editor

The rain kept pounding, and the pools of mud kept spreading. It was supposed to be the dry season, yet it was worse than most rainy seasons. Still the stream of Tobo people kept coming — slogging through the thick sludge — to hear the Bible teaching. But the literal mud they were now wading through was nothing com- pared to the spiritual mud they would What was the truth? Some Tobos also have to wrestle with as they lis- had become so confused searching tened to the NTM missionaries pres- for it, they had given up all together ent the Bible. The Tobo people had and had decided to live however they followed several other religions and pleased. cults over the years. And jumbled up But at long last, hope was on the with centuries of animistic beliefs, it way. was now all blending together — like After living with the Tobo people too many colors — into an ugly brown. for four years in order to fully under-

16 photo by Chad Mankins stand their language and their lives untangle the Tobos’ long-held miscon- and the massive knot their beliefs ceptions — and clear the path to belief. had become, NTM missionaries now The messy, yet memorable journey invited the people to come and learn had begun. the truth about the Sovereign One Three hundred pairs of mud-caked and His book called the Bible. The feet squeezed into or around the goal was to plainly lay out the truths clearing at the center of the Tobo of Scripture from Creation to Christ village. They sat on banana leaves, and allow its strength and power to hardwood plank pieces or long,

17 rough-hewn firewood logs — anything people can tell us different things,” to keep them off the soupy ground. Jason assured the anxious people as Scarfs, towels or umbrellas shielded the three men sat down. “If this inci- them from the relentless sun above. dent had really happened, how would The Tobo people chatted as they wait- we know which story was true and ed for the teaching to begin. Mission- correct? Each person may or may not ary Jason Knapp stood in the middle, have told us the truth based on what along with any pigs, dogs, chickens or they saw or thought they saw.” toddlers that happened to wander by, The missionary then went on to ex- and began his introduction. plain that people cannot be trusted to Suddenly, three men came running deliver oral messages. Being human, into the circle out of breath. we’ll forget parts, add parts or leave “There’s been an accident down by parts out. the river!” the first one shouted. “A Now a long line of people joined Ja- man stumbled and fell off the cliff!” son and his co-worker Chad Mankins “I saw him jump on purpose!” ex- at the center of the clearing. Chad claimed the second one. whispered an important message into “I saw someone push him!” yelled the first man’s ear. the third. “God’s Word was written down by “This is just an example of how more than 40 different men called photo by Chad Mankins

18 The tribal people weren’t laughing anymore. All their beliefs were based on oral stories. photo by Jason Williamson Eski, a recent believer prophets from a land called Israel. God spoke and they wrote it down carefully so that His message through all time would never be lost or mixed up.” Of course, when the message was whispered person to person down the line and the last man spoke what he heard, the Tobo people enjoyed a good laugh. The end message had become

so ridiculous, it was not anything like photo by Aaron Jex the original. “So how do we know that the oral stories our ancestors have passed down to us are really true?” Jason pointed out. “Perhaps the messages have gotten all mixed up.” The tribal people weren’t laughing Jason teaching anymore. All their beliefs were based on oral stories. Now they were introduced to the ever-existent Sovereign One who had an important message for all the people of the world, including the Tobo people. He alone knew the whole

19 truth of mankind’s story and could be trusted to tell it correctly. But He hadn’t left His important message to oral chance. He had it carefully written down so it would remain true and unchanged forever. Now they were hearing that message for themselves. “In the beginning God …” Immediately, mud began to rise in Tobo minds. What? The Sovereign One meant His The more they listened, message for all people? So the white the more surprised they became. men have been keeping it from us! I This God was unlike any they knew it! That’s why we don’t have all had ever heard about before. the secret riches like they do! These missionaries can’t be trusted! But I’ll He alone was all-knowing, listen anyway to learn the secret too. all-powerful and all-present But the more they listened, the more everywhere at the same time. surprised they became. This God was unlike any they had ever heard about photo by Janeene Mankins Janeene by photo Chad shares a lesson

20 before. He alone was all-knowing, all- But the Tobo people were surprised powerful and all-present everywhere again when they learned that the Sov- at the same time. ereign One lovingly placed the man What? He alone? But isn’t He just and his wife in a beautiful garden like Satan? Don’t they both do these and provided everything they needed things? We don’t even know who will not only for their survival, but also win the battle yet — He or Satan! for their enjoyment. And even more “… created the heavens and the amazing, that He wanted to have a re- earth.” lationship with them and came to the Yes, we’ve heard this before. He cre- garden to walk and talk with them in ated everything. So what? Different the evenings. spirits do different things. Some are Do the white men have two Gods? dead ancestors that come back as fire- This is not the same angry, punitive flies and crickets. If we don’t treat them God our forefathers heard about. He right, they curse us at night and that’s has many, many rules that are needed why we die. Others are bush spirits that to appease Him or else you go to the try to trick or kill us when we travel. place of fire. But this God sounds kind And this creator spirit of the air needs and loving. Does He have the secret of to be appeased the right way or He will the riches? hurt us too. We must listen carefully to “… took of its fruit and ate ...” know what to do. What? The first sin was not that they But even muddled confusion took the forbidden “ fruit” and slept couldn’t lessen the impact of the Cre- together? They disobeyed God and ate ation story. real fruit? The Tobo people sat in awe as pic- “The Lord God sent him out of the tures of tigers, lions, elephants and garden …” other animals were passed around for The tribal people could relate to this them to look at. Even the beauty and painful reality. Just like Adam and intricacy of their own jungle ferns and Eve now had to work hard for their flowers surprised them. food, the Tobo people did too. And We didn’t know Sovereign One was they didn’t have the benefit of electri- this powerful! We never even thought cal, digital or climate-controlled con- about these things before! veniences to help insulate them from “And the Lord God formed man the effects of the curse. They experi- from the dust of the ground …” enced its full impact every day. Yes, that’s how He made white That’s why we need to learn the se- people. They come from Adam and his cret of the white men’s treasures! This son, Abel. We come from Cain. Abel work is killing us! offered a good sacrifice and got the But other Tobos cried as they real- riches, but Cain, our stupid ancestor, ized they were sinners too and that offered a bad sacrifice and that’s why there was no way to get back to the we don’t have the riches. tree of life.

21 “There has to be another way,” they said to the missionaries, “or we will all die and go to the lake of fire.” And there was a way. Story after story throughout the rest of the Old Testament, the Tobo people learned how the Sovereign One always provided a way — for those who would choose it. Others went their own way and suffered for it. With Cain and Abel, God provided a standard for offering sacrifices. Cain chose differently.

With Noah, God provided a boat photo by Jason Williamson for escaping the flood. Only a few got Daisa, a Tobo believer in. With the Tower of Babel, God provided a plan for repopulating. Not everyone agreed. With Sodom and Gomorrah, God provided a warning of pending de- struction. Only Lot’s family listened. This particular lesson struck an unexpected chord with the Tobo people. Sodom sounds just like us. Our men don’t sleep with men, but we sleep with women that aren’t ours. And we do much more than that. We do whatever we want. What will happen to us? The unsettling pattern was clear. The all-knowing, all-powerful, ever- present, kind, loving and just Creator of the universe asked something of His creation. Come to Him on His terms — or be willing to take the con- sequences. And it was about to get much worse — with Moses. Silence followed the lesson on the giving of the Law. Even the pigs, dogs, chickens and babies seemed to forget to make noise. This was a topic that photo by Chad Mankins

22 photo by Chad Mankins

had always haunted the Tobo people. bring back the riches that our foolish They looked down, ashamed, scared. ancestors lost for us! Treasures will Some cried. spew from the mountain and we won’t We’ve been told our whole lives to have to work anymore! When will He keep the Law or be doomed to Hell. come? And we have tried over and over to fol- As the journey through the Bible low it. But we keep failing! What can progressed and now transitioned to we do? We have to please this God of the New Testament, the answer was yours so He’ll give us the riches too! coming. But it wouldn’t be a welcome Again, the answer was one. clear — God’s way. The Tobos learned Over the course of the teaching, the that the Law was doing exactly the missionaries had told the Tobo people work in their hearts that the Sovereign over and over that they had not come One intended — it was showing them to help them find the “secret riches” their sin and their complete inability that they were always waiting for. to follow it. However, God had even They had explained that the promised provided for this problem too. He in- Deliverer’s mission to the world was stituted animal sacrifices to provide a to deliver people from sin and Satan’s temporary covering for the Israelites’ power, not from a life of hard, physi- sin — promising someday to send a cal labor. They had stressed that eter- future Deliverer to solve the problem nal life did not equal material wealth permanently. here on earth. This must be the secret! The Deliv- And that message was about to be erer will solve all our problems! He will highlighted even more — with the

23 same results as in Jesus’ day. With the feeding of the 5,000, the Tobo people saw that the ultimate purpose in Jesus coming to earth was not to feed people’s bellies or to give them any other material thing. In fact, as with the Rich Young Ruler, He often asked for quite the opposite. What Jesus was offering was the riches of Himself. He was offering the answer to the sin problem and the only “bread” they would ever need. Would the Tobo people receive His spiritual provision or keep trying to find their own? For some Tobos, this particular lesson clarified their decision to keep coming to the teaching. Somehow, they knew that more was at stake here than just physical comfort. For others, photos by Chad Mankins

24 Janeene Mankins, center

From the beginning of Creation, the message had been clear. The Sovereign One always provided a way. Now, the Tobo people learned of His ultimate provision to the world: Jesus Christ hearing this unwelcome news once served. It was too hard to give up the more greatly angered them and they possibility that it might be true. stopped coming altogether. Still oth- But then the day came when every- ers wanted to “ride the fence,” hoping one did have to choose. to believe both ways — just in case. Seventy-five pairs of mud-encrusted They would come to the Bible teaching feet — many more than expect- and then leave immediately afterward ed — showed up in the clearing for the to change into their traditional bark conclusion of the story. loin cloths and grass skirts (necessary “For God so loved the world …” for the “magic” to work) and then par- From the beginning of Creation, ticipate in the rituals and traditions so the message had been clear. The Sov- the riches would come. ereign One always provided a way. They had spent their whole lives Now, the Tobo people learned of His constantly preparing and waiting and ultimate provision to the world: Jesus hoping for all the secret, wonderful, Christ, the One who had healed the magical treasures of the white man to sick, raised the dead, and calmed suddenly burst upon them and give the sea, became the substitute Lamb them the life of ease they so desper- when He died on the cross. He was ately longed for. Riches were the god the promised Deliverer. But unlike they craved. Riches were the god they the animal sacrifices, which could

25 cover sin only temporarily, His blood cleansed mankind once and for all. The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, took care of the sin problem forever. Now the question was: Would the Tobo people accept their Deliverer or continue their own way? After the lesson, a cluster of excited people surrounded the missionaries, pelting them with questions. After talking with the people and answering questions, it was evident that several understood and believed that Jesus, the promised Deliverer, had paid for their sins with His blood. The three-month chronological journey through the Bible had accom- plished its purpose — and cleared the path to belief. A muddy little band of Tobo people were now white as snow. And they were grateful. “Thank you, Yesu!” the people cried.

That was five years ago. And while the celebrating was very real for some, it was not for others. When the newness wore off and the riches never came, when fears escalated that the spirits were angry and would never send the treasures, when immense social pressure mounted to return to centuries-old culture is structured the old ancestral ways, when threat- on the concept that the group is right ened with eviction from their homes, and the individual is wrong. So to be- families and marriages if they didn’t lieve or act independently is not only return, and when jeers, insults and considered extremely disloyal and the persecution from both inside and out- worst kind of pride and presumption, side the village became too demoraliz- it also leaves the entire culture, its his- ing, the little band shrank even more. tory and leadership open to doubt. So Tribal church planting is messy. the group acts quickly to stamp out It’s messy for tribal people whose differences at all costs.

26 A muddy little band of Tobo people were now white as snow.

photo by Chad Mankins

It’s also messy for missionaries who have given up everything to bring the light of the Gospel to tribal people, only to have them choose or be coerced to stay in their darkness. Imagine rushing out on the edge of the remotest quicksand, thrusting out your hand in urgency to offer the lifeline of truth, love and friend- ship — then watching in horror as a

27 fearful, resistant people, clutching and roasts sweet potatoes over the open clawing desperately at their old be- fire. Little kids play soccer on the liefs, ignore your hand, and are sucked grass nearby. Dogs bark. Babies cry. down into a Christ-less eternity. Yes, When the sweet potatoes are done, it’s messy. Yet, the missionaries stay they are peeled and sliced and passed for as long as they can bear it. Because around with some water. And togeth- sometimes, a hand will shoot out of er, eight Tobo believers in Papua New that cultural quicksand and reach Guinea remember the death, burial back — and they want to be there to and resurrection of Jesus Christ. grab it. Was it worth all the time and ef- Eight Tobo hands reached back. fort when the end result was so Now the tiny church meets around small — and guarantees a huge a fire to sing songs and listen to teach- messy job to raise it to maturity? Ask ing from Ephesians. One lady slowly any parent cradling their newborn photo by Aaron Jex

Welson teaching

28 photo by Jason Williamson Ambox teaching in the village of Dabiliu.

photo by Chad Mankins

baby — or missionary sharing tribal And together, communion around a flickering fire. They would do all the labor again in a eight Tobo believers heartbeat. in Papua New Guinea Though slow and wobbly, the Tobo church is stepping its way toward remember the death, maturity. Sometimes, the growth and burial and resurrection progress comes from a totally unexpected direction. of Jesus Christ. Last year, two believing men joined in an effort to extend a hand to others. Welsin and Ambox accompanied missionary Jason Williamson to help teach in a neighboring village 30 minutes away. Jason’s good friend and language helper, Unex, asked that they come teach his family and

29 Pray for the Eight! Eight believers make up the core of the Tobo church. A larger group meets together on Sundays, but this smaller group is genuinely seeking to learn, grow and reach out to others. Please pray for them diligently as the missionaries disciple them separately through the book of Ephesians. Welsin is a gifted and charismatic teacher. He was a bit of an outcast before his salvation but has since shown godly wisdom and people have noticed the change in his life. Jenele is Welsin’s wife. We are praying that she will grasp Truth more and more and begin to apply it. Ambox is a quiet man but has shown discernment with the Scriptures and is able to clearly This time, he wanted communicate with others on what they mean. to hear the whole thing He is an example of separating himselfThis from time, the other religious meetings in thehe area. wanted to hear from start to finish. Nailen is Ambox’s wife. She is a soft-spoken woman with the desire to supportthe her whole husband thing and train their three childrenfrom in astart godly toway. finish. She has a sensitive heart and wants to follow the Lord. Daisa has made bold steps of faith to turn against her religious background and become an example that salvation is by faith alone. She

is always speaking up about what God is teach- photo by Aaron Jex ing her and exhorting and encouraging others in the body. Rindum is a very knowledgeable woman who is clear in her understanding of the Scriptures and is thankful to have God’s Word in her language. Unex is a new believer who has taken a stand against the other religious practices because of his firm belief in being saved by grace through faith alone. He has shown discernment by seeing what is written in God’s Word and evaluating those around him and how they live. Eski is Unex’s wife. She is also a new believer Unex who has given a clear testimony about her faith in Christ. She has stood on God’s strength when her garden hasn’t grown and when she has been short on necessities, trusting God to provide. 30 photo by Jason Williamson Five of eight Tobo believers: Welson, Jenele, Daisa, Nailen, Ambox.

another family in their village. Unex time in my life, has become clear in had heard parts and pieces of the Bible my insides and I’m understanding message and was left confused. This it. Before, other religions and people time, he wanted to hear the whole would say this and that and I couldn’t thing from start to finish. understand it and didn’t know who to But when Welsin’s wife became ill, believe. But this teaching is clear and Ambox had to do even more of the I’m happy to come and sit and be a teaching. The quiet, unassuming man learner of this big true talk.” calmly took it in stride and proved Unex and his wife, Eski, reached himself a very capable teacher. His out for the lifeline and left the mire of profound and insightful statements their old beliefs behind. surprised everyone. The sweet echo of long ago can still After one of the lessons, while be heard as the muddy little Tobo other people were asking questions, church marches on. Unex said, “I don’t have any questions “Thank you, Yesu!” for you because this talk, for the first

31 It’s like giving your husband a power tool … but safer.

A charitable gift annuity is a gift that you benefit from as well. Like any other gift you give to New Tribes Mission, a gift annuity provides tax benefits. With a charitable gift annuity you receive a fixed payment to one or two people for life. And then the remaining funds are used to support church planting efforts among the world’s unreached tribal people. To receive more information about gift annuities, or inquire about other ways you can invest in the work God is doing among tribal people, please contact: Stewardship Development Office ntm.org/give | [email protected] | 800-813-1566