NTM@work your connection with tribal missions NEW TRIBES MISSIONNEW TRIBES

where we go why we go and how page 16 NTM@work contents (ISSN 1527-9057) Here to serve you NTM@work connects you with tribal @ NTMyour connection with worktribal missions missions and provides opportunities for increased involvement in taking the to ethnic groups who have yet to hear about .

Vol.67 · No.3 · February 2009

NTM@work team

Executive Editor: Macon Hare NEW TRIBES MISSION David Bell, Debbie Burgett, Rex WHERE WE GO AND WHY Crawford, Ian Fallis, Jackie Fallis, Jon Dear Reader, With 6,500 people groups in the world, Frazier, Patrick Hatcher, Chris Holland, Brian Johnson, Christina Johnson, Change is scary. how do you figure out which ones and Dena McMaster There, I said it. You may have already noticed that your copy of NTM@work to minister in? It doesn’t help a lot to looks a little different from past issues. We’ve made some changes to give decide 2,500 still need to be reached. NTM@work is published quarterly by you more opportunities to get involved in tribal missions, and I’d like to tell you That’s still a lot more than NTM has New Tribes Mission. Periodical postage paid at about that process. 16 missionaries to reach. Which people MID-FL, FL 32799-9625 We talked with readers over the past year and received a lot of feedback groups will hear? And why? Postmaster Please send address about the magazine. changes to NTM@work, New Tribes Mission, 1000 E. First Street, Sanford, We heard things like “keep the content fresh but shorter,” “maintain the focus 3 letter from the editor FL 32771-1487 on tribal missions,” “consider some different approaches,” and even “don’t do anything different.” 4 connect Subscriptions Our team of writers, editors and designers took all those ideas and consid- NTM@work is provided free to ered how each of them could better connect you with tribal missions. 14 go deeper readers in North America on a year-to-year basis. To receive the What has resulted is the February issue in your hand. It comes with a new 16 Where We Go and Why magazine or have it sent to a friend, look and some updated features. sign up online at ntm.org/subscribe, For example, some articles have bonus content in the online version of the e-mail [email protected], or call magazine. You can experience videos, audio files, pictures, and additional 24 Square 1 407-323-3430. stories on the web. Just type www.ntm.org/magazine to see this issue right 28 Get Ready to Go The magazine may be read online at now. Pretty cool. ntm.org/magazine. The Connect section gives you plenty of opportunities to tune in to tribal missions through prayer, humor, tribal quotes, and even recipes that you may Requests to reprint articles should (or may not) want to try. be directed to Executive Editor Macon Hare at [email protected] There are a few other changes in the magazine, and I encourage you to give or call 407-323-3430. us your feedback. Tell us what you like, and even (gulp) what you don’t like. Contents of this magazine may not be Thanks for reading, online ntm.org/magazine reproduced in whole or in part unless expressly authorized in writing. < Watch video from the missionary team working among the Phu Thai people NTM worldwide USA 407-323-3430 Canada 519-369-2622 Macon G. Hare < See a photo gallery of the Phu Thais Australia 011-61-2-6559-8646 Executive Editor Europe 011-44-1472-387700 < Find news articles about other tribes and the NTM missionaries who are looking into serving them

3 [ connect] Laura Aijian New Missionary Vocabulary Word: Matu was frustrated at the pounding rain. k’nicy : this word is chanted by children If it didn’t stop, they couldn’t meet tomorrow to learn after having their picture taken with a digital more about God. He wondered if he should use his camera. \From Ace and Ang Glidewell\ old magic again. Papua New Before becoming a believer, Matu was the local INDONESIA HELICOPTER FUND connectwith… “God, thank “rainmaker” for his Bagwido village. It was his job Jagged mountains and Ministry: Hospitality/Food you that you to make the rain come or go away. Shouldn’t he try swampy valleys have helped Services give me the isolate tribal people in Sending churches: Calvary to help now? opportunity Indonesia from the Gospel. Chapel Santa Barbara, Santa Then Matu remembered the truth. Magic was not to walk on Helicopters can jump those Barbara, California the answer anymore. gaps and help missionar- the right trail Looking up into the black clouds that night, he with Jesus. ies live among and serve I became a Christian when I prayed, “Oh, God, our Great Creator Being. You are I am tired unreached men and women. was 5 years old. I grew up in of life just the one who made the rain and the clouds and the But helicopters are expen- a Christian home with strong going by thunder and the lightening. So, please, God, I am sive to operate. By funding examples of faith both on and without any asking in the name of Your Son Jesus, to give us a helicopter flights, you enable off the mission field. In Junior meaning.” dry day tomorrow.” tribal people who live in high school I fully realized what — Manuel, The morning in dawned remote, rugged locations to Missionary aircraft and pilots are key to it meant to be a Christian and re- Tarahumara bright and clear. Matu smiled. The true Rainmaker experience the abundant life overcoming the isolation that separates committed my life. The message that Jesus came to give. tribal people from the Gospel. tribe, had answered. of the Gospel spoke to me and I Every $280 funds one fully felt the depth of what life is hour of flight time; $8,400 is without Christ. I began to bear needed each month. fruit as I got deeper into the Find out more: unique Scriptures and began to develop ntm.org/magazine 8 languages more mature relationships, in the world. which lead to high account- 6,500 ability and growth. I became of them are in more involved in ministry, which helped me stay committed to Sympathy Papua New Guinea. 863 the body of believers and active is no substitute for action. in sharing my faith. —David Livingstone, missionary to Africa When I was young I would listen to my grandparents speak WHAT A DIFFERENCE A VOWEL MAKES about their missions experience NTM founder Paul Fleming 70 years ago Tohotong = right, correct and long for that calling. As I grew in spiritual maturity and visiting the people of Malaysia Tohotung = porcupine faith I felt that call become real This may not mean much to you, but I was sobered in my life. I majored in intercul- by the realization that I am just one wrong vowel tural studies in college. For the DORINACHOS away from saying “Are my words a porcupine or not?” last eight years I have felt the When you get a craving for a snack here in Chihuahua, you simply visit your instead of “Are my words correct or not?” You know Spirit’s leading in missions, but friendly neighborhood street vender and buy some Dorinachos. The vender takes you’re learning a language when you lie awake at night for the first five of them it was in an individual serving size bag of Doritos and cuts open the top or side, making worrying about the substitution of a “u” for an “o” and a more short-term missions role. a convenient pouch. Next, he pours in nacho cheese sauce, corn and crema (a the possible lifelong implications of being known as I have had the opportunity to type of mild sour cream). Finally, you add Jalapeno peppers to taste, and viola, the foreigner whose words were a porcupine. see missionaries on the field in you’ve got Dorinachos — the best instant nachos you could ever get — all in a — Jennifer Searcy, Indonesia multiple countries and my pas- convenient, easy-to-carry package. — From David and Sherri Pryor, Mexico sion for seeing God glorified in this work has grown immensely.

ntm.org/laura_aijian 4 [ connect] Aaron & Amy Speitelsbach Sharing corn on the cob...it’s all in your prespective We want to hear this Creator’s Talk. We want it so much that we are Situation: We are hanging around outside and it’s market day. A tribal kid offers waiting for the time that you, along some of her half-eaten corn on the cob to my 3-year-old daughter and she takes it and “with the teachers, will bring it begins to finish the corn, thankful that her friend has shared. to us. When the time comes that you The friendly tribal kid’s thoughts: “I like you and you’re my friend, so I will give you are ready to tell us of the Creator’s the rest of my corn” message just send us word and we My 3-year-old daughter’s thoughts: “Yippee, corn on the cob! My favorite! Do you

will come. We will gather everybody connectwith… have any more?” Ivory from our area. We will all hike the Coast My thoughts: “I better run inside and make sure I have the right antibiotics for every Ministry: Church planting trails all the way down to where you possible sickness and that she is up-to-date on immunizations!” among the Glaro people are and we will live in your area for as Sending church: Grace — From Jason and Nisae Williamson, Papua New Guinea, Tobo tribe long as two moons [months]. We will Baptist Church, Dickson, do this all just so that we can hear the Tennessee Creator’s message. If you would rather hike to our territory and tell us in Amy’s desire to go into mis- Fighting Infanticide our own houses, we will wait for you sions began when she was Infanticide is something that the community here. When you come we will provide young as a result of her home and the church are fighting against. In their DID YOU KNOW... there are more than everything you need, including food, church being very missions- culture it isn’t really a baby until someone 100 teaching opportunites so that you can live among us. We focused. But it wasn’t till she picks it up. The babies are born onto banana in NTM schools around the world? leaves and as soon as someone picks the will provide for you so that you can was in Bible college taking a FIND OUT MORE: newborn up they will keep it, but if they don’t stay and we can finally hear this missions class that she heard 8 ntm.org/magazine big message. We want to hear this want it they will allow it to die with no feelings about unreached people of sadness or remorse. message and we even now wait for the groups and became con- — From Mike and Diane Hartman, day you can teach it to us. Yanomami tribe, vinced that she too should be — Ekapitaa, unreached tribe, Indonesia a part of taking the Gospel ” to them. While training with NTM she met her husband- “The gospel is only good news to-be, Aaron. He became LANGUAGE LEARNING if it gets there in time.” interested in missions by When John and Maria Van Wormer were learning — Carl F. H. Henry hearing the need for mission- Spanish in preparation for their ministry in Mexico, the aries while in Bible college in whole family left amused smiles wherever they went. Switzerland. John told friends that their family ate dust for Thanks- giving instead of turkey (polvo instead of pavo). ntm.org/aaron_speitelsbach Maria kept getting the words for leaf, eye and garlic mixed-up (oja, ojo, ajo). She told people her soup recipes included leaves or eyes when she meant to say garlic. And when one daughter was asked if she wanted an apple, their other little daughter chimed in, “Yo dos!” “We don’t need more on the mission field; we need more Christians (Me two!). on the mission field living the Bible.” — Edwina Patterson from “Redeeming the Time.”

ntm.org/GO

6 7 [ connect] Tom & Beth Carlton he aged missionary Venture into the heart of missions EDUCATION stood before the large T with Wayumi—a five-day in-depth missions Tribal people benefit when missionar- crowd holding aloft a book ies are able to rely on quality schools that said “Holy Bible.” course in central Pennsylvania. Explore the replica tribal village. Interact with “tribal people.” Discover for their children. “My friends,” he said, “I Cambodia School Renovation want to show you the Bible what tribal church planting takes. Learn from expe- connectwith… Missionaries are usually most effective in more than 2,500 languag- rienced missionaries. Enjoy fun and fellowship with Ministry: Church Planting Sending churches: Grace in helping tribal men and women dis- “I realize now es. It’s all in this book.” others interested in being light to the dark places of cover new life and hope when they live that Jesus As he walked up and Point Evangelical Free the world. Ignite your passion for God. Church, Adrian, Michigan in remote tribal villages. Yet remote died for all of down the aisles, flipping my sins, past, through the pages of ntm.org/magazine tribal villages offer limited educational 8 Tom trusted Christ as his opportunities for missionaries’ chil- present and the book, each page was future. And Savior at age 17 and Beth at dren. When you help provide schools blank — totally empty. 4. We met and began dating all I have to “More than 2,000 people for the children of missionaries, you’re There are over 50 complete when we were students at do is believe groups do not have one helping the tribal people whom their in Him, that modern translations of the New Tribes Bible Institute in parents serve. Missionaries have more He died and word of the Bible in their Bible in English. Jackson, Michigan. Shortly freedom and time to evangelize and rose again language,” he said. “They after Bible school we were disciple tribal people when their chil- for me.” are empty just like this The Palaka people of the married, and a year and a half dren are receiving a quality education — Siasi, Bible. And they are with- still don’t have later entered the Missionary the full . Training Center. in a good, safe environment. Nimo tribe, out hope unless someone It was during our time at Still needed: $15,188 Papua leaves home, learns their New Guinea New Tribes Bible Institute Find out more: ntm.org/magazine culture and language, and that we were challenged to brings them the Gospel It has always be a part of taking the Gospel message. Are you that been my where it had never been. someone?” Together, we came before ambition the Lord and said, “Here we to preach are Lord. Send us.” The Lord the gospel, used the two years of intense Bible study, as well as the where Christ faithful examples of men and was not women who have gone be- fore us, to communicate to us known. that this is what He wanted Romans 15:20 from our lives. Romans 12:1 tells us that our reasonable act of worship is to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to our Lord. We are convinced that for us, our full-time involvement in tak- ing the Gospel to the ends of the earth is our most reason- able act of worship and love for our Heavenly Father. Drawing by NTM missionary Sophie Muller, circa 1950 ntm.org/tom_carlton

IN PRODUCTION Our team brought back hours of video 8 (and two cases of malaria) from the Moi tribe in Indonesia, so we

photo by Nate Griffin can bring you a short film about Awayo’s new life. [ connect]

One Moi man Are you ready for this? INTERFACE is more than a four-to six-week “Our mission effort, motivation and challenge college course. It’s an intense immersion into tribal missions, set among tribal in Indonesia has should focus more on the Lord of the harvest villages in the rugged Highlands of Papua New Guinea. Go. Learn. Change. rather than the harvest.” — Dean Van Vliet the whole genealogy ntm.org/magazine [Dean helped lead New Tribes Mission through the difficult in the Bible memorized, years following the death of our founder, Paul Fleming. 8 Dean would tell you God did that.] from Adam on

When I was growing up, I was very disobedient to through Jesus. my parents. I was just plain bad, and I didn’t care. It How many in that line never bothered me, but since I have been a Christian God has put different thoughts in my heart. To Him can you name? obedience is important. As I walk with Him I have changed and find in my heart a desire to obey Him SOUNDS FISHY and others whom God has put over me. I have apolo- gized to my Dad for the way I treated him grow- One of the men’s babies had gotten really sick and ing up, and now I am raising my own son, Daniel. I was going to be sent out to Boa Vista to see a doctor. understand that if I don’t pass God’s thoughts and Mike went downriver yesterday to bring the father teaching on to my son he will grow up just as disobe- The rain pelted our photo by Dale Stroud back so he could accompany his wife and child. faces as we flew along dient and rebellious as I did. While on the trip a guy asked him, “Are there really the muddy jungle trail — Mario, Guanano tribe, Brazil women that are half fish?” So Mike explained that in the . Riding 150 there are stories of mermaids but that it isn’t true at cc motorbikes in a constant all. Somewhere someone must have seen a picture of Play a key role in what God is doing for unreached peoples downpour, we passed village a mermaid. It is so interesting the questions that we through prayer. Stay informed with prayer updates available daily after village of folks who had get. We pray that they will understand the Gospel in and weekly, online and via e-mail. ntm.org/magazine never heard the Gospel. a real way and without any confusion or syncretism 8 After several hours, we (mixing old beliefs with new). arrived at the remote tribal — Mike and Diane Hartman village in the mountains. The Yanomami tribe, Brazil Look farther. Banwaon tribe has a thriving church and growing body of pray believers. Four Abau believers in Papua New Guinea One of the ladies from our *started teaching a seven-week evangelistic group asked why those other Bible course in February to clarify God’s merci kalaro Word to a group of Abaus who have shown tribes we had passed along gracias xie xie confusion in some areas. Please pray that the the way had no missionaries. danke thank you Gospel will be communicated clearly and that Albert Castelijn, missionary Many languages have a word for thank this group will come to understand scriptural to the Banwaons, answered arigatou you, but some don’t. How then do you truth and place their faith in Christ. frankly, “Because they said no explain gratitude, and our motivation to when we asked if we could serve and worship Him? give them Good News.”

10 ntm.org/explore 11 Please pray for me. I know that I “cannot do this on my own. And I know the enemy will try and do everything possible to hinder this. Pray that I will rely totally on the Holy Spirit and will not grow weary though the responsibility is heavy. — MaeJo, Bruu tribe, ” [ go deeper] sion of a man pleading, “Come over to His Church to work among certain Macedonia and help us” (Acts 16:9). people. Paul recognized the Lord had Paul’s response was immediate, rec- burdened him to work among the ognizing the Lord had prepared the Gentiles. To the Jews who scorned Where, precisely? hearts of those who had invited them. and rejected the Gospel, Paul boldly Christ intended the Church to be exclaimed, “We turn to the Gentiles. systematic and methodical in deter- For so the Lord has commanded us: s His hour drew near, Jesus prayed. “As You mining where and how to work in the I have set you as a light to the Gen- sent Me into the world, I also have sent world. The Holy Spirit made it ap- tiles” (Acts 13:46b-47a). them into the world” (John 17:18). His prayer A parent that Barnabas and Saul (Paul) Since the Church began, confine- included His disciples but reached thousands of were to be set apart for a specific ment has been a reality for some. Polit- years forward to encompass those who would be work. Both men had already been ical and religious leaders in the world called His Body, the Church. “I do not pray for these involved in ministry for about eight have repeatedly told the Church, “You alone, but also for those who will believe in Me years, but this event marked a change can’t work here.” However, when con- through their word” (John 17:20). In His prayer Jesus by Chet Plimpton in how the Church determined where fined and restricted, the Church is still General Secretary revealed the work of the Church in the world, “that and how to work in the world. After effective in the world. Paul, confined NTM USA Executive Board the world may believe that You sent me” (John the Church had “sent them away” as a prisoner of the state, was allowed 17:21). The work of the Church is to let the world (Acts 13:3), Paul and Barnabas began to receive “all who came to him, know “that the Father has sent the Son as Savior a systematic, methodical approach to preaching the kingdom of God and of the world” (1 John 4:14). covering the known world that includ- teaching the things which concern The world is a big challenge! More than 6 billion ed three journeys and about 15 years. the Lord Jesus Christ with all confi- people in 6,500 people groups. The work is stagger- The first of these journeys carried the dence, no one forbidding him” (Acts ing! Gospel to Asia Minor, the second to 28:30b-31). The Church in every century has been sent into Greece, and the third focused on Ephe- Where, precisely, should the Church the world, but where, precisely? sus but included methodical return work? That is sometimes determined The Scriptures do not give us a formula to apply, visits to Asia Minor and Greece where by where the Church has been scat- but they do provide examples from the lives of be- Paul sought to strengthen the disciples tered or invited. It is often determined lievers in the early Church that have been true of the (Acts 18:23). by how the church sets about to Church of all centuries, including today. Christ instructed the Church to systematically and methodically ac- As Saul persecuted the believers, the Church was work in the whole world, but He complish the task. It is determined by scattered. If that were the end of the story, it would also seems to have clearly burdened a burden to reach a certain people. It be devastating, but it was not. Acts 8:4 says, “There- is also sometimes determined by the fore those who were scattered went everywhere restrictions and confinement the world preaching the word.” The meaning of “scattered” is is allowed to place upon the Church. to “sow throughout.” The church was scattered but not shattered. They knew what work they had been entrusted to do, and now the Lord had sowed them where He wanted them to multiply. about it Would you agree that the work of the Church is to let the world know “that the Father There are occurrences when the Church is invited sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world?” Why or why not? to present the Gospel. Three men arrived at Peter’s When you consider the Church in 2009, do you feel each of the five examples are still door and said, “Cornelius the centurion . . . was di- occurring and relevant?

vinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you think How would you best describe the responsibility of the Church in light of the fact that to his house, and to hear words from you” (Acts although Christ clearly sent the Church into the world, some world leaders violently 10:22). When Paul waited in Troas he received a vi- oppose the work of the Church?

15 photo by Nate Griffin

The canoe slipped through the black water threading its way toward the distant riv- er island. Huge trees and dense vegetation lined the banks dwarfing the tiny vessel.

The only sound was an occasional splash as two men dipped their pad- dles in the murky water. Anticipation hung in the air as the missionaries headed for unknown territory. As they neared the island, their strokes increased in intensity and they quickly arrived and pulled the canoe onto the white sandy beach. The men got out, flexing stiff muscles, and gazed at their surroundings. Adobe huts dotted the area; the embers of a cooking fire waned, but there were no visible signs of life. Yet the two mis- we go sionaries sensed that hidden eyes were Where observing every move. why we go and how we go.

16 17 Suddenly several nearly naked men came toward them, speaking The compelling reason to go, of course, is the bib- toward places where in a language the missionaries did not know. As the two groups stepped lical imperative. “Go therefore and make disciples there was no missionary forward to greet each other, one of the of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of effort and where no wit- missionaries chuckled ruefully and the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ness of the Gospel had wondered aloud, “What in the world teaching them to observe all things that I have reached. The intent was “What in the world are we doing here?” commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to plant New Testament Scenes like this are repeated over even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19, 20). churches among those are we doing here?” and over in different countries and God’s command accompanied by the promise of tribal groups. different contexts and often bring up God’s presence has empowered and motivated New In August of that year the questions: Why do New Tribes Tribes Mission from its origins. they agreed, among missionaries go to remote places In the spring of 1942, Paul Fleming, Robert Wil- other things, to do noth- where there are unknown, unwritten liams, Cecil Dye and Lance Latham formulated the ing that would detract languages? And how do they decide principles that would guide New Tribes Mission. One from reaching the last where to go? of the main thrusts was that all efforts be directed unevangelized tribe with the Gospel. For the last 67 years New Tribes Mission has remained steadfast in the goal of taking the Gospel where Christ is not yet named. While jet planes and modern technology have made the “end of the world” nearer than ever before, New Tribes missionar- ies still serve in remote areas accessible only by helicopter, motorboats, canoes and at times hik- ing several days to get to their destination. While our purpose remains the same, the criteria used to decide where to go has changed dramatically. Mission leaders decide where to begin church-planting efforts based on infor- mation gathered from many sources, including missionaries whose min- istry focuses mainly on visiting people groups in Don Roberto, Eldon Hunter, Dave Bacon, Cylde Collins, George Hosbach a geographical area to and Bob Dye on their way to attempt to make peaceful contact with the Ayoré people of in 1943

18 19 determine if a church plant is needed. 3. Some people groups are proficient drop-offs on either side. By the side of The missionaries, who focus on in more than one language. Once again, the river we roasted our snake, fixed visiting tribal groups and identifying the highest priority for a church plant- up some oatmeal and made a regular needs, and mission leaders have estab- ing team would be a group that does breakfast of it. I wasn’t much in the “And so I have made it lished some pre-determined principles not have the Gospel in any language in mood for swimming at that point, so I to identify what makes a people group. which they are proficient. washed my hands, dumped water out my aim to preach Any group of people sharing a com- 4. Field leaders process the informa- of my boots and wrung water out of mon culture and language, as well as tion they receive and make their deci- my two layers of socks.” the gospel, not where common values, beliefs and behaviors sion as to whether a new work should “Scott and I found ourselves in many constitutes a people group. These begin among that people group. situations where we could only wait groups are not limited to country bor- 5. NTM leaders then determine the and pray,” Jareb continued. “There Christ was named, ders or geographical areas but rather identity and boundaries of the people were floods and wild pigs and casso- by a shared culture and language. group and the stability of the language wary birds and snakes and leeches and lest I should build on Several criteria are used to de- and culture by asking whether the cul- thorny vines, soaring trees and breath- termine whether a church plant is ture will last several more generations taking mountaintop views.” another man’s foundation.” needed: and whether the younger generations They also met many new Elseng 1. Missionaries determine whether still speak the language. Then they fig- people during their trip, began to Romans 15:20 there are measurable differences ure out if there is a church in that tribe build relationships and shared their that distinguish one language from or in a neighboring tribe that can reach desire to move into a village and learn another. The highest priority is given that group. the language. The Elsengs welcomed to a people group whose language is 6. The final decision is based on Jareb and Scott at each village and unique – isolating them linguistically whether resources are available to finally they were invited to move into from the Gospel message. supply the team and maintain the a village and begin to build homes for 2. The set of beliefs and values work on a long-term basis and whether their families. held by a people group make up their the tribal people invite the missionar- And the ministry continues, driven worldview. New Tribes Mission plants ies to come to the village. by the biblical mandate to reach those churches in areas where their world- One example of a tribal survey isolated from the Gospel message. view isolates them from the Gospel. comes from Indonesia. Jereb Mclain New Tribes missionaries continue to and Scott Flaugher, along with field travel to remote places and learn the leader Kevin Miles, be- culture and language of the people, gan a survey trip to seek build relationships, translate Scrip- the best place to begin tures and plant indigenous churches a ministry among the where Christ is not yet named. Survey of Elseng Tribe Elseng people. The ten-hour hike by Dena McMaster deep into the Indone- contributing editor sian jungle had some interesting moments and Scott shared some of his jottings in his journal: “We climbed the steep embankment of the river and continued on very slippery and nar- row ridges with great

Early contact with the Palawano tribe, Philippines photo by Byrd Brunemeier

20 21 photo by Dale Stroud Square How does a missionary team determine1 where to minister when there are 130 villages to choose from?

Missionaries Mike Lynch and Dan Cullet began their search by looking at 88 villages in one province. When that ended up going nowhere they moved on to another province of about 50 villages. It soon became apparent to Mike and Dan that they had to nar- row their focus to discover the best place to begin a ministry among the Phu Thai people of Thailand. They chose 12 villages to visit on their first concentrated trip to the tribe.

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Photos by Mike Lynch Thai people are relative- and soon emerged with dogs and chickens as and candy exclusive to ly poor and there just the Kamnam.” they searched for an- Chiang Mai. Their hosts isn’t enough work for After introductions other person to ask, and were delighted and in no them in the village. They and a little talking, the another, until at last they time every mouth was can work in a city such missionaries were in- reached the home of the full of candy. as Bangkok and make vited to eat lunch with village leader. The missionaries and a lot more money than the governor. They greeted the la- the people exchanged a they could if they stayed “Needless to say this dies who stood chatting mutual curiosity about in the village. We’re not was a little more ex- outside and explained each other as Sorin and sure how this may af- posure than we were that they were research- Mike sought specific fect our ministry in the ready for, and we soon ing the Phu Thai lan- information about their The missionaries and the people exchanged future.” found ourselves pray- guage and wished to language. a mutual curiosity about each other … At each village the ing silently for wisdom speak with their leader. With the villagers’ men visited they first while talking and eating One of the ladies dis- help and a picture They looked to God to The men were ex- asked where the vil- with the governor’s as- appeared into the house book, Mike recorded guide them and to give cited to learn that one lage leader’s house was sistants.” and soon, in a flurry of 100 samples of the Phu them understanding and of their fears — that located. At one village At another village the activity, the missionar- Thai language to aid in wisdom as they and mis- the language was in the the woman they asked missionaries again asked ies were welcomed to distinguishing variations sionary Sorin Joensen, process of slowly dying pointed in a direction for directions. the center of the house. in dialects. The process who accompanied the out — was unfounded. and said that it was far “Hi, we’re looking for Chairs were situated and included much laughter, missionary team on “We do not want to away. the headman,” asked glasses filled with water, especially when Mike their initial surveys, spend years learning a “At that point, she Sorin in Thai. “Can you which the headman’s attempted to pronounce started their trip. language and translating must have noticed tell us where his house son-in-law thoughtfully the Phu Thai words. The men traveled for the Bible into a language the helpless look on is?” reassured them was After warm thanks ten days and made it to that is on the verge of our faces and decided The villager gave clean rain water. and goodbyes, Mike and nine villages. They found extinction,” wrote Mike. that she would take us them a curious smile The headman and his Sorin left the village, the people to be friendly The team was told there,” Mike wrote. “She and said “Down the road household listened as tired but praising the and helpful, and not at that the children learn climbed into the truck and …” The rest of his Mike told of their lan- Lord for the productive all shy about laughing at the Phu Thai language with her grandchild directions were beyond guage research. Then, as visit, anticipating the some of the missionar- as their first language, and led us to the village the reach of their lan- is customary in Thailand day when the Phu Thai ies’ language mistakes. and the people believe leader’s house. guage comprehension. when visiting someone, will have the opportu- As missionaries that it will be this way “The village leader So they thanked him the missionaries gave nity to praise the Lord search for the right for a long time. wasn’t home when we and drove on, dodging a small gift: pig skins too. place to establish their “I believe that if we arrived, so the woman home in the tribe, they live in a Phu Thai vil- offered to take us to want to determine the lage we could not help visit with the Kamnam, long-term language vi- but learn Phu Thai,” Dan an official that oversees ability of a people group wrote. all the village leaders and find a village that “One of the negative in that area. He was at- is central to their main things that we learned,” tending a meeting that dialect. “This is impor- wrote Mike, “was that the Phu Waa, the gov- tant so that when we a large number of the ernor of the province, translate the Bible into young people, ages 20- was speaking at. Once their language we will 35, leave the village to we arrived there, the be using the mainstream go to work in the main lady disappeared into a dialect of the Phu Thai,” cities of Thailand. They crowd of over 400 people Sandy Lynch wrote. do this because the Phu sitting under a large tent Photos by Mike Lynch

24 25 Before their next Dan took their wives, then with the right hand their families were wel- with a parade and in the a child who is trying to round of visits the mis- Sandy and Beth, to help wrap the sickle around come to rent buildings afternoon Dan and Mike play a new game with sionaries would begin in the last phase of their the group and pull the among his people. He watched various styles friends and you don’t acquainting themselves search. cutting tool towards our took them to see some of rockets in competi- know the rules,” Mike with the words they had In one village they body,” wrote Mike. available housing. tion. The rockets were wrote. “This is exactly extracted. They would learned how to harvest “’Be careful,’ [the “The houses are ad- judged by how they how we feel. We don’t revisit the villages a rice. workers] urged us. So equate and even appear look, how high they know the language, the second time and narrow “[The workers in the we ‘helped’ harvest the to be very nice from the went and how long they culture, the different their list to five. Dur- field] loaned us a hand- rice for a while and were outside view. They even stayed in the air. relationships among the ing further visits they held sickle that was in relieved that we came have a Cullett-sized For 11 hours the men people and how they af- hoped to get an invita- the shape of a hook. away with the same house,” wrote Dan, who circulated among the fect one another. tion to move into one of Then they demonstrated number of fingers we has six children. people, taking video and “We are attempting the villages. that we were to grasp had when we started.” The search was over. photos, making relation- to fit into a culture that When their list got to a group of rice stalks At the end of the day Now the team began the ships and asking ques- is very different than five villages Mike and with the left hand, and the missionaries were process of moving in and tions. The men had to be our own and most of invited to return to help the next step of church alert as rockets were go- the time we are not sure thresh the rice. planting — building re- ing off all around them. how our actions or deci- During their visits lationships and learning “We are excited as we sions are received or to these villages they the culture and language move forward, thinking perceived by the people continued collecting of the people. about how friendly and that we are attempting language data to verify Taking a break from welcoming the Phu Thai to befriend.” that a Bible translation fixing up their rented people are and how they “Needless to say, this in one village’s dialect homes, missionaries Dan love to use their lan- gives us even more rea- would be clear to other Cullett and Mike Lynch guage,” wrote Dan. “This son to be looking to the villages. launched their culture should help us a lot as Lord for His wisdom and Finally, the invitation and language learning by we learn to speak their grace,” Mike wrote. came. attending their first Phu language and under- A headman in one of Thai rocket festival. stand their culture.” by David Bell the villages told the mis- The morning began “Imagine that you are contributing editor sionaries that they and More photos and video from the Phu Thai search: ntm.org/magazine 8

“Imagine that you are a child Photos by Mike Lynch who is trying to play a new game with friends and you don’t know the rules. This is 26 27 exactly how we feel.” get ready to go The Fleming Center is being built with tomorrow’s needs and God’s goals in mind.

Twenty centuries after Jesus gave us His only prayer request, 2,500 people groups are still beyond the reach of the Gospel: “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers” (Matthew 9:38 and Luke 10:2).

This is not the time to pull back. Jesus had It’s time to defy cir- away many students yet. only one cumstances and reverse But should we be prayer trends — time to take turning away any stu- request … our Lord at His Word. dents? Shouldn’t we be Jesus’ command to equipping even more photo by Dale Stroud make disciples of all people to expand the people groups comes reach of the Gospel to on the heels of Him say- every tribe? Shouldn’t The centerpiece of Center are gathered in room, two medium to teach larger groups ing all authority is His, we push for even more this expansion is the one location, making it rooms or four smaller more effectively. and is followed by His missionary candidates, new Fleming Center, a easier for students and rooms. Even the smaller • The new student cen- assurance, “I am with and more space to train classroom, office and staff to connect. This is rooms accomodate more ter lets students interact you always.” (Matthew them? We think so, and student center complex even more important students than most of more with each other 28:18-20) we hope you will join us. that is the hub of the in missionary training the current classrooms, and staff members. People are answering New Tribes Mission is reorganized campus in than in a typical school, many of which were Besides improving God’s call for laborers. trusting God to expand Missouri. because the goal is to designed for fewer than the quality of life on NTM’s Missionary Train- the training center so With the Fleming equip students academi- a dozen students. Each campus, this facilitates ing Center is consistently more people can be sent Center: cally and spiritually. classroom also accom- discipleship and friend- full of people who are out and more people • Offices for teachers • Classrooms are flex- modates current and ships that strengthen willing to serve. We groups can hear the and disciplers at the ible, with spaces that coming technologies, students in their future haven’t needed to turn Good News. Missionary Training can be one large class- enabling instructors ministries.

28 29 At the training center, goals in mind. It accom- students get a founda- modates the students A God-sized Goal tional understanding of currently seeking train- issues they will encoun- ing, and those still need- Humanly speaking, the task of making ter in church planting, ed to make a serious disciples of every people group is impos- including: dent in the number of sible. • Learning a culture and people groups who have If we were to focus on our own ef- language never had an opportu- forts and resources, New Tribes Mission • Writing an unwritten nity to hear the Gospel. is unlikely to make any real dent in the language The overall cost of the number of unreached people groups this • Teaching people to Fleming Center is $8 mil- year, next year, or ever. read lion — far less than most To find out more or to invest So let’s remember that God never asks • Bible translation college classroom build- in the Fleming Center: us to focus on ourselves. • Evangelizing people ings. The Fleming Center Stewardship Development Office He asks us to trust Him, and to keep who know little or is a concrete investment 1000 E. First St., Sanford, FL 32771 our eyes on Him as you and NTM work nothing about the in planting churches 800-813-1566 | [email protected] together as his co-laborers in the task Bible or God among unreached peo- ntm.org/fleming that He has set before us. • Recognizing and ple groups. That’s what led New Tribes Mission equipping leaders USA to set a goal of beginning ministries They also receive by Ian Fallis Learn more about NTM’s mis- in 50 more unreached people groups instruction in practi- contributing editor sionary training at ntm.org/train by 2014. We’re moving toward that cal areas such as solar goal — and giving you opportunities to power, small engine take part — while trusting God to make repair, health care and it a reality. educating their children. The Fleming Center is a key part of Further training takes that. place on the job, as mis- Please join us in humbly acknowl- sionaries need it. edging our reliance on God to work The Fleming Center mightily and glorify His name among is being built with God’s the nations. And please pray about what He would have you do to expand the reach of the Gospel to all people Photos by Gordon Wohlgemut groups.

Fleming Center facts The heart of the reorganized Missionary Training Center campus • Classrooms • Trainer and discipler offices • Student Center Groundbreaking: June 2009 | Completion: Fall 2010 Size: 56,000 square feet Cost: $8 million

Proposed Fleming Center 31 How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things! Romans 10:15 ntm.org/go Art by Ed French