The Lord is not...willing that any should perish,

but that all should come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9

  

March 2006

 Dear Family and Friends,

 

As missionaries with New Tribes Mission, a mission that is actively involved in bringing the Gospel to tribal people who live in The Regions Beyond, we were excited when an exact replica of one of Christopher Columbus’ ships, the Niña, sailed across Lake Monroe and into the Sanford marina in February 2006!  The first thing that went through our minds when we saw her was, “Wow!  She’s so small!”  The deck was just 66 feet long and the ship held 120 passengers.  It was thrilling to step onboard and try to imagine what it was like for Columbus to sail Westward into the unknown, over the vast Atlantic Ocean, with the burning desire in his heart to bring the Gospel to men and women, boys and girls, who had never once heard the Name of Jesus.

 

According to Christopher Columbus’ personal log, his purpose

was to seek “undiscovered worlds”:

 

“...bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the heathen.”

 

“...bring the Word of God to unknown coastlands.”

 

 

We are thankful for your friendship and love to us.  Thank you for praying for us, as we serve in the NTM Medical Plan office, as together with you, we are involved in the outreach of the Gospel around the world.   You are always such a blessing and help to us in this ministry and we thank the Lord continually for you.  We trust that you are getting along well.

We were recently excited to read an update from the country of Papua New Guinea:

 

Friday, February. 17, 2006 — NTM missionary Joey Tartagila and his Mibu translation helper, David, were working on lessons about Christ's death on the Cross.  Joey asked David, "Since Jesus is God, couldn't He have forgiven us for our sins without dying?"

 

David wasn't sure how to answer, so Joey reminded him of what God told Adam in the garden. The penalty for sin is death.  "How can God forgive us without that penalty being paid? It would be against God's character," Joey said.

 

"If God did that He would be a liar," David said.

 

"Couldn't Jesus have just declared our sins forgiven without dying?" Joey asked.

 

The look in David's eyes and the smile that jumped onto his face gave him away before he even said a word.  Everything he had been learning in the past months became clear.  He began telling Joey over and over again that it is true and he believed it!

 

"God said that if I believe His Word I will go to Heaven and be with Him when I die!  I am going to Heaven when I die, and I am so, so happy.  Thank you very much for telling me this," David said.

 

A few days later the missionaries taught the tribal village about Nicodemus. There were smiles on a few faces when the Mibus heard that God loved the world so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.

 

For the next two hours a dozen Mibus professed their faith in Christ.

 

"Thank you for telling me this. Jesus died in my place.  Now I know I am going to Heaven," said Royfo.

 

"Now I understand. It is finished.  What is there to say?" Kivisi said.

 

"Just as people in the Old Testament offered animal sacrifices thinking, 'these animals are dying in my place,' so I look to Jesus who died in my place," Tima testified.

 

Praise the Lord for great things He has done!  Please pray for spiritual growth of the new Mibu church.  And for the outreach of the Gospel to others in the surrounding area, as these new believers share their new found faith in Christ.

 

Thank you once again for your faithful prayers.

 

New Tribes Mission 1000 East First St Sanford, FL 32771

Joyfully serving together with you,   John & Linda McGhee

 

 

 

 

P.S.  —  Pray Specifically:

 

Thank you for your continued prayers for our son-in-law’s, David Battles,’ salvation. 

 

Also, our son, Jeffrey, has been studying at Mid-FL Tech every Saturday in preparation of his Electrical Journeyman’s Test coming up on March 18.  We would appreciate your prayers for him – that he does well on the exam.  Thank you.

 

We would appreciate your prayers for “Mom” Betty Christensen who was recently taken to the hospital.  She was diagnosed as having a virus, much like people got on cruise ships a couple of years ago (called the norovirus).  She is now back in the nursing home and is still very weak.  Thank you for praying for her.

 

There is a Luis Palau Festival coming April 1 & 2 in Orlando.  We have invited many friends and neighbors, as well as people from both electric companies where our youngest two work, as well as Sarah bringing David, etc.

 

Once again, thank you for all that you do for us and for your prayers for us as well.  We really thank the Lord for you.

 

Love and prayers,

 

John & Linda