Manado, Markets & Ministry

Greetings from a hot humid Manado. I have just returned from the local market where we purchased a number of food items including all sorts of fantastic tropical fruits. We managed to avoid purchasing any dog meat, bats, rats or cats - all good local fare!!

My time here has been a real blessing as I have learned about the ministry to the tribal areas here in Indonesia. With a population of 240 million the needs are endless! New Tribes Mission has a very well established system of training and operating in this land. Amazingly there are around 90 missionary families operating here, often in very remote areas and in difficult circumstances. The training ministry here is focused on training local missionaries who sometimes work alongside the western team members with a view to being able to continue the work in the years ahead. Others go directly in teams to tribal places with a focus on learning the local dialect and then beginning teaching from a chronological sequence of Biblical history.

The Pyatt’s are so at home here and are doing a wonderful work in training, with Simon having supervision responsibility over what is going on in remote areas which requires him to travel around quite frequently. Annie home schools the children and they are well equipped with computers and internet to make the most of the online capacity. Last night we enjoyed a movie night in the carport and about 40 people came to enjoy the night with much laughing at the later scenes in Toy World 2.

The previous evening I had the opportunity to address the whole student body of around 50 plus staff families. They wanted to hear about Zambia - there are many similarities to village living, but also many differences in such a tropical country. What a blessing to hear of the places these people come from, the huge needs and the heart for the gospel. Interestingly many students come and in their first year are converted! The training goes over 4 years, is very deliberate and is excellent in preparation for ministry and translation work.

I have come to appreciate this ministry so much more being able to visit and see it firsthand. It provides much encouragement about what we are supporting in Zambia and ideas for future work. I head to Singapore in a few hours so will update you from my time with Soon - Yong.