Osvaldo & Timara Arancibia
God put on our hearts even before we married the desire to serve Him as a couple in Bolivia. We returned to the US in 2006 with the intention of returning to Bolivia once Timara completed school, but years passed as we prayed for an opportunity and waited on God’s timing. Finally, in the fall of 2012, Timara found out about the need for a couple to run the SIM Guesthouse through a friend of hers who is currently a SIM worker in Bolivia. We prayed about it, applied for it and were thrilled when SIM approved us for the position.
Through this ministry we hope to serve other missionaries by providing rest and peace for seasoned workers needing to recharge, an orientation to Bolivia for those just arriving, and an organized, functional central meeting space where God can infuse His people with His plans for reaching Bolivia with His story. Osvaldo will also be an accounting resource and together we desire to start a discipleship ministry with young Bolivian families through our church there.
We are very excited about returning to Bolivia with our two precious children. God has given our family a deep desire to be part of the work He is doing there to bring life and hope. We are humbled and delighted to be part of His plans for Bolivia.
Pam & Sam Bryant
Since 1978 Sam and Pam have been serving in Mexico in a variety of key support roles. The administrative assistance and practical help that they give to the linguists allows them to focus on research, publishing written materials and to train others. They are currently responsible for oversight of 3 separate facilities in Mexico, for managing visa applications, as well as legal representation for the non-profit organization in Mexico. The Bryants need to strengthen their partnership team in order to continue serving in this way. Please consider how you might partner with them financially, in prayer, or by encouraging others to partner with the Bryants.
Jeanne Austin
Jeanne Austin serves with Wycliffe Bible Translators and began work among the indigenous Popoloca people of Mexico during the early 1980’s. At that time, the Popolocan language was not in written form, it was an oral language. Jeanne’s work began by creating an alphabet, grammar and ultimately, a written form of Popoloca. Her team then began translating the New Testament into Popolocan. In addition, they began literacy projects that enabled the Popoloca to read their own language for the very first time.
Jeanne continues to faithfully serve the Poploca people. Please pray that many Popoloca will grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and that many more will come to know Him. In addition, pray for the unhindered reception of final presentation in the village of San Luis on December 4th.
Nathanael & Darla Gregoriev
The Gregorievs are supporting Bible Translation in Cameroon, Africa through the non-printed word. After 150 years of literacy-based strategy we realize we will miss half of the world if they must learn to read. That is where the Gregorievs come in as Vernacular Media Specialists. They are based in the capital city of Yaoundé. They work with translators and literacy workers to develop non-print ideas for putting the Scriptures into the hands of people. They use things like the JESUS Film, LUKE film, Acts film, Hope film, DVDs, CDs, and micro SD cards. We believe that no one should be left behind because they cannot read. The Lord blessed them with Eliana during their first term. She was born in Cameroon! The Gregorievs are seeking partners in their Wycliffe ministry. Please prayerfully consider joining their ministry team through prayer and financial partnership.
Tom & Delphina Johnson
About Tom and Delphina Johnson
Johnson’s Bio:
Delphina: While growing up in a rural part of the Navajo Nation, my world consisted of the Navajo traditional beliefs and my family. I came to faith in Christ while attending the University of Arizona. After graduation, I sensed God leading me back home to live among my people and serve them.
Tom: At the age of 24, I moved from Indiana to the Navajo Nation to teach high school. I was deeply immersed in the Navajo culture and community. This was a formative time for me.
Delphina and I met in a small Native church on the reservation and were married a few years later. Through our lives and ministry, God allowed us to impact a culture that has often struggled to accept the Christian message.
We became students of effective ministry among Native people. We asked ourselves, after 500 years of having the gospel, why do less than five percent of Native people identify as having a faith in Christ? Many Native people have difficulty getting past a highly contextualized Western gospel and church model. They believe that becoming a Christian requires forsaking their identity as Native people. Such feelings are rooted in centuries of flawed missionary efforts and tensions from historical events.
After we had ministered in communities on the Navajo Nation for 24 years, Navigator leaders believed that we were uniquely prepared and equipped to pioneer something new among Native people. Therefore in 2016, we moved to Flagstaff, Arizona, and became leaders of the Navigators Native Nations Network. This Network seeks to establish God’s work in the Native Nations through generations of indigenous laborers living and discipling among the lost. Our current ministry locations and influences include Albuquerque, Phoenix, Arizona Collegiate campuses and, of course, the Navajo Nation. (There are 573 federally recognized tribes and approximately 5.2 million Native Americans within the United States.)
Since moving to Flagstaff with our family, we have pioneered a mentoring network called Native R.I.S.E. (Rising Indigenous Student Empowerment). This is a mentoring program for young Native adults and students in a culturally affirming atmosphere. It also provides a natural opening for sharing the gospel. This outreach is led by emerging Native leaders from nine different tribal backgrounds. We have the wonderful task of mentoring these amazing leaders.
Our prayers have been that God would bring the Native Nations to us, and He is doing that. In 1975, Billy Graham addressed a room full of Native American Christian Leaders: “You are a sleeping giant, the original American. You are now awakening. Just around the corner, you may become a spiritual superpower in this country that could change not only America but the world.” We are hopeful in the Lord that this is the beginning of such an awakening.
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Water of Life
Water of Life (WOL) is an approved, allowed and registered NGO through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Cambodia. It provides education, medical assistance, life skills and Christian discipleship to over Khmer on a weekly basis. Randy Fleming is the Director, with Cambodian leaders Rith Sang, TongChou Chiu and Channa Bo assisting. The ministry center in Phnom Penh is home to young men between the ages of 14- 25 who needed assistance in life, and resources to complete their education. A house for college age girls to receive college education and/or life skills is also located nearby. The Children of Hope Home also finds its shelter under the wings of Water of Life and is home to about 20 children between the ages of 1-13. Each week the ministry center offers courses in English, computer science and fine arts the students attend in addition to their normal schooling. The classes are open to the community and provide an opportunity for our young men and women to share the love of Jesus with their peers. Our desire is to help people but only Jesus can fill their lives with hope. For that reason, the heartbeat of our ministry is the study of God’s Word. Jesus said, “You shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you free.” Such has been the impact of God’s Word on our lives here at Water of Life. Each night the ministry center hosts student led Bible studies and worship times. Our boys and girls take turns teaching from passages read in their one-year, daily Bible reading plan. It’s been amazing to see the healing power of God’s Word changing their lives in ways secular programs and counseling could never do. Because of their love for Jesus and desire to serve Him a church has been birthed and many of the students are now serving as children’s ministry workers, worship leaders, youth group leaders, sound technicians and even pastors! The work is now spreading to various provinces and villages as they desire to share the life changing message of the gospel with whoever will listen.
Little Hands Big Hearts
In 1996, Amber Young, a college-age summer camp attendee, discovered an abandoned Honduran baby boy. Baby Jose. He was denied care by local Honduran hospitals and orphanages because of his Down syndrome and clubfoot conditions. As Mark and Brenda Young, Amber’s parents, learned that these practices were commonplace, God planted a seed in their hearts.
For several years, the Young family sponsored case-by-case medical care, but they saw a greater need for community acceptance. In 2002, Mark & Brenda moved to Trujillo, Honduras to work with local churches, clinics, and schools with the intent of empowering the families of children with disabilities. Due to the Young’s hard work and the support of North American churches, their mission has developed into the Little Hands – Big Hearts (LHBH) Foundation, known in Honduras as Fundacion Manos Chicas – Corazones Grandes (MCCG).
Today, LHBH/MCCG operates out of a large compound just outside of Trujillo’s El Centro. Day-to-day operations and services are provided by local, Honduran staff. In the United States, LHBH exists as a 501(c)(3) organization run by a Board of Directors who support the foundation. Because of faithful supporters, Little Hands continues grow it’s community impact.
