It has been a great summer, we spent it working and getting to know each other and settling in to marriage. Amy has been working at Parkland in the ER, and Ryan has been working for Cornerstone Baptist Church in South Dallas. It has been good getting settled in to life together and slowly making our way around to all of you.
We are still on track to head to PNG in the spring. We are just beginning to start raising support and such. Our hope is to begin scheduling small group speaking times ASAP. It is exciting to see how God has beginning to bring a great network of people around us to make all of this possible.
What does the future hold?
We are going to Michigan the 5th-16th of August to visit family and friends and to touch bases with some old family churches for possible support.
Ryan starts teaching Biology at Cornerstone Academy in South Dallas mid August, and Amy will continue at Parkland through the end of the year.
We plan to start support raising support in September, and begin finalizing plans to leave.
We have training with NTM the beginning of November in Florida.
We will head to MI in Dec for Christmas and stay through the end of January.
We will share with a few churches, and finish support raising there.
We plan to head back to TX the beginning of February to say our goodbyes and head to PNG mid February.
Now as a disclaimer this plan is dependent on support, visas, health etc. Basically we have prayed and believe this is the way to go, and are trusting God to work it all out.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010
A Summer Hope
We just wanted to give you all a heads up for what our summer will look like. Ryan was approached by Pastor Chris Simmons to run a summer Business Entrepreneurship Program for high school students affiliated with Cornerstone Church. We have prayed about it and feel it would be a good direction for him to go. The salary for it is questionable right now so please pray the God would provide the funds to make it worth it. Our goal is to have Ryan's student loan payed off by the end of the year and we are putting his income towards that end. This could be a great opportunity for ministry and for us to continue to develop relationships with the people around us.
Thank you for your prayers , and support. We are excited to see God opening the doors ahead if us.
Thank you for your prayers , and support. We are excited to see God opening the doors ahead if us.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Taste and See
Psalm 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
We just wanted to let you know, what all is going on. We have been living with Amy's parents while settling in to life as a couple and getting used to being back here in the USA. Ir has been a good time, just getting settled in as a couple and learning what marriage looks like. It has a been a good time. We have been praying for a place to live and God has provided us with the chance to move to South Dallas close to Cornerstone Church. Pastor Chris has offered us one of the units in the old motel there by the church and we are happy to accept. This will allow us to live cross culturally to a point as well as to pour time into lives Ryan has already invested in for the past few years through C-kids etc.
Ryan has started a small construction business and has been doing remodeling and landscaping jobs and the work is coming in consistently. We are hopin to be able to pay off his student loan by the end of the year and are putting his income to that end. Please pray that jobs would come in consistently and allow us to do just that. Amy is still at Parkland and will continue there until we are set to leave the country.
We have talked with our church leadership and they are excited to be sending us to PNG with NTM. They have asked that we wait until we have been married one year before we head overseas long term. That means the soonest we can go would be December of this year. We have talked with PNG as well and housing there isn't really available until January. The leadership there has asked us to go to the main center first so Amy can practice medicine for 8 weeks under the doctor there with NTM and get a feel for tropical wilderness medicine. There is a conference we would like to be there for in June, so our hope is to be there sometime mid February. This would allow us to get settled in and have Amy be able to do the 8 weeks under DR Bud before we head to our home in Hoskins.
So what is next? Our plan for the next few months is as follows.
Continue in our jobs and pay of debt by the end of October.
Move to Cornerstone and get settled into life and the community there.
Lay low the next couple of months to get used to being married and settle into life here.
Finalize the applications process with NTM and apply for Visas
Begin to raise support for the tools and such we would like to be able to take to PNG
Begin to prepare to move to PNG and think through that process.
Start raising support in September.
Training in FL with NTM in November,
Christmas with family in Mi then support raise there until February.
Return to TX in February and say our good byes.
Head to PNG mid Fedruary.
This our hope and plan as God enables and allows. Please pray that we would be faithful to his call, and grow as a couple to love him and each other as He would have us do. Please pray for continued divine appointments as we move forward and for God to provide the finances and support to make it all happen in His timing.
Thank you
Ryan and Amy
Ephesians 3:14-21
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
We just wanted to let you know, what all is going on. We have been living with Amy's parents while settling in to life as a couple and getting used to being back here in the USA. Ir has been a good time, just getting settled in as a couple and learning what marriage looks like. It has a been a good time. We have been praying for a place to live and God has provided us with the chance to move to South Dallas close to Cornerstone Church. Pastor Chris has offered us one of the units in the old motel there by the church and we are happy to accept. This will allow us to live cross culturally to a point as well as to pour time into lives Ryan has already invested in for the past few years through C-kids etc.
Ryan has started a small construction business and has been doing remodeling and landscaping jobs and the work is coming in consistently. We are hopin to be able to pay off his student loan by the end of the year and are putting his income to that end. Please pray that jobs would come in consistently and allow us to do just that. Amy is still at Parkland and will continue there until we are set to leave the country.
We have talked with our church leadership and they are excited to be sending us to PNG with NTM. They have asked that we wait until we have been married one year before we head overseas long term. That means the soonest we can go would be December of this year. We have talked with PNG as well and housing there isn't really available until January. The leadership there has asked us to go to the main center first so Amy can practice medicine for 8 weeks under the doctor there with NTM and get a feel for tropical wilderness medicine. There is a conference we would like to be there for in June, so our hope is to be there sometime mid February. This would allow us to get settled in and have Amy be able to do the 8 weeks under DR Bud before we head to our home in Hoskins.
So what is next? Our plan for the next few months is as follows.
Continue in our jobs and pay of debt by the end of October.
Move to Cornerstone and get settled into life and the community there.
Lay low the next couple of months to get used to being married and settle into life here.
Finalize the applications process with NTM and apply for Visas
Begin to raise support for the tools and such we would like to be able to take to PNG
Begin to prepare to move to PNG and think through that process.
Start raising support in September.
Training in FL with NTM in November,
Christmas with family in Mi then support raise there until February.
Return to TX in February and say our good byes.
Head to PNG mid Fedruary.
This our hope and plan as God enables and allows. Please pray that we would be faithful to his call, and grow as a couple to love him and each other as He would have us do. Please pray for continued divine appointments as we move forward and for God to provide the finances and support to make it all happen in His timing.
Thank you
Ryan and Amy
Ephesians 3:14-21
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Friday, March 12, 2010
We are back and thank you!
Dear Wonderful, Faithful, Prayerful, Encouraging, “We Love You” Supporters:
THANK YOU for all you did to help us get to Papua New Guinea and back earlier this year. THANK YOU for your prayers. We attribute our health, safety, lessons learned, vision gained, “coincidental meetings” and success in early marriage while there to many of your specific prayers for us. Our time there was fruitful and we would like to go back. But first, here’s a wrap up of what our 7 weeks looked like...
Amy began learning Melanesian pigin. Ryan refreshed and updated his pigin from the 80s. We dipped into the culture: ate food cooked in an underground mud/banana leaf oven; sat with the women making string bags; helped with their garden work; sat in their yards and homes and chatted some more...
We heard and saw what missionary life is like—the challenges & the Lord’s faithfulness in it all.
We worked in our future roles in medicine & construction/ maintenance. The nurses, doctors, builders, mechanics, pilots, teachers & more enable the missionaries to do their job better because services like heathcare, roads and schools are practically nonexistent in PNG.
We met missionaries that we will be supporting. These missionaries move in to a tribe’s village and then spend years learning their unique language and culture. Then, they share the full gospel. As a body of believers is born, missionaries disciple them and teach them to read & write. The missionaries tediously translate the Scripture into their language. With God’s Word, the new believers can grow. The missionary’s goal is to leave behind an indigenous, self-sustaining church.
We saw that PNG is very “missionized”, however, very few know or have heard the TRUE gospel. Most churches preach a works-based salvation. Others still follow animistic beliefs and most everyone else follows a combination of the two.
We learned there are now 315 un-reached language groups in PNG. This number was recently reached from all major mission organ-izations in PNG.
We drank PNG coffee everyday!
We hiked through beautiful mountains & valleys and swam in the ocean.
We did NOT eat any bugs.
So, what’s NEXT??
Work, eat, sleep, play, reconnect with you in person, keep learning about what it is to be married folks that honor the Lord. And finally pay off remaining student loans.
We will be sent by The Village Church with New Tribes Mission to
return to PNG in early 2011. This means all of our financial support will go through NTM. We will contact you with more info on when and how to send support to NTM in the next few weeks. Thank you again for being a part, you are in our prayers.
Blessings,
Ryan and Amy
THANK YOU for all you did to help us get to Papua New Guinea and back earlier this year. THANK YOU for your prayers. We attribute our health, safety, lessons learned, vision gained, “coincidental meetings” and success in early marriage while there to many of your specific prayers for us. Our time there was fruitful and we would like to go back. But first, here’s a wrap up of what our 7 weeks looked like...
Amy began learning Melanesian pigin. Ryan refreshed and updated his pigin from the 80s. We dipped into the culture: ate food cooked in an underground mud/banana leaf oven; sat with the women making string bags; helped with their garden work; sat in their yards and homes and chatted some more...
We heard and saw what missionary life is like—the challenges & the Lord’s faithfulness in it all.
We worked in our future roles in medicine & construction/ maintenance. The nurses, doctors, builders, mechanics, pilots, teachers & more enable the missionaries to do their job better because services like heathcare, roads and schools are practically nonexistent in PNG.
We met missionaries that we will be supporting. These missionaries move in to a tribe’s village and then spend years learning their unique language and culture. Then, they share the full gospel. As a body of believers is born, missionaries disciple them and teach them to read & write. The missionaries tediously translate the Scripture into their language. With God’s Word, the new believers can grow. The missionary’s goal is to leave behind an indigenous, self-sustaining church.
We saw that PNG is very “missionized”, however, very few know or have heard the TRUE gospel. Most churches preach a works-based salvation. Others still follow animistic beliefs and most everyone else follows a combination of the two.
We learned there are now 315 un-reached language groups in PNG. This number was recently reached from all major mission organ-izations in PNG.
We drank PNG coffee everyday!
We hiked through beautiful mountains & valleys and swam in the ocean.
We did NOT eat any bugs.
So, what’s NEXT??
Work, eat, sleep, play, reconnect with you in person, keep learning about what it is to be married folks that honor the Lord. And finally pay off remaining student loans.
We will be sent by The Village Church with New Tribes Mission to
return to PNG in early 2011. This means all of our financial support will go through NTM. We will contact you with more info on when and how to send support to NTM in the next few weeks. Thank you again for being a part, you are in our prayers.
Blessings,
Ryan and Amy
Thursday, February 11, 2010
An update from Amy
Now that the Interface program is over we are spending the next few weeks with missionaries doing the roles we hope to come here and fulfill. The hope is this will give us a good view of how ready we are to come here and serve. We wanted to see how we fit into the big picture here in New Guinea and get a feel for what life would be like.
I've spent the last 10 days working in the clinic here at the NTM's main center in PNG. Their main job is to keep the missionaries well and healthy because getting treatment at the local hospital is rolling the dice on whether you'll get adequate care. Not to mention that you're taking your chances catching somebody else's germs....a reused needle, the TB patient in the same open ward as you, the dirty sheets, the community bathrooms. The medical system in this country has seen better days. The closest reliable medical system is Australia--that's where most of the missionaries goes to have their children or for big emergencies. The clinic also treats many people from other mission organizations, nationals that live nearby and a few random expats working in country.
The clinic does a little bit of everything--their own lab work, microbiology labs, xrays, ultrasounds, pharmacy. I was amazed. The 2 physician clinic supports all the missionaries, both in the bush and at center. They package up medications and get them on flights to families in the bush. They are always available by email for medical questions and in emergencies, by radio. They teach missionaries how to look in ears and listen to breath sounds. If the missionary can tell that their kid has an ear infection they can give them the antibiotic they've already got on hand and save themselves a plane flight out to the main clinic. Even though it only costs $10 to see the doctor (which covers the clinic's utility bills), trips can add up quickly when the only way out of your village is by plane or helicopter. And, it's that much more time and energy that the missionary can be working on what they are there to do!
I loved getting to jump in and get my feet wet at the clinic. My experience in the ER proved to be very useful because I had seen such a wide range of illnesses. And I had never dreamed of being an ER nurse. Don't get me wrong, there's still plenty of room for learning, but it was encouraging to see that I have a good foundation to build upon in that field.I was amazed at the number of missionaries that live at the main center. It takes about 100 people to keep NTM running in that country! That includes pilots, mechanics, builders, teachers, dorm parents, accountants, tribal supply ordering people, doctors, nurses, people that run the guest house, government representatives, computer technicians, and probably a few more! It takes a large force of people to keep church planters and translators in the middle of nowhere healthy, fed, clothed, sheltered and able to communicate with the outside world!
Ryan and I are looking forward to coming back and being a part of the work God is doing here. It has been so good to see it all happening first hand. Please pray God would give us clarity on timing and location to serve him as we continue with this trip. Next week we are going to Hoskins to see what life there would look like. That is where Ryan was headed before the cancer scare set Him back a bit. We are still thinking that is where we would like to be long term and are hoping that our time will confirm or eliminate that. Pray that we would see what we need to and that we would be an encouragement to the missionaries there. Thank you for praying with us so far. God has been good and this has been a very good and fruitful time.Amy Carpenter
Friday, January 29, 2010
The thoughts God has provoked......
We just spent a week in a village called Simbari, visiting with the missionaries and believers there, and seeing what it means to give your life to reaching a people that are lost. The testimonies and stories were powerful and stirred our hearts. God is moving everywhere and it is amazing to see. Simbari...., to get there we boarded a small plane and we flew about an hour out of town through the mountains and then saw this little grass airstrip in the middle of the jungle. It seems like the middle of nowhere but I guess it's somewhere because there are people that live, work and play there. Some of them don't know anything different. There are even brothers and sisters in Christ there! Also, two missionary families have been there for 10+ years. They told us that Jesus is building His church among them as they watch it grow in number and in depth.
But wait...aren't the missionaries the ones sharing the gospel and doing the translation work? Sure, they're there. And, sure, they are working very hard. But, they would tell you over and over that it is despite them that the church was born and is growing. The Lord is using them as imperfect human beings to bring the good news to people who had never heard it before. They, as missionaries, just keep showing up and keep doing the work the Lord has put before them. This makes me ask, "where does the Lord want me, right now, to keep showing up, to persevere in life?" Sitting through the Simbari church service was probably the highlight of the whole 7 week trip. Several men and women gave testimonies. One young man spoke from Mark 7:15, "Nothing outside a man can make him 'unclean' by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him 'unclean'". I've never heard these Scriptures referenced in a testimony before, but they spoke right to the heart of what he had wrestled with his whole life. You see, PNG is very "missionized". There are lots of "churches"; and I put that in quotation marks because these churches do not teach salvation by grace through faith. These churches claim to be Baptist, Bible, Missionary, Assembly of God, Four Square, Methodist, Jehovas Witness, Seventh Day Adventist, Catholic, Lutheran, etc.
Some of these I expected to share salvation through works but not all. It was hard to see a "baptist" church preaching that God sent Christ to allow you to appease him and conform to his demands. Across the board, over and over we heard of "churches" that taught salvation by works. At one "church", it's "don't drink alcohol, don't smoke, don't chew buai, go to church on Saturday, don't drink Coca-cola (yes, this absurd!). At the one down the road it's "don't drink coffee, don't eat pig". So, this is the religious environment this young man giving his testimony grew up in. This Scripture was the road to freedom in Christ for this man. He heard the gospel because someone went to him. He had seen the stars and the mountains and knew that a mighty God existed. But, before someone spoke to him the words that Jesus has shared with us, he did not know eternal life in Christ.
I think what was so amazing was that some websites and organizations list PNG as 95% reached. When you get on the ground and start talking with the missionaries and believers there they just laugh at that. I think we've come to realize even more that just because there is a church in a place does not mean the gospel is being preached nor does it mean there are believers.
It is so much like home in the USA... knowing the name of God does not mean you are saved, doing things to appease him doesn't mean that either. You have to know you cannot appease God, and that the very best thing in you is wicked. Not even knowing Jesus' name and that He is God's Son means you are saved. You have to know Christ died for you because there is no way to God except through him. Not only do you have to know God loves you, died for you and paid for the wickedness, but you have to accept it as well... You have to humble yourself before God, admit your status before Him as a sinner, and accept Christ's death on your behalf as a covering for your sin.
Please pray for the peoples of New Guinea, that they would understand that they cannot come to God with their own sacrifice like Cain did. They have to come to Him with His sacrifice. Christ. Pray that they would see through the false gospel being proclaimed and know the truth. Pray that God would give wisdom to those working there to share this truth, that they would know how to tell these peoples in their own language what God has done for them. That they would be able to do so in a way that is understood fully. None of this is possible without God making it so. He needs to open hearts and minds and enable those telling the story to do so well.More than anything pray for laborers for the fields are white and the laborers are few.
Luke 10:2-3 The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest therefore to send out workers into his harvest field, go I am sending as Lambs among wolves.
Please pray for us we are ready and willing to go. Please pray for divine appointments over the next month as we visit other places and talk with missionaries. Ask that God would show us what we need to make wise decisions about the timing of returning and where we would serve.
Thank you,
Ryan and Amy
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Hello again! Live from PNG, update #2.
Hi all....or "apinun" as they say here in melanesian pigin,
We are still alive and well...no sickness, no accidents, no more earthquakes (first day we were here, there was one that registered a 5.6). We did have a slight problem with a couple vehicles and the road that we have to travel to get to the highway. Can you say rainy season, dirt roads and ruts up to your thigh? You can read about it at www.ntm.org/news. The situation is now resolved after the Lord brought 2 days of uncommonly strong wind and sun.
From Amy: Language learning is going well. After several sessions with Lina and lots of afternoons sitting with ladies in the village I can mostly understand Ryan's random mutterings in pigin. We've finished our classes in phonetics and chronological Bible teaching. God is a big God who has been working to draw people to Himself and point people to Christ since Genesis, despite their consistent wandering from Him. I am thankful the Lord has shown Himself to me even when I think I've got it all figured out on my own.
We wrote a paper and had a class about the eternal destiny of the person that has not heard the good news of the gospel. AKA the people that live all over this country. They are heavily "missionized". There have been lots of denominations over the years that have set up churches here. However, the vast majority of them teach that you can earn an eternal life with God by doing the "right" things. They mix their tribal animistic beliefs with a list of do's and don'ts and call it salvation. They teach in Pigin or English. These are 2nd or even 3rd languages for people here.
Pigin only has 600 words with many of the words having 6 or more meanings. Even if these churches were teaching truth, these factors make it very difficult to communicate in a way that would lead to deep understanding. There are over 400 language groups in this country alone that have no access to the Truth. Yikes, there's some food for thought.
From Ryan: It has been so good to get to know some of the village guys here and to brush up on pigin. God has definitely been stirring my heart even more with the need here so many people with no chance of knowing our God and no chance of an eternity with Him. The fosters told us of a man that recently recieved Christ as His savior here, I got to meet him the next day. He was a pastor at the local baptist church for the past 15 years and he never understood the truth that you can't appease God by doing things. He thought that Christ died to allow us to make God happy with us. He showed us how to get rid of our bad blood (more on that later) and washed away his bad insides in the river by baptism.
So they believe it is by Christ dying on the cross showing us how to be saved, and us getting baptised that we get rid of the badness in us. We can then do a few other things and God is happy with us. So close to the truth but even farther than they were before because now they think they have the answer. God has been good for sure , please pray that he would soften hearts and prepare the way and for more laborers for the fields are white. These stories only press on me more the truth of Gods command to Go into all the world! His promise that He will build his church makes it worth all the sacrifice and effort on our part. He is faithful and keeps all of his promises.
Update on the Foster's, the missionaries in the local tribe the Bene Bena with 60k people in it and now there are around 35 believers! They just finished the 6 month long "creation to Christ" teaching: 25 people showed up on the last day. Only about 10 had been coming consistently. There are now 9 new believers that we will get to worship with in Heaven!!! One of them is another one of our language helpers. She had been attending church at a local place that had services in pigin and taught salvation by works. Keep in mind these are a fairly stoic individuals...Her reaction to the completed teaching was, "it is just so clear now..."Praise the Lord for her.
So what's next? Tomorrow we climb into a 6-seater plane and will go further up into the highlands. We're going to stay with a tribe for the weekend. There is a newer church there and 2 missionary families that are currently working on translating the New Testament. Wahoo! We are looking forward to the testimonies of the believers there and to encouraging the missionaries as well. Please pray we would be a blessing to them over this next week.
Please pray for God to reveal himself this next week to us and for safety
Fell fee to forward this to anyone you think would want to read it too!
Much love. Thanks for writing us and praying for us.
Ryan and Amy Carpenter
Ephesians 3:14-21
We are still alive and well...no sickness, no accidents, no more earthquakes (first day we were here, there was one that registered a 5.6). We did have a slight problem with a couple vehicles and the road that we have to travel to get to the highway. Can you say rainy season, dirt roads and ruts up to your thigh? You can read about it at www.ntm.org/news. The situation is now resolved after the Lord brought 2 days of uncommonly strong wind and sun.From Amy: Language learning is going well. After several sessions with Lina and lots of afternoons sitting with ladies in the village I can mostly understand Ryan's random mutterings in pigin. We've finished our classes in phonetics and chronological Bible teaching. God is a big God who has been working to draw people to Himself and point people to Christ since Genesis, despite their consistent wandering from Him. I am thankful the Lord has shown Himself to me even when I think I've got it all figured out on my own.
We wrote a paper and had a class about the eternal destiny of the person that has not heard the good news of the gospel. AKA the people that live all over this country. They are heavily "missionized". There have been lots of denominations over the years that have set up churches here. However, the vast majority of them teach that you can earn an eternal life with God by doing the "right" things. They mix their tribal animistic beliefs with a list of do's and don'ts and call it salvation. They teach in Pigin or English. These are 2nd or even 3rd languages for people here.Pigin only has 600 words with many of the words having 6 or more meanings. Even if these churches were teaching truth, these factors make it very difficult to communicate in a way that would lead to deep understanding. There are over 400 language groups in this country alone that have no access to the Truth. Yikes, there's some food for thought.
From Ryan: It has been so good to get to know some of the village guys here and to brush up on pigin. God has definitely been stirring my heart even more with the need here so many people with no chance of knowing our God and no chance of an eternity with Him. The fosters told us of a man that recently recieved Christ as His savior here, I got to meet him the next day. He was a pastor at the local baptist church for the past 15 years and he never understood the truth that you can't appease God by doing things. He thought that Christ died to allow us to make God happy with us. He showed us how to get rid of our bad blood (more on that later) and washed away his bad insides in the river by baptism.
So they believe it is by Christ dying on the cross showing us how to be saved, and us getting baptised that we get rid of the badness in us. We can then do a few other things and God is happy with us. So close to the truth but even farther than they were before because now they think they have the answer. God has been good for sure , please pray that he would soften hearts and prepare the way and for more laborers for the fields are white. These stories only press on me more the truth of Gods command to Go into all the world! His promise that He will build his church makes it worth all the sacrifice and effort on our part. He is faithful and keeps all of his promises.Update on the Foster's, the missionaries in the local tribe the Bene Bena with 60k people in it and now there are around 35 believers! They just finished the 6 month long "creation to Christ" teaching: 25 people showed up on the last day. Only about 10 had been coming consistently. There are now 9 new believers that we will get to worship with in Heaven!!! One of them is another one of our language helpers. She had been attending church at a local place that had services in pigin and taught salvation by works. Keep in mind these are a fairly stoic individuals...Her reaction to the completed teaching was, "it is just so clear now..."Praise the Lord for her.
So what's next? Tomorrow we climb into a 6-seater plane and will go further up into the highlands. We're going to stay with a tribe for the weekend. There is a newer church there and 2 missionary families that are currently working on translating the New Testament. Wahoo! We are looking forward to the testimonies of the believers there and to encouraging the missionaries as well. Please pray we would be a blessing to them over this next week.
Please pray for God to reveal himself this next week to us and for safety
Fell fee to forward this to anyone you think would want to read it too!
Much love. Thanks for writing us and praying for us.
Ryan and Amy Carpenter
Ephesians 3:14-21
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Hello from Papua New Guinea
After about 30 hours of travel we have safely arrived here in beautiful Papua New Guinea. We were greeted by temperatures in the 80s, the curious eyes of the nationals and the team of 12 missionaries that serve here at Interface. Our team of 15 includes folks from all over the USA, Germany, and the UK ranging in age from 19 to 32. Two nights ago, we shared with each other about how the Lord provided a way for each of us to come here. You were part of our story and for that we are so grateful. Many others here praised God because of your prayers, your financial gifts, and your encouragement to us along the way. Thank you!
Amy: We're over our jet lag and are settling into some routine here. It feels a little like camp in some senses. We live in a cabin, have community bathrooms, and eat all of our meals together in the dining hall. We are in class part of the day--it's a classroom with open windows that look out over the mountains. We're living at about 5,000 feet. Oh yeah, back to what's going on in class...we've begun some lessons in phonetics and chronological Bible teaching. Phonetics? you may ask. It's because we're getting a small taste of what it takes to learn a tribal language. As for the chronological Bible teaching...that is how missionaries in the tribes begin to teach nationals the gospel.
Today we visited the local village for the first time. Thatch roofs, women hand-washing clothes, and pigs running around included a few of the sites. There is a small handful of believers in this village. Many others have confused "Christian" (aka Mormon, Jehova Witness) beliefs with their own animistic beliefs and have come up with a whole new religion. To get past this confusion the current missionaries are re-teaching the basics of the gospel in the heart language of the people every morning right now. Pray for new believers by the end of next week. As for my own heart, the Lord is telling me not to fear and to truly to ask Him for a deepened passion for only Him. He is to be number one and there are not to be any number two's, three's, or four's. "I am the LORD your God...you shall have no other gods before me." Pray that I would readily receive His answer.
From Ryan: I am still finding it hard to believe that this is real, and that we are here, thank you all for being a part of this over the past three years. Without each one of you this wouldn't be a reality. As we were in the plane flying from Port Moresby to Goroka I was overwhelmed with it all. The past three years have been very bittersweet. It was so hard to prepare to go only to have health issues derail what I was certain God had called me to. On the other hand I am sitting here in New Guinea looking to God for direction with an amazing wife by my side. I can only say thank you Lord. Even though I haven't been here in over 15 years the sights and smells are so familiar and bring back many childhood memories, it is good to see and feel it all around. Even as all this is happening my heart is heavy with the number of people here who have still to hear the gospel. We went to the village today to meet people and look around. The air heavy with smell of wood fires mixed with the faint sweet smell of coffee beans drying and tobacco smoke greeted as as we climed the slippery and muddy clay trail to the village. Bamboo and grass huts of various age and construction along with things like pig jawbones from hunts long past hanging from trees surrounded us.
I was quickly reminded how far from Texas and the US I was as three small childeren ran by playing in the mud, while men walked around carrying bows and machetes as if on guard. One woman walked by with a twelve foot tree trunk on her head and a bag of sweet potatoes over her shoulders. This place is so unlike home in every way except for one. These are people without Christ and they need Him just as much as we do. God is stirring my heart it is so good to be here learning how to make a difference and how to touch lives with my own. What is our place in this need? What does God have for Amy and I? We are both looking to God to bring us a clear picture of that while e are here. Please pray with us that we would see clearly what He has and not mix his message with our own faulty beliefs as is seen so often here. Once again I am thankful for all of you helping us get here God is moving in both of us and it is because of your help that that is possible. God is so GOOD and I am glad He is in control of this all. All in His time I keep reminding myself. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you. I am in awe of it all, and extremely grateful. Thank you.
Please write to us at this email address while we are here! We'd love to hear from you :) We will write again as soon as we can.
The Carpenters
Ephesians 3:14-21
Thursday, December 31, 2009
The Journey Begins
Happy New Year friends!! We hope your year is off to a great start. We are probably on a plane somewhere between here and New Guinea as you read this. We fly out early on the 1st. We can hardly believe it is true. We thought we would post a quick update here so you can read through it. Please write to us at itf.ryan.carpenter@ntm.org, as this will be our email while in NG.
As many of you know, the last couple months of our lives have been filled with wedding planning, New Guinea trip preparation, support raising and work.Our wedding was amazing. Thank you to all who could come and be part of it. You were a real blessing to us. The reception in Michigan was also great. We got to visit with a lot of family and friends and enjoy the foot of new snow on the ground!
Amy has continued to work part-time in the ER at Parkland and Ryan has worked with Free City International. It kept us fairly busy to say the least. Last month Amy took care of one of the original Northway members in the ER who came in with a hemorrhagic stroke. Praise the Lord she is back home now after surgery and many days in the ICU.
The Free City Soccer league really took off in the refugee community. Through Free City's Soccer League Ryan got to got to know over 46 refugees from 11 countries: Iran, Iraq, Liberia, Congo, Bhutan, Burma, Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea, Kenya and Rawanda. It was good soccer and good fellowship. Ryan really enjoyed getting to know some of these guys. They have incredible stories and we have posted some of them on the blog. You can check it out at FCFL.us.
Ecclesiastes 3: 1-13 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: "a time to weep, and a time to laugh;a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose;a time to keep, a time to love, and a time to hate"; What gain has the worker from his toil? I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.
In October, we were in front of the Dallas campus of The Village Church being confirmed into ministry by the pastors and elders there! Pastor Steve and Pastor Brandon prayed over us and asked the body to pray and be a part of sending us to New Guinea. Many of you made your way down front to pray over us. For Ryan this was somewhat of a culmination of a long journey to be released to go to New Guinea. For us, it is more of a beginning as we start to walk this road together. We were truly overwhelmed by your presence and your prayers. And for that, we say "thank you!"
Acts 6:6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
Acts13:2-3 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
1 Timothy 1:6&7 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
We've been sharing at home groups, Bible studies and Sunday school classes the last couple months. Every time it is a reminder of where the Lord has brought each of us individually and now where he has brought us together. It has been refreshing to meet with many of you. We really love how God has brought us to the same conclusion of what he wants from our lives. We are from such different backgrounds and yet through parents who loved the Lord and the individual experiences in our lives, we have been taught the truth of God's calling for us.
Ephesians 1:15-19 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe.
A couple weeks ago, we shared at Amy's grandparent's Sunday school class. Someone asked how we were paid. When I told him we received no salary from anyone, he could hardly believe it. Then he asked how did we live. We told him it was through people like him, who believe God is leading them to partner with us. As the Lord leads and as we make our needs known, people will pray regularly and/or give on a monthly basis. That is what makes it a reality. He then commented that it was amazing to him that someone could have the faith to move to the other side of the world trusting in people's giving to keep them there and provide for them there.
Matthew 7:7-11 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
This is probably the 500th time we have heard this from someone in the past year. We return to the same questions each time. Do we really have the faith? What is that faith really in? It isn’t in people's giving nature, or in the economy, or in our own abilities. Our faith is really in our belief that God will not ask us to do anything that he won’t provide for. God owns the cattle on a thousand hills right? Everything in this world is His right? So it is and He has the power to do anything. What do we do with that? We believe and move forward. If He finds joy in giving us good gifts and He also provides for the sparrow and He will not lead where He will not provide then…. What do we have to fear? The same is true for you who give.
Luke 12:6-7 "Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows."
God is showing himself to be our provider even in the midst of the wrestle. He is still the same God who brought down manna from heaven for the Israelites in the desert, who provided a substitute ram as Abraham's sacrifice, who guided the Israelites by day and by night, who fed 5000 men from 12 loaves and 5 fish, and who provided a way for us to spend eternity with Him. In the last couple weeks, the remaining money for our trip has come in. Thank you to all of you who made this possible. It is so encouraging to see and we thank the Lord for you and pray for you.
Philippians 4:19 "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
All the money that we needed for this trip has come in, just over $13000, it is so amazing to see how God provides. He has done so through many of you and we are very grateful. Amy and I have taken this as a real confirmation of our direction and His purpose in that. The next step for us will be to raise the monthly support needed. Right now we have $1,165 a month promised in monthly support, with $980 of that actually coming in. New Tribes recommends that we have $4,187/month before we begin full time with them in August. This is really our biggest need at this time. We will be living off of this support throughout training as that is full time and there is not time to work. Please pray that God would lay this on people's hearts and move them to give. None of this is possible without people like you joining us in this endeavor, we need partners to do all of this. Please prayerfully consider this as well.
Malachi 3:10 "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
He isn’t going to ask some of you to give to our ministry without providing for you as well. God loves to give us good things like a father to his children. Even in knowing this I struggle with having this faith. I really do, right now I am struggling with it as our finances are not what they need to be and I am asking Amy to join me in this effort. It was a lot easier when it was jut me. Now I have to trust God to not only provide for my needs but for those of my wife as well. When days are tough and I want to take control of it all I have to look to God and say it is yours. I am yours. She is yours please take care of us.
Psalms 37:4, 25 "Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart...I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread."
A little more about our trip! We will be at the Interface Training Center for a program called Interface for the first 4 weeks. We will spend time learning (reviewing for Ryan) Pidgin English, learning about cross-cultural church planting in a tribal context, and ministering to the local tribe. We will then head to NTM's headquarters where Amy will work for a week in the clinic there with Dr. Bud. Meanwhile, Ryan will assist with the current construction and maintenance projects. The final 2 weeks, we'll travel to the missions center in the islands region of NG. There is a supply depot, a clinic, a guest house and a boarding school for missionary kids. We're visiting because we could move there after completing training.
Matthew 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Pray that we would gain much wisdom and insight from the missionaries that are currently serving in New Guinea. Pray for divine appointments. Pray that we would go as learners and that we'd be able to bless and encourage the workers there. We are hoping to find out what our next step will be. Ryan feels ready to go now as an associate but I am not as ready for this. We both know that if we are not at the same place in this then we need to wait and are praying that God would bring unity in it. We have looked into doing the training New Tribes provides stateside before we go full time but would like to see how we fit with those working in New Guinea, in the Islands Region. Pray God would settle in our hearts what the next step is, and make it clear if we are ready to head there now to if we need to take more time to prepare.
Acts 20:24 But I do not count my life as any value, if only I may finish the my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus to testify to the good news of Gods grace.
The next time you hear from us we will be in New Guinea! Here's our schedule:
January 1: Flight leaves Dallas
January 3: Interface
February 1: Amy work in clinic/Ryan work on current construction projects at headquarters
February 28: Back in DallasFebruary 1: Amy work in clinic/Ryan work on current construction projects at headquarters
August 14 Leave for full time training with NTM, or continue on to New Guinea
Monday, September 28, 2009
Our Hopes
Mark 5:13 14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Mark 16:15 He said to them; "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.Our ministry and purpose for serving in Papua New Guinea is to be a direct support to those who are working hard to ensure that every "tribe and tongue" have a chance not just to hear but to understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ in their own language. A task that is amazing and difficult at the same time.
Things like fixing generators, building homes, or other such projects will be my focus, while Amy will provide medical checkups, and emergent care for the region. Our job is to do whatever we can to allow those planting churches and discipling new believers to do so without distraction. All with the hopes of removing the stress and allowing those serving in the tribes to focus on what they are there to do.
Each of us can play a part in touching the lives in the lost reaches of the world. We can do this by supporting those who are on the forefront of the mission frontier. Taking the weight of worry off their shoulders and allowing them to focus on the task at hand, the presentation of the gospel, the translation of the scriptures, and the ministering to those in need, and the discipling of the believers .
Let’s join together each doing the piece God has assigned to us without abandon. Each part of the body fulfilling its God given function whether it be praying, giving, or going. If each with a burden prays, and each with the ability gives, and each one called goes then together we can reach the last tribe with the message. Each of us has a burden to bear lets do so with the grace, wisdom, and strength of our God. Running the race as though to win the prize of every last village being reached with the gospel.
Ephesians 4:15-17 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Supplication, Support, and Sharing
Hello! This is Ryan here. We wanted to send you all a basic idea of what the future holds for Amy and I. We are getting married and then traveling to New Guinea (NG). We are currently raising support for that trip, for the full-time training with New Tribes Mission (NTM), and for our time in NG after that. Together we hope to shine Christ to the world, appealing to them to “be reconciled to God.” The doors are open, and we need you to help us move forward.
2 Corinthians 5:17-20 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassador, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.
This is Amy. Howdy! For those that I haven’t talked to recently and to those who don’t know me yet, I have been an ER nurse at Parkland Hospital for 3 years, mentoring Somali refugees, getting involved at The Village Church and participating in a triathlon or two. About a year ago, the Lord led me to begin seriously looking for a nursing opportunity overseas, one where I could serve people who have not heard the gospel. Over the years, the Lord brought me to that place through an eye-opening mission trip to Sudan, Perspectives course, Scriptures and various friendships. I am thrilled to continue traveling this road with Ryan and look forward to partnering with you.
Philippians 1:3-7 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace.
We hope to go to unreached peoples who have no access to the Bible and where the gospel has yet to be presented. We have decided to go to New Guinea, the world’s most primitive and untouched place. With 1600+ languages and 2100 dialects, it is the most linguistically and culturally diverse place in the world. Over 900 of the world’s 2300 unreached people groups are found there.
Romans 15:20-21 Thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, but as it is written, "Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.
We will be a part of a team of 130 families planting churches in over 30 language groups. We will be living at a center, which houses a boarding school, clinic, supply depot, guest houses and technical support facilities. Ryan will provide the technical, mechanical, and construction support for those families and the tribes they are in. Amy will provide the routine and emergent medical care for them. We will also serve as mentors for the missionaries’ children at the boarding school. We want to allow those in the tribes translating the Bible, presenting the gospel, and discipling believers to focus on the task God has called them to do.
Ephesians 4:15-16 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Life is a gift from God and we are excited to be able to lay ours at His feet. We are confident that He has not called us to something that He will not provide for in every way. It is His provision, love, and guidance that allows us to reach out to the lost in this world. And, it is His drawing them to Himself while shining through us that makes any of this work. We need to be constantly depending on Him in prayer for everything.
Philippians 4:18-20 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
We have sought the counsel of our church leadership and those currently serving with NTM. Based upon their recommendations and our own convictions we have decided to do the full training offered by NTM. NTM has what is recognized by mission organizations around the world as one of the best and most intensive and exhaustive Mission Training Schools (MTC). With classes meeting from 8-5, five days a week, and studying too, there will be little room for anything else over the next two years. We are excited to dive into the training and prepare for our future in ministry.
1 Peter 1:13-19 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
We are thrilled that a majority of this school’s staff are seasoned missionaries who have faithfully walked the road we will be taking. They’ve planted churches among the most remote, unreached peoples of the world and discipled pastors and elders, while raising godly families. Under their discipleship, we plan to learn from their stories and wisdom how to run the race well to the end.
Acts 20:24 But I do not count my life as any value, if only I may finish the course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus to testify to the good news of God’s grace.
We are about to set out on a journey that is very difficult. It will test us and our walk with the Lord in every way. Our goal in this time of training is to learn to love each other well through our love for the Lord and to prepare our hearts and minds for ministry. In many ways our love for each other in marriage can be a true and bright reflection of the Lord’s sacrificial love for the world. It is this very love for the Lord that is necessary for us to be able to walk together faithfully through whatever the future holds. Our ministry starts and ends with our love for the Lord and for each other.
John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
We cannot walk this path alone. Please join with us in reaching these people and lift us up to the Lord constantly. As we set out on this journey we are aware of the spiritual warfare and danger involved. We are driven to our knees in dependence on God and we ask that you join us there. We will keep you updated on our needs and what God is doing around us. In all of this we deeply covet your prayers.
Ephesians 3:18-19 Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication to that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador.
We also ask you to partner with us financially. We are currently at 20% of our recommended support, which is $4897 a month. We are asking for support from people like you who believe in what God is doing through us and want to be a part of it. This may sound like a lot, but it’s really not much. If 200 of you committed to $25 a month ($300/year), our financial needs would be met. We also need $11,500 by the end of November to cover the cost of our trip to New Guinea this spring. We can’t wait to see God provide through you. We have enclosed two documents that explain what the support money covers and how you can give. Please let us know if you have any questions. You can email us at ryan.amy.carpenter@gmail.com Or, call: Ryan, 574-850-0343; Amy, 214-499-5233. Ideally, we’d like to sit down and chat with you!
2 Corinthians 9:7-8 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
Thank you,
Ryan Carpenter &
Amy Smith
2 Corinthians 5:17-20 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassador, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.
This is Amy. Howdy! For those that I haven’t talked to recently and to those who don’t know me yet, I have been an ER nurse at Parkland Hospital for 3 years, mentoring Somali refugees, getting involved at The Village Church and participating in a triathlon or two. About a year ago, the Lord led me to begin seriously looking for a nursing opportunity overseas, one where I could serve people who have not heard the gospel. Over the years, the Lord brought me to that place through an eye-opening mission trip to Sudan, Perspectives course, Scriptures and various friendships. I am thrilled to continue traveling this road with Ryan and look forward to partnering with you.
Philippians 1:3-7 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace.
We hope to go to unreached peoples who have no access to the Bible and where the gospel has yet to be presented. We have decided to go to New Guinea, the world’s most primitive and untouched place. With 1600+ languages and 2100 dialects, it is the most linguistically and culturally diverse place in the world. Over 900 of the world’s 2300 unreached people groups are found there.
Romans 15:20-21 Thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, but as it is written, "Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.
We will be a part of a team of 130 families planting churches in over 30 language groups. We will be living at a center, which houses a boarding school, clinic, supply depot, guest houses and technical support facilities. Ryan will provide the technical, mechanical, and construction support for those families and the tribes they are in. Amy will provide the routine and emergent medical care for them. We will also serve as mentors for the missionaries’ children at the boarding school. We want to allow those in the tribes translating the Bible, presenting the gospel, and discipling believers to focus on the task God has called them to do.
Ephesians 4:15-16 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Life is a gift from God and we are excited to be able to lay ours at His feet. We are confident that He has not called us to something that He will not provide for in every way. It is His provision, love, and guidance that allows us to reach out to the lost in this world. And, it is His drawing them to Himself while shining through us that makes any of this work. We need to be constantly depending on Him in prayer for everything.
Philippians 4:18-20 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
We have sought the counsel of our church leadership and those currently serving with NTM. Based upon their recommendations and our own convictions we have decided to do the full training offered by NTM. NTM has what is recognized by mission organizations around the world as one of the best and most intensive and exhaustive Mission Training Schools (MTC). With classes meeting from 8-5, five days a week, and studying too, there will be little room for anything else over the next two years. We are excited to dive into the training and prepare for our future in ministry.
1 Peter 1:13-19 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
We are thrilled that a majority of this school’s staff are seasoned missionaries who have faithfully walked the road we will be taking. They’ve planted churches among the most remote, unreached peoples of the world and discipled pastors and elders, while raising godly families. Under their discipleship, we plan to learn from their stories and wisdom how to run the race well to the end.
Acts 20:24 But I do not count my life as any value, if only I may finish the course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus to testify to the good news of God’s grace.
We are about to set out on a journey that is very difficult. It will test us and our walk with the Lord in every way. Our goal in this time of training is to learn to love each other well through our love for the Lord and to prepare our hearts and minds for ministry. In many ways our love for each other in marriage can be a true and bright reflection of the Lord’s sacrificial love for the world. It is this very love for the Lord that is necessary for us to be able to walk together faithfully through whatever the future holds. Our ministry starts and ends with our love for the Lord and for each other.
John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
We cannot walk this path alone. Please join with us in reaching these people and lift us up to the Lord constantly. As we set out on this journey we are aware of the spiritual warfare and danger involved. We are driven to our knees in dependence on God and we ask that you join us there. We will keep you updated on our needs and what God is doing around us. In all of this we deeply covet your prayers.
Ephesians 3:18-19 Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication to that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador.
We also ask you to partner with us financially. We are currently at 20% of our recommended support, which is $4897 a month. We are asking for support from people like you who believe in what God is doing through us and want to be a part of it. This may sound like a lot, but it’s really not much. If 200 of you committed to $25 a month ($300/year), our financial needs would be met. We also need $11,500 by the end of November to cover the cost of our trip to New Guinea this spring. We can’t wait to see God provide through you. We have enclosed two documents that explain what the support money covers and how you can give. Please let us know if you have any questions. You can email us at ryan.amy.carpenter@gmail.com Or, call: Ryan, 574-850-0343; Amy, 214-499-5233. Ideally, we’d like to sit down and chat with you!
2 Corinthians 9:7-8 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
Thank you,
Ryan Carpenter &
Amy Smith
Friday, August 28, 2009
Providence Provision and Promise
It is so good to finally have some clear direction. I met with the missions staff at The Village Church a couple of weeks ago and walked through what it will look like for that body to send me to New Guinea (NG) with New Tribes Mission (NTM). My heart was set on going to go to PNG, and I was supposed to leave in January. I had to pause for a minimum of six months due to the melanoma. It was hard to put everything on hold and trust that God knew best and had it under control. I had postponed raising support until my doctor was comfortable with letting me leave the country as she needed to find out more information on the cancer. The second set of tests have come back clear!
Over two years had passed since I started support raising and preparing to head to PNG. It seemed as though a life-time had passed. In that time of waiting my frustration gave way to prayer. I begged God to be so real in this situation that it would be impossible to miss his hand and his guidance.
I started working with a non-profit that helps with refugee assimilation and evangelism. It allows me to work cross culturally here in Dallas and reach un-reached people in the neighborhood where I live.
Being in Dallas an additional 6 months also allowed me to go to East Africa on a vision trip with my church. It was tough to see so much need and angst and Islamic hostility to Christianity. The darkness of the Muslim world is overwhelming. It was a real encouragement to see the believers there stand for their faith in spite of it possibly meaning their death. One man who had been beaten and left for dead over 7 times was still getting up again to tell of our God. It really pressed on me the value of the gospel and that I need to look at each moment with value and spend it well.
This time has stretched me in so many ways. My travels and my working with refugees has only confirmed in me the desire and conviction to be in those places were the gospel has yet to be preached. No matter if it is here in Dallas with refugees or in NG with tribal peoples who have never heard, I will preach the gospel as loud as I can.
I also started dating an amazing woman named Amy Smith a few months ago. She has been a real blessing in my life and it is really encouraging to watch her selflessly serve the refugee families here. I recently asked her to marry me and she said yes! I thank God every day for bringing her into my life. She has spent time overseas and was pursuing going with Africa Inland Mission as a nurse when we met. We are now traveling this road together, going wherever God would open the door.
We will be going to PNG in January for Interface so Amy can get to know NTM a bit and PNG culture. From there, we will travel to NTM headquarters in Lapilo. Amy can work in the clinic and get a feel for medicine there. Then we’ll head to Hoskins, where I will work on construction projects and Amy will work in the clinic at the base. We’ll be able to get to know the people we could be partnering with in ministry. In addition, it will allow us the opportunity to see what vocational training we should pursue to better enable us in ministry.
As much as I would like to be in PNG now, a lot of prayer and the counsel of church leadership and mentors has changed that. Amy and I have decided to go through two years of training before going to New Guinea long-term. Our hope is that this route will best prepare us for life and long-term ministry, not to mention, learning how to live together and love each other well! This also gives my doctor the additional six months of tests that she would like. Our church leadership is excited to pursue this with us.
With full-time training and a trip ahead of us, there is definitely a financial need. I have been returning to people who had committed to supporting me before and asking for their support again. Funds will now be going through Free City, the training organization of The Village Church. Please email me for specifics immediately, or feel free to call me 469-644-6157.
We hope to find 200 people to partner with us financially at $300 a year or $25 a month. We ask that you all consider being a part of this. We can’t do it without you being involved. We will be sending out more info on how you can do this in the next couple of weeks. Right now, please pray for us in this season of transition, and feel free to pass this along to anyone you may know who might be interested in joining us in this time as well.
Thank you,
Ryan Carpenter
ryan.amy.carpenter@gmail.com
469-644-6157
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Prayer Update
Prayer update!
Hey, I just wanted to drop you a quick line to ask for your prayers. I am really excited to finally be able to have the full backing of my church, The Village Church, and a clear health report from my doctor to pursue heading to Papua New Guinea (PNG) with New Tribes Mission (NTM). I had to put it on pause for a few months and it is good to be able to head that direction again. I will have one final check in August that will be the final determiner of when I will leave.I am still working through the details of time frame and what that will all look like. I have been talking through it all with the missionaries in PNG that I would be serving with and they are excited to have me coming down. Amy and I are trying to work through what this will look like for our relationship. I am serving with a Non profit here in Dallas that works with refugees and want to walk well here as I look to the future.
In all of this I am going to have to go back to raising support and sharing with people what I will be doing and how they could help it all happen. It is exciting to see how all of this will have to be the body working together and how I can in no way do it alone. I am praying that God would make Himself and His direction mightily evident.
Please pray with me for these things:
That God would give my girlfriend Amy and I peace in this all and a clear sense of Gods leading.
That as Amy and I travel to Michigan to meet family and talk through plans God would make it a sweet time and help us see His will for us.
That God would make the time to go very evident.
That the provision and open doors would such that He gets all the credit.
That my final checkup in August would come back clear allowing me to go.
That God would provide people to partner with me financially providing the needed funds to go and serve.
That I would be able to dive deeper in my relationships as I look at leaving in Gods timing.
That God would surround me with a multitude of people on their knees running to God on my behalf.
That I would finish my responsibilities well and not get lost in the transition.
Thank you very much, it is going to be an exciting journey, and I covet your prayers. I will be sending a more detailed letter very soon, I just wanted to let you all know where this is at. I will also update my website in the next couple of days.
Friday, March 27, 2009
A quick update
I just wanted to let you all know where things stand, as a lot is on hold right now and i don't seem to have many answers.
1. I had another MRI on Monday of last week for my Melanoma, please pray all comes back clear. I have left it up to my Doctor as to if I will go to New Guinea or not.
2. I have just started dating an amazing woman named Amy Smith who loves the Lord and is pursuing missions as hard as I am. Please pray we would grow together in this time and that God would make it very clear to us how to move forward.
3. I have been asked to go on a vision trip to East Africa with some good friends of mine to look at how the church could be involved there. Please pray for safety as we travel and that God would be very clear in all of this. He has provided over $13k in as many days for the trip. All we can say is thank you Lord.
4. Please pry for patience and wisdom for me, it has been very hard to put all of this on hold and seek God in it all. I want to be overseas serving now and the waiting has been hard. It has been good to as God is definitely pouring out his blessing. Please pray I would lean on him and see what He is doing in it all.
5. In the interim of waiting I have begun to work a nonprofit named Free City International. The main focus is evangelism and discipleship in the refugee community here in Dallas. It is exciting to see God opening doors of ministry here as I wait on Him. there are over 65k refugees here and most of them are either Muslim of Hindu. It has been a challenge to show them true Christianity and not the Hollywood version of it. Please pray for God to move in their hearts and that we would be able to live our lives in a way that shouts loudly to Him.
6. I have stopped raising support as I am now unsure of when I will be leaving, I will be taking the remaining support and using it for this trip to East Africa. I have been able to do enough freelance construction work to put food on the table and a roof over my head but not much else. please pray God would continue to provide the finances necessary to continue forward in this and still remain free to go when the door opens.
Thank you all for your prayer and support, you have been a real encouragement to me.
I am excited to see what God is going to do in all of this.
please keep me in your prayers,
Ryan carpenter
Ephesians 3:14-21 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
1. I had another MRI on Monday of last week for my Melanoma, please pray all comes back clear. I have left it up to my Doctor as to if I will go to New Guinea or not.
2. I have just started dating an amazing woman named Amy Smith who loves the Lord and is pursuing missions as hard as I am. Please pray we would grow together in this time and that God would make it very clear to us how to move forward.
3. I have been asked to go on a vision trip to East Africa with some good friends of mine to look at how the church could be involved there. Please pray for safety as we travel and that God would be very clear in all of this. He has provided over $13k in as many days for the trip. All we can say is thank you Lord.
4. Please pry for patience and wisdom for me, it has been very hard to put all of this on hold and seek God in it all. I want to be overseas serving now and the waiting has been hard. It has been good to as God is definitely pouring out his blessing. Please pray I would lean on him and see what He is doing in it all.
5. In the interim of waiting I have begun to work a nonprofit named Free City International. The main focus is evangelism and discipleship in the refugee community here in Dallas. It is exciting to see God opening doors of ministry here as I wait on Him. there are over 65k refugees here and most of them are either Muslim of Hindu. It has been a challenge to show them true Christianity and not the Hollywood version of it. Please pray for God to move in their hearts and that we would be able to live our lives in a way that shouts loudly to Him.
6. I have stopped raising support as I am now unsure of when I will be leaving, I will be taking the remaining support and using it for this trip to East Africa. I have been able to do enough freelance construction work to put food on the table and a roof over my head but not much else. please pray God would continue to provide the finances necessary to continue forward in this and still remain free to go when the door opens.
Thank you all for your prayer and support, you have been a real encouragement to me.
I am excited to see what God is going to do in all of this.
please keep me in your prayers,
Ryan carpenter
Ephesians 3:14-21 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Delayed for a reason
I found myself over the past few months wondering just what God was thinking. I had every hope of being in PNG this fall and getting used to the culture and routine of things by now. It was very difficult to keep waiting on God to move. The finances just hadn’t come in for me to go like they should have, I mean if I was being faithful in sharing the need then why wasn’t God bringing in the funds to enable me to go??
It is funny to me that I profess to believe in the sovereignty of our God and yet in those moments when I cant see I begin to doubt Him. Yet he works in spite of my doubt!
I went in to the dermatologist in Dec to have a couple of moles removed from my head based on a history of carcenoma thinking that it was best to do that now before I was in the bright New Guinea sun and only antagonizing them.
The doctor asked about another mole on my neck wondering if I had any more and after looking found a 3/4 inch one in between my shoulder blades that had her really concerned. I had both the one on my neck, the one on my back and two more on my head removed. The biopsies showed that two of them were stage three melanoma. The doctor wanted to do more tests, and the biopsy had shown that they had missed some of the one on my back.
They ended up removing a 3 by 2 by 1/2 inch section from between my shoulders and two lymph nodes for further testing. It turns out that the cancer had spread to one lymph but no farther and that the surgery had removed it all. I will have to do one more recheck in three months and another in 6 months and if all is clear then I can leave at that point.
I find it incredibly encouraging and humbling that God knew all along what He was doing. The doctor said that as advanced as it was that it was only a short matter of time before the cancer had spread to my entire lymph system and became much much more dangerous. To think that he caused things to go slow and gave the doctor the wisdom to see. I am so grateful for His hand in my life.
Please pray that my back will continue to heal and the soreness will go away.
Please pray that the tests will come back clear in March and August.
Please also pray that God would bring in the finances both for the doctors bill and for the support to head out in 6 months.
His timing is perfect and all is in His hands. If he can do this I can’t wait to see what else he is capable of in the future. God is so amazing!
It is funny to me that I profess to believe in the sovereignty of our God and yet in those moments when I cant see I begin to doubt Him. Yet he works in spite of my doubt!
I went in to the dermatologist in Dec to have a couple of moles removed from my head based on a history of carcenoma thinking that it was best to do that now before I was in the bright New Guinea sun and only antagonizing them.
The doctor asked about another mole on my neck wondering if I had any more and after looking found a 3/4 inch one in between my shoulder blades that had her really concerned. I had both the one on my neck, the one on my back and two more on my head removed. The biopsies showed that two of them were stage three melanoma. The doctor wanted to do more tests, and the biopsy had shown that they had missed some of the one on my back.
They ended up removing a 3 by 2 by 1/2 inch section from between my shoulders and two lymph nodes for further testing. It turns out that the cancer had spread to one lymph but no farther and that the surgery had removed it all. I will have to do one more recheck in three months and another in 6 months and if all is clear then I can leave at that point.
I find it incredibly encouraging and humbling that God knew all along what He was doing. The doctor said that as advanced as it was that it was only a short matter of time before the cancer had spread to my entire lymph system and became much much more dangerous. To think that he caused things to go slow and gave the doctor the wisdom to see. I am so grateful for His hand in my life.
Please pray that my back will continue to heal and the soreness will go away.
Please pray that the tests will come back clear in March and August.
Please also pray that God would bring in the finances both for the doctors bill and for the support to head out in 6 months.
His timing is perfect and all is in His hands. If he can do this I can’t wait to see what else he is capable of in the future. God is so amazing!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
God is amazing!!
Good morning!!
It is such a great day!! I am so excited to be here today writing this letter to all of you. I want to say thank you first and foremost for being used by God. I have watched as you all, my family in Christ, have come around me and begun to be a part of shining Christ to the lost in the world. You have all touched my heart and in the end you have touched the hearts of those lost in Papua New Guinea (PNG) as well. Their place in eternity will be different because of these moments., and sacrifices.
Philippians 1:3-5, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all, making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”
A lot has happened in the past two months as I have finalized a lot of the plans to go to New Guinea. I say the plans because they are definitely not mine but Gods. He has been so evident in all of this is and continually shows me that he knows so much more what my needs are than I even do. He has been bringing many along side of me to do this. Making it a thing of the body and that we will only be able to point to Him in the end.
Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
I have had the opportunity to share at over 40 small groups over the past 7 weeks, and it has been encouraging to watch the body yearn to see a change made. I have loved those chances and am hoping for more. I have made a short list of things I need and am selling the rest. I have also finalized the plans for the yard sale of the century , thanks to a lot of donated items, for next weekend. It has been a stretching process to watch as the last of my personal belongings are sold. I am excited though, the only thing going to heaven with me is the souls of the lost God has used me to impact, making it easier to let go.
Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus
It has been amazing to watch as God has made Himself evident. I have asked you all to be praying for a short list of things to take to PNG. Through a couple of gifts by people in my church He has provided a laptop capable of doing video editing that I will use to keep you all updated on just what God is doing in my part of PNG. He has also provided for a digital camera to be used for the same purpose. I have also been given a ticket to get to PNG with American Airlines by a friend in my church. All I need to do is cover the tax on that ticket. God is bringing it all together and I can’t help but thank Him and point to His greatness. He is amazing. I also can’t help but thank you for being a part.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
For the involvement of the Village Church and the way God is providing there. I have been a lot of great conversation with the Jamie Hipp and Matt Elkins at the church, trying to plan all of this out. I am excited to say that I am officially being sent by the Village. It makes me so happy and proud to be a part of the team there reaching out into the world to shine Christ. We will be working to a point of sending short term trips much like the way the church does the teams in the Amazon. It is my hope that through this opportunity I will have the chance to see many of you there. That you will have the opportunity to be a part first hand. Seeing exactly what is being done and playing a active role in that.
Matthew 6:33 Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you
Much is left to be done yet though. I still need $1600 a month in pledged support. Please pray with me for Gods provision and guidance, and that God puts it on the hearts of more people to join with me in this way. Please seek the Lord in this as well, and know in the end it will be worth the sacrifice. I also need around $2300 for moving expenses and to purchase that last few things I need before going. It is down to the finances and people being moved by God to have be a part.. I am excited to see how God brings it in. This is His thing and he is doing it, I just need the patience to wait on Him.
James 5:16 “ The fervent prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”
So many things are coming together in a way I could only have dreamed. I stand amazed at the path all of this has taken. In spite of a few set backs God has really provided, and worked things out. He is so good. I love how I could have predicted none of this., from the timing on down to those of you who God has brought along side me. None of it is what I expected. All of it is what God provided. I guess what I am saying in all of this is the glory goes to God, and I am humbled by it all. It all points back to Him. I have prayed that God would work it out and He is doing just that. Moving in hearts and bringing exciting things about in my church body as well in myself. In all of this I can’t help but rejoice. Jehovah Jirah has definitely been the provider.
Psalms 138: 8 “The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.”
I am so excited to see all of this coming to be,
God is so amazing ,
Thank you for being a part,
Thank God for:
The gift of a Mac Book and digital camera, which will help me keep all of you updated in a timely manner.
The gift of my plane tickets. Thanks to a donation all I have to do is pay for taxes on the tickets.
For the way God has provided so far, and for the way people are getting involved.
For the opportunities I have had to share with people about the value their lives can have and how they can impact eternity for others.
“Strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf” Colossians 4:12
Please Pray for:
That my final work permit would come through soon.
That God would lay it on peoples hearts to be part of reaching Papua New Guinea.
That God would continue to provide the last things needed for my trip, like a video camera for sharing with supporters.
For the remaining finances to come in and for Gods provision. I still need $1600 a month in pledged support.
For more opportunities to share. I have had many chances to share Gods work and hope for more.
For Gods continued protection and safety. That Gods angels would be watching over me .
For the $600 to cover some medical expenses associated with my visa, and moving.
That the last of my belongings would sell quickly and help bring in the funds to go.
“ The fervent prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective,” James 5:16
It is such a great day!! I am so excited to be here today writing this letter to all of you. I want to say thank you first and foremost for being used by God. I have watched as you all, my family in Christ, have come around me and begun to be a part of shining Christ to the lost in the world. You have all touched my heart and in the end you have touched the hearts of those lost in Papua New Guinea (PNG) as well. Their place in eternity will be different because of these moments., and sacrifices.
Philippians 1:3-5, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all, making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”
A lot has happened in the past two months as I have finalized a lot of the plans to go to New Guinea. I say the plans because they are definitely not mine but Gods. He has been so evident in all of this is and continually shows me that he knows so much more what my needs are than I even do. He has been bringing many along side of me to do this. Making it a thing of the body and that we will only be able to point to Him in the end.
Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
I have had the opportunity to share at over 40 small groups over the past 7 weeks, and it has been encouraging to watch the body yearn to see a change made. I have loved those chances and am hoping for more. I have made a short list of things I need and am selling the rest. I have also finalized the plans for the yard sale of the century , thanks to a lot of donated items, for next weekend. It has been a stretching process to watch as the last of my personal belongings are sold. I am excited though, the only thing going to heaven with me is the souls of the lost God has used me to impact, making it easier to let go.
Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus
It has been amazing to watch as God has made Himself evident. I have asked you all to be praying for a short list of things to take to PNG. Through a couple of gifts by people in my church He has provided a laptop capable of doing video editing that I will use to keep you all updated on just what God is doing in my part of PNG. He has also provided for a digital camera to be used for the same purpose. I have also been given a ticket to get to PNG with American Airlines by a friend in my church. All I need to do is cover the tax on that ticket. God is bringing it all together and I can’t help but thank Him and point to His greatness. He is amazing. I also can’t help but thank you for being a part.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
For the involvement of the Village Church and the way God is providing there. I have been a lot of great conversation with the Jamie Hipp and Matt Elkins at the church, trying to plan all of this out. I am excited to say that I am officially being sent by the Village. It makes me so happy and proud to be a part of the team there reaching out into the world to shine Christ. We will be working to a point of sending short term trips much like the way the church does the teams in the Amazon. It is my hope that through this opportunity I will have the chance to see many of you there. That you will have the opportunity to be a part first hand. Seeing exactly what is being done and playing a active role in that.
Matthew 6:33 Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you
Much is left to be done yet though. I still need $1600 a month in pledged support. Please pray with me for Gods provision and guidance, and that God puts it on the hearts of more people to join with me in this way. Please seek the Lord in this as well, and know in the end it will be worth the sacrifice. I also need around $2300 for moving expenses and to purchase that last few things I need before going. It is down to the finances and people being moved by God to have be a part.. I am excited to see how God brings it in. This is His thing and he is doing it, I just need the patience to wait on Him.
James 5:16 “ The fervent prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”
So many things are coming together in a way I could only have dreamed. I stand amazed at the path all of this has taken. In spite of a few set backs God has really provided, and worked things out. He is so good. I love how I could have predicted none of this., from the timing on down to those of you who God has brought along side me. None of it is what I expected. All of it is what God provided. I guess what I am saying in all of this is the glory goes to God, and I am humbled by it all. It all points back to Him. I have prayed that God would work it out and He is doing just that. Moving in hearts and bringing exciting things about in my church body as well in myself. In all of this I can’t help but rejoice. Jehovah Jirah has definitely been the provider.
Psalms 138: 8 “The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.”
I am so excited to see all of this coming to be,
God is so amazing ,
Thank you for being a part,
Thank God for:
The gift of a Mac Book and digital camera, which will help me keep all of you updated in a timely manner.
The gift of my plane tickets. Thanks to a donation all I have to do is pay for taxes on the tickets.
For the way God has provided so far, and for the way people are getting involved.
For the opportunities I have had to share with people about the value their lives can have and how they can impact eternity for others.
“Strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf” Colossians 4:12
Please Pray for:
That my final work permit would come through soon.
That God would lay it on peoples hearts to be part of reaching Papua New Guinea.
That God would continue to provide the last things needed for my trip, like a video camera for sharing with supporters.
For the remaining finances to come in and for Gods provision. I still need $1600 a month in pledged support.
For more opportunities to share. I have had many chances to share Gods work and hope for more.
For Gods continued protection and safety. That Gods angels would be watching over me .
For the $600 to cover some medical expenses associated with my visa, and moving.
That the last of my belongings would sell quickly and help bring in the funds to go.
“ The fervent prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective,” James 5:16
Saturday, October 18, 2008
A life lived in a circle
Ps. 34:8 "Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in HIM!"
I still remember vividly my childhood in Nimo, Papua New Guinea (PNG) where my parents served as missionaries with New Tribes Mission (NTM). The memory of the people around me, my friends, living and dying with absolutely no knowledge of the cross is forever burnt into my mind. I also remember they way their lives were changed forever by the gospel. It has been fifteen years since then and these memories have affected every aspect of my life to this day.
I have been given the opportunity to be a part of what God is doing in PNG. For the next four years I will serve the islands region missionaries as a mechanic and construction worker. Doing the tasks for those planting churches that would take their focus from the most important task. The task of telling of our savior, and walking with, and discipling the people there.
This whole thing is so much bigger than me, and I can in no way do it alone. I need people burdened by God to join me supporting the work God is doing. Together we can bring the knowledge of Christ to the darkest parts of the world. It is my hope that God through all of you will provide the $3000 dollars month in support that is needed to do this. I am over half way there with a combined $2007 in pledged support..
My departure date is set for Jan 12th, only a few short weeks away. This is however dependant on support coming in by that time. Many are joining in making this a reality but I am need others to be a part of this and be a part of reaching the last tribes with the message of Christ. Finances aren't the only way however, I need people praying on my behalf as well.. If you are unable to help financially please consider being a part in this way. I will be sending out periodic prayer letters and notes on exactly what God is doing.
I am really excited as I have seen God move, the story is so much bigger than me or my life. I would love to have the chance to share the story of my childhood and of the need in places like Papua New Guinea. If there is a time where I can do that with you, your small group, or anyone you may know please let me know. Much needs to be done. I am willing to give my life to that purpose. I just need people willing to send me.
I look forward to hearing from you, and answering any questions you may have. I will keep my NTM website updated with prayer requests and news as well. God is moving in hearts, I hope He moves in yours and together we can reach out till the last tribe and tongue have heard the gospel.. Please
email me or call me, I would love to share with you.
Thank you for your time, and prayers.
Sincerely,
Please pray for:
For God to be seen in me and for many to share with.
That those who hear would be burdened to effect change in the world.
That God would provide the prayer support and financial support needed to allow me to fill the gap and meet the need.
For a new laptop capable of video and photo editing for support updates and such.
For strength to continue as I leave my family, friends, and the church I love.
Ryan Carpenter
521 Dove Creek Circle
Monday, September 15, 2008
Progress and Prayer
I wanted to update you all on where I am. I have set my date of departure as January 28th 2009. Much needs to be done in that time. I am currently at 50% support and God is providing more. I also still need the funds for my plane tickets and for the tools another things I need to take with me.
Please pray that as I finalize plans to leave for New Guinea that God would bring in the rest of the funds necessary. That he would burden people to be a part of it all. Also pray that things would go smoothly as I pack and prepare to leave.
Being a part and doing what we can is more important than the amount. I have always said that I hope to find 300 people to help with $10 a month. A thing which I know is entirely possible. Thank you for keeping track of me and keeping me in your prayers. I can’t wait to see God be a part of all of this.
Please pray that as I finalize plans to leave for New Guinea that God would bring in the rest of the funds necessary. That he would burden people to be a part of it all. Also pray that things would go smoothly as I pack and prepare to leave.
Being a part and doing what we can is more important than the amount. I have always said that I hope to find 300 people to help with $10 a month. A thing which I know is entirely possible. Thank you for keeping track of me and keeping me in your prayers. I can’t wait to see God be a part of all of this.
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