Frank's News

We've been here a week and a day now, and we're learning a lot. NTM has a well thought-out method of teaching God's word to the unreached. They work very hard to teach the story of God and man chronologically. They do this to avoid syncretism which is the mixing of former beliefs into Christianity. You see syncretism all over the place such as in Haiti where they mix Christianity and their voodoo and witch doctor practices. Also you see it in America where we mix the American Dream (Prosperity) with the Gospel. We have a bible teacher here who is going through the Chronological Teaching with us. It has been great to go back to the basics of who God is, who the spirits are that He created, and how he created earth and man. And, what a wonderful location in the world to contemplate these things. This place is as close to a paradise on earth that I have experienced. The weather is almost perpetually a nice spring-like day in Illinois. There is no need for insulation, heating, or cooling in the buildings, except for maybe a fan in the middle of the afternoon, but only until the afternoon shower comes. The bugs here are a little annoying at times, and bother some people more than others. Emily definitely doesn't like them, but she's handling it well. Anyway, in addition to all that we are learning and experiencing, it has been great to get away and think about God's magnitude, and wonder.