Greetings All,

It’s been a while since we have sent out an email, and we wanted to bring you all up to date on some happenings in Wana in light of the some of the restrictions and postponements that have had to take place due to the COVID-19 virus.

Arman and his wife Ice during one of our consultant sessions (sorry I don’t have a better picture of them both looking into the camera) – they are a super couple. The Lord has never given them any children, but they have opened their home up to other children needing a place to stay while in school, and have devoted their lives to reaching the “Banggai” language group with the gospel. Your prayers for Arman are appreciated – and for his family too.

First of all we wanted to share with you a current prayer request for one of our Wana missionaries, Mr. Arman, who is currently in the hospital having just gone through hernia surgery. He has some other complications too which may require further surgery which has him and his family all concerned. I have been thankful to be able to stay in touch with him and his wife during this time and have been able to pray together with them.

We are also thankful for the discipleship that continues on in spite of the COVID-19 Virus. Two weeks ago we were able to send our youth ministries team in to Wana where they were able to meet with the parents of the dorm children & hold some youth meetings with those youth in the village.

Let’s load up in the Kodiak and see what is happening in Wana land.
Yes – it is time for “ladies meeting” – let’s take a peek inside
Some of our missionary gals, both expat and local, enjoying studying the Scripture with some of the ladies in the village
The other side of the room 😊

Our missionary gals were also able to hold some Bible studies with the village ladies. We are sending the team in again this week along with one of our former missionary training instructors. They will again be meeting with the youth and also holding some leadership training – with training leaders how to train new leaders for “Foundational Bible Teaching” in focus. I have been able to help with this by translating one of the documents into the local dialect for them to use for this time. We are already seeing some of the fruits of these discipleship sessions as some of our pastors have started up discipleship classes training some new younger men for the ministry.

I have also really enjoyed some online teaching as we went through a series of lessons on the “Foundation for Biblical Giving”. We are now studying in 2 Samuel from the life of David and some practical lessons we can take away from David’s life in how he reacted when confronted by sin. Shame is a “BIG” thing in Wana culture so owning up to wrong doing is very very hard for them to do. It is a huge temptation for them to deny at any cost to save face. Maybe we can relate to that to some extent as well. We enjoy being a part of their lives and of course the Lord is teaching us right along with them.

We want you to know that your prayers are much appreciated for all the things we are involved in.

2 Tim. 2:2; “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”

God Bless,

Ed n Jeanne Casteel