Open Doors

Dear friends,

Who’s ready for autumn? After the Texas summer we have just endured, we’re enjoying some cooler days and (finally) some rain. As the rain waters the ground and softens the soil of our yard, I think about the softened hearts of people around the world who are eagerly hearing the Gospel for the first time (see below).

In addition to these open hearts, God has been opening many doors for ministry these past few months. In June I was able to finish recording the online Apologetics course for our Bible school. (The online Bible school is an exciting opportunity- learn more about it here!) It was great to be a part of this endeavor, but also good to wrap up the project and refocus on missions mobilization!

Encountering Mexico (again)

In July, I was able to co-lead the Ethnos360 Encounter trip to Mexico. The Encounter program (read more about it here) is a way for young adults to learn about what God is doing among the nations, experience cross-cultural missions firsthand, and serve the field by doing some kind of service project. What a joy to be with these young people whose hearts are being stirred to serve the Lord through missions. It was also great to make some new friends and see firsthand the great need for laborers in Mexico.

Ethnos360 works among the indigenous peoples of Mexico where there is no evangelical church. Many of these places also need a Bible translation as Spanish is a second language for many of the people (if they speak Spanish at all). Pray that God would continue to raise up laborers to go to the unreached people of Mexico and the world!

If you or a group in your church would be interested in learning more about future Encounter trips (Mexico, Brazil, Philippines, etc.) please let me know!

Open Hearts

Exciting news from Papua New Guinea: the Maliyali people are in the midst of the foundational Bible teaching after years of language and culture study by our missionaries. We are excited that within a few weeks they will be hearing the message of the Gospel in their language for the first time. Pray for the missionary team doing the teachings, as well as the hearts of the people to be open to receive God’s truth.

Also, in July the Tigak New Testament was dedicated. What a joy for these people to hold the Word of God in their hands for the first time. Ned Beall (a fellow Aggie and Texan) has been the main translator on that team for most of the past two decades. We are grateful for the Bealls’ perseverance and God’s sustaining them to complete this work.

Later this month, we are going to get to enjoy a service in Fort Worth at the Bealls’ sending church celebrating this milestone . We are also excited that a couple of young adults interested in Bible translation will join us. They have been challenged, like Ned, to translate God’s Word into a language where there is currently no Bible for the people. Pray that God will open the door for these two young people to be able to pursue this vision for their lives in the months and years ahead.

Looking ahead, we’re expecting the Fall semester to present many open doors for ministry. We have at least three missions conferences on the calendar, and we plan to lead a missions-focused Bible study here with Texas A&M students. Beyond that, we continue to connect with churches around the state to assist in the area of missions strategy and opportunities. God continues to lead us into new situations where we can challenge young people to reach the unreached of the world!

We are humbled each month as we consider those of you who stand behind us in prayer and giving. We are grateful for each one of you. Please write and let us know how we can pray for you all as well!

Gratefully,
Neil and Becky Burleson