This past weekend found Tim and I at a small airport about 40 miles east of Albuquerque in Moriarty, New Mexico. The airport is known for being one of the best places in the country for gliders, but this weekend it had another feature – an event called “Missions at the Airport”.

JAARS – which provides support for Bible translation through mission aviation and technology support, hosted the event.  A JAARS Helio Courier airplane flew in from North Carolina loaded with displays about Bible translation and the support services that JAARS supplies.  The Helio Courier is the type of plane that has been used for decades to provide aviation services for missionaries in remote locations and is well suited for short landings and take-offs.

During 3 day weekend, people came to visit the event and for $22 were able to take a flight in the Helio.  The Lord blessed us with (almost) perfect weather.  While we would have liked to see more people come through, we felt that God sent us some special people.

One story that touched my heart was a boy named Jordan.  A few weeks ago he told his mom that he wanted to become a missionary pilot and tell others about God.  His mom didn’t know much about mission aviation but asked the principal of the Christian school Jordan attends, where they might find more information about it.  The principal told her there just ‘happened’ to be a special event coming up that would provide a great introduction.  Jordan and his friend along with their mothers came out to the airport.  They were able to find out lots about mission aviation and took a ride in the Helio Courier.  Even the moms were interested in learning how they could use their gifts and talents in missions.

Tomorrow we will be at another Missions at the Airport event about an hour north of Dallas and then here in Dallas over the weekend.  We look forward to seeing how God uses these events to help introduce others to the world of missions.

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October ’11 letter .

Mary’s little lamb may have followed her to school one day, but last week a heifer found her way to Zion Lutheran Church in Walburg, Texas.  The 350 pound beauty was actually taken to church in this trailer, but she has a special mission in life.  She’s going to help people be able to read a Bible in their own language.

The calf was born to Pastor Wilbern Michalk’s cow and will be raised along with his other cattle.  There will be one special difference between this cow and the others.  The children at Zion Lutheran Church are raising funds to feed this calf.  When the calf is full grown, it will be sold and the proceeds given the ministry of Bible translation through our ministry.

We are excited to see the kids get involved in reaching out to others around the world who are still waiting for God’s Word in their heart language.  Someday the hamburger, steak or bbq sandwich you are eating may be benefiting Bible translation!  Good moos indeed!

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Matzke Messenger: The Final Push

May 21st.  The day some are saying the world will come to an end.  The Solomon Islands has not been spared these rumors.  In response, the Solomon Islands Christian Association has issued a statement to Christians in the country, reassuring them what the Bible says about Christ’s second coming.  It’s very encouraging to see that the statement includes Scriptures in Pijin – the trade language.  The truth in these Bible verses will have more impact in Pijin than in English.  It’s great to see the Pijin Bible at work in the Solomons.

SICA urges calm in face of dooms day claims

Tuesday, 17 May 2011 04:43

ITS this Saturday May 21, just a few days away, the day which was claimed to be the day when the world will end and Christ will return.

But Christians around the country have been reminded not to panic.

The Solomon Islands Christian Association (SICA) reminded Christians not to be unsettled over the claim of Jesus’ return this Saturday.

Christians throughout the country early last month were unsettled and deeply disturbed over a pamphlet given out to people on the streets of Honiara about the return of Jesus Christ.

The pamphlet claimed that the end of the world was looming and that God would bring the Judgment Day on May 21, which were produced and circulated by Family Radio.

In the country these pamphlets were distributed to members of the public along the streets by some groups of locals and foreigners.

SICA in its statement to the Solomon Star yesterday stated that Christian people in the country should be worried but stick to the biblical teaching on the coming back of Jesus.

SICA in asking Christians in the country to let bible verses encourage them.

“Nao Jisas hemi sei moa,’ Barava de an taem, no eniwan hemi save long hem. Dadi nomoa hemi save, bat mi San blong hem, wetem olketa enjel long heven mifala no save to.” (Matiu 24:36)

With this bible verse in Pidgin the SICA encouraged Christians that there was always the temptation to claim to know more than we really do.

“We are called to be people of faith; we must not pretend we know more about God’s plan than has been revealed to us by Christ.

“Jesus has told us clearly that we do not know the day or the hour when God will come to judge the world.”

Therefore with the recent claim of the end of the world on May 21 having no foundation, they are dangerous manipulations of people using fear as a way to control people’s mind.

“So yufala no letem ting ting blong yufala fo wari an yufala no fraet. “ (John 14:27)

People are reminded that the Easter Christ, the Risen Christ is the light and therefore lives in that light.

“The message of Easter is a message of joy and hope, do not allow fear and darkness to spoil the wonderful gift of faith we have in the risen load.”

Following the claims of this dooms day recently many Christians in the country reacted to the claim.

Some Christians said such a message is important for this country to remind themselves of the Lord’s return which is so close.

“While we don’t know the exact date and time of Christ’s return, this message should remind us that we are living in the end of time and the second coming is very very close given the signs of things that are happening in this world.

“We should not be afraid if we are ready for Christ’s return,” a Christian said yesterday.

By Jennifer Kakai

Solomon Star – http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/10828-sica-urges-calm-in-face-of-dooms-day-claims

Greetings from Australia.  Here’s our latest news.  One important update: we have a new supporter at $100 a month!  We are so thankful for each and every member of our team.

Click on the link to open our newsletter file.

MatzkeMessenger 2011-05

I’m in Brisbane, Australia! My flight leaving Dallas was late so I had to be put on a later flight to Sydney.  The trip to Sydney took longer than the scheduled 14 hours 20 minutes due to head winds so my flight to Brisbane was delayed.  Without an Australian cell phone, it was tricky getting in touch with my friend, but we managed and now I am enjoying her hospitality.

The friend I’m staying with is a Solomon Islander who attended the same church we did in Honiara.  The family immigrated to Australia several years ago.  It’s been fun to catch up and speak Pijin again.  This morning we hope to go visit a boat that is being refitted for a medical ministry in the Solomon Islands. My friend Katie is a nurse and is interested in helping on a missions trip to the Solomon Islands.

I woke up at 2:30 am wide awake.  I’m sure to pay for this later today, but it’s great to be on this side of the world again.

“The Gravy Train is coming next week.”  It’s something we hear every few months here in our missions community.  It’s a site to see, really.  Some generous folks in Michigan collect donated food from a restaurant supplier.  When they get enough, they load up several trailers that contain chest freezers along with frozen meats and boxes of dry goods.  At their own expense, they bring everything down to Dallas.

Yesterday, Tim and others helped unload the food into the dining room at our center.  The dining room staff takes what it can use for feeding the students and staff.  This morning a group of us parceled out large bags of flour, jars of mayonnaise, mustard and A1 sauce into smaller containers.  The dining room table were laden with food and things like aluminum foil and coffee filters. There were also bags of sausages, meat patties and shrimp.

This afternoon we went back to the dining room and had the opportunity to pick up things that we could use for our family.  Our freezers and cupboards are full. We will be enjoying these goodies for some time.

We are so thankful for these friends of Wycliffe in Michigan who generously give of their time and resources in order to bless us all with these items.  (And of course I am proud they are Michiganders!)

2011 International Mother Language Day: The information and communication technologies for the safeguarding and promotion of languages and linguistic diversity

Yesterday was International Mother Language Day – a day that the UN has set aside to recognize the importance of preserving languages.  You can read in our attached newsletter the work Tim has done in the Solomon Islands to help promote learning in the mother tongue.   Tim’s new assignment will help give people access to practical helps in mother tongue education practices on the internet.

Double click on the link below to open the newsletter.  Thank you for taking the time to read our latest news.

Blessings,

Tim and MarthaMatzke

Messenger – February 2011