Remember the Loaves

Jesus was praying, Luke 9:18, on the road, Mark 8:27, in the region of Caesarea Philippi, Matthew 16:13, when his disciples joined Him and He asked this question. “Who do the crowds say that I am? So they answered and said, “John the Baptist, but some say Elijah; and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again.”
Today we would hear some of the crowds singing the little song, “Jesus loves me this I know because the Bible tells me so,” for lack of anything else to say. Jesus was taking them deeper and more personal building a foundation to send them into all the world with the gospel so He asked, “But, who do you say that I am?”
In John 14:9, Jesus asked this question of a disciple, “Have I been with you so long and yet you have not known me, Philip?” Jesus wants us to know who He is and what He is to all those that trust Him for salvation and dependence on Him.
This question, “Who do men say that I am” comes in the context of Matthew 16 where Jesus is dealing with the Pharisees and Sadducees ideas about trusting God and not man. In verse 5 we see the disciples were worried about not having bread with them and in verse 6 we hear Jesus say, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” And the disciples reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have taken no bread.” What in the world were they thinking?
Then Jesus laid into His future missionaries with these words, “Oh you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many baskets you took up? How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?” The Pharisees trust in works and doing all the right things man’s way, but Jesus wants them to understand the bread is no big deal with Him.
If we can just remember as missionaries all the great things He has done in the past and keep our eyes on Him, He will supply the bread, wheat or the green stuff we call money to meet our needs. Question, who do you say Jesus is, could it be that we have been with Jesus so long and yet do not know who He is?
As missionaries we need to remember and understand the loaves. When we do not understand the loaves we can become fearful in times of trouble, Mark 6:52 and begin to reason among ourselves and with ourselves things that are not true about Jesus and His word, Matthew 16:7.
Remembrance is the fuel that powers faith from the past to the heights of the future and things hoped for and not seen. Remember Jesus, the same yesterday, today and forever and the Savior of all those that believe the gospel message. Jack Housley

The old Lamp Came Alive

I sat on my bed roll and watched as Lawaibe spent time fooling around with the old hurricane lamp. How in the world do these men and women do it I thought as fire was put to the wick and the old lamp came alive with light that penetrated the darkness? Then when he was satisfied with the light Lawaibe reached for his old bag and started digging around looking for his Bible.
As he opened the Bible to the book of Luke, the picture you see just came naturally; it was just too good to leave to wonder in my memory and to be forgotten in time. What a rush that came over me as I pondered the setting. Twenty-five years ago this was what we had in mind as we preached the gospel to our Bisorio brothers. I was a bit set back thinking here is a bush man that more than likely spends more time in God’s Word than I do.
Lawaibe was still reading when my weary mind drifted off to sleep. The next morning before day light I heard a man break the silence of the morning praying, thanking God for sending the missionaries to tell them the story of Jesus and His salvation. Yes you are right, it was Lawaibe. After maybe five or ten minutes another man began praying. How delightful to know the Holy Spirit has taught these men this faithfulness to pray and thank God for His goodness to them.
Listening to them pray I began to quietly pray with them thanking God for allowing me to witness these bush Christians worshiping God in this way. I also prayed for you that have been so faithful to pray for this work over the years, God bless you all. Jack Housley

Muruk, Boat and Paddle

Muruk, Boat and Paddle
Thanksgiving Day – what do you think about as you look on the wonderfully spread table, the turkey, and all of the other nice trimmings that go with this special day? I myself can never look upon the turkey without this thought in mind, "What does the turkey think about all of this?" What was on his mind as he walked to the axe that day to become your Thanksgiving Day dinner?
Well, I think I know a bit how the turkey felt. I remember the day along a jungle river in Papua New Guinea that I thought a bird was going to have me for dinner. The Muruk or Cassowary, for all of you who have never seen one, is a smaller supped up version of an ostrich. With huge legs, somewhat like kangaroos, and three dagger-like toes that are four to six inches long, the Muruk is a bad dude to mess with anytime. It is reported to be one of the most dangerous birds alive and also one of the largest, weighing in at 120 to 130 pounds.
The fateful day was in 1978. Janie and I, with our two younger boys Wes and Darren, were traveling up the river with a load of cargo for Bob Kennel and George Walker. Now, when you are in a location like we were at that time, fresh meat can be hard to find. With this in mind, you can imagine how excited my wife was when she saw a Muruk swimming in the water ahead of our boat. "Fresh meat," she cried with excitement in her voice. "Get her Jack, and we’ll have her for supper!" Slowly we made our way alongside the Muruk, and I hit her on the head with my boat paddle. Not knowing that a Muruk has built-in head armor, I thought that would finish the job. The Muruk went under the water and swam to shore, jumped a high bank and disappeared into the jungle. Edging the boat to shore, I stepped out with the paddle in hand and pondered the fact our fresh meal was gone.
I realize from here on this story may be hard for you to believe, and if my wife hadn’t been there, the story would never have been told. Believe it or not, here goes. All of a sudden I heard the movement of the Muruk coming back through the jungle towards the river bank. "What is this?" I thought, as I watched the huge bird jump down the bank and stand before me eye to eye. New Tribes Mission didn’t mention this kind of situation during my training days so I thought I’d best back off as she came at me with her spear-like feet. For the next five or ten minutes I began to wonder if I was going make it out of this battle that must be fought. One of us would die before this day was finished. I remember hearing the two younger boys asking their mom, "Does he eats mans?" and the same question was running through my mind as well.
The first few minutes we just sized each other up as we made a circle on the river’s edge. Each time the big Muruk kicked out with those deadly claws, my heart would beat a bit faster. I knew that I wasn’t sufficient for this battle – but God was. I was so happy when He took control of the boat paddle and after a few terrifying moments, the Muruk lay dying at the edge of the water. I realized just how helpless I am without God. Friends, always pray for us, for one never knows what he will face before the day ends. Now I know what Paul felt like when he said he fought wild beasts at Ephesus, I fought my wild beast along the banks of a jungle river. King David mentioned that he was just a step from death. I realized that day, that I too, was just one step from death.

I am here the place of my dreams

I am here after all the years of dreaming about the Green Hell of South America. I pushed the bush away and walked to the river edge and stepped into the canoe that would take me down river winding through the lush thick jungle of Venezuela.

My life had been changed a few years back by the five men that had given their lives in this jungle of South America reaching out to men that needed to hear the gospel . As we moved out into the current I once again counted the cost of serving Jesus Christ in the regions beyond.

When the news finally broke that our missionaries had been killed our leaders at that time were asked, "what will you do now?' In life or death God’s Word reminds the same…..”Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel.” Paul Fleming said it so plainly.

“When one is abandoned to the Lord Jesus- not to a cause or program, but simply to the Lord Himself- then to that individual, it matters not whether he be placed in a wheel chair, a hospital bed, a prison cell, in a darkened corner where men never see him, or whether he be set on a pedestal where he may preach Christ before the multitudes. It becomes simply a matter of being a bond slave to the Lord Jesus Christ. Whatever may bring the most glory to Him becomes the consuming passion of his life.”

We the body of Christ must go, that was the last words off the lips of Jesus Christ out Lord, it was true then and it is true today nothing has change, if you love me you will do what I say. And He reminds us with these words, “Why do you call me Lord and do not the things I say?”

People have said we do not have to live but I say if we do live we must go with this good news to the ends of the earth starting right where we find our selves today. As a Christian who do we love most? Start there and God will guide us into many tomorrows to come.

Patterns

I believe most people’s eyes are open to the fact that we are living in the last days or at least over 2000 years closer to the day our Lord will say “enough, it is time”. I realize too there is still so much that needs to be done. The Word of God says we will be witnesses unto all the world before this will take place. It shall be done and I think from here on out it will be quickly getting done. I believe a different type of missionary will come back on the scene, you know like the ones in the beginning that was said to have turned the world upside down. We will need more “Paul like” missionaries and in fact he has said that we need to follow his example. “Be imitators of me, just as I am of Christ.” “Join in following my example and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.” “The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me practice these things and the God of peace will be with you.” This can sound like all fun and games on the surface then we come face to face with the pattern laid out that Paul says we need to follow if we want the peace of God, knowing we are doing God’s work God’s way. I do not want to discourage you from following Paul in these last days but it will cost and I for one want you to count the cost before you get in line for missions in these last days. A servant of God following Paul’s example must be more than the norm. The norm will not do. II Corinthian 11 lays it out for us to think about. Carefully look and let your heart wrap around these truths and wonder just where we stand today in this context. Verse 23, are they servants of Christ, I more so; far more labours, far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned; three times I was shipped wrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brethren: I have been in labour and hardship, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external things, there is daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. Then to top it off we might just stand alone in our last days. Paul said at his last defence before he died no one stood with him, but he said the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished and the Gentiles might hear. This is what the modern Last Day Missionary will need to be for the great task that is still before us. This is much more than a prayer walk or a short term mission trip. This is men and women saying with Paul, “I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself so that I might finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.” Jesus said, “Pray for labourers.” Really, this is what He wants? Paul is the pattern, I know this sounds hard and Jack Housley struggles with all that has to take place to walk this kind of life. Paul’s pattern we are to follow says, “We can do all things in Christ who strengthens us”. Now may you and I go, starting right where we are, with those nearest and preach Jesus then work our way to the ends of the earth by going, giving or praying.

Building on the Plain of Shinar

God’s mission call to go into all the world has never changed, the first call was go to the whole world and the last was the same, from start to finish it is go. Please bear with me as a recruiter for the Kingdom of God and not a Mission Rep. as we look into this call. God’s first call was to Noah and his three sons. Go and multiply, so God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them,” be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.” In Genesis chapter 11 we read these words, “Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. And it came to pass as they journeyed from the East, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and dwelt there. Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They had bricks for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. Genesis 11:1-3, God said go but they said come. “They said, “Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name, otherwise we will be scattered aboard over the face of the whole world.” Jesus gave us the Church the body of Christ the same instructions, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the ends of the earth.” I pray that we the Church do not find ourselves settled down on the plain of Shinar making a name for ourselves, building a tower, one building program after another, staying busy unless we would be scattered over the face of the earth. God’s plan is go but we say come let us….. Now a question that deserves to be answered, “Who wants to be scattered over the face of the earth.” Jesus Christ wants His name preached and He has said, “go and I will go with you”, it does not get any better than that. Your friends, family, church and even your mission board might leave you high and dry but Jesus said, “I will be with you always.” It is not a job but it is a mission as you work at your job where ever the Lord of the harvest wants to send you.

The Old House

Hebrews 3:4,”For every house is built by someone, but He who builds all things is God.”
In the year 1947, six weeks after I was born March 24th my mother and father moved us into this little cabin shown in the picture. My mother says the little cabin was standing as long as she can remember but neither she nor I know who built the house. Although I never found the builder of the little two room cabin I did find God, the builder of all things. He saved me and placed me into this ministry that has given me joy for over 38 years.
It seems this little cabin has been so much a part of my life over the years as it set so proudly along the road right next door to the little white church that was a place for us to worship for many years. A lot of my early years were spent in and around this cabin even though we lived there for only my first year. Having other family members living there after we moved out opened the door for me to enjoy the apple trees with their sweet rewards and the beautiful view of the lake and mountains that seemed to wrap around you as you set in the shade of the old oak near the cabin.
I am not sure what draws me to this place but February 2012 while home from Papua New Guinea for some medical checkups I find myself back at the cabin again letting memories go wild. The cabin is not what she once was even though there was never much splendor to brag about. The cabin still stands for what it was designed, a shelter from the rain and cold and though windows are broken and rotten logs stoop here and there one can still feel strength coming from within those walls.
Walking around the cabin I see what makes this little place special to me; it is the view of the mountains and the lake that was so much part of my early years becoming a man. It is winter but I can almost smell the blooms from the apple trees in the small orchard and the honey suckle vines that grew wild here and there when Spring would come giving freshness to the morning dew.
Now, I realize what pulls me to this place after so many years; this is a picture of me. Like the little cabin I am not much to look at and my two rooms have very little to offer in this high speed world. It is the view and sweet smell of fellowship I want you to see and feel as you sit at my door looking at Jesus high and lifted up, the author and finisher of our faith. This old cabin reminds me to that this old world is not my home; I am just passing through to the regions beyond and the fields that are white unto harvest. Set with me, enjoy the view and hear the Master say, “Go ye therefore and make disciples of all nations.” Until the job is done may we move forward?

Resurrection and Birth of a Small Church

Do you ever wonder what the early Christians where talking about when they got together and celebrated the day our Lord was resurrected? I can imagine the two that walked the Emmaus road retelling again and again how their hearts burned with in them as He opened the scriptures to them. As they saw the nail print scars in His hands when He broke the bread and the scars burned on their hearts as He open the Word to them would always be a reminder of what happen that night long ago.
I to remember the time my heart burned as I saw God open the eyes of men that had been blinded by darkness for many years. Go back with me 30 years; walk up a small hill along a beautiful little river in the mountains of Papua New Guinea and have a seat with a group that are hearing the gospel for the first time. Our two Bible teachers George and Bob put the final touches on the gospel story as the sun begins to break through the morning fog. As they teach we all help in this final story by acting out what was taking place at Calvary that morning years ago.
When I, acting the Roman guard kicked and beat Bob who was acting the part of Jesus the people were very disappointed and could not believe what was taking place, their hero was being mistreated. After all the weeks of teaching showing all Jesus had done made it hard for them to believe what was taking place before them. As we spat on Him and hung Him on the cross I could see tears come to some of their eyes.
Before we removed Him from the cross we acted out the part of the Roman soldier piecing the side of Jesus with a spear, when they saw the blood in the form of colored water some began putting two and two together, all the weeks of teaching was beginning to come alive. But it was not until the make shift grave opened and they saw Jesus standing alive that things began to happen.
The oldest man in the village was one of the first to speak up, “I believe” he said and from there it began as more and more people saw Jesus resurrected by faith and became believers. Something was burned into my heart that day anew as well. Satan cannot keep these people hid in spiritual darkness forever because God is sending more men and women to the harvest fields that are ripe unto harvest. He said, “You shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, and all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” To this end I know God has called me into His service and with His grace I will forever more keep moving forward.
I am excited as I watch so many new people from different places around PNG coming to Jesus and watching them grow to the point of going out on their own with the gospel message. The message that Jesus is alive and will save those that call upon Him. It is amazing what God’s people will do when by faith they see the Son of God high and lifted up. Yes, without the resurrection and Jesus setting at God’s right hand, we would have no message of good news to preach. May your heart burn as you recall again what Jesus has done for you and may you feel the warmth of the Holy Spirit comforting your soul.

"Do This In Rememberance Of Me"

Sitting in a bush church building preparing to take communion my eyes were drawn to a man on my right. I had spent most of the morning walking with him along the river where these men and women call home. Now, as my son began to prepare them for communion I noticed his hands wrapped tightly around a little black wooden cup. As I let my eyes drift among the other 300 people waiting for the bread and juice they too had their own cups.

“Do this in remembrance of me”, Jesus said to the 12 that night long ago, and I thought how could they not remember walking and talking with Jesus those three years. “Do this in remembers of Me”, I heard Bill say as he and the other leaders began breaking bread and serving the juice. Now, I thought, they can remember Jesus because the light of the gospel has been delivered to them and they have stepped from darkness to light. From Genesis to Revelations they have been taught the truth of God’s Word.

I have preached and broke bread in Churches from Northern Canada to Southern Tasmania Australia, but as I look at those hands holding that old cup I realize this is the best it gets. “Remember Me” He said and here in the middle of the PNG jungle a man clings to the small black cup waiting to worship Jesus as he drinks the juice that represents the blood that set him free. If a man is saved how can he not remember what God has done, and how can I not remember you who are faithful to give and pray that Janie and I can be a small part of God’s work in PNG. Jack Housley

 

 

Flying with the Future

 

Over the years I have been able to fly with some of the best missionary pilots in and out of the jungles in different places around the world. Men that have made mission work much easier by putting their lives on the line each day to get the gospel into the hearts of unreached people groups. Some of these men have died, working through bad weather and other dangers pilots face on the mission field. Today February 18th I was able to fly with my grandson and share his dreams of becoming a missionary pilot in the coming years. Would you please pray for our Flight Program, we will have many trials in the coming days? Our pilots face the possibility of death with each flight but they with the missionaries they serve give live to the tribal people as they preach the gospel in those hard far out places. What a joy for me to share in my grandson’s dreams of being a mission pilot and taking my passion for preaching the gospel deeper into the unreached groups around the world. Our mission pilots are special, they not only fly planes in and out of very hard places they live a life that encourages young men to follow them as they walk with the Lord. I have watched our pilots sweat it out in bad weather getting us safely home. I have also watched them wipe away a tear as they unload another tribal person in a black bag that has died in the hospital in town. Now, as I watch my grandson prepare for the future I take my hat off to you my missionary pilot friend and thank you for being a hero that these young men need. Thank you for being so much more than just someone who flies a plane. Jack Housley

My Deep Concern for the Churches

In 2 Corinthians 11:22-28, the missionary life lived out by the apostle Paul comes front stage. The spot light shines on this man’s battered body showing all the battle scars from a life on the mission field. Verse 28 shows us where his mind was at daily, the deep concern for the churches.
Sometimes like Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:16 and 17 we missionaries and Pastors can get carried away in our boasting about what all we have been through in our work to get to where we are today. As missionaries we can relate to some of the hardships and trails that Paul boasts about even though he says it is foolishness.
We can feel his pain, but Do we missionaries and pastors have that same deep concern for the churches we pass by in the States and the little churches we leave behind in the dust of our success on the mission fields?
Friends, never let us forget who we are as New Tribes missionaries and why God raised us up. Church planting and leaving without discipleship is not in the Word of God. When we follow Paul as he suggests we will have trails and share in many tribulations along the way. We might even be given a thorn in the flesh to keep us from growing proud in our work in the states as well as on the mission field.
Do we have that same concern for the churches that Paul had in his day or do we find ourselves spending more time worrying about the light afflictions that get in our way? Yes, the trails will be there but the deep concern for the churches can slip away very easily.
Let us be able to say with the Apostle Paul; Acts 20:26 and 27, “Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men, “For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole council of God.”

Jesus was praying, Luke 9:18, on the road, Mark 8:27, in the region of Caesarea Philippi, Matthew 16:13, when his disciples joined Him and He asked this question. “Who do the crowds say that I am? So they answered and said, “John the Baptist, but some say Elijah; and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again.”
Today we would hear some of the crowds singing the little song, “Jesus loves me this I know because the Bible tells me so,” for lack of anything else to say. Jesus was taking them deeper and more personal building a foundation to send them into all the world with the gospel so He asked, “But, who do you say that I am?”
In John 14:9, Jesus asked this question of a disciple, “Have I been with you so long and yet you have not known me, Philip?” Jesus wants us to know who He is and what He is to all those that trust Him for salvation and dependence on Him.
This question, “Who do men say that I am” comes in the context of Matthew 16 where Jesus is dealing with the Pharisees and Sadducees ideas about trusting God and not man. In verse 5 we see the disciples were worried about not having bread with them and in verse 6 we hear Jesus say, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” And the disciples reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have taken no bread.” What in the world were they thinking?
Then Jesus laid into His future missionaries with these words, “Oh you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many baskets you took up? How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?” The Pharisees trust in works and doing all the right things man’s way, but Jesus wants them to understand the bread is no big deal with Him.
If we can just remember as missionaries all the great things He has done in the past and keep our eyes on Him, He will supply the bread, wheat or the green stuff we call money to meet our needs. Question, who do you say Jesus is, could it be that we have been with Jesus so long and yet do not know who He is?
As missionaries we need to remember and understand the loaves. When we do not understand the loaves we can become fearful in times of trouble, Mark 6:52 and begin to reason among ourselves and with ourselves things that are not true about Jesus and His word, Matthew 16:7.
Remembrance is the fuel that powers faith from the past to the heights of the future and things hoped for and not seen. Remember Jesus, the same yesterday, today and forever and the Savior of all those that believe the gospel message. Jack Housley

We asked you to pray for our Bena believers and God has heard your prayers, we had a great meeting today and encouraged them to get back to the business of the Lord. I am very happy with the outcome knowing that these men are still just babes in Christ, needing the milk of the Word but also the tenderness of those that work with them.
These seven men will be meeting together with Pete and me every two weeks for a time of fellowship, prayer and refreshment. They also will be having Sunday morning meetings and two or three teaching classes each week in different areas. Heti said, “They knew what was right but just had not been following what they had been taught”, sounds so much like a lot of us at times.
My soul burns with passion to see these believers grow into the body of Christ in ways that would glorify God on this mountain and in the valley below. Pete and I do not know the Bena language and Pigin is so limited in many ways. Knowing this, we take much comfort working hand in hand with the Holy Spirit who has no language limits even in this very difficult Bena talk place until our Bena missionary who knows the language returns. Keep praying, God can and will do mighty things for those who put their trust in Him who said, “Go ye, and I will be with you.”
Janie fed us rice and tin fish and we all left satisfied and excited about what God will do in the future. Over the years I have had many tribal men ask me to get them a missionary, one even wanted to buy a missionary from us. I realize one can not buy a missionary and the only ones that last are those that are sent from the hands of the Lord of the harvest into His harvest.
What can God do with seven men? Jesus took twelve and turned the world up side down. His power has no limits known unto man, what He has done for others He will do for us that ask in Jesus’ name. PLEASE PRAY, what a tool in the hands of the Saints.

Beautiful Feet

It was a sad day when Janie and the other missionary ladies decided we needed to send her out because the sickness had developed past our knowledge of what to do. As I picked her up in my arms she looked at me with fear of not knowing what lay ahead.
Walking her to the small plane, we laid her frail body behind the seat for the ride to the hospital. Could I ever forget those yellow eyes and the emotion of the moment that pulled deep with in my heart and made me feel so helpless?
We all wondered if things would go well with her and that question was answered a few weeks later when the plane carried her body back to be buried among the family she loved. This time it was not the warmness of a body I felt as we carried her but the cold lifeless black plastic bag of death.
These were the times that make me so pleased for all the hard work George and Bob had put into learning the language and planting a small church among these once wild people. Her husband would miss his wife and the children would miss their mother but this dear little lady would miss hell, she had believed the good news that had saved her soul.
May our God give each one of you the passion and heart to get the language that opens the door to preach the wonderful message of life to those God sends you to? How can they believe if they have not heard? How can they hear without a preacher? How can they preach if they are not sent? How can they hear if the preacher is not speaking their language?
Paul wraps it up so well, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things.” I am praying you will be that person with beautiful feet.