Sandpoint Missionary Blog

Bonner Gospel Mission May, 2019 Newsletter Dear Friends, Luke 24:45-48 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures... Jesus just spent 3 years teaching, mentoring, and being the example of compassion, mercy, and grace with His closest friends, His disciples. He performed miracles that amazed them over and over again. He even gave3 them the power to do miracles. He washed their feet as an example of serving in humility (including Judas, knowing he was about to betray Him). Jesus loved those men. The disciples seemed to be honored to be chosen and taught by him. They even argued about who was the greatest. Even thought they knew Him they just didn't get it. When Jesus needed them the most, to watch and pray they fell asleep. He was betrayed by Judas with a kiss, then the rest of them left Him and fled. Peter even said at one point, along with all the others..., "Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee." Likewise also said all the disciple...

March 2019 We would be naive to think that our enemy would sit idly by and watch us make progress toward bringing God's light to more people. Until this month, we were happily oblivious to the complaints against us, even though all our neighbors (indigenous and non-indigenous alike) have apparently known for a long time. Ascertaining exactly what the complaints are and who is against us, has proven difficult. It seems to be people from other villages who are jealous of the benefits we have brought to this village. There is also much misinformation that has been propagated, such as us embezzling money that the government intended for them, or that we are growing marijuana. They apparently questioned our presence on indigenous land during some of their big, inter-village meetings, with the presence of some missio-phobic NGOs who need no good excuse to persecute us. Needless to say, that has been on our minds a lot recently. It is common for missionaries to have this type of t...

Hi Everybody, How are you doing? I hope all is well. Thank you so much for taking time to read this update. I hope you enjoy the pictures too. God bless you all as you live for Him. Joyfully His, Heather MacKnee   The pictures:  I found a really cool wall the other day. I think you'll understand why I like it.  In my update I talk about the following: Blanca and her brother, Jesus, and Blanca's baby boy. David has his baby on his shoulders, and Mariela is beside him. One of the last pics I have of Javier, when I was teaching him how to drive my car.  Each restricted contribution designated towards an organization approved program or project will be used as designated with the understanding that when the need for such a program or project has been met, or can’t be completed for any reason determined by the organization, the remaining restricted contributions designated for such programs or projects will be used where needed mos...

Bonner Gospel Mission, April 2019 Dear Friends, Matthew 4:19 And He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."      Isn't it interesting that Jesus chose 12 ordinary men to become His disciples which resulted in an extra ordinary ministry? He mentored and trained these men for greatness. The had no idea what lay ahead of them. They left everything to follow Him. Some of the men were fisherman who made their living fishing, which required patience, persistence, and a willingness to work long hard hours. They had to be able to work together as a team. Some were brothers, one a tax collector, and even a traitor! Each one was different, but each one was used by God. We encourage our men, that since God did transform and use these ordinary men, He can transform and use them, too.      Our former volunteer/staff person, Bob Staten, is an example of how God took an ordinary man and transformed his life into a person whose desi...

ETERNALLY RICH         NEWS D's picnic wish (we waited for town with less bugs) Praise God For the time we spent in town That He answered our prayers   concerning our broken boat   motors Please Pray For perseverance and ...

We are back in Papua New Guinea! The last you heard from us we were still lacking some monthly support and were celebrating Christmas. Then we took off into the sunset and disappeared! So sorry about that! The GREAT news is that God faithfully provided the remainder of our support and we were able to get back to work. We spent a wonderful sunny week in one of our favorite places on earth, Cairns, Australia, getting over jet lag and doing some last minute shopping (a blender, shoes, nine pounds of cheese…not kidding). We always like to get over jet lag in a country that has McDonalds. Then bright and early on January 7 th we flew back to Papua New Guinea. As our Kodiak was circling Ukarumpa and preparing to land Paul turned to me with his eyes filling up and said “We’re back!” Everyone keeps asking “How was furlough?” And we answer “It was great!” The next question is “Are you happy to be back?” And we say “YES! We are thrilled to be back!” The answer ...

Dear Friends and Family,                                                          Dec. 2, 2018                           The Christmas Story – Heather’s Story PROCESSING – Luke talks about how “Mary pondered all these things in her heart” after Jesus was born and worshipped. I don’t blame her. Many of us women tend to process things a lot and Mary had definitely gone through an incredible journey becoming the mother to Jesus, the Son of God. My story is very different from hers, of course, but, like her, I do process things a lot. Since getting back to Bolivia on Nov. 10, I’ve t...