Spring ‘20 Update

Since last year our BVI staff has been working through the book of John in our staff devotions. Just over a week ago we read from John 16:32 where Jesus says to His disciples, “Behold, the hour is coming, Indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home and will leave me alone.” This seemed appropriate since that was the first day that we met, not in our office, but via video conference from our homes.  What Jesus said came to pass. His disciples would be scattered and they would leave Jesus alone to face the mock trial leading to the cross. But a wider view of Jesus’ discourse to His disciples reveals that the opposite was not true. Jesus would not leave the disciples alone. He would go to the cross to reconcile them and us to the Father so that we might enjoy the unity seen in the Trinity. “In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.” (John 14:20) This unity wasn’t just for some promised future date either. The Holy Spirit came and dwells right now in the heart of every believer. This reality is the foundation of our hope and peace in the midst of the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

As I mentioned, our staff is now meeting from home via video conferencing. God in his grace allowed us to have several programs recently put in place to help with a remote work scenario—video conferencing, remote access to desktops, online donor software, and (just before we made the shift) online access to our office phone voicemail.  One other timely addition to the office has been our studio we set up for teacher training. Betsy and I were able to use it the other week to record a Bible lesson for the kids at Harvest Bible Church in Lancaster. Even if things change so that we are unable to use the office studio, much of the equipment is portable and can be used from our home.  Obviously the coronavirus pandemic has not only affected our staff, but also the ministry partners we support around the world. Many are unable to directly meet with the children in their church or Bible clubs.

Staff meetings from home include meeting the pets

But, we are encouraged to see many who are finding creative ways to minister to children especially at a time when children may be spiritually tender to the Gospel. Several partners have asked us permission to use BVI materials in live/recorded video broadcasts. We’ve been overjoyed to grant these requests and then to receive screenshots and links to these videos.

Screenshots and pictures from ministry partners in Canada, the United States and Mexico who are adapting their ministries to serve children during this time.

At home, our children are continuing their school year studies through Firm Foundations Academy. This homeschool program had been meeting twice a week to provide in class instruction, but that has shifted to Zoom class instruction now. Our children miss seeing their school friends, but video chats have helped to keep everyone connected. Just before the Coronavirus crisis hit, our family was able to take a long weekend in February to visit the Museum of the Bible in Washington D.C. We had a great (though tiring) day taking everything in and it deepened our appreciate for God’s precious gift of His Word and His work in preserving it.

At the Museum of the Bible, I was particularly interested in seeing the William Tyndale display as I recently listened to an audiobook biography about him. Maybe a future BVI story??

During our trip we were able to sneak in a visit to the Air & Space Museum, the Washington Monument and a Capitol tour.

Like most everyone else, our church is unable to gather for worship at our church building. While this has been hard, we are thankful for our pastors providing regular communications, video sermons, and Zoom prayer meetings. The small group that we lead has also been able to meet several times via video calls, plus we have enjoyed numerous one-on-one meetings with families within our church. These video gatherings certainly don’t take the place of seeing each other in person, but they have been used to deepen our love for one another and to strengthen our faith. We have already met with some of you in this way and we’d love to connect with more, so just let us know your preferred method—FaceTime, facebook video messenger, skype, Zoom . . . or just a plain old phone call. Thank you for your continued support of our family. Several of the conferences we had planned for the Spring have understandably been cancelled. Sales and donations are both affected. Your gifts help sustain our work of supporting brothers and sisters around the world who are pointing children to Jesus. Take these words of comfort from our Savior. “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 Helping Children See Jesus! Tom & Betsy Luttmann and family

Quarantine Pic Our friends John & Jenny Wise recently took pics of several church families from their front porches. Here’s ours! New Webstore & Donation Options Our new BVI webstore is now operational. Besides making it easier to access our materials, the donation section has more staff and general ministry support features. Make a donation

Here’s a couple of video highlights. One, an overview of our BVI 60th anniversary banquet last fall. Two, our Christmas in Nova Scotia. Our Spring edition of our ministry newsletter, The Intercessor, is now available. You can access it below. View newsletter

Uncle Cam literally flew into town for a visit in February. He was enroute to take a helicopter from Quebec to Texas and Lancaster was a good stopover point. Another highlight of the year so far was the science fair at FFA. Elijah won first prize with his SLS Rocket display and model. Samuel and David’s display and whirlpool bottles were mesmerizing. In the midst of daily life we’ve enjoyed some fun evenings decorating . . . and eating gingerbread cookies.

Bible Visuals International | Website

‌ ‌ ‌