What is the update for Dirk and Mandie’s health?
We’ll start with Mandie: We had very encouraging news after connecting with a new doctor.
Mandie’s medical records from her first procedure were translated to us by the Spanish doctor in Spring of 2024, indicating high risk and cancer. We now know that the translation was incomplete and somewhat inaccurate. After her recent procedure in June, we had a thorough follow up with a new doctor. We were surprised to find out, he grew up in Spain prior to coming to the U.S. and practicing medicine. As he reviewed Mandie’s medical notes from Spain - all in Spanish - we learned her Spanish doctor had incorrectly translated the results into English. While Mandie’s results were very concerning, they were actually much less worrisome than originally thought. Mandie had been told she would have to “go under” for procedures every 3-6 months, possibly for the rest of her life. After reviewing June’s results and reviewing the history from the previous two procedures, the new doctor shared that Mandie doesn’t need another checkup for a year! He also noted if next year’s results are similar to results in June, she will be able to wait another three years until the next appointment.
Praise the Lord! For the first time in a long time, we feel encouraged by the medical prognosis.
Update on Dirk: We’ve also been encouraged by new conversations with Dirk’s doctors.
After many tests and appointments - neurology, cardiology, etc. he was cleared of any major risk factors in regards to his migraines, past concussion and fear around fainting spells he had last winter. Praise God!
At the beginning of the summer, we received a diagnosis for challenges we noticed with processing and short term memory. Praise the Lord for clarity! There is support and coaching available to help him build strong habits and acquire new learning tools, additionally we also have supplements and medication to help. We are grateful we had time and resources available to us to support our son.
What have you been up to the last few months?
Late spring and early summer was packed with church visits, wrapping up school and packing. Both of us, Ryan and Mandie, kept very busy hosting a discipleship small group, speaking in churches, meeting with local Kingdom minded business men and women and more. Mandie was invited to preach for a women’s event at one of our partner churches in Wisconsin; what an honor to encourage and empower women to worship the Lord in obedience.
This summer has been full and encouraging.
We logged all the road trip miles while traveling to multiple states (Michigan, Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Missouri) to meet with supporting churches and individuals. Bonus, we were able to spend cherished time with family who live out of state along the way. At the end of July we moved out of the house in Shakopee and hit the road for Florida!
We attended the AG General Council in Orlando, where Mandie and I both worked each day at the Asia Pacific booth for Assemblies of God World Missions. Following General Council, we were invited to a retreat provided by River Valley Church. They blessed us and our kids with incredible times of worship, prayer, relaxation and reinvigoration. A major highlight for our crew was our first trip to Disney’s Magic Kingdom, an incredible gift from our church. Their team was excellent in every way. Over 200 people who serve overseas were also blessed by the retreat.
On the way back we got to connect with David V. Plymire. He is now a 94 year old man, retired AGWM missionary that served in Taiwan and Hong Kong for many years. In 1959, David wrote a biography about his father, Victor Plymire, who was the first AG missionary to enter Tibet in the early 1900s. The book has now inspired tens of thousands toward obedience to the Lord, including our 10 year old son. Brock read “High Adventure” for a school project last year and it has had a tremendous and lasting impact on his life. Pray for him as the Lord is stirring his heart towards things of the Kingdom.
Thinking back to the book, it leads us into the next question…
What came of that audio project Ryan was working on last fall?
The project was the audio recording of the book, “High Adventure In Tibet” written and read by David V. Plymire. And we can’t wait to tell you all about it!
It started with an off hand comment in Springfield, MO in June, 2024.
We were at a work picnic and I, Ryan, found myself standing in a circle with five veteran missionaries who have served decades in Asia. One of them recommended I read the book, “High Adventure In Tibet.” He didn’t know that over the past week, three others missionaries had recommended the same book!
Earlier that week, I looked it up on Amazon there was only one copy available… for $78!
The book was out of print so very few copies are available. I was shocked! So many people had recommended it to us over the years and even more recently. Since it was out of print, we looked to Kindle or Audible, hopeful we could get our own copy there, but it was not on either platform. Mandie and I had been so disappointed. For years, Mandie and I have lamented the lack of electronic or audio books of missionary biographies. We’ve often said, if we had time, we should just record books in public domain so that the stories could be heard! But we had yet to make it happen.
When “High Adventure” came up again in the conversation at the picnic, I mentioned the lack of access to it. Others around the circle shared how they’d each given hundreds of copies away over the years, as recruiting tools for missions in Asia. What a shame it was no longer readily available.
Off handedly, I mentioned that I would be happy to offer my time make the Kindle and Audible versions possible since in my youth, I used to run recording studios and help people self publish books.
Then one of the veterans in the circle mentioned that he was going to visit David Plymire that very afternoon.
“Do you want me to pitch the audiobook idea to David?” he asked.
“That would be amazing! I’ll be happy to offer my time, no charge,” I said.
[Side note: Did you know that Mandie spent a summer teaching English in that part of the world in 2005? She was one of the very few selected from hundreds that applied. Her heart has ached for those peoples since. There is no way we could have passed up the opportunity to give voice to the spiritual need of these people…and even more exciting to encourage others to action with this story about the people Mandie so loves.]
Back to the story:
A month or so later, I received word that the project was a go! Our Asia Pacific Regional Director, Jeff Hartensveld approved the redesign, reprinting and recording of High Adventure in Tibet with a planned relaunch at General Council the following year! How incredible.
November 2024, I drove down to Missouri and spent a week with David at MERGE Studios in Springfield. I picked him up each morning in my little, black Toyota and drove him to the studio.
He wondered about the stairs.
Remember he’s in his mid 90s. The first morning I slowly waked each step with him. The second morning he said, “you go ahead and get set up, I’ll get up there before long.” His wife Pat called and he had it on speaker phone.
“Hey babe, I made it up all those stairs just fine.”
“Already? That was fast. Are they going to feed you lunch?”
“No, I told them I just wanted to go straight through. My voice won’t be as good if I eat.”
“Ok babe, I’ll have a sandwich ready for you when you get home.”
“Ok, love you babe, bye.”
Each day would be something like that.
It took 4 full days to record David reading the book. On the fifth day, we recorded an interview between David and I that we’ll share at a later time.
The time has come. *Drum Roll, please*
The book is ready and launched as planned at General Council last month. Many hours were spent by those at MERGE and myself to make this story available to this generation. May God use the story mightily to encourage others in obedience to the Lord!
Get your Kindle or Audible copy here: HighAdventureInTibet.com
You’re still in the States, when do you leave for Taiwan?
As you may remember, our hope was to be leaving in September. After conversation with our leadership during General Council in August, December is the new goal.
This delay is strategic, creating time for us to apply for business visas prior to our arrival in Taiwan. Landing in Taiwan without the long term visa is possible, but would have required visa trips every 3 months and a round trip back to the states for the whole family next summer for 1 -3 months. While we don’t love the delay, we are grateful to have an opportunity to start the visa process now, saving us time and money in the long run.
A great silver lining, we have more time to dial in supplements and medication for Dirk over the next few months. You can pray with us as we navigate this with Dirk.
The other big benefit is more time to raise the rest of our budget for our ministry in Taiwan.
What will your kids do for school?
All 5 kids are currently enrolled in public schools in Farmington, MN. This was made possible because River Valley Church has provided us global working housing in Farmington through the end of the year. For this we are so incredibly grateful.
Blake had a dream of playing American Football and we were able to get him on a 7th grade tackle football team. His smile was a mile wide!
Dirk lettered in Cross Country last year as an 8th grader. After a winter of lifting weights, he decided he would also like to try football this year. The Farmington 9th grade team graciously made a way for him to join the team.
Brock has begun a cross country season for 4th - 6th graders. At his first meet he took 3rd and has his sights set on taking first in at least one of the 5 meets this year.
Adeline and Beck are already making friends and having fun riding the bus to school for the first time.
Join us in praying for them this year as they enjoy a few more months in Minnesota with friends and family. Pray also for the upcoming transition and new schools in Taiwan.
Did you hear that China is planning to invade Taiwan?
Yes. We are very aware of all the news and possibility of China’s potential invasion/take-over.
Above all, God knows. He is leading us to take the message of the gospel to the largest, unreached Chinese speaking nation with religious freedom…for now. Right now, the door is open, but we don’t know for how long. We have had many discussions with our team, leadership, veteran missionaries in the area, military connections and others.
Our team has a plan for safety and security. So, we move ahead in obedience, trusting the Lord in all things.
How is it coming for raising your budget?
We have reduced our budget in some ways and have added an emergency fund line item to help in case of a quick exit from Taiwan. After those adjustments our overall monthly budget was reduced by $1000 and our cash budget was reduced by $3000.
77% of our monthly budget has been raised and 78% of cash budget has been raised. Praise the Lord!
We’ll soon be sharing a video explanation of the budget, so stay tuned!
…and HopeGives has offered us a matching gift for using their platform for a campaign.
We love the newsletter. Thanks for the detailed news. We will be praying for the funding to come through before you need to leave the States.
I love this. Thanks for sharing. Wished it was your voice 🤗