When we returned home to care for aging parents, we didn’t expect to find ourselves on this journey.
We’re still Bible translators, but there's a lot more to the story. 

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We are John and Bonnie Nystrom. Since 1987, we have been working in Papua New Guinea (PNG) advising a local Bible translation project. In 2011 we needed to return to the U.S. to care for elderly parents. John now works with the translation team remotely from the US and makes annual trips back to PNG. 

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Caring for John’s parents meant staying at his family's place, Nystrom's Resort, in the summers. He continued advising  the translations while also helping his parents navigate cancer and dementia. John inherited the family resort when his mom passed away in 2021.

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We started asking the Lord, What are you doing? Why did you make us resort owners when we're still full-time missionaries? We love living here and serving our guests, but what is your kingdom purpose for us owning this place?

The answer to that question came gradually but with increasing clarity. Ministry friends started visiting. People serving in missions, churches — people like us, in need of rest. And what we noticed again and again was this: being here made a difference. 

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Being near the water, away from pressure and noise, gave them space to reconnect with the Lord and their families. 

We had been in their shoes, in need of that kind of break, and now we were in a place to make that possible for others. 

We knew that most people in ministry can't afford to stay in a nice cabin on a beautiful lake.

 

But we did not know that most people who donate their place to pastors and missionaries can only accommodate a couple. Very few can host a whole family. 

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Since Nystrom's Resort is all about building family memories, our vision for Eagles Rest Ministries was born. Sycamore Lodge is now hosting ministry families. Watch the video for more of the story.

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We’re still doing Bible translation. We still live at Nystrom’s Resort in the summer. And now we’re inviting others in ministry to rest and reconnect here.

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If you'd like to be a Ministry Guest here, start on this page. 

If you'd like to help us make Eagles Rest available to more pastors and missionaries, see this page.