Merry Christmas from our house to yours! The Christmas music is going full tilt in our house here in Amdu. One of our favorite things about Christmas is the music, especially the music that helps us to remember that Jesus is the consummation of all that is on God’s heart towards us. This has been the very message we have been focusing on together with the Amdu believers since the last time we wrote an update.
Amdu Bible Teaching
After we taught from creation to Christ making the gospel very clear, we doubled back through all the Old Testament stories that point to the coming of the Lord Jesus and what his purpose was for coming. We did this to show believing hearts just how much Jesus is and has always been first on the mind of God. It has been a thrill to watch our friend’s confidence grow in the simplicity of God’s plan – Jesus! Another thing they are thrilling in, is the completeness of Jesus work in regards to paying our ransom. Both of these concepts are brand new and so the implications have been settling in slowly but surely.
Amdu Testimonies
Along the way we have been interspersing vital truths for baby believers, sharing with them the assurances their heavenly Father has given them in his word. Most recently we talked about Jesus’ promise to the disciples that he was not abandoning them but going ahead of them to prepare a place where they could live together forever, and that he would return for them.
As we discussed these things, one lady reported that in the past months since becoming believers other people in the village have mocked them telling them that one day the white people will leave and they will, “be like orphans living poorly.” But here from Jesus’ own mouth (John 14:18) the opposite is said. “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” This lady was beaming with happiness because the truth of God’s word is so clear and spoke right into her experience.
Another man told me that one day he was returning from the garden and came to a place to rest and as he was sitting on a log looking down into the gorge at the rushing river he thought, “Man, just like that river is flowing out from its source, the Holy Spirit is the source of living water flowing out of my heart!” He said he started singing and then prayed and came home. What a great testimony of the Holy Spirit at work in believer’s lives. Pray for this man. His wife and kids haven’t attended any of our teaching. They aren’t believers and it is a burden on him.
Amdu Translation
We have printed a little booklet of all the birth truth Bible verses that we have taught from recently and this booklet has become precious to the believers. We’re watching them take every opportunity to read the verses and discuss them. They are doing this at home, with each other in groups, and even in mixed company. This has been a delight for us to watch and we’re eager to get more into their hands Keep praying for our team as we work through the many steps necessary to bring the book of Acts into Amdu hands. The book of Romans is being translated, and very soon we’ll start translating the book of Ephesians.
2021
In January we are going to begin a formal study of the book of Acts. We have been describing this to the believers here telling them to get ready to see how the Holy Spirit works. We’ve been saying it like this: “We’re going to see how the Holy Spirit worked and what changes came about when he was working in Jerusalem. Then we’re going to see what came about as a result of the Holy Spirit’s work in Judea and Samaria. Then we’re going to study and see what the Holy Spirit did in other farther out places. This will help us to see what it is that the Holy Spirit wants to accomplish here in Amdu!”
After each meeting we make time for anyone to share what they are happy about. Last week after we described what we were going to do with the book of Acts one man said, “What I am happy about this morning is what you just told us about how we are going to be learning from the book of Acts next year. That right there is what is making me happy right now!” We’re so thankful to be working with hungry hearts!
Amdu Foundations
As you can imagine we’re still in the foundation laying mode, and we’re very content to be doing this work. More than ever we are convinced of the importance of foundations and this requires moving slowly and making sure things are firmly established.
Will you pray that as our friends chew on all they have learned this year that they will allow the Holy Spirit to keep massaging the truth down into their souls to change their worldview.
Will you pray that as our friends chew on all they have learned this year that they will allow the Holy Spirit to keep massaging the truth down into their souls to change their worldview.
No Amdu Church Without You
It’s a joy to be here and we’re indebted to each one of you. Thank you for the generous way you give of yourselves to enable the Amdu people to be discipled! We’re honored and so grateful.
Benjamin and Missy