Another week has come and gone here in Amdu. God has enabled us and our friends to journey along another significant stretch of God’s great story leading us to the One who has overcome Satan. The “Satan Akaalokun Tunum” is the expression that is now constantly on the lips of those who are regularly attending our meetings. It means the Satan Overcoming Man. The fact that God is committed to his promise to bring the Satan Overcoming Man stands out as the theme behind all the themes that come out in each story and it’s exciting to see how our friends have latched on to this reality. Last week during the summary of one of the lessons Benjamin said, “So, are you going to look to your own strength or will you be ‘finding’ (waiting for) the Satan Overcoming Man?” This was a rhetorical question, but one man could contain his enthusiasm. He just went ahead and answered it out loud anyway. “I’m ‘finding’ the Satan Overcoming Man!” he said.
Last week, the theme was God’s covenant with Israel, the Mosaic Covenant. Our objective was twofold. The first was to make it abundantly clear that this was an exclusive covenant between God and Israel. We emphasized, as does the Scripture, the fact that God promised the offspring of Jacob prosperity in the land of Canaan if they would keep the covenant he made with them. We all enjoyed imagining the abundance of the ‘good life’ that the Israelites could expect if they followed God faithfully. The second objective was to make it abundantly clear how the Mosaic covenant, exclusive as it is, impacts our lives today. We taught how the Law is like a measuring rod that shows us what God is like. In a personal conversation with one of our students on this question he was asked, “Who in this world can measure up to God?” He was thoughtful and confident in his answer. “I don’t believe there is anyone who can measure up to God.” We’re so glad to see how the foundation already laid has given him the confidence to answer this way. We also taught that the Law is like a mirror. It shows us what we are like. It shows us that we have ‘mud on our faces.’ But who would take a mirror to the river and try to wash the dirt off their body with it? Everyone had a good laugh at Benjamin demonstrating how lame a mirror is at taking the mud off. These are simple, foundational truths that we’re so happy are sliding nicely into place in the Amdu mind. Keep praying for these principles to solidify.
Right at the point where we were getting into this important discussion on how the teaching about the Law applies to us today, it began to rain. This was one of God’s kindnesses to us this week. We were coming near to the end of our teaching time that day when everyone typically gets fidgety, but the rain helped everyone to relax and listen to more of what we had to say. Benjamin was able to explain, and explain again and re-explain these very important truths using the visual aids and making it very clear that no one can be made right with God by following the Law. That is not how it applies. One man asked, “So, if we look into the law and it shows us that we are dirty, has God given us a way to get clean?” Delighted with this response we were able to point back to the theme of themes! “Yes! God has a way for us to get clean. And that is why he sent the Satan Overcoming Man.” “That is why we’re telling these stories,” we said. “If we keep following the road God has put for us in his word, we are going to see exactly how we can become clean before God!” It was a great ending to this week of lessons.
Please continue to pray for our friends to hang with us and keep listening. It’s a long process but we are SO convinced that this is the best way to reach a clear understanding of the Gospel in Amdu. Keep praying for the group as a whole that the truths would solidify and that heart change would happen!
It’s a joy to be making disciples in Amdu. Sorry that we have not been able to get a podcast out again this week. This time it is the atmosphere playing havoc with our radio reception. We’ll see how things go this coming week. But know that we’re doing well here and so thankful for all of you who are faithfully giving and praying for us and the Amdu people. We pray these stories keep your hearts burning for Gospel Day in Amdu!
Benjamin and Missy