A church is born in Biem

This is an email from Brandon, a missionary to the Biem tribe:

It’s 7:30PM here and we just got back from the Teaching House, heads spinning, and hearts floating high. We began today’s lesson an hour earlier (4PM), and started by acting out the crucifixion. From there we taught: Why did Jesus have to die? What did that mean for us? Why had God the Father forsaken Him? What did He mean “it is finished”? What did the torn curtain mean? How in the world did the thief get saved? From there we acted out the resurrection and then taught on the significance of it. Finally the ascension and some more teaching.

 

Obviously the reactions were as varied as the individuals that were in attendance, but the neat thing was to see the joy that many of these men & women wore on their faces. For the ones that have been faithfully coming and listening to this talk…wow, it was the culmination of hope for them! They finally know with clarity, the road that God made for them…Jesus Christ the Road Man…didn’t just show or make a road…He IS the Road!

 

Here are some of the things that a few of the folks said:

“Brandon, it’s so clear now. I used to go to church, give money, and do good. All those things I thought would make me clean in God’s eyes. But when I slept at night, truly I had no idea where I would go when I die. But now I know! Brandon, I’m not scared of dying anymore. Now we know why Gail (our co-worker who was diagnosed with severe cancer) wasn’t afraid of it either.”

 

Another fella just kept saying “Really?! Really!?” Everyone beside the guy kept looking at him like he was nuts, but he was just beside himself with amazement at what Jesus had completed on his behalf.

 

One friend said, “I’ve been listening to the whole teaching and I understand this. I believe this. I know Jesus ONLY has straightened my sin pay. Now I understand this and the first thing I’m going to do is tell me family. They need to hear this.”

 

These are just some preliminary thoughts, words that have come out in the first hours. Obviously, as with any birth, the work has really only started. But we wanted to share with you as soon as we could so that you can glorify God with us. No numbers or anything like that, but today the Lord has definitely reaped a harvest for Himself on this little volcano in the Pacific.

Thanks so much for the prayers. We’ll send more soon.

Marveling,

-Brandon for the rest of the Biem Team.