Last week a group of Simbari believers were hiking through the jungle on the way to their pandanus nut gardens. These gardens are high up in the mountainous rainforest and the only way to reach them is on difficult foot trails. These trails repeatedly cross mountains and rivers and at one such river crossing they ran into some trouble. The river was very high from the rain. Since there are no bridges on these remote river crossings they set out to build a makeshift one to get everyone across. This particular river called the Pulviyav is the largest river in the whole valley. It is a fast moving river with many stones and powerful currents. They found a place where the river narrowed a little between two large boulders and after cutting some poles from the jungle the men laid them across the gap between the stones. Because they were traveling as a group the men decided to add a handrail to assist the people as they crossed. As they were trying to get the handrail into place the water caught the pole and knocked one of the men, named Peter, into the water. Because of the two stones narrowing the river at that spot the water was gushing extra fast between the stones and plunging into the pool below. Peter was immediately swept down into the pool and the downward force of the water kept pulling him downwards so he couldn’t surface. It happened so quick that some didn’t even see it happen. But some saw and immediately cried out in fear. Here in Simbari the rivers are feared because too often people have died trying to cross them. Those who saw immediately prayed for help. One man wanted to jump in to try and save Peter but the others held him back lest an extra person die. Peter was swept down the river being smashed into boulders and plunging from one pool to the next each time being pinned to the bottom until the third time when he realized he didn’t have enough strength to fight the current and that he was about to die. He waved his arms saying goodbye to his family and friends as he thought to himself, “I’m going to die now but I’m ready.” But God had a different plan for him and right at that moment brought him close enough to the edge that one of the others could grab his hand and pull him out. The believers were moved to tears and then praised God for the miracle. They said, “Peter was as good as dead, but God gave him life.” And Peter himself marveled that the whole time he was in the river water never entered his nose or mouth, “It was like a blanket (of protection) was wrapped around me”. He said. That evening everyone was very sober and as they gathered in their little garden shelters in the middle of the jungle they glorifed God for saving Peter’s life. They sang worship songs into the night then some slept close to Peter thankful that God gave him life.
Several times since this happened they’ve brought up the story of Jonah and how Jonah was as good as dead but God used that difficult situation to teach him then gave him back his life. During the Sunday morning service the Bible teacher, Rison, talked about this again pointing out Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” And that God allows these hardships because he loves us and wants us to become mature in our faith. He reminded them that even in the middle of our difficulties God is there. And in the jungle or out in the towns He is there wanting to teach us through everything that comes into our life. It’s so good to see them standing strong on the word of God.
Good news to report that last week 2 Bible teachers who had been out in town returned to the tribe so we are praising God that they are back. It was good to hear that when they were out in town that they took some opportunities to encourage some of the other believers out there. David is currently working on the preliminary draft of Galatians. Thanks for praying.