This week something wonderful happened: the guys who are helping us in our work and are (mostly) believers now, started to pray each morning together before we start our work!
It all happened one morning when I shared about something the Lord put on my heart. Something our kids and I talked about the previous night during our family devotion time about how our own works, no matter how much we put into it, doesn’t bring us even one tine bit closer to a relationship with God.
This lead to their talking about sharing during their evenings around the fire what they know about Christ with their families and friends. We talked about how much it boosts our faith when we encourage each other in the Lord. We also talked about the fact that we need Him – in everything – also in our daily work. Finally this lead to the guys wanting to pray in the mornings before we start working.
This is a new thing and totally contrary to all they knew about religion… praying without a ritual or specific body position. It indeed is a breakthrough! Because ritual prayer is so much part of their traditional religion, we have not initiated or taught anything yet about praying in groups (only individual “talking with God”). We don’t want the Mwinika to just exchange one religious form for another, but wanted them to be more firmly rooted in their faith and understanding of God first.
That is why this is such a life changing experience for the Mwinika believers ! Not just praying, but the WAY they are doing it: they do not assume a specific position of hands and body, but simply and clearly, with respect. Like talking to Someone sitting right there with us… Which is indeed true!
Vrydag, one of the guys who was the religious leader of the main religion here, is taking the lead in praying aloud. We end with no “amen”, but simply continue the day, knowing He is still with us… All of us encouraged by our mutual sharing and declaring our faith in our Redeemer aloud. Their faces beaming, and my heart rejoicing!
The next morning, I wondered what would happen… I had total peace about leaving the initiative in their hands. Soon, they called me: Come! It’s time to pray together before we start the day!
What an amazing experience to pray together with fellow Mwinika believers. People who have only heard for the first time about the Redeemer last year! If I am to go Home to my heavenly Father tomorrow, this would be enough.