We realize this is not an ideal time to send out an update as everyone is consumed with the election, but we are anxious to share some things with you so we are hoping your vote will be to read this and praise the Lord with us.
Here are the headlines that you can read more about later when you have time:
- Bible teacher’s life spared after slipping on the trail and a knife in his bag piercing his side.
- Sunday church service saw nearly 40 people stand up to confess sins. Incredible time.
- Although the door is still closed to the main village a potential outreach may occur in the near future to a small village asking for the teaching.
Each Monday we have a meeting with all the Dinangat Bible teachers. Three of the teachers hike from their village and we praise God every week for their safety. However last week their faith was tested. Areke and his two friends were nearing their village, but it was dark and they only had one flashlight between them. Areke slipped on a wet rock and a small knife shot into his side. His friends ripped off his shirt and covered the wound. They slowly finished the last 20 minutes of the hike up to their village and got him home. Upon taking off the bandage they could see that it was bad. The cut was deep and he lost a lot of blood. They sent for the village medical aid, and the next morning he hiked over there to stitch him up. The doctor said that his ribs saved his life. The blade of the knife went into his side, but then his ribs blocked the blade and it traveled up under his skin along the rib cage. The doctor sewed him up and he is healing now. Areke said that he is so thankful to suffer for the Lord, and that his desire is to be like Christ so he was pierced in the side just as our Lord was.
This Sunday was one of the best Sunday services I ever attended. Not because there was a spectacular band playing for worship or that the preaching was wonderful (Gary was preaching, enough said, right?). But because after the sermon nearly 40 people individually took turns standing up to confess specific sins. It was awesome. The message Gary preached was corrective teaching on the issue of sorcery and calling out the sin they had committed. People responded amazingly and said things like, •“Lord, I’m very sorry for being a part of that meeting where they practiced sorcery. I sinned and ask your forgiveness,”
- “Please forgive me Lord for not being a good leader and speaking out and not stopping the sorcery. I was wrong.”
- “Lord, I ask your forgiveness for me not being a good husband and father at home. I am impatient with my family and do not treat them as I should.”
- “My husband is one of the bible teachers and he always tells me that we do this work together, but I got bitter and angry at his over involvement, and I went away. But I was wrong to do this. I ask your forgiveness.”
These kinds of confessions went on for over an hour and were mostly focused on the sorcery that had recently taken place here in the village. The believers were tempted and tested and some of them fell, but now they are restored! They faithfully followed 1 John 1:9 and James 5:16 and our gracious Lord restored them. It was amazing. We’ve never seen anything like that before! After this we shared communion together which was a fitting end to demonstrate God’s graciousness and provision of forgiveness.
Finally, we’ve been praying for an open door to the main village for months. However the leaders are still not open to our teaching. But God has opened another door to a small village a little further away! It’s a hamlet of families that came down the mountain to ask if they could receive the teaching. They have come once and a while to the church in the other village, and they are very intrigued. So they said they want to hear the whole story! So the bible teachers will be talking to them about all the arrangements soon. Praise the Lord with us! And pray for wisdom, and that this outreach will indeed take place.
Our Family News
In October we went to the annual regional missionary conference and had a wonderful time of refreshment and fellowship with fellow missionaries.
Then we took our children to the mission center where the mission school is located for a “Spiritual Emphasis Weekend” where Charis and Caleb attended. They both came back charged up and desiring to love and serve the Lord in a fresh new way. We also had the privilege of hosting the other Dinangat missionary children so they could attend also.
Soon all the ladies (Esther, April and Elli) will travel out with the girls to the school again for a Christmas bizarre weekend. Should be a great time of fellowship and refreshment. Meanwhile we have a fun “guys” weekend planned here. We are so thankful that the Lord gives us these kinds of opportunities.
Thank you so much for your love and support!
Gary & Esther Smith
Dinangat, PNG