Men once taught now teaching us

Men we once taught are now teaching us!

 

Observations

So what’s been going on in the tribe these days? We had the wonderful opportunity to go back into the tribe for a short week over the New Year’s holiday. It was a great way to ring in the new year.

Some of you have heard of the mess that one of the village churches got into with some false doctrine. Well, good news is that most of those people have returned to fellowship. There are a few people still not convinced and one of whom is a man that we all love very much. He was the main teacher in that village and still is caught in the trap. Please pray for him.

Our return all started with a very warm welcome. The believers were very happy to see Charis again. It was also very good to be together as an entire missionary team in the tribe for the first time in years.

 Only one thing can help them

Shortly into our time there the key leaders of the village wanted to meet with us to discuss how they should handle those outside who still are practicing sorcery. They had been asked by other villages if we could work some kind of ritual to rid their villages of these evil practices. One of the men who doesn’t really understand it all wanted to make them give offerings to us and we would perform a certain church service and give our blessing over those outside.

However, the stronger believers and 2 elders exhorted one another that only the Word of God and prayer can truly help them. So let’s pray for an opportunity to teach them.

Obedience

The church in Dinangat has gone through many struggles, and baptism is one of the hot buttons in their culture. However, in spite of the persecution this little group of believers has experienced over this issue, and to demonstrate their commitment to God and His word for 2017; they followed Him in baptism. It was yet another precious time together.

Oh the joy!

A bit of transparency here, we came to Dinangat pretty worn out and a bit discouraged. So to sit in church, packed out, to commit the year to the Lord we were encouraged. But then as I sat there under one of the elders teaching on Ephesians 6, I was convicted that we have not been taking up the whole armor of God. We were giving in to the fiery darts from old smutty face; and these men who we once taught were now teaching us!

We were overwhelmingly encouraged by this. “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 4) We could add to that, walking and teaching.

Stay tuned for another update coming soon that will be more focused on our family as we look ahead to some big and exciting changes coming up in the next 6 months.