Celebrate Christmas!
We have been “off the grid” a bit lately due to a trip to Hewa — In the bush we have NO email, internet, cell coverage, or TV. However, we seem to have better access to the One we NEED – Here is one scene we partook in during our time visiting The Church in Hewa.
Sitting in a church building without electricity… some folks are on benches, many are on the floor, the rain storm outside continues to intensify complete with thunder, lightning, blowing wind, and intense rain. It was nearly impossible to hear due to the rain on the metal roof sounding like the inside of a jet engine… Everything within me wanted to stop teaching wondering if everyone was even able to hear? Would my voice hold out as I yelled in competition with the elements? Was there something bigger going on? We had come to the highlight of our block of teaching in Romans — I wanted to cover Chapters 1-3. The people had met with us twice a day every day for the week. They seemed to notice that the teaching was building toward something. Now that we were reaching the climax in the teaching – the storm seemed to be working it’s hardest to push back against the intensity of the message of Romans.
I said “Guys, this is the verse that is going to knock the legs out of all other false churches and religions. These verses should be memorized and re-taught on a regular basis. I am going to write it on the wall of our church so that everyone can see what makes us different than every other church in our area. Do you want me to keep going? Should I quit and try in the morning when we can hear better? People leaned in, a few folks got up and moved closer so that they could hear God’s Word. Sensing that it would be wrong for me to back down at this point, we pushed on and read,
“Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” Romans 3:20-22
One of our key guys nearly jumped out of his skin with excitement – several had a huge smile as they rested in all that Christ has done for us. This message cannot be held back – it will go forward because it is GOOD NEWS.
Thank you – We thank you on behalf of the Hewa People and we thank you from our family for the opportunity to do this ministry. What a privilege to share The GOOD NEWS with the Hewa people.
When not in Hewa, we have been very busy in our ministry at the regional support center in town. We have had a lot of personnel passing through our regional support center and always enjoy ministering to fellow missionaries. Here are a few of the things we do when we are not preparing for, or teaching in Hewa land;
We are arranging all the logistics for a Bible Dedication into the Iwam Language Group in February. We are working on planning and coordinating a Regional Conference in March. Included in this time will be a series of strategy meetings that we will assist in leading. We have also had the opportunity to help in evaluating Current Church Planting efforts in our region and assist these churches in planning their course. We have had some folks go through some very difficult circumstances and we have spent many hours visiting and ministering to these dear friends. We fill in all our free time with whatever needs to be done to “keep the lights on” at our support center.
Overall – We are doing very well. We miss you all dearly. We reminisce about how nice it was to be home last year.
However, we know this is where God has us and we are thankful for the opportunities we have here. THANK YOU for joining with us and making this ministry possible. Your prayers, encouragement, and faithful support have been a huge blessing. Please drop us a line and let us know how you are celebrating your Christmas and your plans for the NEW YEAR.
With His Love – The Copley’s
Deuteronomy 32: 3-4
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