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Persecution – Closing of the airstrip.
About 2 weeks or so ago we were on our own in the tribe and usually things go wrong then, especially due to the fact that villagers try and take a chance with the newer guys. I was getting a sense that the Malanga clan weren’t happy, specifically the unbelievers in the clan. Dave my co worker checked with some of them when he returned and asked them to get together as a clan and let’s sort this out. They are concerned that they’ve seen no development from the airstrip and they haven’t been paid for all their work. They were in a sense asking us to pay them for what the government had promised them years ago. We said, that the government lied to us as well, and we had to pay for everything. And I reminded them that we told them that it was the gov’t responsibility and we’d pay for equipment only-which we did years ago. Then they asked us if we’d pay rent for the airstrip, and I said that this was against the law in being able to do this, it would open up the ground to disputes etc. We reminded them that they were the ones who were strong in wanting the airstrip, as we had the road with the helicopter. We also reminded them why we are here and that’s for God’s Word and that it’s hard for us to be here and they are making it harder. They eventually left telling us that the airstrip is closed and that we would not be able to use it.
Merengi performing a custom for his new bron son.
Slaughtering a pig during a custom.
This was an indicator as to where the hearts of some of the people are at and it gave us many wonderful opportunities to challenge some unbelievers as well as believers! So this situation gives us an opportunity to take their pulse. We were heart heavy over the believers in it all, but for the most part trusting in the Lord to direct. We’re trying to take a back seat to it all and wanting to see how it all shakes out.
We later reminded them that the airstrip is providing them with some work and opportunities to receive some goods in a very isolated bush location. After about a week they agreed to keep the airstrip open if we would continue to persue opportunities for them to work on the airstrip in maintaining it. Basically where are back to where we were before.
We praise the Lord for many wonderful opportunities to work with the believers and school them through all of this! And we wre very encouraged to see how the believers supported us in all of this!
Believers starting to witness.
Even though they are experiencing some serious persecution, the believers are not deterred and we are finding them more and more, witnessing and sharing the gospel. Recently I visited a friend of mine, who was very sick and have not left his home for the last month. As I came into his house, I saw he had the little picture book we gave him. They use this book as basis to share the gospel with their friends and family. This specific man, cannot read nor right, yet he has taken this book and shared it with his kids, so much so that they can share the chronological stories from start to finish. This little boy is about 6 years old and I sat there visiting with them while he was sharing the truth with me from start to finish, perfectly! They tell me that he has been sharing the truth with his grandparents and many other friends. I then challenged the father and told him it is great that his son knows the story, but has he placed his trust in the Lord Jesus! The father as well as mom immediately responded with a very strong ‘Yes’ and told me that he knows his sins are forgiven due to the death of Jesus on the cross! I could not stop smiling and are very excited about the next generation believers in the Mengen tribe!
Please Pray with us!
· For continual growth as we together with the believers experience persecution.
· That we as missionaries will be cool and calm in all of this.
· That the Mengen church will grasp the importance if spreading Gods Word especially in their family circles.
· Praise God for the believers being able to stand firm in their faith in these days.
Blessings
Lourens