Bobo and Manuela.
Bobo is about 18 years of age. His father died when he was still a baby. Unbelievers today say that his father was attacked by an “aborou”, which is a person with the ability to perform black magic. Soon after this mother, overcome by sorrow, committed suicide. It was a very sad day when they found both him and his older sister in the same room his mother committed suicide in. Up to recently it was very common for Mengen people to commit suicide when they experienced extreme sorrow or shame. After this, in accordance with Mengen culture, his extended family raised him and cared for him. He basically stayed with his grandmother and uncles.
Because of these circumstances, Bobo grew up to be a difficult boy, who was even regarded according to Mengen culture as being bad mannered, a thief and troublemaker. On the first day that we arrived in our village, he was one of our carriers and stole some of our foodstuffs. Not long after that he broke into our house and stole some sugar and yeast to make some home brew to get drunk. Regularly after this he gave us trouble, sometimes even threatening to hurt our coworkers. The picture on the left is a picture of Bobo when we arrived here a couple of years ago.
As you know, in the last few years we started to teach the Mengen people through the Old Testament up to the life and death of Christ. What was amazing though was that throughout all of this time he attended all 70 of these lessons, and also the next 40 lessons covering the book of Acts and eventually into the lessons covering the Book of Romans as well. Even though in this time he continued with his trouble and rebellion, the seeds of God’s truth were being sown into his life and so it happened that the Holy Spirit somewhere along the line convicted him of his sin and showed him his need for salvation. And so this orphan boy was adopted into the family of Christ with God himself as His father.
God has done a remarkable work in this young man’s life. He joined the literacy class and learned to read and write and now he is even being trained as a literacy teacher. He is also in the beginning stages of being evaluated to become a teacher trainee in church. God has truly turned his life around. On the left is a picture of Bobo today.
Manuela on the other hand has been an amazing young girl and has at a very early age after the teaching accepted Christ as her Saviour. She has been growing and living an amazing life up to now. Bobo and Manuela got married about 2 years ago and were the first Mengen believers who got married.
Please pray for Bobo especially as he has been going through a tough time lately. Recently after he and his wife had an argument he tried to commit suicide. This is very common amongst the Mengen especially when they are grieved or humiliated. It seems at this stage that Bobo is disappointed in himself. He feels that as a husband and trainee teacher he has failed, grieved God and let the body of Christ (the church) down. They are being disciple at this moment by more mature teachers.
We hope and trust that Bobo and Manuela will be restored and become great teachers amongst their own people.
Remember that you are making an eternal difference by supporting us and we appreciate each one of you guys very very much. We cannot reach people like Bobo and Manuela without your support.
Lourens
Lourens Laureti says
Thanks guys! God has been using this young man in amazing ways! lately he has been going through tough times but as James says these trials have proven to be very valuable in producing endurance.
Chantelle HCC says
I truly enjoyed reading of Bobo and Manuela. We serve a miracle working God. He is still the same yesterday, today and forever!
What a blessing to know that despite Bobo’s sad childhood circumstances, God has been working in his life. We will keep him in our prayers as he goes through this trial.
May the Lord bless and keep you all. Thank you for your efforts and willingness to be obedient to God’s divine plan for your lives.
God bless you.
Lourens Laureti says
Thanks guys! Hope to see you all some time here in Joburg
Tommy and Judy Bennett says
So good to hear from you and so enjoyed the photos. We are praying for you and the Mengan people. Lots of love.