In October, Edward and Francesca became the 4th Mengen missionary family to leave their home and travel to a distant location. Their story is special in so many ways.
Two years ago, Edward went to visit a village some distance away. One of the men from there had heard some Bible teaching from the first outreach. He was excited and anxious for his own family to be able to hear. He said to Edward, “Look over there—that’s my wife. Look over there—those are my kids and that’s my family over there. If they die and go to the place of fire, whose fault is it? It’s your fault because you heard the Good News 10 years ago and haven’t come and told us yet.”
Because Edward has been the main Bible teacher in our home village, it took some time before he was freed up and able to go. However, the first of October, he and Francesca and their 3 young children moved to S. village to begin their new ministry. As soon as they arrived, people came and wanted them to start teaching that same night! So a couple of days later, Edward began to teach and taught 7 days a week for 13 weeks! Absolutely incredible! Even his little daughters got in on the action, helping to explain the Bible story posters casually to different people!!
The Bible teaching culminated on Christmas Day and in the end, 34 people placed their trust in Christ. Several others have heard the teaching and need a bit more review, but the Lord is certainly at work in their hearts. Throughout this time Edward continually had people waking him up early each morning, wanting to talk about the Lord! The villagers provided food each day for Francesca so that she would not have to plant a garden. That kind of thing is nearly unheard of in this culture, as people always want payment for their “free gifts”.
Now another group of at least 30 people are anxious to hear the Bible teaching. Edward will soon be starting back at the first lesson and teaching a whole new group. At the same time, he’ll be going through Acts with the new believers and grounding them in their faith. An incredible and exhausting schedule, to say the least.
Thanks so much for your prayers for them and the rest of the Mengen missionaries as they serve the Lord.