This Past Week: Another intense and busy week here! It started off with the extra-curricular meeting on Sunday about what the scriptures of the majority religion in the area say about what we are teaching. Interestingly few if any of the religious leaders attended while many younger people did – even though the elders were the one who requested the meeting. Phil thinks they realized that people will want them to read and interpret their own book which they are unable to do. In the end, there were a lot of questions and interest from those who did attend. The main point was that God was the owner of all truth and if we hear conflicting claims we need to ask Him to show us what is true. Teaching continued on Monday and Tuesday as we taught through Jesus’ birth and John the Baptist. The issue of repentance came up again and led to a very good time of question and answer. Slowly the lights are coming on as to what repentance entails and just who this Deliverer is! Wednesday was a public holiday, the “Day of the Child,” and so no lessons were held. Attendance was low for Thursday’s teaching (many were sleeping after having been up all night the night before.) We have been noticing an overall decline in attendance and would ask special prayer that it would pick up. We had had guests arrive on Thursday and on Friday Phil started into meetings with them which are continuing through this weekend. I (Elin) have kept busy handing out mp3 players and cooking for the guests :). The kids have enjoyed having some extra friends around (their dads came for meetings, the kids, to play! :)) Pray for these religious leaders who are struggling with their identity right now. Phil would like to get around to visit each one individually and talk with them, but struggles to find the time. Pray that he will find the time and that these men will be open and willing to talk. Continue to pray that people will grasp the truths (especially repentance and Jesus as the Redeemer) that were and are being taught as well as for faithful attendance. Upcoming Week: The lessons this week will be focusing in on Jesus’s early ministry including the early miracles and His ministry with the disciples. While the concept that Jesus was perfect (never sinned) has been taught, the idea of Him being God is still one that they struggle with. These lessons will be introducing this concept. They will show Jesus as having power over the evil spirits and sickness. This is where the Mwinika people “live”, as we put it. Life is all about keeping these spirits and sickness at bay at all costs. We hope that these lessons will have great impact among those who hear them. Please pray that the people will accept the deity of Christ, understand His power over the evil spirits that plague them and find true healing and freedom in Him!