“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Eph.2:10
For the last few weeks we have been studying the book of Ephesians together with the Dinangat church here in the village and every Sunday we marvel again about God’s Word to us. As we talked about the verse above we made a very fitting cultural illustration which really hit home for the believers. We showed a typical Dinangat drum and with it a very untreated ugly looking tree trunk and explained how God works on us. Just like Esingke (the best drum builder of Dinangat, 2nd picture) works on a tree trunk for many long days until it reaches the shape and beauty and good sound of a perfect drum. In the same way God works on us until we become like Christ and until everyone else can see that we are created in Christ Jesus. The people were very encouraged for they really understand the work of a drum builder and how long it takes to shape an ugly trunk (which in reality even has lots of bad thorns) into a beautiful drum. The believers are often worried about whether God is still patient with them or not, but God’s Word encourages them again and again and we can see how they slowly become new beautiful drums.
“…we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Rom.5: 3-4
In our neighboring village T. the young believers unfortunately (or should I say fortunately!) have been going through some hardships together. But we can also see how God is at work as he is slowly removing ugly thorns of bad habits. That is a long process and some are more eager to get shaped than others. But overall we can be sure that these sufferings and hardships are after all good for the growth of the young church. Last weekend Ralf (and Rebekka for the first time, 1st picture) hiked over there with our Bible teachers to disciple them and to tell them not to get discouraged through these hardships, for they are important for us and we can even rejoice in them J!
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword…” Heb.4: 12
God’s Word truly is living and active in our hearts and we are looking forward to seeing more action here amongst the believers and even in our own lives. Every day we are working on translating more of God’s precious Word. The book of Romans is completed and the book of Ephesians is almost complete, too. Yesterday Ralf started working on translating 1.Corinthians. We are very thankful about how things are moving forward and how we as a team work together to see this huge task completed. Together we can say the words my helper and friend just told me yesterday, “I marvel at how God works through me as I help translate His Word. Before I never did such a work, I couldn’t even read, but today God uses me in such a huge thing. It is truly God who works in me, that’s for sure!”
We as a family are doing good. Naomi and Rebekka are working hard on their school every day and are moving along quite well. Mirjam keeps us up and running and laughing. She has discovered her speaking ability these days and it is quite funny to watch her mix up three languages as she tries. She counts in half German and half English, calls the women of the village all in Dinangat and even at breakfast, once she realizes that we don’t have eggs, she says, “Ei (for ‘egg’ in German), mim (for ‘there is none’ in Dinangat)!” 🙂
That’s all for now about God’s doings here in Dinangat. We hope that you also see Him at work at wherever you serve Him today!
For His glory, the Schlegels.