YES!!! “It was time for Christ to rise from the dead.” Lisa reports from the Uriay in PNG. She continues… “Jose, Rachel and I played the part of the ladies headed to the tomb where we were very surprised to find the stone rolled away. Ok, so it was piece of plywood placed in front of the library door but all the same, it was there. We met the angel, Elias, who told us to go and tell the disciples – that Jesus was alive! So we ran in fear and then met Christ on the road – and rejoiced and talked about how He had done exactly as he said he would do! He had risen from the dead three days after he died! Then Elias taught about how God was satisfied with Christ’s shed blood as the payment for our sins – that anyone who believes in Christ’s work on the cross could leave Satan’s canoe and climb into God’s canoe – for eternity.”
“Imi was in tears as she tried to talk about what Christ had done for her. She kept saying, “It’s because of His love for us and His mercy that he was willing to die on the cross. He died so I don’t have to go to hell.” She, Wekot and Kayne seemed to be very clear that Christ’s blood was poured out to cover their sins, to take their place. Imi and I both had tears running down our face as we tried to talk through the things we had seen and heard that morning.”
“Dakruma boldly told me, as we sat there cutting her sago paste into globs, “I am a child of God! Jesus is my punishment bearing man! His blood poured out so that I don’t have to get the punishment for my sins!” She was absolutely beaming! She was so clear that it was only because of what Christ did that she could be in God’s family now!”
“Wekot very matter-of-factly told me that she is thinking with only one thinking about God’s talk. “I was in Satan’s canoe and Jesus’ blood poured out to cover my sins. I am thinking with only one thinking about His talk and so I am now in God’s canoe.” Her husband played the part of Christ. So I asked him, “What were you thinking as you hung there on the cross?” Noel said, “I almost cried. Before you all started this teaching, I was in Satan’s canoe. I have said bad things about other people, been mad, (etc.) and as I hung there, I kept thinking about how Christ bore all this pain and punishment for my sins. He died and his blood was poured out to cover my sins. I am thinking with only one thinking about that talk so I am in God’s canoe now.””
“Aendru was so overcome with emotion that he hung his head in shame as Christ hung on the cross, tears in his eyes, recognizing that Christ had shed his blood for his sins. He went back to his house and kept thinking about the talk, tried to sleep and couldn’t. He got back up and read the passage again, prayed and later on, he talked to Elias. He couldn’t hold in the excitement any longer that he was now a child of God because of Christ’s shed blood. “I’m asking Him to change my mouth.” Aendru knows that his words get him into trouble long before anything else. How’s that for a new believer asking His Father to change what he sees as his biggest source of sin? Wow – what an amazing Holy Spirit that lives within us – and now within the Uriay!!”
“So be praying for us as we continue to meet with folks individually to see where they’re at. I have lots more ladies to talk to and will continue to do so in the days ahead. It’s been so encouraging – almost a bit surreal to hear such clear testimonies from every lady I’ve talked to so far!”
How grateful Shirley and I are to be able to report what God has done in bringing our new Uriay brothers and sisters into His kingdom. We cannot wait to meet them, knowing that we at NTBI and our partners have had a part in reaching them…Lisa graduated from New Tribes Bible Institute back in the mid 90’s. Can you imagine her excitement? Years of training and study and investing in relationships with the Uriay have paid off! To God be the Glory!