We are excited when Agutaynens answer questions correctly during the Home Bible Studies. This is evidence of God working in their hearts. However, those answers pale in light of what just happened last Friday. Four women came to the village with large bags filled with religious statues to sell. One story we hear is that they visited an elderly lady who has had stomach problems for months. These ladies told her that if she bought a certain statue, she would get well. Of course, the ladies emphasized that the statue was onlyP2,000 (14 days wages for the Agutaynens)! In the end, her family convinced her not to purchase the item. However, this isn’t the story that has us rejoicing. On Friday nights, Stephen teaches in the home of one of the village leaders.
The last lesson taught in her home prior to the visit of these four women was the lesson of the Ten Commandments. When approached by one of these women, the village leader said, “There is a missionary here who teaches us. Every Friday we study the Bible together and we no longer worship the statues.” This is going beyond giving the right answers during the Bible study. This is evidence seen in her daily life of a heart being changed for God’s glory. Praise God with us for her boldness, and keep on praying!