Chronological teaching brings peace
Is there hope for me?” Elvio asked missionary Don Flower.
“Is there any hope for peace from my past? Is there forgiveness for a murderer? See my scars. I fought with my stepfather and he stabbed me then I shoved the knife back into his shoulder. See this scar on my nose? It is from a fight .... I have spent time in prison. My life has been one of fighting and turmoil. Is there peace or hope for someone like me?”
Then Elvio began listening to the missionaries teach Firm Foundations Bible lessons. He said of himself and his wife, “We listened very closely to every Bible lesson and took the lesson home so we could read it over and over. We wanted to understand about God.”
But often it was a rough road as they listened to the lessons. “Twice Elvio came to the Bible class with his eyes swelled almost shut from bee stings,” wrote Don. “Then he came to class with one eye swelled shut telling us this story. ‘Miria was fishing while he was bathing and she yelled, “Look out,” as she yanked a fish in.’ He turned around just in time for the catfish to flip into his face stabbing him through the eyelid with its fin. He yanked it out himself. He was in a lot of pain but he said, ‘No matter what happens I don’t want to miss a lesson.’”
Elvio and Miria put their faith in Christ when the lessons concluded with the Gospel. Finally Elvio found the peace that he sought.
Now he and Miria continue to mature in their knowledge and understanding of God and they are teaching their own people the Bible lessons.