Dinangats are all new
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17
"The people are different," wrote missionary Gary Smith on his return to a Dinangat village after home assignment. "They are new creatures with hearts pounding for the Lord. Their fear has been replaced with joy, guilt replaced by grace and bondage by freedom. They are indeed new."
The Dinangat people of Papua New Guinea heard the Gospel message in May 2008. Since then they have grown spiritually by leaps and bounds. For the past year, missionaries Ralf Schlegel and Jeremiah Markley discipled and trained the new believers while the Smiths were on home assignment.
The Dinangats are now teaching new believers in another village. Gary is amazed at the difference in the relationship between the villages. Where there was once slander and accusations, now they are sharing the burden for another village that needs to be reached with the Gospel.
Gary and his wife, Esther, recently attended a Dinangat worship service. They were amazed at the depth of love shown. "It is indeed a joy to see them dance and worship in freedom and sincerity," wrote Gary.
Jaspa, a member of the praise band, opened in prayer. He closed by saying, "Father, the way You love us is beautiful and we know that it is only because of Your Son Jesus that we exist new. In one voice and one heart we say thank You!"
Pray that the Dinagat people will continue to grow in the Lord and reach out to others. Pray also for the faithful team of missionaries ministering among them.
"The people are different," wrote missionary Gary Smith on his return to a Dinangat village after home assignment. "They are new creatures with hearts pounding for the Lord. Their fear has been replaced with joy, guilt replaced by grace and bondage by freedom. They are indeed new."
The Dinangat people of Papua New Guinea heard the Gospel message in May 2008. Since then they have grown spiritually by leaps and bounds. For the past year, missionaries Ralf Schlegel and Jeremiah Markley discipled and trained the new believers while the Smiths were on home assignment.
The Dinangats are now teaching new believers in another village. Gary is amazed at the difference in the relationship between the villages. Where there was once slander and accusations, now they are sharing the burden for another village that needs to be reached with the Gospel.
Gary and his wife, Esther, recently attended a Dinangat worship service. They were amazed at the depth of love shown. "It is indeed a joy to see them dance and worship in freedom and sincerity," wrote Gary.
Jaspa, a member of the praise band, opened in prayer. He closed by saying, "Father, the way You love us is beautiful and we know that it is only because of Your Son Jesus that we exist new. In one voice and one heart we say thank You!"
Pray that the Dinagat people will continue to grow in the Lord and reach out to others. Pray also for the faithful team of missionaries ministering among them.