Each week is full of ministry
Lourens Laureti says he’s had a busy week.
For one thing, he has been preparing Mengen lessons on Ephesians 3 and working on the final check of the translation of the book of Ephesians. Lourens says that it has been exciting to have played a small part in getting the Mengen Scripture translation developed to the point that Bible teachers can realize the great rewards of reading Ephesians in their own language.
As Lourens works on Ephesians, the ministry needs of each day also compel his attention and time. A high priority for him is extending time and care to his Mengen friends who need frequent encouragement.
Lourens cites the example of his friend, Alex, who often comes to him to share the difficulties he is experiencing in his relationship with his wife.
Alex’s wife, Monde, is an unbeliever who has been holding on very firmly to the deception that stems from traditions of ancestral worship. Alex is a believer in need of encouragement that only God’s Word can bring.
Other days, Lourens stays busy visiting a neighboring village that is about a two-hour hike from the village where he and his family live.
“It is extremely sad for me to meet some of these people,” Lourens shares. “They have never had a Bible in their hands … I asked them how will they ever get to know the message that God has sent them from His Word and they are puzzled. They say that a local school teacher sometimes teaches them from a book.”
“But,” Lourens says, “it’s not the Bible.”
Lourens says that even though he has been working and living with the Mengen people for many years, he never ceases to be shocked and saddened by the state of their lives without Christ.
“The people from this village have no chance in eternity until we go and teach them,” he adds.
Lourens rejoices in his full days of ministry each week as he lives with and loves the Mengen people. His heart is burdened to reach unreached people and share the light of the Gospel from God’s Word to brighten their hearts and culture with faith that will secure their eternity forever with Christ.