Hearing lessons challenges old ways
Dinangat Bible teachers joined missionaries Ralf Schlegel and Jeremiah Markley in teaching evangelistic Bible lessons to a neighboring Dinangat village in Papua New Guinea.
When one of the Bible teachers struggled with nervousness, and some strong winds did damage to the village, the villagers were certain that the spirits were unhappy.
"After making some strong speeches, passing out the ritual food, addressing the spirits in front of the group and assuring them that everyone truly is of one mind with each other and with the teaching, the leader proceeded to wash everyone by dipping some special leaves in water and splashing it all over the crowd. Now these spirits would be satisfied and the teaching could continue," wrote missionary April Markley.
The Dinangat believers showed discernment by not speaking out that only Jesus can wash away sins. They held their tongues knowing that one day the lessons will make clear that Jesus is the only way.
Last week the Dinangats learned that God is the one and only Creator. This truth directly opposes some of the commonly-held beliefs concerning the spirits.
Two of the Bible teachers, Basa and Epox are facing difficulties because of their willingness to travel to the village and teach Bible lessons. Basa has eight children and must leave them and his wife each week for several days. His wife is left to do most of the work in their large coffee garden that provides income for the children’s school fees.
Epox’s wife is pregnant and he is concerned for her when he leaves. There is no way for his wife to contact him while he’s gone but he feels strongly that God wants him teaching right now and is trusting that God will help him to get home quickly when he needs to.
"Some of the young people, wrote April, "have volunteered to help the teachers get extra work done in their gardens on Friday. What a joy to watch the Spirit drawing the body of Christ together in unity to see this job done."
Pray for the Dinangat Bible teachers as they willingly sacrifice to bring the Gospel message to others. Pray too that God will soften the hearts of the Dinangats and that they will trust Christ as their Savior.
When one of the Bible teachers struggled with nervousness, and some strong winds did damage to the village, the villagers were certain that the spirits were unhappy.
"After making some strong speeches, passing out the ritual food, addressing the spirits in front of the group and assuring them that everyone truly is of one mind with each other and with the teaching, the leader proceeded to wash everyone by dipping some special leaves in water and splashing it all over the crowd. Now these spirits would be satisfied and the teaching could continue," wrote missionary April Markley.
The Dinangat believers showed discernment by not speaking out that only Jesus can wash away sins. They held their tongues knowing that one day the lessons will make clear that Jesus is the only way.
Last week the Dinangats learned that God is the one and only Creator. This truth directly opposes some of the commonly-held beliefs concerning the spirits.
Two of the Bible teachers, Basa and Epox are facing difficulties because of their willingness to travel to the village and teach Bible lessons. Basa has eight children and must leave them and his wife each week for several days. His wife is left to do most of the work in their large coffee garden that provides income for the children’s school fees.
Epox’s wife is pregnant and he is concerned for her when he leaves. There is no way for his wife to contact him while he’s gone but he feels strongly that God wants him teaching right now and is trusting that God will help him to get home quickly when he needs to.
"Some of the young people, wrote April, "have volunteered to help the teachers get extra work done in their gardens on Friday. What a joy to watch the Spirit drawing the body of Christ together in unity to see this job done."
Pray for the Dinangat Bible teachers as they willingly sacrifice to bring the Gospel message to others. Pray too that God will soften the hearts of the Dinangats and that they will trust Christ as their Savior.