'My heart must change'
Evangelistic Bible lessons are to reach the resurrection of Jesus today, but it appears there are already believers among those who got a preview.
"We are now in a new era as a Mwinika people,” said a Mwinika man who helped prepare lessons and therefore got to go through them in advance. “The old times are past and the things we did are no longer necessary now that we know what God's Word says. We have to do things differently now.
“I am not going to do any more of the ceremonies in which I have to pray to my ancestors. They are human like I am. They die and can't come back anymore. They have no power. So why should I look to them for my salvation? God is the only one who can save us. The Deliverer is the One we should look at. I am from now on only going to pray to Him."
The man, a neighbor of Francois and Nadia Hattingh, is a community leader and is well respected. After he and two other Mwinkas helped with the final lesson about a week ago, Francois wanted to give them time to think about it before asking what they believe about the Deliverer.
“With these words of our friend it is clear that lives are changing,” Nadia wrote.
The man has also been sharing this and more with people who have not been going to the Bible lessons – but they are listening to him. Their agreement with his words was so vocal that at one point Nadia thought they were arguing.
“He was saying that religion can't save us and is meaningless if there are no heart changes,” Nadia wrote.
“Loudly he proclaimed: ‘What is on the inside counts more than what is on the outside. God looks at our hearts, not at how many times I go to my [religious gathering place]. What does it help if I go often to pray, but while I am there I am thinking bad thoughts? God knows my thoughts! My heart must change and follow God’s ways.’”
“Can it be that we already are seeing the first evangelistic efforts of the new believers?” Nadia asked.
Wednesday, the Mwinika people were to hear about Christ’s death and burial, and today about His resurrection and ascension. However, a large funeral delayed teaching Wednesday, so those lessons are now scheduled for today and Monday.
“We ask you to earnestly pray with us for the salvation of many Mwinika people,” Nadia wrote.