No longer shy and reluctant
Stela comes from a tribe that is very comfortable in their traditions. But the Tobo believers in Papua New Guinea, like Stela, are learning to speak up against everything they once knew.
"Many … are still quite shy about sharing their thoughts as they have [lived] in a culture of secrecy and reluctance to 'go against the flow' for decades and even centuries," missionary Chad Mankins wrote.
The Tobos are learning about Jewish customs in the Bible. They are learning how the people at that time clung to their religious heritage and the ritual of circumcision to appear clean in the eyes of God.
Stela immediately saw the connection to her own people and spoke up.
"Many people in this area are doing just like Adam and Eve did when they sinned and then made the fig tree leaf clothes for themselves as a false covering to try to straighten their wrong," Stela said.
"But we know that God saw it and was not satisfied, so He himself gave them the animal skins and covered them Himself. That is a good picture talk of how people want to cover their bad with their own good works and not believe in the sacrifice that God helped us with in Jesus. He is the only road to God."
Stela's desire to speak up encouraged Chad.
"Speaking up in this manner is still a stretching experience for people here, even believers," Chad wrote. "[But] we've been encouraged by the truths that are being picked up on and reinforced in people's minds and hearts."
Please pray that more believers will have the courage to stand up and that God will give them a desire to openly discuss His Word and share it with unbelievers.
"Many … are still quite shy about sharing their thoughts as they have [lived] in a culture of secrecy and reluctance to 'go against the flow' for decades and even centuries," missionary Chad Mankins wrote.
The Tobos are learning about Jewish customs in the Bible. They are learning how the people at that time clung to their religious heritage and the ritual of circumcision to appear clean in the eyes of God.
Stela immediately saw the connection to her own people and spoke up.
"Many people in this area are doing just like Adam and Eve did when they sinned and then made the fig tree leaf clothes for themselves as a false covering to try to straighten their wrong," Stela said.
"But we know that God saw it and was not satisfied, so He himself gave them the animal skins and covered them Himself. That is a good picture talk of how people want to cover their bad with their own good works and not believe in the sacrifice that God helped us with in Jesus. He is the only road to God."
Stela's desire to speak up encouraged Chad.
"Speaking up in this manner is still a stretching experience for people here, even believers," Chad wrote. "[But] we've been encouraged by the truths that are being picked up on and reinforced in people's minds and hearts."
Please pray that more believers will have the courage to stand up and that God will give them a desire to openly discuss His Word and share it with unbelievers.