Relationships are key
“Are you catching our enthusiasm?” Nicky Poarch asks. She’s talking about the fact that she and her husband, James, are nearing completion of their formal study of the Da’an language.
“In every newsletter we have sent out recently, we have been communicating our excitement at being close to reaching our goal of learning the Da’an language.” James writes.
And God is at work in the Da’an tribe.
As part of the preparation for the upcoming language check, James says that Nicky shared the Biblical story of Joseph with an unbelieving Da’an friend.
“After two hours of talking about how God knows and loves us and has a plan for our lives, Nicky’s friend is now asking for more stories from the Bible. She then brought her sister over later that day so Nicky could tell her the story of Joseph, too.”
James adds that both women loved the story so much that they wanted to take Nicky with them to work in the rice fields so she could tell them more stories.
James continues, “Jesus was in the business of relationships. The Da’an person recognizes a true friendship through relationships. Although we have been in the tribe for two years … we have only reached the tip of the iceberg when it comes to deepening our relationships with our Da’an friends.”
Nicky says that recently a dear Christian friend from another village, named Susanto, died. James and Nicky were able to go to his funeral. When the Da’an people heard about this, they began to ask questions about Susanto and about burial practices in the other village. This opened many opportunities for James to share what was different about Susanto and why his funeral was different.
“Even though sadness came during the funeral,” James explained, “so did rejoicing, knowing that Susanto is in Heaven.”
“Do you know if people would be rejoicing when you die because they would know you are in Heaven?” James has asked many of his neighbors lately. Nicky says this question has led to many long discussions with their Da’an friends.
James adds, “Please pray that our relationships with our Da’an friends will continue to grow deeper. … We know that seeds that are planted need roots to grow. We are trusting … that sprouts would shoot up and the Holy Spirit would guide and lead and water the soil using our lives as He sees fit. Pray that Nicky and I will be sensitive to His leading.”