Songs of praise and thanks
A ribbon of flowers was cut in a Simbari village in Papua New Guinea last week to welcome a new addition to the village landscape -- a completed building for the believers to meet in.
It’s taken some time to gather all of the building materials from the jungle and to find the time and the people to do the work, but the building has now been ceremonially dedicated to the Lord.
A body of believers was established in that village when Simbari Bible teachers shared the Gospel in 2007.
Believers and missionaries David and Shari Ogg and Lori Morley, who had hiked from their home village, were welcomed by singing as they ascended the steep climb to their destination.
"The Bible teachers had arranged a short dedication ceremony outside and they had invited a number of people from the community to come," wrote Lori. "The Gospel was clearly presented and they sang some songs and prayed."
As the crowd gathered near the door of the building the believers sang another song.
"It was new to me and I was trying to follow along when suddenly I heard my name," Lori wrote. "They sang, ’Thank you for coming up to gather with us. Thank you David, Shari and Lori for bringing God’s Talk to us.’ I laughed with joy. Not because they were singing to me but because their thankful hearts are a sign of their spiritual growth."
"In the beginning, they didn’t know why we missionaries came but now they know and they are thankful. It’s a big step in a culture that often doesn’t show appreciation."
David was given the honor of cutting the ribbon, and the group filed inside where the singing continued.
Those who attended also shared a meal together. When the believers saw the size of the crowd they were concerned that there wouldn’t be enough food, but one of them remembered how God provided enough food for 5,000 people from five loaves and two fish. He also provided enough to feed the Simbari crowd.
"As we hiked home with the believers that afternoon, they were full of praise at how God was glorified that day," Lori wrote.
It’s taken some time to gather all of the building materials from the jungle and to find the time and the people to do the work, but the building has now been ceremonially dedicated to the Lord.
A body of believers was established in that village when Simbari Bible teachers shared the Gospel in 2007.
Believers and missionaries David and Shari Ogg and Lori Morley, who had hiked from their home village, were welcomed by singing as they ascended the steep climb to their destination.
"The Bible teachers had arranged a short dedication ceremony outside and they had invited a number of people from the community to come," wrote Lori. "The Gospel was clearly presented and they sang some songs and prayed."
As the crowd gathered near the door of the building the believers sang another song.
"It was new to me and I was trying to follow along when suddenly I heard my name," Lori wrote. "They sang, ’Thank you for coming up to gather with us. Thank you David, Shari and Lori for bringing God’s Talk to us.’ I laughed with joy. Not because they were singing to me but because their thankful hearts are a sign of their spiritual growth."
"In the beginning, they didn’t know why we missionaries came but now they know and they are thankful. It’s a big step in a culture that often doesn’t show appreciation."
David was given the honor of cutting the ribbon, and the group filed inside where the singing continued.
Those who attended also shared a meal together. When the believers saw the size of the crowd they were concerned that there wouldn’t be enough food, but one of them remembered how God provided enough food for 5,000 people from five loaves and two fish. He also provided enough to feed the Simbari crowd.
"As we hiked home with the believers that afternoon, they were full of praise at how God was glorified that day," Lori wrote.