'What I do and how I live'
“We are constantly learning!” Francois and Nadia Hattingh write.
They explain that the current ministry focus with the Mwinika people can be summed up in one word—discipleship.
And it’s not communicated by checklists or systems of training.
Francois says, “I can only give to others what I have received first: a personal and intimate relationship with God.”
The focus, therefore, is not so much on “Am I a good example?” which focuses on the behavior of the person who is doing the discipling. Nor is it primarily on “Is he doing what I’m teaching him?” which focuses directly on the person being discipled.
Instead, they explain, “It must in the first place be about our relationship with God.”
“What I do and how I live counts more than my words or sermons or teaching. … My own efforts are lacking and fall apart under pressure. We need the Holy Spirit to live Christ through us. … We can’t, but He can!”
Francois and Nadia share a recent application of this kind of discipleship.
Clothes were to be given away. Usually these clothes are selected and kept by the Mwinika people who are working closely with missionaries for their own use.
But this time something was different.
“We got a totally abnormal Mwinika response!” Nadia writes. “The group of men decided to make a list of the poorest people in our community and each of them would take something to give to one of those people.”
“This was not,” she continues, “a normal Mwinika response, but it was a totally Jesus-like one!”
By this act of unselfish generosity, the men being discipled demonstrated that they had grown in Christ.
Their desire not only helped needy people in their community. More importantly, their kindness communicated Christ in a powerful way to many who still do not know Him.
Transformation speaks volumes. Francois and Nadia pray, “May we see more and more Mwinika people responding in a Christ-like manner that reaches to those who are lost.”
Do you want to go and be part of reaching tribes and transforming lives? Find out how you can.