Sunday, February 8, 2009

Just before we move out to the language training place in a couple hours, we wanted to let you know some great news! After several Sunday messages and visits in homes, several families are seeing more of the light of the good news! One pastor, near and dear to us, has had a wife who has been pretty resistant. Missionaries have worked with them over the years but to little avail. This is the Moniz who along with Antonio planted 1 rural church that planted another and now 5 churches have resulted. The wife comes to church but has had a wall up to any real conversation. She grew up with a mother who was a witch-doctor and as a young woman had many problems with spiritual attacks and threats. God tremendously blessed the messages. Most believe they are a Christian but are not. She wanted to hear more. Melissa and I met with both of them, yet the wall was still up. Enough had been given for her to understand that there would be no way for her to understand Christ's great love for her on the cross until she understand her sin - the reason he had to died. We prayed and prayed. One morning they called us to come talk with them. Wow! That morning I had awakened with an accusatory dream where pastor Jeff Klick of our home church was questioning me as to who I thought I was to be helping them. So, I started to praying for them. When we met, they said she had had a bad dream of being taken to prison which scared her and that they had been up for hours talking about her condition before God and the good news through various Bible stories. They both also confessed a sin they had committed together that made them feel as guilty as a criminal. After hours of conversation with her, she understood, turned from sin, and trusted Christ! She and her husband thought it best for her to be re-baptized, since the one 12 years ago only had been with no understanding and just to follow the group. What a change we see in her! Now she is not afraid to have eye contact with us. She is joyful. She is asking questions about the Bible now for the first time. The Light is on inside! She's free. Now, there are more families where the same gospel needs to be presented, either personally or in a group (teaching chronologically through). Our time is very short, being here only partially on the weekends, so please pray for God's wisdom on how to proceed, and pray for a continued harvest! Thank you for your prayers,