Isaiah 9:2-3 “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of darkness, a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy. The people have rejoiced before you as they rejoice at harvest time and as they rejoice when dividing the spoils.”
Fresh Water:
As I read the verses above, they took my mind to the Pana and the Dafin peoples where two engaging chchs from Texas have been working. Last month HighPoint Ch returned to their people, the Pana. Since there had not been much response at the village they had been staying the last three trips, HighPoint decided to move on to another village where the reception was tremendous. They were given a place to stay in the chief’s compound and the wife was pleased to prepare their meals each day. In the evenings the men would gather to hear stories from Father’s word...the first story chosen to discern their openness followed by other stories strategically chosen to present the ‘Way’ and to begin laying a firm foundation.
I enjoyed watching as every team member interacted with the Pana and looking so very comfortable in the process. One of the men even went to the fields with a hunter and was amazed at how he could communicate even without the language. A bond and trust was formed. As the women on the team joined in on the pounding of millet and sifting of flour (chores the Pana women do day after day in preparation for their meals), they developed a relationship of trust and encouragement that opened doors for the Pana women to hear the Story. One evening the women came into our courtyard. They said they didn’t realize earlier that they too were invited to hear the stories. That night and the following day they sat and not only listened, but responded and even retold the stories to others as they came in late. This interaction between the Pana women as they retold the story and discussed among themselves was an amazing thing for the team to see. You see, the objective is not just to go and tell stories from His word, but it is to teach the Pana to retell the stories so that their friends and family can also hear. This is the way a chrch will grow and multiply.
I enjoyed hearing one of the team members share C2R from beginning to end (yes it can be done) and then hearing the response of the team when they heard a profound truth come from the lips of one of the men after hearing the story. This could only be the work of the HS. The Word really is alive and active. All we have to do is deliver it.
Several stories were told after that, leaving a good foundation for the team to build upon when they return in June. As the team was leaving, the Pana had a special celebration for them. They brought out drums of various sizes and played indigenous music for all of us to dance to. Our translator asked to play one of the drums as a believer in the area taught them a spiritual song. This song was then translated into their own heart language…Panakan. As the Pana sang and danced to this new song, they began making their own unique ‘yodel’ from their mouths as a sign of true enjoyment. The amazing thing is that none of these are followers yet.
One last thing about this team…as they pr-walked through the village, they noticed the water that was being used to cook with and to bath with…it was muddy. The only pump in the village was broken and they were forced to use the well that had been used only to water the animals. This broke the team’s heart. How could they sit and drink filtered water while their people strained to drink muddy water resulting in illness. Through prayer and consultation from a national, they consented to help repair the well without drawing attention to themselves. Two weeks after the team left, the pump was repaired. I was sort of in the area on a research trip with Rachels (my two new journeymen) and decided to make the hour trip to greet. They were disappointed that we couldn’t stay but very touched that we made the effort just to greet. What touched my heart was seeing huge smiles across the faces of a group of women and children dancing around the repaired water pump as clean, fresh water filled their buckets. Father our prayer is that you will spring up a well of Living Water within each man, woman and child in this Pana village as they choose to follow You.
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Under the Guinea tree:
This is where we put up our mosquito net tents a couple weeks ago, not thinking about the consequence. It didn’t take long for me to realize that my tent was in the direct line of fire below the tree filled with over a dozen guinea hens. One of my panya’s (wrap around skirt) was enough protection for the droppings that followed. I only wish that I had put my flip flops inside my tent as well. J At night, their loud chorus would begin ending around 2am then beginning again around 5am. And just like an alarm clock, at 6am each morning the guineas would hush and then fly off simultaneously with a huge whish sound loud enough for us to notice.
It was then that the Humble team would rise, wash their faces and then head out to greet their people, the Dafin. They were welcomed into their host village for this their third visit. Everyone asked about the previous team members who stayed with them last time as is their custom, and the team in return sent greetings from everyone in the states…as is the custom. This team was an eye vision team which included a licensed optometrist. Over 160 people gathered during the two day clinic to have their eyes examined. They each received a receipt that will remain with them until they are called in a couple months to come with the receipt to exchange for a pair of prescription glasses and/or sunglasses. There were many blind with cataracts and/or other disease, much of which was caused from Vitamin A deficiency. Of course several who were permanently blind came as well, being led by their friends. Some had cataract surgery in the past when a ‘truck’ came by, but were not given implants. This left them blind. Some need cornea implants and others cataract surgery in order to see clearly. The team prayed over them. We know that the Great Physician is able to restore sight…we pray He will reveal Himself to them through miracles. We are asking for a touch from the Master’s hand.
I enjoyed watching the team members taking turns telling stories as the people sat in the ‘waiting’ area. My favorite time was at night when the one blvr and chief and several others gathered to discuss. Strategic stories were shared through one of our translators who herself is not YET a blvr. She knows it is the truth but the decision is difficult for her since she comes from a family who is strong the other way.
After telling the Abraham story, the one blvr said he liked the story of Abraham. In explaining why, he felt the need to tell the story of Abraham’s and his son Isaac and how Father provided the necessary sacrifice. This is the way of the oral society...to reply to questions in story form. It was encouraging to see that he indeed has been learning more stories.
At one point the chief said to our translator, “you translate stories well but I want to hear you yourself tell a story.’ Martenin tried her best to get out of it, but we all encouraged her and allowed her to choose whatever story she wanted. She told the ‘Demoniac’ story and did an EXCELLENT job! The chief and others were amazed. One believer there said, ‘How is it that one who does not follow the Way tell such a good story.’ That is the power of His Word. The team asked the chief “What will happen when you choose to follow the Way?” The chief said, “I don’t know yet, but when I do choose to follow, then I will know.” No public decisions were made during this trip, but the HS is definitely working in the hearts. Ask the Physician to open not only the physical eyes of the Dafin, but their sp eyes, ears and hearts as well. Ask that when the team returns at the end of May, that they will find not only physical healing, but also that the veil has been removed from their eyes, their ears opened and their hearts softened to hear and receive.
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Fresh Vision:
Three weeks ago I was trying to adjust my new glasses and the nose piece broke off. I found an eye clinic here in Bamako but they said it is not possible to fix unless the craftsmen in the market could solder it back together. The only alternative I had was to wear a pair of glasses with a 6 year old prescription until I could somehow get a new pair. I didn't realize how much I depended on my sight for reading. One of my colleagues happened to be going to Abidjan the following week, which is where I bought the glasses, so she returned them to see if they could do something. We were both surprised that they were actually repaired and returned before she had to return to Bamako. Wow! What a blessing it was to be able to not only read again, but to be able to see the leaves on the trees and other fine details. An extra blessing was the timely arrival of the Humble sight team. They too measured my eyes and will soon be delivering a pair of glasses that I can use as a back up pair.
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Desert Triangle:
A couple is arriving tonight for a vision trip in the area we are calling the ‘Desert Triangle’. The man and his wife will be leading MO Bapt Conv. As they engage three people groups in this area. This is a difficult area with many nomadic shepherds. We are asking Father to lead us to the areas where we will find people open to hearing about Him. We are asking Him to lead us to ‘the one who had a dream or vision last week.’ Please join us in that pr. For more information on this area, check out this link
To know how you can become an Engaging/Partnering church www.gowestafrica.org
Other opportunities http://www.desert-triangle.com/
