So, as we are preparing to leave, what has God done recently in some of the villages?
Lamosig: Cade, Kayla, Kelsey, and Meagan have been involved in the construction of a small church in their village. Blessed with supplies and land to build a church, they have cheerfully walked up the side of a steep hill to cut bamboo and nail it into place. They have even held worship several times in the nearly completed church. The young pastor, Angelo, and his wife are pouring their hearts out to the people of this area and want to see more make the hike to worship God every week on the side of the mountain. The team have been a great encouragement and tool for Angelo and his ministry. Now he is left with many contacts, a new gathering place for worship, and people who are ready to worship and give themselves to the ministry of Christ.
Kelsey has also been discipling a 13-year old girl in the community and encouraging her to study and memorize scripture. It's truly beautiful to see a team member making such a great effort to teach the people they are living with. The young girl continues to show up at the house where the team is staying and desires to learn and hear more from Kelsey.
Tud-Ol: Greg, Kate, Molly, and Lauren have won this village in complete love. As I entered the village with the team after team break, village residents came from their homes to welcome the team back and to deliver sweet hugs and kisses to each member as they made their way to their home. It was an incredible moment to witness—to see how much God has worked in this village, opened hearts, and lavished these people with love. They knew each other by name and no one was a stranger.
Greg and Vonn have been working with a young man in the community, to understand the importance of baptism and reason why Christ provided the best example of baptism. Just before I left on Sunday, a young mother began inquiring about baptism and had questions of her own. People are right there. They're at the door and they're knocking. Pray they will overcome these challenges of baptism and realize the truth of it all.
The team is continuing their evening bible story time, where they teach parables and Old Testament stories to the entire community in their meeting area. This has been one of the most exciting ministries because without ceasing people show up in the common area of the village in time for the stories. As they gather they all start asking about "story time" and soon the team starts and shares the next story. Asking questions as they go, they make sure people are listening and comprehending. One of the best responses Greg told me about was when they share about heaven and hell and clarified that purgatory was not biblical and the village priest admitted that it was only a way for the Catholic church to make money.
