Southbridge Aug 2014 pt 1
We are blessed to have Southbridge here working alongside us again right now! They have only been here a few days, but we have already seen God working in the lives of the Malagasy with whom we partner with. Here is an update from JD about their time so far...
"We have had a great time working with the Seminary students here in Tulear. We have met in 3-hour sessions morning and afternoon each day this week. There are about 30 students ranging in age from early 20's to late 60's or 70's.
We are leading them in discussions of how to plant/cultivate/grow (using a farming analogy they understand well) faith in Christ, in yourself, in your family, and in your church. We have used a story set Tessa, Nathan and their groups developed around the 10 commandments. We have shared the stories of Moses and the Golden Calf, David and Bathsheba, David and Absalom, and God resting on the Sabbath after creation. We have asked the students to listen and then repeat the stories and then identify and discuss any commandments broken or presented in the story.
The teaching has been well received and the discussions have been rich.
We are preparing the Seminary students to share their faith in their communities. Also, several of the students will travel with Bill, Grant and me to the Mahafaly villages in the south and some will travel with Pastor Jonoro, Nathan and Tessa to the Masikoro villages in the north next week. The students will lead the discussions and teaching in the villages as a "practicum."
When Tessa asked the various church and cell / community groups to give us reports of their activities, we were encouraged by much of what we heard.
The group leaders stood up and shared about their community efforts: some go hut to hut sharing their faith and meeting needs, such as praying for the sick and helping with home repairs; some meet in small groups to pray and encourage each other; some visit with people in their congregation to study the Bible; some disciple young believers, some provide accountability to other believers. The communities and groups are very active and are seeing growth in their faith and numbers.
The culture and ancestor worship beliefs remain the strongest impediments to sharing faith. Some expressed concern with losing their relationships with family and/or community by either turning to faith or sharing their faith. Two men shared that their fathers are priests practicing ancestor worship and animal sacrifice. One father told his son that because his son has believed in Christ, the son is showing disrespect for him and his ancestors. The other son explained to his father that God is our Father and our ultimate Ancestor, as well as the only Ancestor worthy of worship. He said his father seemed convinced, but does not want to talk about the matter any longer. People shared they are afraid of losing very important family and community relationships by turning to faith. This seems similar to The issues some Muslims face when considering following Christ (minus the violence). "
Please continue to pray for this group as they invest in the lives of the Malagasy people and the ministry going on here in southwest Madagascar!
"We have had a great time working with the Seminary students here in Tulear. We have met in 3-hour sessions morning and afternoon each day this week. There are about 30 students ranging in age from early 20's to late 60's or 70's.
We are leading them in discussions of how to plant/cultivate/grow (using a farming analogy they understand well) faith in Christ, in yourself, in your family, and in your church. We have used a story set Tessa, Nathan and their groups developed around the 10 commandments. We have shared the stories of Moses and the Golden Calf, David and Bathsheba, David and Absalom, and God resting on the Sabbath after creation. We have asked the students to listen and then repeat the stories and then identify and discuss any commandments broken or presented in the story.
The teaching has been well received and the discussions have been rich.
We are preparing the Seminary students to share their faith in their communities. Also, several of the students will travel with Bill, Grant and me to the Mahafaly villages in the south and some will travel with Pastor Jonoro, Nathan and Tessa to the Masikoro villages in the north next week. The students will lead the discussions and teaching in the villages as a "practicum."
When Tessa asked the various church and cell / community groups to give us reports of their activities, we were encouraged by much of what we heard.
The group leaders stood up and shared about their community efforts: some go hut to hut sharing their faith and meeting needs, such as praying for the sick and helping with home repairs; some meet in small groups to pray and encourage each other; some visit with people in their congregation to study the Bible; some disciple young believers, some provide accountability to other believers. The communities and groups are very active and are seeing growth in their faith and numbers.
The culture and ancestor worship beliefs remain the strongest impediments to sharing faith. Some expressed concern with losing their relationships with family and/or community by either turning to faith or sharing their faith. Two men shared that their fathers are priests practicing ancestor worship and animal sacrifice. One father told his son that because his son has believed in Christ, the son is showing disrespect for him and his ancestors. The other son explained to his father that God is our Father and our ultimate Ancestor, as well as the only Ancestor worthy of worship. He said his father seemed convinced, but does not want to talk about the matter any longer. People shared they are afraid of losing very important family and community relationships by turning to faith. This seems similar to The issues some Muslims face when considering following Christ (minus the violence). "
Please continue to pray for this group as they invest in the lives of the Malagasy people and the ministry going on here in southwest Madagascar!
Comments