When we first visited PNG in 2006, the pastors and leaders had little knowledge of the Bible. This was not a surprise, given most had very little educational background and some could not read at all. Upon our return this fall those same 50 plus pastors and leaders impressed us with their ability to accurately tell and teach more than 25 complete biblical narratives. We were even more impressed by their congregations, men women and children, who shared Bible stories they had learned with great enthusiasm. One example was Ishamel, a six year old son of one the pastors. He told 4 stories from Genesis in an open-air market one Saturday.
The Bible stories are spreading like a bush fire!
, said Gabriel Mumuga of PNG Ministries.
Pastors and leaders recorded the Bible stories and Cheryl put them on an MP3 device called a Megavoice. Each church in the Sugu Valley will receive a MegaVoice to preserve the accuracy of the stories and aid in learning.
Tell John and Cheryl these stories are becoming our flesh. They are not running away. You go and learn more stories and then teach us more!
A church member to his pastor.
What did you learn while I was away at the training?
They responded,We learned we do not need a pastor. We can do the stories.
Pastor Joel reporting how his congregation feels when he is away from them at the training.
We have never heard that story before!
A repeated refrain after almost every Bible story is told.
After telling the story of Peter walking on the water with Jesus, John preached the Gospel. This man named James stood up and said, I have never been to church. I am an alcoholic and an idol worshiper.
Pray for James and the many others who have been coming to Christ recently in Sugu Valley.
In August, John taught seminars on Bible story-telling and music and worship to Quechua speaking peoples from the Andean Moutains near Cusco as well as Shipibo speaking people from the jungles near Pucallpa..
We hope to return to Nicaragua in February to put Bible stories in the Miskitu language on the Megavoice and provide more training. Pray for the funding needed to add Guatemala and Honduras to this trip.
We thank God for the many new ministry partners who have joined us since we began with ReachGlobal in June. Before we can continue ministry in 2010, we need to be at 100% support.and we are presently at 81%. Please consider giving a one-time gift or becoming a regular support partner. Support can be sent to ReachGlobal address below or clicking on this ReachGlobal link.
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