As evangelistic Bible lessons continue among the Mibu people, missionary Joey Tartaglia's hopes soar as he sees the people weigh the teaching against their traditional beliefs.
On the way to the meeting house one morning last week missionary Joey Tartaglia could hear lots talking as he neared Sesi's hut. He called out and was invited into his friend's house.
About a dozen Mibus were sitting around the fire pit. Joey smiled when he heard the group earnestly discussing recent events in light of what they were learning in the Bible lessons.
The village was being threatened with sorcery by the local delinquent. He took credit for the most recent death which he said happened by his power (the man died of TB), and said another 51 people would soon die if his demand for a wife was not met.
"Of course, nobody wants to give up their sister or niece or daughter to such a fate," wrote Joey.
Joey sat in Sesi's hut listening to men telling each other that sorcery has no power over them, and that they should not give in to the demands because they believe what God is saying now. Joey's stomach did flip-flops.
"This is it. This is what it's all about," Joey thought. "Even where they are at now, not even knowing who the promised deliverer will be, they are choosing to side with what they know about God and His Word and His power"
The group asked for Joey's opinion, but he told them that he talks all the time and for them to continue their discussion.
"Truth is, I wanted to just listen," Joey wrote, "to hear our friends siding with God even when it goes against everything else they have ever learned. I will never forget the moment."
Before leaving to continue on to the meeting house to begin teaching Joey shared a thought and an illustration.
He held up a flashlight close to the page of a book. Just a sliver of light showed around the edge. "This," Joey said, "is the small amount of light or understanding that has been given to you by the teaching of God's Word. You are choosing to trust in it, to believe it, and God will give you more light."
As Joey began gradually moving the flashlight farther from the page he said, "As you choose to put your belief in Him, He will increase your light."
Pray that the light of salvation will shine upon the Mibus as Joey and his co-worker, Chris Walker, teach about Christ. They are scheduled to present His death, burial and resurrection Mar. 9.
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