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Daily Scripture
 
"Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart."

Psalm 37:4

'THANK YOU JESUS'

Jason Knapp with Alis

January 18, 2007

by David Bell

Tuesday was an historic day for the Tobo people of Papua New Guinea. For the first time the people heard the Gospel message about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus in their own language.

The Gospel presentation was originally scheduled for next week, but circumstances in the village caused missionaries Jason Knapp and Chad Mankins to rethink their plan and move it up a week.

"I am so happy!" Welsen told missionary Chad Mankins on Wednesday morning. "Jesus spilled His blood for me. I believe and now I am going to heaven. I have eternal life!"

After Wednesday's lesson about Christ's resurrection appearances, Jason Knapp approached Alis, who was in tears. Jason heard him say, "Thank You, Jesus."

When Jason asked him why he said this, Alis said, "Because Jesus died for me, and I believe and now I'm not going to hell anymore."

Since the missionaries' arrival among the Tobos in 2002, Alis has been a very loud, arrogant, outspoken, quick-tempered man who has given the missionaries problems. But the missionaries have noticed a change in his personality the past week; the usually angry man has been more quiet and humble.

"His change in demeanor the past few days has been nothing short of incredible," wrote Chad.

As the missionaries were circulating among the people, Chad asked Agabus what he was thinking.

"I believe Jesus died for me, spilled His blood and saved me from the penalty for my sin," he said. "I still have lots more questions, and I really want to talk more about these things."

Chad assured him that they would do much more talking about his questions.

Jason and Chad were able to confirm that several of the Tobos now understand and believe that Jesus paid for their sins through His shed blood. One of these is Alis' brother, Morozin, who has also been difficult to live with in the past.

"Another unlikely person to come to faith," wrote Chad, "but God is in the business of saving the most unlikely of people, isn't He?"

After Jason and Chad taught the last lesson, groups of men formed around them, pelting them with questions. Some were having a hard time believing that Jesus washed all their sins away.

Others had worked all their lives to gain God's favor and didn't want to be told that all those years of "works" were for naught. And yet others still didn't want to let go of their traditional beliefs and were looking for some way they could follow both.

"Please join with us in rejoicing for those who are now our brand-new brothers and sisters in Christ," wrote Chad. "And pray for extra wisdom and energy as these look to be extremely busy days ahead.

"Many of you who are parents already know the huge responsibility and work involved in caring for the new baby after he/she is born. Imagine a multiple delivery! But along with the work ahead and overshadowing that, there is sheer joy … at the birth of several baby believers."