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IF ONLY ONE

Simiyan, a Hewa literacy student

July 11, 2005

The Hewa missionary team has always said that if only one person wanted to hear God's Word they would teach. Their resolve is being tested.

The team continues to press on though many Hewas are following their cultural semi-nomadic traditions and leaving the village.

"How can we help these people understand that the message of the Bible is so important that it is worth staying in one place longer than normal?" wrote missionaries Jonathan and Susan Kopf.

During the first three weeks of evangelistic Bible teaching, a small group of Hewa men and women have shown great interest in God's Word and have attended the teaching faithfully. They have indicated that hearing the teaching is important and have eagerly asked and answered questions.

After teaching about why people die, an old man came to missionary Keith Copley and asked, "If Adam and Eve had not eaten that fruit from the tree of knowledge, would we all still be in the garden and living forever?"

He questioned why Adam and Eve would disobey God and eat the fruit.

"Have you ever done something wrong," Keith responded, "knowing that there would be consequences but you did it anyway?"

"Lots of times," the old man said. "All people do that." He paused and thought a moment then continued, "And that is what Adam and Eve did. They were just like us."

Though many have left the village, Jonathan and Susan say that the faithful group "has been a joy to our lives, and if these are the ones that God is drawing to Himself all our efforts will have been worthwhile."

"Pray that God would grab the hearts of the villagers and show them the desperateness of their condition so that His message will penetrate their philosophies and culture."

And Keith urged, "Pray that the Holy Spirit will draw the people back from the bush with a desire to hear His teaching."