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SIAWI BELIEVERS SEARCHING GOD'S WORD

Siawi believers gather for a simple worship service

September 7, 2006

by David Bell

While a three-day conference advocating false teaching was taking place in another village over the weekend, a small group of Siawi believers gathered in Papua New Guinea for a simple worship service.

There were people there that I hadn't expected," wrote missionary Linda Krieg, "the quiet ones -- quiet but faithful to God's Word -- Saisu and his wife, Sokwawe, Yanafi and his wife, Sitei, and Mesiau and his wife, Siaku."

Linda was overjoyed to see Someliae's wife, Aiwau, in the group. She had planned to go to the conference but had reconsidered after talking with her husband.

Yeneb wasn't there, but he didn't go to the other meeting. He had come down with a sudden and severe ear and throat infection and a bad cold.

Okweb went to the conference, but Kwaelom said he was going only to see what they were teaching. He didn't allow his wives or children to go.

After praying and singing together, Bayek, who led the singing sat down. He said that anyone who wanted could share. Different ones read Scripture, sometimes saying a few words about the passage, but often not.

Linda was encouraged as Beyeme leaned over to chasten his child, who was a bit noisy. "You listen to this talk! The talk that comes from the Book is true talk! It's not like men's talk, so you listen!"

Linda asked if they'd like to hear the first chapter or two of Revelation that was recently translated into the Siawi language. The group was unanimous in wanting to hear. As she read Revelation 1:3, which says that the ones who read or hear the words of this prophesy are blessed, the believers got excited as they realized they were doing just that.

Beyeme, whose wife is among those following the false teachings, stood to share.

"Before, I was wandering around in the dark, in the jungle, unable to find my way, without any light. Who brought a torch? That was Ron, Matthew and Linda. They brought a torch and then I could see the right way to go. And they gave me a file, so that I could sharpen my ax and clean out the brush. They gave me God's true talk and I want to follow that."

After he sat down, Linda reminded the believers that they needed to be careful not to lift up the name of the ones who brought the light, but the name of the One who is the Light.

After the service ended, the group gathered around Linda with questions.

"The others say that we are ruining everything for them, because we won't come and rejoice with them, so things aren't working for them [they aren't getting the miracles they are looking for]. They blame us for it, and say we are going to hell, because we aren't meeting with them."

Questions and answers reassured the believers that one who believes in Christ's sacrificial death, His payment for sin, does not go to hell.

The believers are searching the Scriptures as new teachings surface. The latest teaching by the false teachers -- that there are different Holy Spirits -- mixes the Siawis' ancestral stories about spirits with biblical concepts.

The group teaching false doctrine "is probably the best thing that could happen to the Siawi church," wrote Linda, "because it is making them decide what side they are on and what they truly believe."

Please pray for the Siawi believers. They told Linda about harassment that comes their way, and of even being hit in the face with stones from sling shots. Pray that they will keep looking to Jesus and cling to His Word.