DECISION TIME
December 22, 2006
by Dena McMaster
Tingon, the first Tobo believer, has made a decision. "I have everything I ever wanted or needed because Jesus washed my sins away," he replied when he was approached by leaders of a group who believe material things will magically appear if they belong to a certain society. Tingon continues to help missionary Jason Knapp translate God's Word into the Tobo language.
Klifford, who helped both Jason and missionary Chad Mankins with translation, has stopped coming to the teaching. He became angry when Jason confronted him concerning his belief in "magical riches."
Many Tobos have stopped coming to the daily evangelistic Bible lessons. They joined the group looking for riches to magically appear.
The missionaries continue to teach every day, though they are heartbroken that the people are turning away from listening to God's Word because they desire to receive material goods.
Tuesday they taught about Jonah and asked some penetrating questions of those who attended. "Are we really believing what God says in His Word? Are we afraid of God?" Jason told them, "Fear of God and His punishment is what gripped the sailors in the boat, and what eventually turned the hearts of the Ninivites. What do you think of that?"
Jason wrote in a recent letter, "The hearts of the Tobo people are so hard, only the Holy Spirit can penetrate them, Lord, please work a miracle here."
Pray that the Tobo people will desire God's Word more than chasing after material things. Pray for Jason and Chad as they continue to teach the evangelistic Bible lessons to those who will listen.
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