'I WAS ONE OF THOSE MEN'
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| The Dinangat people are hearing about the crucifixion. |
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May 5, 2008
by David Bell
The Dinangat people are hearing about the crucifixion of Christ today.
Last week a drama presenting the trial before Pilate and the scourging of Jesus had a huge impact on the people.
Several Dinangat men participated in the drama and missionary Gary Smith, who portrayed Christ in the drama, said, "They took pleasure in mocking me and beating me up, I think."
One of the men, Jeremiah, had the idea of putting ketchup on the whip so it would look like Gary was bleeding when struck by the whip. Gary had a piece of foam under his shirt to absorb the blows.
But even though it was fake blood, and Gary wasn't truly feeling the beating, it was real enough for the people. Gary's son, Caleb, said that a boy he was sitting next to was crying. Others in the crowd could also be seen with tears flowing, and many heads were hanging down after the drama.
One Dinangat man, who has always been a hard man for the missionaries to talk to, came to Gary after the lesson. Missionaries have always suspected the man was only coming to the teaching to find out the secret to obtaining material gain. But Totne had tears in his eyes as he approached Gary.
"All my life I've turned my back on God," Totne said. "I've never come to any of the religious meetings that the people have. But as I watched those men beating you I realized that I was one of those men. What Jesus did for me I can't even put into words and I don't want to turn my back on Him anymore."
Totne then wiped the tears from his eyes and his tears turned to laughter. Gary put his hand on the man's shoulder and said he was happy to hear him say what he did.
"What we have witnessed God do here in these four months is staggering," Gary wrote. "I've shaken my head in wonder so many times I need to see a chiropractor. God is doing a marvelous thing here and it is incredible."
Please pray that God's marvelous work will be evident in many Dinangat lives as the people hear the conclusion of the Gospel message.
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