Returning to their ministry among the Tobo people of Papua New Guinea after an absence of eight months, missionaries Chad and Janeene Mankins are seeing spiritual growth in the lives of the believers.
Chad and Janeene attended their first believers meeting and were delighted that Tobo Bible teachers were reviewing evangelistic Bible lessons on their own with no prompting or help from the missionaries. Three men were teaching, and others in the group were sharing from the Word, leading worship and praying aloud.
"The only involvement I have had so far (praying, sharing) has come after they asked me," wrote Chad. "What a joy to see them using and exercising those gifts God has given them even at this early stage."
In the few weeks that Chad and Janeene have been back in the village, each of the Bible teachers has come to them with questions and asked for advice and spiritual encouragement. They want to be faithful in teaching the Word, along with being good examples for the others. A sign of their growing maturity is that they recognize the need to be discipled as well as discipling others.
The believers have also grown in their knowledge of God's grace. In the past when someone said, "we need to do this; then we will have eternal life," the missionaries would correct them. Now the believers are quick to remind everyone to stand on what Christ has done for them and not in their own strength or any good behavior of their own.
In Tobo culture it is correct to avoid conflict and let things slide rather than correct them, so it is a real sign of spiritual growth to see these believers standing strong in God's Truth.
Pray for Chad and Janeene as they minister among the Tobo people. Pray also that the tribal believers will continue to grow in their understanding of God and His grace.
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