Outreaches to two Kuna villages in Panama are bearing fruit. In one village new believers have been born into God's family. But the birth of the church in this village has not come without its birth pangs.
Edelfonso, a Kuna Bible teacher, was recently summoned to the village for a meeting with the chiefs. They are not pleased because some of the new believers are refusing to participate in the village-wide drinking feasts. The chiefs have threatened to stop the teaching of the Word and even kick the new believers out of the village.
During a phone conversation with missionary Jerry McDaniel, who worked among the Kunas for many years, Edelfonso said, "Jerry, I had nothing but my Bible with which to contest them. They were angry with me that the believers were refraining from some of the normal practices in the community that contradict with the Word.
"I remembered that you faced those exact situations and accusations in our village. So in the same way I simply shared that God's Word was the authority and not my word. I reminded them that they had invited us into their village to teach God's Book."
The chiefs said they were interested in their people being taught God's Book, but didn't appreciate some of the changes in regards to the old ways. The situation seemed to be calmer after the meeting, but Edelfonso is still concerned about the persecution the new believers and Kuna missionaries are facing in the village and how this could affect the new church.
"Join us in prayer that God would strengthen His servants in this village," Jerry wrote. "Pray that God will give them boldness and wisdom as they teach the Word. Ask God to encourage the new believers as they take stands and make sacrifices to obey His Word. Pray that the new church will have a wonderful testimony in the community and that many more would be drawn into the family."
Edelfonso and the other Kuna church leaders are also seeking to establish relationships with three more villages, hoping to receive invitations to place missionaries among them. Please pray for God's direction.
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