Patrick and Dawn Eggleton Just another weblog 
As our tasks of teaching missionary children continues from day to day, it can at times seem like we are doing very little to help expand the reach of the gospel in the remote tribal villages around this country. We often have to be reminded that other missionaries would not be able to serve in their ministries if a school for their children was not available. Though our position may not be “front line,” we are thankful that we can be a part of the team that makes God’s love available to so many.
Before seeing the power of the gospel in the lives of the people here, I was often guilty of a belief that it seemed like too much trouble for people from so far away to go to the expense and trouble to share with the people here. The following story shares a response from some of the believers here to that attitude!
What would you say to someone who says, “Leave them alone. They are happy the way they are.”?
Three Lamogai tribal believers faced a team of 14 Interface students in a missionary’s living room one evening. (Interface is a New Tribes Mission program that allows those interested in tribal mission work a short opportunity to learn all that is involved in sharing the gospel in unreached tribal villages.) It was a question and answer time. The team leader explained how some people in America try to convince Christians not to bother the happy-go-lucky tribal groups nestled in jungles all over the world.
It took 10 minutes for the 3 Lamogai adults to comprehend the question. Disbelief and confusion covered their faces. They couldn’t even begin to understand why someone would suggest a thing like that. Could they be hearing the question correctly? Minutes passed as the missionaries translated again and again in different ways.
Finally, the tribal Christians turned to the students.
"We lived in fear…under Satan’s control…how could anyone say ‘they are happy the way they are’?"
Over the next few days, the Interface students experienced the love, joy, generosity, and hospitality of the Lamogai believers. They left feeling like the Lamogai Christians understand in a far deeper way than westerners do, what it means to have been ‘delivered from the power of darkness into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins’ (Col.1:13-14).
This morning I read the following from a book by Andrew Murray: We might as well attempt to see without eyes, or live without breath, as believe or draw near to God or rest in His love without an all-pervading humility and lowliness of heart. As I have considered that thought I realize how much more I need to die to self to be able to draw closer to God and know His heart better. Hearing about the Lamogai has helped me understand God’s heart regarding these tribal people. He LOVES them, and he knows the fear and frustration they experience as they live from day to day removed from HIS presence. Together, you and I can be tools in HIS hands to make HIS love available to these people. Thanks for partnering with us to make this possible!
