From January 8 through 12, 2014, the Lord allowed me to participate in a New Year's Meeting hosted by a local church in a remote mountain village in Papua New Guinea. The Lord truly honored the prayers and preparations made by many people, and saved more than forty souls, thirty-nine of whom received believer's baptism on the last day of the meeting.
This special event was not without opposition. The afternoon of Jan 12, the church's meeting house and the home of my hosts was stoned, with more than thirty panes of glass shattered. Our Lord, however, turned this violence into an opportunity for His people to demonstrate Christ-like gentleness, and many other people from the village saw firsthand both the cruelty and unreasonableness of ungodly men contrasted against the meekness and gentleness of Christ, lived out by His people. One of the brothers literally turned the other cheek to his attacker; one of the local pastors simply ran away from the man who struck him, rather than returning blows (he is a strong man, and no doubt could have defended himself).
That night, a man who acted as pastor in a neighboring village's church trusted Christ, and on Monday, Jan 13, the other acting pastor and his wife also believed on the Lord Jesus! I received word that since then, another woman has been saved too.
Praise the Lord for the great and mighty work He is doing in that part of the world!
This special event was not without opposition. The afternoon of Jan 12, the church's meeting house and the home of my hosts was stoned, with more than thirty panes of glass shattered. Our Lord, however, turned this violence into an opportunity for His people to demonstrate Christ-like gentleness, and many other people from the village saw firsthand both the cruelty and unreasonableness of ungodly men contrasted against the meekness and gentleness of Christ, lived out by His people. One of the brothers literally turned the other cheek to his attacker; one of the local pastors simply ran away from the man who struck him, rather than returning blows (he is a strong man, and no doubt could have defended himself).
That night, a man who acted as pastor in a neighboring village's church trusted Christ, and on Monday, Jan 13, the other acting pastor and his wife also believed on the Lord Jesus! I received word that since then, another woman has been saved too.
Praise the Lord for the great and mighty work He is doing in that part of the world!
True modern-day, unsung heroes of the faith, Bro. Lewis and Sis. Judy have labored among these people for years. It was one of the highlights of my life to spend six days with them, learning from their wisdom, faith in God, and persistence in following Christ. (The young lady trusted Christ for salvation on Monday, Jan.13.)