OBERG PRAISE N PRAY – March 9,
2008
Praise God for a good trip for Kevin and Toby to
Nimberla. There were large crowds who came to the evangelism, and on the third
night the “floodgates” opened as over 200 kids responded to the gospel message
being preached. Although we certainly believe that a child can make a decision
to follow Jesus (we were two kids who did! :o), in this culture and setting, it
is very difficult for a child to remain in that decision if the family is not
taking them to church and helping them do so. Kids very easily slip through the
cracks out here. Please PRAY that these children, whose hearts have responded
to the truth, would grow in their faith.
As people from Nimberla met with Kevin and Toby after
the evangelism, they kept saying, “Please come back! Don’t give up on us! We
need and want to hear more before we can make a decision like this.” This is a
very typical response—there is often a cost to be paid for following Christ in
this culture. New Christians face persecution from family and neighbors, and
are often cut off socially (and sometimes physically, where they no longer have
a place to live) because they choose to follow Christ. Please PRAY that God
will draw many people to himself, and PRAY for Pastor Marcel as he makes regular
trips to this village.
Thank you for praying for Kevin and Toby as they talked
about discipleship materials for new believers. They will present what they
have chosen to the pastors at a meeting this coming Saturday in Ndorola. PRAY
that they will have wisdom as they all move forward in this crucial area of
discipleship and follow up with new believers.
Please continue to PRAY for Pastor Samuel and Elizabeth,
as they grieve the loss of little Joanna. We went to Ndorola for church
today—Pastor Samuel has been gone at a conference in
Remember the young boy who was going into trances and
having violent outbursts, whose parents gave him to the Sirasso church for a
week in early January, hoping as a last resort that the church could do
something for him? We are SO happy to report that this young man has faithfully
been in church every Sunday since that week (when he accepted Christ as his
Savior), worshipping with the Sirasso believers and growing in his faith. He
has not had one trance or violent outburst since that time. He does say that at
moments, he feels very “troubled and restless” on the inside, a sign that the
enemy is still trying to take back lost ground. Please PRAY for continual peace
and complete freedom.
This week’s evangelism trip will take place in Siri and
Niyeta (pronounced See-ree and Nee-ye-tah), two villages close to Ndorola.
(Siri was where there was an incredible response when the Alliance Women held
their evangelism there.) Kevin will head out Thursday and come back late
Saturday afternoon, Toby will cover Saturday and Sunday. (Boy, is it nice to
have help in this!! PRAISE the LORD!)