Now We Can Go

The young people of Rigweland are committed to using the Bible in their own language.

"Now we can go back and share the Gospel with everyone in our own language," Gloria said.  Gloria was one of two "mommy's" in the group.  She had been part of a group of older women in a listening group, and has now been trained to go and lead her own.
"Now I know how to reach people in my own language," said Danlami, who only two days before the training started was awakened in the night with people attacking his village. He attended all three days of the training.

More tech savvy participants helping each other learn to operate the audio device.

"What are you going to do, now that you've heard" -Question 6

We prayed for people of vision, who would share what they have been trained with others.  God answered this prayer in such a dramatic way, sending many young people with passion for his Word, for their language, and for reaching others with the Good News of Jesus.  They submitted plans on the second day of the groups they were starting.  I can't wait to hear testimonies of the footballers, Sunday school children, Girls Brigade members, youth, old women, siblings, and pre-literate neighborhood women who hear and respond to God's Word through these listening groups.

Augustine reviewing the questions.

We prayed for the Irigwe trainers, who we had prepared to facilitate many topics of the training.  I can't count the number of times joy surged through my heart, and tears came to my eyes as they competently lead discussion and animatedly facilitated participatory sessions.  One of them brought his wife (above right) to be trained to start her own group because he believes so much in the power of it.
 "Can you lead this whole training next time?"  I asked during our debrief of the training.  A resounding "Yes!" came from every one of them.  They requested I, Christy, come to encourage them, and encourage the participants, but there is no need for me to train the Rigwe people in SLRG's.  Encourage I will, and how encouraged I was at their confidence because I, too, feel they can carry the Scripture Listening Group movement forward in their own language.  

I, Christy, felt an overwhelming sense of God's love for me as the training wrapped up, with participants singing long established, vibrant songs in their language, rejoicing in what they have been given the opportunity to do.  He joyfully invites me into his vineyard, though my knowledge of the Vinedresser and his ways is so limited. He masterfully unfolds his artful tapestry of a plan to my unsuspecting heart through flinging wide a window into the beautiful culture and faith of his children.  He patiently teaches me to release control of outcomes as he raises those he's called and sets them on the path to bring in the harvest.

I stand back amazed at his work in Rigweland.  This is a land that has seen enormous suffering over the last year, one that lay beyond a road that was blocked Friday evening because of unrest, a land that has been farmed generation after generation, a land that God is going to bring bountiful harvest through the power of his Word.  Now is the time, we are all part of it.

Thank you Jesus.

Please continue to pray for the participants as they go forth with new knowledge.  As they encounter challenges or resistance, may God's Word burst forth and heal, restore, and build his church in Rigweland.

Participants sharing their plan with each other of how they'll start their group.