Monday, April 26, 2021

April 26, 2021



          When we left in 2019 Michael was asking lots of questions about the gospel and following Jesus. He and I had been studying the Lopit language for a while, and translating Bible stories. Listening to one of Paul’s sermons and translating it got Michael angry and asking questions. I left having encouraged Michael to keep reading the Bible, talking to Paul, and studying a book called “Following Jesus.” 

          When I went back last year, Michael had finished the book and was working on it with Paul. He said that he definitely wanted to leave the village system and follow Jesus, and I had encouraged Paul to keep working with him. 

          I got back at the beginning of February and talked to Michael early on. Paul also sat with Michael and talked to him about the gospel and how to repent and believe in Jesus. We found out that Michael had recently been elected as one of the leaders of the monyimiji. The monyimiji are the ruling class of initiated men in Lopit culture. They are the ones in charge of enforcing rules and culture in the village. They are also the ones in charge of keeping the traditional customs, including many forms of ancestor veneration and traditional medicine or spiritual appeasement. I talked to Paul about how someone could be in this position of leadership and still follow Jesus, and Paul told me that it would be really hard to do. 

          The next day we were going to Lalonga for church, and Michael came with us. As we were getting ready to leave, I tried to give Paul the front seat, but he pulled me aside and said “I need to be sitting next to Michael for this trip…next to his ear.” Michael and Paul talked the whole way to Lalonga and the whole way back, and Paul seemed encouraged that Michael would be able to step up to the task of leading the monyimiji in a way that glorifies Christ and communicates the gospel, and said that he would continue to meet with and disciple Michael. We’re praying that Michael is a good person of peace in Lohutok to break through some of the cultural issues that hold people back from trusting Christ. 



          Pray for Michael. We’ve been praying for years that the gospel would break through in Lohutok, and it’s hard for us not to just lay all of those expectations and pressure on him. Alcohol is a huge problem in the village, it’s a normal part of everyday life usually starting early in the morning, and Michael is not immune to that pressure and temptation. Michael is also closely related to some of the spiritual power brokers in Lohutok, so leaving the traditional practices will be a hard thing for him to do. Thanks for praying! Justin, Amy, Ezekiel and Caleb Cul