07/10/03: Tribal Update: Rafael's testimony about choosing purity
Hello Everyone:
We just returned from our 'safe' rendezvous site once again after having a very special time with our dear Tribal brothers and sisters. What a joy to hang out with them and enjoy their fellowship. A big THANK YOU to you again for your prayers for us and them during this time. The translation checking and discipleship all went very well.
Do you remember the needs that were mentioned in the last update regarding some of the Tribal believers taking a second wife and in some cases taking the wife of another man? Well, God is faithful and continues to accomplish His
work. Two guys have gotten things right with the Lord since that time and
have sent their additional "flings" back home or back to their true husbands. We listened most intently that first evening as Rafael shared something like this:
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It has been eight moons since I chose to disobey our true Father and not follow the trail of truth. Like one without ear holes I just turned my back on what I knew was straight and true. And I sensed it happening. I sensed my disgust toward my wife. I began to treat her badly and really balled her out often. I began to think about another woman, a forbidden one. Yes, as one slapping the true Spirit in the face, I just disobeyed. Knowing that I was doing wrong, I did wrong as if not having a heart (conscience). And I learned to live with two women. But after four moons passed, my wife took off with our two kids and went to her father's place. I went after her but my father's older brother angrily rebuked me saying I had no business coming after her now. And so I went home without her. My liver was hot (angry) and I was so miserable. I really thought of her often and I thought of my kids. I was increasingly sad and truly lonely. I had the other woman but it became truly untasty. The true Spirit worked, ever reminding me of what I knew was right. And I began to be afraid too. I knew that the true Father loved me beyond measure and I knew that as a son belonging to Him, He could do to me as if He was spanking me, in order that I live within His boundaries. I knew I was living dangerously and that my true Father was not one who fooled around. I got more and more miserable. My heart became truly untasty and unpleasant. I couldn't sleep well. And the "caretakers of the sheep" came often and visited with me. Their words were soft and gentle and tasty, and yet not long and endless. The wanted to help me. They wanted to help me get back on the trail of truth. I stood against them though, and continued on as one "without any ear holes". But then I couldn't stand it any longer. I told Baraca, "Go home. You don't belong here. You are not my woman. My heart is truly unpleasant in my disobedience. Go home. Forget about me. Don't think about me any more." Yes, I sent her home. And she went. Then I went right over to my father-in-law's place. I saw him. I visited with him. "I have done you bad" I told him. "I have made your thinking sad. I want to fix things up. I don't want to be as one who hides any longer. See me with compassion. May your anger towards me be alleviated. I want to fix things up with you and brotherize. I want to take my wife home and my children. Is this acceptable with you?" I asked him. And he said yes right away. And then I visited with me wife, and she chose right away to come home with me. I thought surpassingly without my liver. (I was truly joyful)."
Well, Rafael went on to make things right, even with the guy who had been sleeping with his wife. He confessed his anger to him for taking his wife, and wanted to be "brotherized". And shortly thereafter, he shared his whole journey into sin with the whole church body there in Goadä dürü. And since that time, he has been visiting with others who have fallen into the same trap of grabbing another wife and seeking to help them. Yes, we praise the Lord for His faithfulness!! He is able!! He is at work building His church around the world....and the powers of hell will NOT prevail!
There is much more we could share about our time of discipleship but we will leave that for another time. Thanks again for your prayers and words of encouragement and partnership in the work that we might be able to carry on.
Thanks too for praying for Rafael and all the church leaders that they will grow and stand tall spiritually, and continue to say no to "forbidden"
women, and run like Joseph did when Potiphar's wife tried to get him, and be tremendous shepherds of the sheep.
Enjoying the adventure in Him,
Merrill and Teresa