Current Tribal Update
7/24/2005: The Opening Their Mouths Ceremony

Hello All:

When we went for the discipleship of the Tribal pastors recently, it was most interesting to watch the Panare tribal church in action there as they carried out their "Opening their mouths" ceremony. This is one of the ways in which this tribal church meets the needs of its pastors. So what happens is this: all the pastors first go forward to the front and are seated. Then their wives go forward and stand in front of them. And then several benches are set up in front of them sort of creating a low table. Well, at the given signal in the church service, all those believers who want to help their pastors in any way go forward and lay on the benches the gift that they have brought. It might be sugar, money, smoked fish, rice, a flashlight, an assortment of roots, bananas, and so on. Well, after everyone who wants to give has given, then the church deacons divide up all the food and stuff, and hand it out to the different couples. The reason they call it the "opening their mouths" ceremony is because it coincides with the Biblical injunction which states that we are not to "muzzle the mouth of the ox while he is treading out the grain". So instead of muzzling, they "open their mouths" by giving them food! It was exciting for the Tribal too as the Panare deacons invited two of them to also go forward and participate, thus receiving many gifts as well. They were totally amazed!!

Prayer Requests:
-am working hard on the translation of Romans. Am working on chapter 14 now. Pray for much wisdom and diligence
-for continued growth of the Tribal leaders to shepherd the flock with much wisdom and care
-for the two congregations, that they will grow up in Him, and that they will learn from the Panare example to support their pastors as well
-the government investigation of the Mission goes on. We are still feeling the heat in many ways. Thanks for praying for continued open doors
-thanks for your continued prayers for us as we continue to look to the Lord about where we should move to after we have to move out of our apartment. Some doors are closing and others are opening. We continue to rest in Him
-for our son Josh, and his wife Josie, as they look for a missionary agency to work with. They are very interested at this point in serving in Russia
-for our daughter Jodi as she returns to the Master's college in California to finish up her last year. She too continues to pursue missions. Pray for God's direction

Thanks again so very much for your notes, your encouragement, your fellowship, and partnership. We thank God for each of you.

Enjoying the adventure in Him,
Merrill and Teresa

Deacons dividing up money	Panare church gathering	Panare believers giving
Deacons dividing it up	Handing out the goods	All pastors seated