10/29/04: Tribal Update: 43 graves!

Hello Folks:

We are still on the road visiting friends and family in central Canada but wanted to get this note off to you that Rafael, one of the Tribal believers, just sent me. Please be praying for the Tribal believers during this tough trial. They are shedding many tears. Pray that they will stand strong in Christ in spite of incredible pain. So anyway, here is Rafael's note:

My brother Mario:

Take note that I am writing, sending words to you as I remember you. I'm thinking, "Ah yes, Mario is truly far away" as I write you these words. Yes, I live here, truly wanting to see you my brother. I am sending you words from far away, from the land that you used to live in, from here in Tribal land. Yes, I remember you....and my people all remember you too.

My dad is fine, my mom is fine. They continue to live. But we are sad. We are thinking with much pain. Let me tell you about it. We are sad, thinking about all the children that were here and how we used to see them, but now they are gone. My wife gave birth to one in the moon of September, but the little one died. My wife is truly thinking with sadness about the one she used to hold, about the one that she used to see in the flesh. Yes, let me tell you straight. Many have died. It was during the moon of October that truly many have died. My brother-in-law Pjeri's son died. Tamara also died, And Mati's daughter is also dead....with only her name staying behind. And little Nicodemo is dead too....and little Enoc....and also Mari Ani's children. And then there is Meseria, she also died. And Justo's daughter died and all of Jose Eteva's kids are gone. And Matia's son is gone too. And the girl that Justo's son married, she is also dead now. And let me tell you about the kids at Pascua's village. They are all dead. And at Donare's village, children also died. And Jurariva's son is dead as well as others in his village. Yes, 43 little ones have died. There is much sadness. And people from the community of Tara cjiamerape have also died. I'm letting you know so that don't remain as one who is ignorant regarding these matters. That is all I'm writing you now. We are thinking with truly much pain. Yes, please speak to the true God regarding all this. Speak intercedingly to Him for us.

Your brother, Rafael