M&T Update: Woke or Awake?

Ephesians 5:14
…for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, Oh sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

Our Changing Culture

As we believers continue our brief pilgrimage on this fleeting planet, we can easily see how our culture is continually changing and bombarding us. I remember arriving in the States or in Canada every 5 years for our time of Home Assignment, and we always noticed a change in vocabulary, a difference in the way people spoke, how people’s beliefs had changed, and how sometimes sin wasn’t sin any more. I also remember how during our 5-year absence the meanings of verses had changed, and suddenly they were interpreted to mean something different. It reminded me of what the prophet Isaiah said back in 5:20: What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.” It seems like we have entered the age where this happening on a regular basis, for so often evil is proclaimed as good and good is seen a evil, and conformity to the new standards are pushed hard.

And in the P world view…

…it isn’t any different because the shamans continue to receive new revelations from the gods and the ancestors, injecting new so-called truth into the culture. And this “new truth” also comes from their dreams which they believe are a true picture of what is transpiring in the spirit world. And some of this “new truth” then collides with former beliefs.

A brief review from our Last Update

In our last update, we shared about how one of the pastors was horribly abused by some of the believers who had become unhappy with him after he had confronted them for tolerating sin in their lives. He suffered endless gossip and shaming, accusations and threats of physical attack, and had his garden produce stolen. And yet with everything that happened, this dear pastor lived in enormous victory and blessing as he banked big on the truth.

Awake, but not Woke

When the pastor sent me an audio message recently, I was amazed at his tone, his words, his joy and his thinking. I was thrilled that He was following a Biblical compass and not one imposed on him by his godless culture. Here is a brief snapshot of some of what he said as he responded to my earlier audio message:

Your message to me was like truly tasty coffee for my soul. They were valuable and important words. But now let me tell you about what has happened. We left our former dwelling place. and now live in a new place just downriver from where you used to live when you lived among us, right close to Goadä Creek. It is strange that I have returned to the place where my dad lived, to the place where I grew up, to the place where you and my dad were good friends, and where you saw me as a child. Yes, after enduring much pain and hardships, I have moved over here. No, my blood didn’t run out on the ground and they didn’t physically attack me but the trials were great. But I choose to not mention their names or gossip about them. And today, well I’m not angry at anyone. My heart is light and easy. I’m so thankful that God brought us to this new place. We didn’t bring much. Just the tin from the roof of our former dwelling. And I didn’t carry any of it of course because my back won’t allow me to carry heavy things anymore. But yes, I’m thinking with a relieved heart and very joyful to be here. But no, I didn’t just suddenly leave without anyone knowing. No, I went and visited all the villages. I spoke clearly to all of them without anger. I didn’t hurl words at them either (cast blame). No, I just told them that we were moving upriver. I told them that I was leaving but that I still cared for all of them. I told them how I hadn’t been stingy with the words of the true God and now they shouldn’t be stingy with one another either. I told them as well that many of them needed to begin to teach their people even as I had. Many of them were sad when I said we were leaving. Those with ear holes (obedient hearts), those who longed for truth were sad. But others were probably happy that we were leaving. But I told them with no hiding, but also said that I would be back now and again to visit them. Yes, we left our garden and all our fruit trees, our pump and well pf water, along with our whole house. But it is so good to be here now. I’m totally thinking without my liver (being joyful).

Everything in color above is exactly the opposite of what their woke culture demands. However, this pastor isn’t woke, he’s AWAKE!! And here below are many more believers who are now WIDE AWAKE…in Glory!

 

Praise and Prayer to God….

• Praise for allowing us to get the first 51 radio podcasts done for the Creation to the Ascension teaching series coming up
• Praise for our Lord’s continued strength, encouragement and blessing as we labor on with joy
• Praise for our national team that is about to head out once more to encourage the P believers
• Praise for the fact that the last details for the second printing of the P Bibles were sent to the Publishing Company and for all the good improvements that were made to the translation
• Pray for quick the quick printing of the Bibles and the rapid delivery to the people before the rainy season sets in and the creeks and marshy areas fill up making them impossible to pass by vehicle
• Pray for continued eye health. I have had some surprises with my two new corneas lately which has caused discomfort and deteriorated vision.
• Pray for my upcoming hernia surgery in Santa Barbara, CA I have an appointment coming up soon
• Pray for God’s provision for continuing to print Bible curriculum for the people. The printing of these Bibles pretty much emptied our Print Fund. (If you want to help with the print fund, please write us at merrill.dyck@gmail.com)
• Pray for the encouragement of each pastor, that they might humbly walk before the Lord and remain emboldened to faithfully teach God’s Word
• Pray for those disgruntled believers who are making life rough on some of the others, for deep brokenness and repentance
• Pray for continued freedom in the country to minister to the many different people groups that the saints are working with

And Thanks Again…..

….for your partnership with us, for your prayers, for your encouragement, for your notes, and for your fellowship in the Gospel. God is working and is building His church among the Unreached People Groups of the world. Thanks so much for being a part of the team!

Looking for the Lord’s Return,
Merrill and Teresa