M&T Updates: A Sad Turn of Events

“Let’s not be teaching the true God’s Words like an armadillo!!”

A Stubborn Heart

None of us really have stubborn and obstinate hearts, do we? We aren’t stiff-necked, are we? And we’re always quick to forgive and move on, right? I think we all know the answer to these questions. And it isn’t a rare thing among the P people either. And this has been played out all too well with one of the village chiefs whose name we will call Justico. He became a believer in the mid 90s and immediately became an avid student, being very aggressive to learn and also to evangelize and teach. He had a great memory and had even memorized the genealogies on the hand crank audio players that we had for each family. He faithfully listened and grew in the Lord. But as the years went by, we noticed a certain souring that was taking place in his heart. He became very reactionary to any truth or input that was specifically to help him in an area of weakness or sin. Talking to him about personal sin was NOT okay.

Well, fast-forward to 2024 and once again that stubborn heart manifested itself. One of the pastors, Hernán, went to see him to encourage his people to not be stealing pigs from the ranchers who lived quite a stretch away, as this was not pleasing to God, nor to their neighbors. Well, Justico didn’t accept it but began to lay into the pastor. He got downright ugly with him. And it wasn’t long before he and his people travelled about 40 kilometers (about 25 miles) upriver to get away from things. Many had actually hoped that this troublemaker would stay there but he returned several months later. And when he did, some of the pastors went to see him again but all in vain. The response was vicious. He began to gossip and malign the pastors, especially the one who had first spoken to him, Hernán. And then suddenly all that pastor’s produce from his garden started disappearing. Each time he and his village went to get the yuca root or corn, beans or squash, it was gone. Someone had taken it. The people are all poor as it is, but when the fruit of all your labor suddenly disappears, that makes things even harder.

And then, on top of all that, some of the people from Justico’s village, whom the pastors feel are not believers, started coming to the meetings and creating a ruckus, making it very hard for the pastors to concentrate during their teaching. And then the final straw was when Jusitco and his adult son suddenly showed up at their village in a rage. They tried to cut all their hammock ropes so people would have to sleep on the ground, and then they went about dumping the food out that the ladies were preparing and even taking some of it. The situation got very ugly as he then threatened the pastor and his village saying he had contact with the rebels in the area and that he would have them come and kill them. Well, things had gone from bad to worse to downright crazy!

(Now let me just explain something culturally to you all. The P people as a rule are a gentle and timid people, usually quiet and quite stoic. They don’t want to cause waves or make a scene but rather just keep their mouths shut and live their lives. This was actually one of the laws from their ancestors. So what Justico and his son did was way outside of cultural norms. This type of behavior has mainly been observed when believers have become demonized. Not possessed but rather heavily influenced by the enemy as they gave him a foothold through believing lies, succumbing to fear, and unforgiveness, which produced wild and uncharacteristic behavior. And Justico had certainly done that. He had a real nasty anger that kept festering and was harboring bitterness toward this pastor and his village for over a year. And in spite of the many opportunities to make things right and brotherize as they say, he refused to forgive!)

As things continued to get worse, the pastor and his family decided to move. So off they went as typical semi-nomads. They left their house, their well and water pump, their fruit trees, their garden and simply the place they had called home since around 2003. They walked carrying as much as they could about 30 kilometers upriver (about 19 miles) and set up there. They put together makeshift type houses out of palm branches and regular tree branches. And they just sent word to one of our national coworkers to help them get their tin and poles from the house they left behind with his truck. So there they are out in the open plains having to start all over again.

The Rest of the Story

What we have heard so far is only part of the story. Some of this we were already aware of from last year when our national team was camping out with the believers. But truly things have really ramped up. Right now our team is heading out there and will be with this pastor and his village for a few days. Then we should hear the rest of the story. In the meantime, would you please pray for Hernán and his village? This is a difficult situation. Three ordained pastors and a few of the pastors in training are part of Hernan’s village. How will this effect the church? Only 2 ordained pastors remain, and a few pastors in training as well. What is God going to do? He truly is magnificent at taking Satan’s handiwork and turning it around for His great and brilliant GLORY! Let’s pray that Hernán and his village will be encouraged in spite of all the challenges and that God would use this powerfully for His glory. Let’s also pray for Justico and his village, that those who have not trusted Christ as Savior would, and that others will come back to the the trail of truth as repentant believers. (See a list of prayer requests below. We really need your spiritual support)

This first picture…
…is the pastor who has been so attacked. He is the same dear brother with whom I had the great visit through our satellite connection. He will truly need our prayers.

This second picture…

…is a typical setup when the people hit the road and live out on the plains. This will be like what Hernán and his people are presently living in.

This third picture…
…is the national family that is presently out there with them.

Prayer and Praise:

• pray for Hernan and his village, that they will trust the Lord Almighty through this huge trial and not become discouraged or bitter. May they enjoy the rest and peace of God through all this, learning new spiritual lessons that will serve them wonderfully down the road.
• pray for Justico and his village, that they will repent, make things right with Hernán and his village, and with the other pastors
• pray that they will make restitution for the crops they have stolen
• pray that this whole ugly mess will be wonderfully used to glorify God and to advance the growth of His church among this precious people group
• pray for Jacinto and Ruby, our national coworkers, that they will have much wisdom as they seek to encourage Hernán and his village. Pray for their protection out there as things are always dicey!
• pray for our other coworkers, Andrés and Esther, that they can find a reliable Christian family with whom their son Elías can board while he continues his education in the city. This will allow Andrés and Esther to join Jacinto and Ruby out with the believers now during Dry Season. (Jan thru May more or less)
• PTL that our reprint of the P Bible with some good changes is about to go to print.
• PTL that about 165 new improved solar-powered radios are about to be shipped to the P people for distribution among the many unreached villages. (the Gov. census in 2001 indicated there were 11,000 people in this group, and more than likely there will be more now)
• PTL that book 8 of the Bible curriculum is getting out to the people now.
• PTL that book 9 will shortly be printed in the country.
• PTL that book 10 is moving along
• PTL that we have been able to start the radio programs taking us from Genesis through the ascension of Christ. These will be broadcast starting approximately in March or April to the unreached villages. Pray that the influences of Hell would not prevail and that God’s Word would go forth in great power and might!

Thanks again so very much for your partnering with us. We are indeed thankful for the ongoing opportunities to serve the P. believers by preparing additional resource material for them. Thanks again for all you do to keep us going!!

Enjoying our brief pilgrimage on planet earth with His strength and oomph,
Merrill and Teresa