Joel & Joanie Troester – July, 2014
We thoroughly enjoyed the visit of the Bloom family. They are considering working here in Mozambique. We just kept on doing ministry together giving them the experience of
missionary life. They were a great help in all of the preparations for the baptismal service. Now they need God’s leading for their future plans.
Land Situation
Two months ago Vivaldo, a member of a sister church, made a visit back to the little village where he had grown up. While there he handed out tracts with his phone number on the back. As a result, two men, Jordão and Laurenço, gave him a call, wanting to learn more. The short version of the story: Fourteen folks came together from four churches to make a survey trip to the homes of these two families and the surrounding communities. These folks live where the gospel has never been heard. They have Bibles but it is the fear of the spirits of their dead ancestor that dominates their lives. Anyone who would choose to abandon these practices would therefore be considered a rebel and the cause of all and any problems that might occur. We were well received but with obvious suspicion. So where do you start in explaining the gospel to these folks? I was asked to speak the first night with the only light being that of the stars and the fire in the middle of the circle of family, neighbors and the chief of this particular location. With a clear sky and no lights we could see the stars in all their majesty. For those who know nothing about God we need to start with “Who is the Creator?” The next morning, with the area in the middle of our circle as a drawing board, I briefly explained the trinity, the creation of angels, the fall of the angels, the creation of Adam and Eve, their sin and the promise of a Liberator/Messiah to resolve the problem of sin for all of mankind. These folks had never heard these truths. At our next stop, which was Lourenço’s house, Hélio presented the same story in Shangana and could do it without a translator. How necessary! Please pray for wisdom to know the best way to give continuation to the seeds that have been sown. Mr. Vivaldo already has some plans for land and a building. We, for our part, need to do the Bible teaching and training which he does not have. The body of Christ is amazing. Those from our church who went have had their lives changed with an experience that they will never forget.
Joel and Joanie Troester