February 2009 Prayer Letter
We wanted to share a brief update about what's been going on since our house was broken into. Last week the local leaders held a village court and sentenced two of the three to a few months in prison but the two immediately escaped before we could get a plane in to fly them out to town. The two are back in their village again so we'll see what happens next week. The main culprit left the tribe before the court case and is on the run. Our main concern is not for the things we lost but that we don't let them just get away with it which could open the way for more or worse crimes. Last time when a solar panel was stolen from the church we did not pursue justice because of the expense and time we would have had to spend out in town. But now the thieves are getting bolder and so we know we need to follow through this time even if it costs us to fly police in or for us to travel out to town for court.
Meanwhile we would ask you to pray for our Simbari brothers and sisters in Christ as there are some in the community who are jealous of their joy and freedom and will use anything to try and bring them down. The believers had a special meeting with us because they were afraid that we might want to leave now because of the robbery. And we were concerned for them being drug into this trouble with us and yet when we got together we all found strength in God's Word and His promises. We assured them that we aren't going to leave because of this and they told us that they didn't care what the people say about them. They've seen from our study of Acts that the believers of the early church were also persecuted. They see this as a spiritual battle and know that the enemy doesn't want the wonderful truths of Romans translated in the Simbari language. One of the believers shared a verse that he had just heard for the first time in his language that was an encouragement to all. Here's what Rom 8:18 looks like in Simbari:
Nemoro agasuro danyu'nyuwuulo ma'dowado su ton yiuno kula'nyekwojogano. Toro kuvi kuruv Gooti toolluro bako bwotonyo tovi kuulomwallo'moneyokwe nonekullabwono su to'gwowi aguto kuunodokwono. Su tov nemoro buro'nyo buro'nyo danyu'nyuwuulodeyo mujumo'melabodowado tonyu kuuwolo'mwallo.
Sunday morning we were wondering how things would go at the service considering all that's been going on. There was a good turn out and a group of ladies got up and sang a special song they had written which was so encouraging because the women are usually so shy. After the meeting the teachers took names of those wanting to be baptized (based on a recent lesson from Acts) and 13 people asked to be baptized! It was such a surprise to us but a good reminder of the power of God and that nothing can stand in His way. After the meeting as some of us stood around reminiscing about OT Bible stories that showed us God's power I noticed behind me two guys sitting down next to each other on the ground near the church. Both were trying their best to read the same copy of translated Bible portions in Simbari even though they haven't been to literacy school yet. We're pretty sure these guys will be some of the first to sign up for our next literacy class that will be starting soon. A couple weeks ago one of the believers prayed that he was "hungry for Romans." That got us thinking that we don't usually pray like that and don't often hear others pray like that either. Hearing things like that helps us keep our perspective straight.
Our kids are doing well. Esther is almost done with her second year of college where she is studying for a teaching credential to become a mission school teacher. Simon and Rachel are doing very well in the dorm and in school. And Jason is looking forward to spring break to see his brother and sister again. David's grandmother, Beverly, who loved the Lord passed away recently so please pray for David's family. Of course it's hard to be apart at times like this.
In Christ's love,
David, Shari, and family
http://www.ntm.org/david_ogg