We read a LOT in the news these days of tragedy. Often we cry out. Hopefully we pray and look to the Lord.
Below is the account of what one village pastor has done in the face of multiple attacks. We hope you are encouraged by his story! (After the story we describe our family's part in bringing the gospel to this pastor's people.)
From Barry Abbott: "Today our friend and Baka pastor's house was burned to the ground while he was holding a Bible study in the village. Everything he owned was in the house except the clothes on his body and the Bible in his hand. Once they got the news, the Bible study group went to see, but it was too late. Nestor's response was to continue the Bible study. I keep wondering what I would have done. Prayers are much appreciated for this saint of God. Here he is with his new wife, Teti."
From Nathan Conrod:
"For all who were wondering, the Baka tend to have fires going all the time but it's very rare to hear of a house burning down (only in town were there are often electrical fires) as the fire has its 'spot' and getting a wall to catch fire takes more than a wandering spark - especially during rainy season - and Tuesday was the most rainy day of the year, it seemed. Also, this fire started behind their bedroom, on the other side of the house than the 'kitchen', were they never even have a fire. They were meeting only about 20 yards away. They didn't see anyone suspicious wandering about the house and it went up in flames very quickly! So it is not without reason that I feel this was a satanic attack. But Satan has attacked Nestor on 3 separate occasions in the past, which is how he has become so strong in his faith. First, when some ladies cursed him while he was visiting his home village. He suffered from demonic visions for months, until through prayer and fasting the Lord granted him victory. Second, his late wife, Dali, could not carry a baby to term because of some residual effects of having tuberculosis. They prayed and prayed and when Dali finally put her trust in God and not in traditional 'medicine', He granted their desire and gave them a beautiful baby girl. Yet a year later - [that baby girl] became sick and died. They were crushed, but persevered in their faith. Third, Dali also became sick and finally passed into her Savior's arms on the 1st of this year. Yet even then, Nestor put His trust in the One who holds the whole world in His hands. And so, with all of this behind him, instead of finding him devastated, we hear him say, like Job, "I was born with nothing and I will leave this world with nothing - I put it all, along with my heart, in God's hands"."
Kevin and our colleague, Liz, will be taking our drama evangelism team to Pastor Nesor's area this weekend. I’m not sure I’ve written about it here previously but this is a village they have gone to before. Kaiah was on the team with them last time.
The Baka are pretty fascinating people.
For your interest:
https://www.fatherly.com/health-science/why-aka-pygmy-fathers-breastfeed-their-babies/
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