New Guinea News                          19 October 2008

Picture This


Patpatar children gather around the pictures to recount the stories.

The audience yelled as the rope was cut and Butch went toppling over the edge of the wall. Only one of the ten ropes had been broken, but he still fell. Later the crowd gasped in unison as the glass bottle shattered into a thousand pieces. The hammer had struck only one of the ten marks on the bottle, nonetheless it was enough to break every part. Another time everybody nodded in understanding as I reenacted the tying of a certain vine around the trees. They began to see that the Holy God, the owner of all things, does have the authority to set the standard and to enforce it. After one of the lessons several adults crowded around the model of the tabernacle to examine the layout. One lady began to point to the priest and recount his duty of continual sacrificing on the part of the people of Israel. Another pointed out the Holy of Holies, the dwelling place of God behind the veiled curtain. On the other side kids squeezed around the pictures hanging on the wall and began to point to the Old Testament characters we have covered and recounted the events of the stories.

Our team has had the privilege to illustrate and demonstrate the truths of God’s Word through skits, illustrations, pictures, objects, and even videos. As we teach God’s Word from the beginning incorporating culturally appropriate applications we are beginning to see their false hopes, their false beliefs, and their false understandings unravel. “The spirits we have been trusting in are lies from Satan,” one man confided. “God’s is so different from us, He doesn’t have a wrong, He is over everything,” another man reflected and admitted his inadequacies before a Holy God. A woman talked to Lori and told her, “I am guilty of breaking God’s laws. I haven’t followed them like I thought I could. I am a sinner.”

Many have thanked us for coming. They are thanking us for taking the time to learn their language, for teaching them, and for making truths of God and mankind clear to them. And we in turn thank God and give Him the glory for allowing us to be used. And we thank you, for being a part, for praying, and for your encouragement. Continue to pray for them as they hear God’s Word presented and for us as we present His Word.

Coming this week:

• Israel fails to trust God alone – they worship the golden calf.

• Israel fails to believe God’s promise – they wander the wilderness for 40 years.

• Israel fails to depend on God’s provision – God sends the snakes to punish them, but provides a way of escape.

• Israel fails repeatedly after they enter Cannaan – God provides judges each time to deliver them.

• Israel fails to choose God as their King – God allows King Saul, David, and Solomon to lead them.