Fix it Evangelism.

Fix it Evangelism.
Here I am working with our neighbor, Bamba.He is helping us plant two mango trees, andI am welding/drilling on his donkey cart to put it into better shape.Sometimes what we say with our hands and feet is more easily heard than what we can say with our words. Bamba has become a good friend.He is over to say good morning, and good nightevery day. If he has new fruit or something to share with us, he shares. If I have a way I can help him,I try to help as well.Pray for him, and his 3 wives, and children,that God would call them to Himself, and they wouldknow Jesus...





To know Jesus is to know peace.
This became glaringly clear to us in a new way this week.Another guy named Bamba. We had asked for prayer for him,back in Nov 05. He came to us with a swollen, infected hand.He trembled as he explained to us how it was too painful to sleep.He looked like he hadn't slept in days.This week he came by again. He looked worse. He looked like ithad been months since he has had a good sleep. His hand looksbetter, but his body is emaciated, and he looks sick.He asked us for food. He began to tell us about his sickness,a bizarre story.
He went to the gold rush town. He was in the brush nearby, and a demon (His words) met him, and threw him on the ground. It would not let him up for a long time, then it brought him toa sitting position. It told him that it would make him suffer, but that it would give him a lot of money in return. Bamba explained thatthis is how his hand got sick in the first place, that the demongave him this sickness to make him suffer. He explained that nottoo long after that he found a gold nugget that was worth $60. (Almost two months salary.) He then told me he was not sure if the voice/person was a demon or of God. I said to him, "I know."I said God will not ask you to suffer for mere money. Money is a temporal thing, God is concerned with eternal things. If Godasks you to suffer, it is so your attention will be gained, soyou seek Him. I said that a demon will lie, cheat steal, do anythingin order you give allegiance to him. I said that the demon will nothonor his promise. I also asked "who is the real chief of this world?"He said God. I said, "then does the demon have the right to give you anythingthat God would not?" I said that he should be careful, and leave the demon aside.He should go to our Pastor Youssouf, and that Youssouf wouldhelp him know Jesus, know God. He should give his heart to God, andGod, whether he healed the sickness or not, would have a place for himeternally.
It soon became evident that Bamba is too worried that he might missout on the money the demon promised him to change his path. You should see this man, he literally will be on the streets, a crazy man unable to care for himself in a few months. He is really far ona destructive path. But this lust/craving for more temporal things isdriving him to follow this demon. Wow!
Bamba left me after that conversation, and talked to Pastor Youssouf,but he told Youssouf that I said to give him money. He ignored the whole part about leaving demons, and following Christ. Youssouf talked to me, anddid not give any money. (We had given him rice, and condiments to make a meal.)Youssouf and I were both amazed at his depth of self-deception.
Pray for Bamba the painter. He needs to experience the freedom and peaceof Christ in his life. I don't know if he will change before it is too late,but I pray to that end...

Sunday we visited the church in Fourou again. It is such a joy to see these believers. This is the group who began to meet in faith, before theyunderstood the gospel. They forsook their old ways, and began to meet with a bible in a foreign language to them, and a hymnbook in a language they understood. God rewarded their action in faith, and sent them Tom & LauraRequadt. Now they are learning the true word of God, members have been baptized,and new ones have been added.


What a contrast to Bamba the painter's story!!
Thanks for stopping byTom & Lisa Seward