Phew! I’m glad that’s over! I thought as we finally pulled out of the capital city after five months of language learning. We were not only happy to be leaving the traffic jams, crowded living and diesel fumes, we were also excited to be turning the page and heading back to the Great River people to begin ministry again. We have very fond memories and close friendships there. Yet, we were soon to discover that not everything is the same as when we left six years ago.

Curious brown eyes peered at me from narrow slits in black veils as I drove slowly down a dusty village road. Men in long, white Middle-eastern robes crossed the road in front of me on their way to prayers. Children wearing prayer caps and carrying Arabic textbooks raced each other to the nearest Islamic school where they undergo several hours of religious indoctrination six days a week. It was a scene straight out of any number of Middle-Eastern countries, but we were half a world away in Southeast Asia. And this wasn’t Muslim Indonesia or Malaysia, either. We were in the heart of what used to be called Indo-China, a major Buddhist stronghold. Here among our Great River friends, radical change was in the air.

Traditionally, the Great River people have followed a more moderate form of Islam with some even forgoing the five daily prayers for a more relaxed schedule of one prayer at the mosque every Friday. Historically, the Great River people have dressed similarly to their close cousins in Malaysia—colorful head scarves for women and artistically designed sarongs for men. But thanks to an influx of money from several Middle Eastern countries and a concerted effort by groups with fundamentalist leanings, the Great River People are being pressured into adopting very conservative forms of Islam, such as Wahhabism. While some are adopting this stricter view of Islam willingly, many resent it.

We have also noticed another kind of change that is springing up in the hearts of the Great River People. They have heard about the prophet Isa (Jesus) all their lives. But now some are getting to know Him personally as Isa the Savior, and He is making a difference in their lives and their families.

This past Sabbath, our first back among the Great River People, we went with an English-teacher friend of ours to a nearby village. As we visited in a small wooden house, the owner, whom I will call Yaya, sat down beside me and confided, “I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and went back to Heaven. I also believe He is going to come back.”

Yaya’s faith journey began when some nearby Christian missionaries helped him go to a Christian medical clinic in the capital city. There he learned about Jesus, and a spark ignited in his heart. He now believes that Jesus died for his sins. As he shared, his face glowed with the excitement of someone who had found something very precious. He excused himself and soon came back holding two precious treasures—a copy of the Injeel (the gospels) and a copy of the Taurat (the five books of Moses). “Have you read them?” I asked.

“Yes,” he replied. “I have read portions.” We agreed to visit together again and study further into these holy books.

Yaya is not the only Jesus follower in this village. His wife and two adult nieces also believe in Jesus. Our missionary friend lives with one of these ladies named Lydia during the week while she teaches English in the local school. She says Lydia often reads the Bible in the evenings. The other niece, Rebecca, attends a small house church several villages away where the Clay and Church families have their project. This past week, I led out in a study about the man who was possessed by a legion of demons. “Do you know of any demonic activity in your village?” I asked. Several heads nodded.
“There are many demons in our villages,” Rebecca said. “That’s why people wear strings around their waists and wrists. They are trying to ward off the demons. But I don’t need to wear strings for protection. I am not scared at all. God protects me.”

While these fledgling believers have many things to learn doctrinally, their simple faith in the power of Jesus and their perseverance in difficult circumstances never cease to amaze us. We are praying for the right time to begin a home group in Rebecca’s village so she doesn’t have to travel so far, and her sister, uncle and others can join her. We will keep you posted.

So where do we go from here? Our English-teacher friend will soon leave for a short break overseas and then plans to return to another area of service in this country. After talking and praying with the Roberts family (who will be joining us soon) and consulting with AFM, we feel God leading us to purchase land within this village—hopefully about two hectares—where we can build a missionary house and ministry center. We hope to use this ministry center as both a place to teach English and as a house of prayer and dialogue with our Muslim friends.

Over two thirds of this country’s population is under 30 years of age. Many people see English as a way to escape poverty and get a good job. Many of these young people are single and have few responsibilities weighing them down. Through English-language classes, we believe God will bring us into contact with young people who are open to the gospel.

We also believe that there is power in the name of Jesus. By becoming known as people who pray regularly in Jesus’ name and are open to dialogue, we believe people will gain trust in us and ask for prayers on their behalf. Through prayers of faith, we believe God will work mightily in this village and in many surrounding villages.

Please keep this project in your prayers. If you feel moved to make a financial contribution toward land and missionary housing or our ministry center, please contact AFM today.

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