I first met Lenny some years ago when an oil company was taking seismic readings in search of favorable spots to drill. Lenny, a middle-aged Gogodala man from our village, was a crew chief for one of the seismic teams. He was dressed nicely and had an expensive phone. Since he was in the area, I invited him to church. He came for a few weeks until his job took him elsewhere. I lost track of him for a few years until he showed up at our house two weeks ago. I was impressed by his testimony and believe that he is sincere in his desire to follow Jesus.

“The governor of Western Province is my cousin. Last year, I joined his security team and traveled around the country. Until two months ago, I was smoking, drinking and chewing betel nut. Then my son got sick and almost died. God led me back to Kewa village and to your church. Now I have repented and come back to God and to my family. I don’t drink alcohol anymore. I don’t smoke anymore. I don’t chew betel nut anymore!”

Since returning to the area, Lenny has been attending our church faithfully. Now when he smiles, his teeth are white with no trace of red betel nut stains. I told him, “Lenny, your teeth look very nice. They are white and clean.”

“Yes, thank you. But I have one more confession.” He proceeded to tell me the issue, which had to do with his family.

“Lenny, that is something we will have to pray about. You have some difficult decisions to make. Do you have a Bible of your own?”

“No.”

“I’ll get you one.”

I found Lenny a nice study Bible and a copy of Bible Readings for the Home and handed them to him a few days later. God says to Lenny and to each one of us, “Come now, and let us reason together saith the Lord. Though your sins be as scarlet [and your teeth be red with betel nut stains] they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isa. 1:18 + added comment). Please join us in praying for Lenny that God will be supreme in his life and give him courage to do the right thing. Pray for his family. Pray for us that we will have wise counsel to give him.

The Holy Spirit is moving on the hearts of many people, even out here in the remote regions of Western Province, Papua New Guinea.

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