Sunday May 16... we had a great meeting with the people despite the horrible rainy weather. When I woke up in the morning I figured no one would show due to the rain, but God had other plans. We read and sang and Caleb preached. While he was preaching a few people walked by to go into the bush, one of them being Elsi. I thought, “Oh I wish she would come listen rather then go hunting… but she strolled by”. After the meeting I made hot chocolate because it was so damp out and afterwards we talked on the radio to Caleb’s parents who are at the mission base right now. I wasn’t feeling well all week so I was about to lie down when we heard a voice close to the house. I told Elijah to check because I really was too tired. Then I heard Simoi say it was Elsi his wife and wasn’t sure if she got bit by a snake. This is the same Elsi who I saw go into the jungle, hours before. My tiredness was overcome by adrenaline and I went to see. She was in the wind house and sure enough a snake bit her left hand. Apparently she cut a tree branch and it fell and when she went to pick it up something bit her. She did not see what it was but it left two holes on the top of her hand. As I stood there all I could think of is that she is under some kind of attack, she was bitten on that hand 2 years ago and then had the demon in her a few months back. Now I stand here again fearing her death and where she would spend eternity. She is so hardened to the truth. The poison did weird things to her but about 2 hours later she was sitting up and eating.
A week later she came and planted coconuts and a trees called “two-leaf” in our yard (similar to spinach). I gave her a bottle (something for her to put stuff in), and paid her for her time. Later that day I saw her try to steal from me and felt so upset. Why? Why would she do that, she is my friend. I have helped her over and over again. I care for her and her children. I have stood beside her as she has been close to death. I continue to share the gospel with her, yet she is overcome by her temptation to steal and controlled by her sinful heart. This is just one example of why the Moka people need Jesus!
May 30- It’s the Lord’s Day today and as we sat waiting for people to come we talked about things that we miss from our families in America. We waited a while and thought no one was coming but then David and his family came as well as Kobe. Caleb preached in their language. It’s great that he is getting over the hump of learning the language and he seems to be understanding more and more. (As for me I’m far behind, Homeschooling takes up the first part of my day. I have come to terms with that I might not learn the language like I thought, but that’s ok. Teaching our kids is very important to me.) Kobe understands so much he can tell us everything that we have said and we can see he understands. Sadly he doesn’t truly believe. Their customs are strong and they hold them to the death. You will truly see a change of heart in a true Christian for when they leave their sorcery customs behind. After our meeting the family and I walked the village to see how everyone is. That’s when I came across a situation very much like Haggar and Sarah in the Old Testament. As we know the in story, Sarah gives Abraham her maid servant who bores him the son Ishmael. She is treated unfairly from Sarah and has to leave in the end. It’s the same here. The first wife has the right to boss any other wives and take the children of the other wives.
Rachel, is the second wife to one of the men here and when I was walking through I noticed her in the doorway looking “sick”. I asked her if she was ok but as I got closer I could see she was in pain. Her hand was cut by a knife from a fight with the first wife. The first wife , claims that Rachel’s son is hers and they were fighting over that. Yes these ways still exist. This is something we face in the village a lot. Polygamy is common here and not looked down upon. Having children is there heritage and if the first wive can not produce then they will keep getting a wife until one does. Not everyone does this, but I feel like enough do.
Continue to be in prayer for this dark place.
the one picture is of Elsi after she got bit by the snake.
