Stories from the Field

July 2004

A 20-Year Search Comes to an End
By Jess & Wendy Jennings

In the Agusan River Valley of the Philippines where we work, there are a lot of villages where the name of Jesus has never been named — not by evangelists sharing the good news nor by villagers who are

worshiping Him. Kidahon [pronounced Kee-da-hone] was one such village. Recently, one of our Nehemiah Team, a church-planting team, went to Kidahon and God touched one family. The family told Jess that they had been looking for the truth for over 20 years and were so thankful that the Nehemiah Team had come to their village. A 20-year search for Jesus with no knowledge of where to turn to find Him!

Was God slow in bringing them to the truth? The Bible tells us that God is not slow as we understand slowness (2 Peter 3:9). So if God isn’t slow, why did this family have to wait so long to find the Way, the Truth and the Life? They were waiting for someone to tell them. The harvest if plentiful, but the laborers are few.

They are now meeting regularly for worship and learning to be laborers with us in the harvest. Will you come and labor with them in the villages where Jesus is not known?

Here are some thoughts from the past week from this year’s student summer workers. Ponder these things and ask the Lord where your harvest will be next summer.

Sometimes they're just polite and nod ... but sometimes you can tell that something clicks and they really understand. It wasn’ the eloquent words we used ’cause we can’tspeak their language ... when Jesus Christ is preached, people listen. (Daniel)

God uses people who aren’t flawless ... nobody accepted Christ today ... but people heard the gospel. (Heather)

The verses we’re memorizing have come in handy during witnessing and other ministry opportunities. (Jay)

Our perception: nobody seeming to listen, drunk men sitting around, chickens running through the “house,” interruptions, completely overwhelmed.

God's perception: people interested in the gospel and starting a home Bible study. (Casey & Daniel)

Forgive us Lord for our times of indifference with so many lost people in the world. Teach us to care. (Kelly)

Satan has deceived Christians into thinking that missions is optional. We are all called to speak to the nations. Soldiers would not think of disobeying their commanding officer ... do we?

For stories, journal entries, pictures, and ministry team updates, check out our Web site... http://www.peopleteams.org/agusanriverministries ... follow the Nehemiah Team (American) links.