SHAWI INDIAN RADIO PROGRAM

SHAWI INDIAN RADIO PROGRAM

 

Pastor Antonio and Sharon reviewing bible studies that he will translate into Shawi for the radio broadcast program

  

After working for seven years traveling to the villages to evangelize, teach the Word of God and encourage the new believers we are now expanding our sphere of influence to reach several other Shawi Indian communities as well through our new radio program called Life in Christ.  The program will reach about 15 counties where many of the Shawi Indians live and tune into via their transitor, battery-operated radio.  The purpose is to have ongoing Bible studies in the Shawi language to help the Christians and non-Christians grow in their understanding of who Jesus is, what He did for them and how they can live the victorious Christian life.

The program will air three times a week for 30 minutes with the goal of having it run all year long. 

Our first airing was on Monday, April 28 and will continue for one month until May 28.  This will give us an idea of how the program is being received and what we can do to improve it if it is not.  Please pray with me so that the Shawi community will grab hold of this opportunity to learn about the Lord and all that He has done for them as He reveals Himself through the the study of the Word of God.

SHAWI BELIEFS OF HOLY WEEK

 Shawi Indian teenager with painted face to protect her from the evil spirits during Holy Week.
   

Village men (bottom) preparing to shoot their rifles to scatter the evil spirits that were loosed on Good Friday while people watch from the assembly building (top).

On our most recent visit to the villages we learned several of the Shawi beliefs concerning Easter Week.  They are:

1. During Holy Week the people were taught that any activity such as washing clothes, bathing and especially working in their fields (since there were evil spirits there) was prohibited.
2. They believe that Jesus dies every year on Good Friday and so evil spirits are loosed at that time because He is not here to keep them away. Therefore to protect themselves the women paint their babies with a black ink from a certain plant that is very common to their area. Often I have seen babies painted head to toe with this ink, almost as if they were dipped in a pool of black dye. The women would also dye their own hands and feet black and paint bands on their legs and arms and dots, stripes and Xs on their face. Somehow they believe that the ink prevents the evil spirits from entering them or their children.
3. Lastly, they believe that Jesus rose from the dead on the second day after His death and not the third (I’m not sure why). On this day all the evil spirits that were loosed on Good Friday are now on the run from Jesus because He is alive and well.  However, to insure that the spirits are completely dispersed the men shoot off several rounds of their hunting rifles together to make sure the area is clear and safe for normal activity. The rest of the day would then be a time of celebration through an inter-community soccer game and drinking their fermented social drink called Masato (feremented yucca).

Fortunately we were able to address some of these false beliefs with the Word of God by first explaining that there is nothing in Scripture that prohibits normal activity during Holy Week and so according to the Bible they are free to resume daily life tasks without consequence. We were also able to show clearly in the Word of God that Jesus only died once and that when He did He destroyed the work of the devil (Rom 6:10; 1 John 3:8).  Therefore we, as Christians, have authority over evil spirits and not them over us. In light of this there is no reason to live in fear of Good Friday or any other day.

The belief of being protected from and scattering evil spirits through black ink and gun shots will have to be addressed more specifically on our next visit. Too much too soon could be overwhelming. What was shared however, was received by very attentive listeners and so I'm confident that the Lord will continue His work in them to reveal Truth so that they can live in the abundant life that He died to give them.

            

   
 Teaching youth the meaning of Easter through making an activity about the life of Christ. 

   

Joni (one of our Christian workers) teaching the Shawi children about the Easter story.

Along with dispelling the darkness of false beliefs we had the privilege of teaching adults, youth and children the true meaning of Easter through preaching to the adults, an art activity for the youth and a story book for the children.

Our greatest highlight however, was having 5 people water baptized on Good Friday! Out of all the days they could have done this they were content to do it on a day that they believed was filled with evil spirits. In fact, Miguel (pictured below) dreamed the night before that he was going to die if he got baptized in water (clearly an assault from the enemy) but in spite of his fear he was the first one in the water! He was followed by his wife and 12-year-old son, then by Joni, one of our Christian workers and finally by Marcos, the son of the head village leader.

   

Sharon and Maria baptizing Miguel

All of these tremendous victories are only possible because we have joined together in prayer and support to bring the Kingdom of God to a land that was once held by the enemy. Dear, precious brothers and sisters in Christ thank you so much for working with me to bring the light of the Gospel to a people who have not heard before. God bless each of you for all that you have done to bring this about.

Lovingly and Gratefully,

Sharon Malcolm