I am writing to give you an update on the last trip to the Shishinahua River. The purpose of the trip was to continue with the discipleship classes in the three villages were we've been working: Santa Clara, Santa Rosa and Yarina. The focus this time was on some of their beliefs that keep them from fully trusting in the Lord. This time it was on the belief that plants and trees have spirits and that these spirits have the ability to heal and drive out other spirits that are causing sickness or pain. We saw an example of this on a recent visit to the village of Santa Clara where the husband of the household was lightly striking his wife's back with a branch of leaves to drive out the spirit that was causing her pain. The leafy branch was believed to have certain powers that would not only heal his wife of her ailment but also drive out the spirit that was causing it.
In our discipleship meetings we spoke frankly on the error of this belief and affirmed once again that there is no other power greater than God. He is the supreme power and that the plants and trees were created by Him and therefore could not have more power than Him. We did make clear however, that certain plants have medicinal purposes and will certainly bring healing if used correctly but it is not a spirit in them that does it, but rather the qualities that God had made plants to have. The people listened very attentively and asked questions in their language to Maria, the Shawi missionary that travels with me about some of what they believed in. Between us we were able to speak confidently what the Bible says about such things and direct their attention to trusting in the Lord for all of their needs and not other spirits.
One very encouraging incident occurred while we were there and that is when a couple of the non-Christian women asked me to pray over their sick babies I was able to ask to ask one of our new Christians to join me and she did without hesitation. I later learned from Maria that just a day or two earlier her daughter was sick and so her husband, who is also a Christian, told her to take their daughter to a witchdoctor to be healed. This is a very common response to sickness and so even though he was a Christian this was his suggestion. His wife however, explained that this was wrong and that there was only one God and He is all-powerful (as per what we have been teaching them). Instead they should pray over their daughter so God would heal her. Her husband was not willing to do this and still thought they should take her to the witchdoctor but the wife believed God and prayed over her daughter and sure enough her daughter got healed! After seeing this her husband was completely convinced about what God can do and no longer wants to go to witchdoctors for healing. Praise God!!
This gave the woman great confidence in praying with me for one of the sick babies. When I asked the parents later in the day how the baby was they were able to tell me that she was better. Praise God for His goodness!
PRAYER REQUESTS:
- We have two, 3-day conferences coming up June 25, 26, 27 for the pastors in the town where I live in Yurimaguas and a second conference for the Shawi Indians on June 29, 30 and July 1. Both of these conferences are very important and are strategic in bringing great changes to Yurimaguas and to the villages on the Shishinahua through all who attend. Please pray for the Lord to move mightily on the people so that they can then be agents of change for others.
- The speakers of these conferences are the pastor and an elder from my home church in Bethlehem, PA. Please pray that the Lord will give them the words to speak to the hearts and minds of all who attend and guide them clearly on how they are to minister to the people.
- Please pray for our safety as I go and meet the speakers and as we travel together from the capitol, Lima to the town where I live in Yurimaguas to do the conferences.
- Please pray that all the details of coordinating and preparing for the conferences will go well and all the people involved will do their part.
God bless you each of you for your continued prayer support for this work. I am so very grateful for it and am very aware that it is because of our combined prayer the Lord is able to move so mightily. I will look forward to giving you a wonderful update after the conferences as we stand in faith together to believe God for great things.
Rich Blessings to You,
Sharon
