"It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed." -Daniel 4:2

 8/2/04:  Tonight, God reaped a harvest among the family of Masenawa!

  We were sitting around the fire singing praises to God for a long time with the family. We then prayed, and we said to the brothers, "You all have heard the entire gospel of Jesus Christ. Do you have any questions?" Immediately, they began to talk to one another in their native dialect. We knew that this was a significant discussion, and so we quickly began to pray.

  A few of the brothers asked a couple of questions of forgiveness for sins, baptism and temptation. Through the Word of God, we tried to answer their questions using stories from the Bible. Then, they suddenly started talking among themselves in their heart language again. Again, we prayed. And though I knew that the Spirit was obviously working, I never expected what happened next.

  In the middle of their talk, out of nowhere, Alejo said that he was ready to follow Jesus, and that he wanted to be baptized tomorrow. His wife whispered something to him, and then he said, "My wife wants to be baptized tomorrow too." Joy raced into my soul, and I found my spirit rejoicing.

  Not two minutes after Alejo's public confession of his faith, his father, Jose, said that he too was ready to follow and obey in baptism. Then Jose's wife, Lucresia, with hands lifted in the air in praise, said that she wanted to follow and be baptized. While I was worshipping the Lord for bringing His salvation this night, He showed me that He wasn't done yet. Timoteo spoke up and gave his life to Jesus as well.

  Praise Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world! Every village, tribe and tongue will indeed glorify His name!

  What a privilege it was to not only witness the Good Shepard finding His sheep tonight, but to watch Him use a new believer, a family member, a fellow Amarakaeri, to lead these sheep into the flock.

  Just last week, David, along with Danielle (the chief), told us that he was ready to be a disciple of Christ. Then, tonight, as all the brothers discussed the gospel together, it was David who, perhaps even unintentionally, became the missionary. David shared with his family what it means to be a Christian and the meaning and significance of baptism. It was clear that the Spirit was speaking through him. And oh how powerful his witness and testimony were tonight!

  In less than a week, the Lord has planted His church here with two new brothers, and has since grown His body to a fellowship of seven believers. What a harvest! Saving households, brothers, fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, sons and daughters. The Lord is redeeming families. He is redeeming the Amarakaeri.

  I love these people, this village, this family. For so long now, we have begged in prayer for their salvation. I rejoice in their redemption, and I praise, from the bottom of my heart, their, our, Redeemer!

 

  The next day, Jose, a very old man who works as though he were still 25, was baptized in the river. He stood there afterwards with his hands raised, praising the Lord in his heart language for several minutes. He then baptized his wife, Lucresia, who has long shown a great love for God. How great it was to see her, at last, accept His Son as her Savior! Alejo, one of the strongest leaders of the village, followed his parents in baptism and then baptized his wife, Janet. His brother, Clemente--who gave his life to the Lord earlier that morning after having a dream, in which he felt God calling him to a new life--was the last baptism of the day. We then stood on the beach by the river and sang songs of worship to the One who died so that we might have such sweet salvation.

 

Sustained by Grace,

Jonathan