Where Did They Go?

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."  Matthew 5:14-16

Two years ago, in a village called Nachimbwe, a Bible Study began...wait. Let me start over...three years ago, evangelism began in a village called Nachimbwe in Mozambique. A few people responded to the Gospel and would meet each week for Bible Study. There was a huge stronghold within this village it has a name....Nyao Dancers. Nyao Dancers are evil and run deep in the traditional ceremonies of the tribes in Eastern Zambia. Two years ago, Kendall went back to Nachimbwe and the people were more hungry for the Gospel than before and a larger group of people began to meet. Soon we found out that the Nyao Dancers had moved from the village. A man named, Leonard Banda, has become the pastor of Nachimbwe Baptist Church in Mozambique and two weeks ago there were 75 people in attendance at the service on Sunday! Leonard came to our gate this week to visit with Kendall. During their conversation Leonard explained to Kendall why the Nyao Dancers left the village. Leonard told Kendall that the Nyao left the village because the women in the village stood up to them and said, "if you want to marry our daughters then you have to stop dancing Nyao!" Of course, these men have devoted their lives to be a Nyao dancer and they kill and steal to become this, so they are not going to give it up that easily and they left! All I can say is....the GOSPEL has POWER!!! These women had been coming to the Bible Study with Kendall each week and learning about salvation and the blood of Christ and they stood up to people that many fear in this culture because they KNEW that THEIR GOD WAS BIGGER! They are truly being lights in the darkness!

"This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."  1 John 1:5-10

Cross references:

1. 1 John 1:5 : 1 John 3:11
2. 1 John 1:5 : James 1:17; 1 John 4:8; John 4:24
3. 1 John 1:6 : 1 John 2:11; John 12:35; 2 Cor 6:14
4. 1 John 1:6 : John 3:21
5. 1 John 1:7 : Isa 2:5
6. 1 John 1:7 : Psalm 104:2; 1 Tim 6:16
7. 1 John 1:7 : Eph 1:7; Heb 9:14; 1 Pet 1:19; Rev 5:9; 7:14; 12:11
8. 1 John 1:8 : Job 15:14; Jer 2:35; James 3:2
9. 1 John 1:8 : 1 John 2:4
10. 1 John 1:9 : Psalm 32:5; 51:3; Prov 28:13
11. 1 John 1:9 : Psalm 143:1; Rom 3:26
12. 1 John 1:9 : 1 John 1:7
13. 1 John 1:10 : 1 John 5:10
14. 1 John 1:10 : John 5:38; 8:37

These women have perfectly illustrated 1 John 1:5-10! Amazing! Awesome! So glad we serve a mighty God that is able to transform and change hearts! Praise the Lord with us!!! God is good!