Oral Story October 2022
Teach the Word
“Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.” Galatians 6:6
It is harvest time in the United States, and this scripture highlights the spiritual harvest with discipleship. Next month, for the first time, our Ugandan Orality teachers will be leading their own mission trip. The last passport was issued to our Ugandan team this past week and they will head to Malawi soon. The exact dates are not set yet, but November will be filled with both the training in Malawi and we pray also in Ethiopia.
Four of our seasoned Ugandan teachers will be going on this trip. Musasizi Wilson and Mufumbiro David both participated in the Malawi training last April. On this trip they will be joined by Bagatya George and Eliab Kinene. They will be teaching two by two and the two teams will rotate between the north, the central, and the southern regions of Malawi. This will help the students so that they will not travel as far to attend to the classes and the training will be intended for those that are already leading classes.
We praise the Lord for His provisions. This last month, the bike ride and motorcycle awareness events raised $17,000 toward these trainings and the printing of the second book of the curriculum for Malawi. That meets our expected expenses for the trips and printing, but our monthly expenses are $8000 and our monthly income is about $5000, so that is our current prayer. The Lord has continued to provide for every opportunity He has put before us. We marvel at the multiplication of this training and we are grateful for your support. May Jesus be glorified as we take the precious Word that we have been taught and pass it on to others who in turn pass it on to others.
Reap the Word
“Whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” Galatians 6:7
Grain harvest is measured in bushels per acre, but how do you measure spiritual harvest? It is possible to determine the number of people that have been at training events. It is possible to count the number of countries, locations, classes, or even the number of graduates. Each of those metrics have value and each point to physical, practical, and intentional steps that have been taken to advance the gospel. However, those ways of thinking are based on human perspectives of success.
Reaping the Word of God must have an impact on people’s hearts if it is to have an eternal value. It is the transformation of lives and the visible evidence of the Spirit of God working in people that has significance. Acts records Barnabas going to Antioch to find out what was happening among the gentiles. “When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord.” Acts 11:23
In Malawi there is evidence of the grace of God at work in people’s lives. Rural pastors come to study God’s Word for a week and sleep on the cement floor. Seventeen classes have started up, and they are being led by teachers who are learning along with their students. 500 children attend a weekly Bible Club put on by Sam and Patricia, a newly married couple. Prison chaplains were convicted by their failure to share the gospel with the prisoners, and they took up the challenge of starting classes for those who wanted to grow. Our Ugandan teachers are not content to just teach their own communities. They are answering the call to be missionaries to other African countries. Yes, God is at work and there is a spiritual harvest to reap!
You must be logged in to post a comment.