Tradition or Truth?

Unex, my new language helper

The mountain clouds began to roll in as Unex and I hiked to his pig house, just a short jungle walk from his house. Unex, a new language helper of mine (remember I was having trouble keeping language helpers?) has really turned out to be a great source for learning the Tobo language. As we got to his pig house we sat for a bit and chatted before we went to repair the pig fence that separates his pigs from his sweet potato & cabbage gardens. While we were working I was able to use some language as well as elicit new things that I hadn’t learned yet. It turned out to be a profitable time for both of us. After a couple of hours it was time to head back. As we walked back to my house I asked Unex if he followed the beliefs of some of the other religious organizations that work here. (The other religious organizations here in Tobo do not preach the true Gospel of grace but instead they teach works as a means of righteousness.) He said; “my father was really involved in one of the other organizations here but now he’s dead. I’m really not involved in that organization but I feel if I go to another place to hear the teaching then I would be disrespecting him and my family and I can’t do that.” I thought about that then asked him; “do you think it’s better to follow after man and tradition or to seek the truth of God’s word and follow that?” He didn’t say much. After I got home I thought about what he had said and even though the truth of God’s Word is so close to these people- I mean all they need to do is simply come and hear it- It is a choice that they need to make. Satan still holds on to these people with everything he’s got, deceiving them into following after silly traditions, loyalties, and the works of man as a means of righteousness. It’s such a sad thing to trade eternal separation from God for the respect of your family, however we know that we serve a God who does incredible things in the lives of His people. And we know the Lord is not finished with His work in the lives of the Tobo people- people like Unex who are still in need of the grace of Jesus Christ. Would you please begin to pray for Unex and his family that the Lord would allow me to continue to develop a good relationship with them that will ultimately lead to their salvation? Your prayers continue to play a vital part in what God is doing here in Tobo.

Your hands & feet,
Jason, Nisae, Kadynn, Judah & Eden