Kou Kadishaw

We started our T4T lessons in Kou Kadishaw on Thursday. The first lesson is on the assurance of salvation. It explains what it takes to be saved: faith+repentance+Christ's sacrifice= salvation. We talked and talked about what it means to be a Christian. Then it asks the question 4 times throughout the lesson "Are you saved?" only it words it a little different. Each time 2 of my ladies would say they weren't or they weren't sure. It's not that they don't want to or they don't love the Lord. They do! But... they are each not married and living with the father of their kids. I explained in every way possible that God doesn't require us to put our lives in order before we become a Christian but to accept Him and have faith first and then work on getting our lives straight. If we had to be without sin no one would ever become a Christian or Christ's death wouldn't have been necessary. He wants no barriers to come between Him and us. I suggested talking with their partners and coming to terms with their relationship and deciding if they were married in their hearts and in the Lord's eyes. If it was just a matter of not having enough money for a wedding that shouldn't hold them back. One of the ladies said that wouldn't work because her partner has another "madam". I didn't really know what to say to that especially with her kids sitting right there. These ladies are so close. They want to be a Christian but don't think that they can as long as they are not married. Please pray for them. I am not sure exactly what to say now. I made a list of the few places in the Bible where it talks about marriage for them but other than that all I know to do is pray. I thought about calling this update "Righteous Frustration". It is hard to see someone who loves the Lord but when asked "If you die today do you believe you will go to heaven?" and hear them answer no, they didn't think they would.

That was Thursday afternoon. Last night we went back to Kou Kadishaw to show the film "Le Kombat" about a man from a voodoo family that accepts the Lord. His family is very upset at first but eventually many also come to know the Lord. It was made in a village in Africa and really crosses the cultures well. Kou Kadishaw is, from what I am told, and area heavily steeped in voodoo. We had a great turnout with, I would say, about 200 there. We showed the film with my new projector. The picture was about 8' by 10' so it showed up great, so much better than our little TV. We had a lot of young men there which is a sector we lack in the churches. And after the movie we had so many people come up and tell us thank-you and how much they enjoyed it. It was neat that we watched it just after Thursday's lesson because in the movie the man's wife doesn't know what to think about him becoming a Christian. It shows her trying to sneak behind her husband's back to offer sacrifices to the devil to protect their kids. Not only did my ladies from class see this, but their partners where there as well. God was definitely in the timing on this one. Pray for each heart that was moved by the film last night that they would seek to know more about Jesus and what He did for us. Pray that next time one of these people is preparing a sacrifice for the witch doctor or spirits they will remember the movie and the free grace and protection that Christ offers each of those who call on His name.