When I wrote last week, I actually had more to say about the people here, but while I was writing, I received a call over the radio that I was needed at the clinic as soon as possible because much prayer was needed. Thinking that there was a deathly sick patient there, I hurriedly finished the thought I was typing at the time, shut down the computer, and then hiked the quarter mile back to the clinic as fast as I could in my malarial weakened state. When I got there, I saw a large group of people crowded around the corner of my porch (which is attached to the clinic). I walked up to our clinic nurse, Wendy, and asked her what was going on. She looked tense and said they weren't sure, but it seemed like some kind of satanic harrassment, and tha everyone was gathered around her to pray for her.
"Meningkag siu ne! Meningkag siu ne! Megworship siu ne! Umbe si Seblitu? Umbe si Pupuy ku! Umbe si Buba ku! Umbe Biblia' ku! Tebangin miu aku! Tebangin miu aku! Umbe kew ne? Umbe kew ne?" ("Let's pray! Let's pray! Let's worship! Where's Seblitu? Where's my Pupuy? Where's my Buba? (Pupuy and Buba are her older brothers) Where's my Bible? Help me! (miu is the plural form of "you" so she's addressing more than one person) Help me! Where are you (kew is also a plural form of "you")? Where are you?"
It was incredibly painful to see dear, sweet Nurgina suffering like this. From the tone of her voice, the tears in her eyes, and the expression on her face it was apparent to all that she was absolutely terrified. My heart broke for her more than I've ever felt before. When it came my turn to pray, I tried to steady my voice as much as possible so that I would be able to speak. I prayed earnestly to God like I've never prayed before. I called upon every Bible promise I could think of and put my entirely broken heart, tears, and quavering voice into the prayer.
Eventually everyone finished praying, and we all just stood there for a while, not knowing what else to do. Many people had prayed, and all of them very earnestly, yet seemingly, without effect. We've spent much time telling the people that God is stronger than Satan, and that if you're a Christian, you're safe from his attacks. And if Satan every does attack or manifest his power in any way, that all you have to do is just pray with genuine faith, and Satan has to cease and leave. I fully believe this, but as we stood there, not seeing any results from out prayers, I couldn't help but worry for the faith of the Pelawans. While I couldn't see any results either, I knew that there was nothing else to do but hang on to faith, in spite of the temptation to doubt. But what about the Pelawans who have witnessed supernatural things their whole lives; who have seen the witchdoctors do their magic on afflicted people and seen the person get better immediately? Satan likes to afflict people, and then when the witchdoctors call upon him, he simply ceases to afflict the person. But here was a contest of power between God and Satan, and to all appearances, nothing was happening. I knew I could hold on to faith, knowing that God doesn't always answer immediately, or in the way we expect, but that He ALWAYS answers and it's always for the best good. But what about the Pelawans who haven't had as much opportunity to develope that kind of faith yet? I silently prayed that God would strengthen their hearts and bolster their faith in this trial, that they do not let go their hold on faith and fall away. I prayed this with all the earnestness and intensity that I prayed for Nurgina.
We stood there for a while listening to Nurgina calling for family, friends, her Bible, her Ellen White book, asking where everyone was, and calling for everyone to help her. Most of the people she was calling for were there, though it didn't seem to do anything for her. As I heard her calling for her Bible, I figured if she wants her Bible, let's give her a Bible. It certainly can't hurt. I turned and asked Seblitu where his Bible was. Not catching the hint, he said it was at his house, and then turned back to look at Nurgina. I couldn't quite think of how to ask him to go get it, so I just went inside to get my Bible and placed it on her stomach, then picked up her hand and set it on top of the Bible and closed her fingers around the edge so she could feel what was in her hand. It didn't have any noticeable effect, but I hoped that she could feel it and maybe draw strength and encouragement knowing that she had a Bible with her.
Soon she began calling for worship again, and this time I heard the phrase, "Megkanta siu ne. Megkanta siu ne." (Let's sing). During my AFM training, we'd had a class to prepare us for these types of situations, and she began calling out this phrase, I suddenly remembered something else I had forgotten until now. They'd told us that Satan hates hearing people singing God's praises because it reminds him of what he's lost. Then I also remembered reading in one of Ellen White's writings that more than anything else, Satan hates to be reminded of the Jesus' sacrifice at Calvary, and that songs like "That Old Rugged Cross," and "Power in the Blood," would drive him away. So I went into my hut again and came out with one of the Pelawan song books. I went down the list of songs in the index and marked off the most powerful songs I could find. Then opening the book, to the first one, I showed it to a few people, and began to sing (it's really hard to sing when you're crying). We went through one song after another, and I must say, it certainly seemed to help lift everyone spirits a bit. As we were singing, I would glance now and then at Nurgina. At first, there didn't seem to be any effect, but as we continued, she seemed to calm down a bit. At one point, I heard a small voice join in as well for a moment. Before I could figure out whose voice it was, it stopped, but I glanced over at her again, and saw her mouthing the words to the song we were currently singing. Although she only did it for a very short while (maybe 10 seconds at most) this encouraged me considerably, and I sang all the more vehemently.
Shortly after that, she went totally silent, and fell asleep. As we finished singing, people began to drift away as they saw her sleeping. By God's grace, she had about two hours of peaceful rest from Satan's torments. Some of us missionaries stayed right there beside her the whole time she was asleep, praying silently off and on. I can't tell you how emotionally and physically exhausted I was. I wanted to lay down and take a nap myself, but I felt it was far more important to stay there by her side and keep praying as I had the strength and words.
When she finally woke up, she resumed calling out the same phrases as before. At one point, Kela' Ulu (another witchdoctor) and Misu came by with all kinds of "magic" herbs and charms and whatever else they use for such things, but to our knowledge, they didn't do anything to her or in regards to her. Generally they ask permission for such things, especially since it's our clinic. I didn't hear them ask for permission, but if they did, I'm sure someone told them no. Shortly after they left, however, her condition grew very intense. She began saying "Mendi' ku si Seytan! Mendi' ku si Seytan!" "Ama' Empu'! Tebangin mu aku!" "Ugad si Seytan! Ugad si Seytan!" Ama' Empu'! Ama' Empu'! Ikew mabasag banar!" (I don't want you Satan! I don't want you Satan! Father God! Help me! (singular this time instead of plural as she'd said every time before) Leave (or go away) Satan! Leave Satan! Father God! Father God! You're very strong (or You're the strongest)). While she was screaming these things, I saw her face contorting in fear and terror, and my heart again went out to her....
To be continued....
I can't tell you how sorry I am that I have to leave you hanging like this. Unfortunately, my internet time is up right now, and someone else is waiting to use the computer. I'll finish the story as soon as I have the chance to write again, from this point right through the triumphal end and the awesome effects her story is having on the church members. I'll also include the explanation for why this happened, which we didn't discovered until after her deliverance and Satan's defeat.
In the meantime, I want to plead with you all again, to search your hearts and pray earnestly for God's guidance about your support in this mission. You can see the dire need these people have of giving their whole hearts and lives to Christ. These types of situations are not uncommon here. This is the first time that I've witnessed it, but it happens far more frequently than this. We just don't always hear about it because the vast majority of Pelawans are still animist and so they just try to rely on Satan's fickle whims for deliverance and don't bother coming to us. Won't you please continue to be a part in the salvation that God is working for these people? I've had a few people tell me that they would like to help, but have no money to give. While I understand this, and it's true that there are other ways to help than just with money, please consider how easy it is to free up some money to give:
Sacrificing each month: A couple meals out at a fast food resteraunt — $10-$20
One meal at a nice resteraunt — $20-$30 or more
A can of soda, cup of coffee or cappacino (for those who drink them) every day — $20-$30
And the list goes on. Now consider the rewards:
Getting to heaven and, standing before Jesus, hear Him say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant!" as he gestures around at all the people who are there because you made a small sacrifice. Looking around, you see the smiling faces of every person saved because you gave out of love. Each one approaches and thanking you for your part and embracing you with the warmest hug you've ever had.
To my mind, this is worth infinately more than the little indulgences we treat ourselves too occasionally. Normally I would not keep bringing this subject up, except that there is a dire need to help these people, and the time is running short for the rest of the funds to be in for me to remain for the second year of my call. Yes, other people can do the work besides me, but each new person who comes here has to go through the long process of learning the language (not an easy task), the culture (can't do that very well until you learn the language), and getting to know the people (also need the language for that). On the other hand, I'm already here, and have a good start on all three of those things, as well as several plans of action in practice.
Again, there are several ways to donate:
1. To donate with a credit/debit card online go to
www.afmonline.org.
From the home page, click on the "Give" link at the right of the page,
then click the "Donate Now" link, followed by "Sponser a Student
Missionary". From there, just follow the steps. Also, here is the
link that will take you directly to the
donation page 2. To donate with a credit card over the phone call 1 (800) 937-4236.
3. To send a donation by mail, the address is:
Adventist Frontier Missions
PO Box 346
Berrien Springs, MI 49103
Be sure to include your Name and address (though you can request
that the donation be made anonymously), state that the donation is
for the Student Missionary Jeremy Gable at the Palawano Project.
4. If you have access to a Frontiers magazine, there should be a
donation form/envelope inside which can also be used to make
donations. Again, be sure to say that it's for the Student Missionary
Jeremy Gable at the Palawano Project.
Obviously, the simplest way to donate is online or over the phone. If anything is unclear, or you have any other questions, please feel free to email me and I'll do my best to help. Also, questions can be directed to afm by calling the toll free number above.
Thank you all for your generous support! May God bless you richly!
With love in Christ,
Jeremy
