Through the grace of God, we saw the first evangelical church launch among the Chopi (show-pea) body of believers. What better way to launch a church of 30+ new believers than to baptize most of them?
Our city church came out to support and launch the first Chopi church service. They’ve been there all along this process, faithfully sending at least one member down to the weekly Chopi Bible studies.
Before baptizing one new believer, he brought his old witch doctoring items handed down from his father and burned them as a powerful testimony of Christ’s newfound freedom in his life.
Then we trekked the 2k’s to the river and rejoiced in 21 baptisms.
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(Check out Eden cheesing big time as my happy freeloader. Hehe.)
2k’s back to the church tent and the celebration was on!!! Complete with the new believers’ first Lord’s Supper.
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Then came a post-service feast.
Please continue to guard your Chopi brothers and sisters in your prayers as they take off on these first steps of the adventure of Sunday morning church services. And as for their wonderful hearts? They’re already bringing to Matt a desire to press out to the next village with the Good News. We love their urgency, “Now that we know the truth, we have to go and tell them too because they don’t know yet!”
Thursday Bible studies are still going strong (even when we have guests, the girls and I are still heading out 2x a month for the Thursday study times) and now that Sunday services have begun, Matt is no longer doing the study on Mondays. So that puts our Chopi visits at Thursday’s and Sundays instead of the previous Monday and Thursdays. With Matt’s Monday time now open, he is looking to start a new work among other Chopi in another village.
We will keep you posted as God opens more doors, so please do join us in pounding the throne for the salvation of the Chopi people.
Praising The Lord for new brothers & sisters from the Chopi and for your service to them. Tears of joy as I read and saw the pictures of them letting go of old ways and coming into the light…praise The Lord! Continuing to lift you all up as you serve Him so faithfully and well. Much love & prayers.
Thank you, Sherry for your heart and encouragement. It’s still hard to believe that we get to be a part of these new believers’ lives. It is a privilege indeed. Thank you for sharing in all of our joy as the Lord continues to grow and mature them in Christ. Our Father is just so, so Good.