You don't need a lifetime, you need prayer

The past two weeks our team of 4 were sent to serve the Herero  communities in the Ovitoto region, Namibia. They are a beautiful people, and easy to love. Unfortunately the deceiver has got a hold on them.

I recently read a book on the influence that an outsider can have on a child, and how the child bears the fruit of that influence when he is grown - 'Saved by the Lion'.  Looking back now I see the reality of it.

Woman older than 50 dress in a Victorian style. Their head scarves draw  most attention. Formed in the image of cattle's horns, it shows the holy reverence they have for cattle. Schooled in the Afrikaans language and religion, they all know the Bible, of God, and know they want to be born again. They just don't know what that means or what to do with it.

The theme and warning that came to mind during the time there was 1 Corinthians 3:12-13 (NET) 'If anyone builds on the foundation with gold silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, each builder’s work will be plainly seen, for the Day will make it clear, because it will be revealed by fire. And the fire will test what kind of work each has done.'

It seems at first that a lifetime of investment and intentional personal discipleship would be necessary to help recover the misguided people. As we prayed earnestly to receive the wisdom to know what and to who to teach, we received hope in one young man. His mother is a drunkard, his father is unknown, but he grew up with a Bible in his house, and knew the scriptures. He rose above his pears and is studying B.Sc Maths at the University with the money from his herding job.

I would observe that the power of the knowledge of God, the influence of prayer and the unveiling of lies makes a lifetime of difference. This young man gave me so much hope for the Herero people.

The same was true for the lady in the picture. Afrikaans speaking, loving God, but never receiving the Holy Spirit, she desperately cried when we read out the passages of the Holy Spirit's work. We prayed with her to receive Him, and she was worshiping with joy in moments. 

They bless God for searching for Him. We and others will have our investments in them tested with fire on the Day. I will continue to pray for them knowing that if I did not act prayerfully in a faithful way I could also have been misguiding.