One small step . . .

Earlier this year everyone was making a big deal about the anniversary of the first man to walk on the moon. There is always a first and it always takes bravery to be that first. Sure the scientists had all their theories, but how could we be sure . . .

My teammate, Andy Johnson, has written a series of lessons challenging Dagara Christians to greater holiness. All the missionaries on our team have always emphasized that true discipleship to Jesus means leaving behind all claims for power and relying entirely on God. In America we struggle with not relying too much on our bank accounts or at least we should. In Dagara culture, they have physical idols and amulets of power that are supposed to save them when they hit hard times. With that understanding, let's get back to Andy's holiness series.

In Nawile, they've been latched on to a discussion of idols for three weeks now. Andy's ready to move onto "holiness in marriage" when they've processed the idolatry stuff, but for now they keep asking questions about getting rid of idols. Many Dagara believe that if once putting their trust in an amulet they throw it away they will die. So Christians in our churches have always said with their mouths that they had gotten rid of all their idols, but we missionaries have never seen it. On this third week, Andy had promised he would bring gas and matches, and that if they were ready they could bring their idols and we would get rid of them together in the power of Jesus name.

I was both excited about this possibility and concerned that this step be taken in prayer. I prayed as we led up to this meeting that Satan would be unable to scare God's people and that Andy would be able to speak boldly but gently and in love. I even asked Andy if I could come with him to pray over him during this lesson. Well I feel God really answered my prayers. Monique is one of the main leaders of the Nawile church. She kept claiming that the reason that not many had come to this meeting was that all those present didn't have idols. Those who didn't come were scared to get rid of their idols, according to Monique. That seemed to me to be a pretty bold assertion, and I continued to pray while Andy taught. Andy read from Acts about the Ephesians burning their magical books. He used an analogy. Often when we come to start a meeting in a village, we sit under the meeting tree. The first church member that walks by says, "well, since it's just you for now, I've got some work to do at the house. I will go get that done and be right back." Twenty people sometimes walk by saying basically the same thing. If just one or two of them had sat down the others would also have done so. So when Andy asked if anyone had come prepared to destroy their idols, Sylvan said "I want to be the first." What bravery! What faith! What an answer to prayer that, after seven years on the mission field and knowing that there would be loyalty issues between faith in idols and faith in the living God, we see a man willing to throw his amulets into the fire. The church prayed over him several times and we all sang the song, that may not translate directly to American culture, but that I love in this one: "Crying, crying, Satan is crying, brothers. When we got salvation, it made Satan mad, because he doesn't know how he'll ever get us back." Praise God! This may seem like one small step for a Dagara man, but it is a giant leap for the kingdom of God here among the Dagara.