Bad News, Good News – Romans 8:28 in action!

The forests of Gorongosa in Sofala, Central Mozambique, house the Renamo rebel party headquarters.  These days are tenuous, as negotiations are not going well with the current Ferlimo party in office.  But this is the place three of our on fire pastors felt led to go this weekend, conducting a seminar on Marriage and Foundations I, two of our discipleship books.  Soldiers escort traffic in convoys on the National Hwy due to random guerilla shooting of innocent citizens in busses and cars passing by, but these pastors were insistent.  We prayed together last week and sent them on their way with Bibles, discipleship books, and audio Bibles for the illiterate.  Today they returned with stories of miracles and amazing reports!  

(left to right) Lorena, Brian, Pastor Wilson

Sacrificially bringing goats and chickens to share, these subsistent farmers eagerly came to hear the Word of God.  Believers from five churches gathered, many walking up to 50k (31 miles) to get there.  One pastor had severe malaria.  Another had a stomach problem (no diagnostics in the bush).  Jesus healed them both!  Our pastors showed us a video of them dancing in the front of the church on their second day!  

Some of the believers who gathered

 Because political tension is high in this area, a radio station crew man came to investigate what their “real” objective was with this seminar (if they had a political agenda or not).  Satisfied, he decided to record the entire seminar and broadcast it today for their entire district!  “I’m getting calls from many churches in that area today, saying they also want seminars because they heard the broadcast on the radio,” reports Pastor Wilson after returning last night.  So “bad” is turning into “good” as the Word of God fills this area full of turmoil.  

More believers - proudly holding their booklets

Romans 8:28,  “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.