A Needle of Power in a Haystack

Sunsets last week on the French Island

There is a night, during the month of fasting, that is of particular importance.  Of this night, their book says, “[it] is better than a thousand months,” and “Peace it is.”  Many things are believed about this night.  It is said that their book was delivered to their prophet on this night.  It is said that a person who prays ardently with their whole heart will be guaranteed salvation.  To pray through this night and find its blessing is believed to be of more spiritual merit than a thousand months of daily prayers.  Some say, on this night, if you pray with fervency, you will see a great light, and in that moment, when the light shines on you, you may ask for any good thing in the world and it will be given to you.  With incentive like this you can understand why for many of this faith it is a night of great importance.

But, as with most things here, nothing is certain.  One might pray through the night and not see the light.  One’s prayers may not be ardent enough.  Moreover, no one is exactly certain of the day.  Just as no one knows for certain the day they will see the new moon which begins the month of fasting, no one can be exactly sure which night will be the night of power.  So, this causes some confusion.

But we’ve noticed that this special night seems to be less of a “thing” here on Clove Island.  Where it seemed like a big deal on the big island, it seems like people here are less likely to talk about, so we decided to ask around and find out what was going on.

It certainly became clear that people do not put much stock in this special night here on Clove Island for the simple reason that they don’t know when to find it.  Whereas most places that celebrate this special night believe they can narrow it down to one of two days, (a manageable amount to work with) Clove Islanders have been told that the night of power could be at any time throughout the month!  Some say during the first ten days. Some say during the middle ten days, and still others say during the last ten days.  With 30 days to choose from it’s no wonder that many have simply given up on this night.  In fact, most people we asked seemed to treat it almost as this impossible feat.  “Yes, it’s possible, but who really can find it?”  When we asked if they knew of anyone who had experienced this miracle on the night of power, they answered with a dismissive laugh, “God only knows.”

Our kids on ferry to airport on French Island

A brother of ours was talking to an Island friend who was telling him about the night of power and the bright light that would shine on the person who is faithful to pray on that night.  “And when the light shines on you, you will see God’s glory and be able to ask for whatever you want.”  Our brother, without skipping a beat, agreed that a person who saw that Light would indeed see the glory of God and know the truth, and proceeded to explained to him about the Light of the World.  There are always those who are searching. May they see the Light.


PRAYERS ANSWERED
Our time on the French Island ended well at the beginning of the week. We were able to connect with our landlord (who lives there) at the last moment and carry gifts for her to her family on Clove Island. Our sister Elewa is feeling better.   We are thankful for opportunities for good conversations, for regular meetings of study that are continuing to happen, and regular times of prayer that have continued throughout this month.  Time of prayer with women on Thursday included several neighbors of Elewa hearing the story of Hannah and receiving the invitation from our island sisters to hearing and learning more.

PRAYERS REQUESTED
Our sister Elewa is feeling better, but her husband has been in a great deal of pain.  Many people have prayed for him but he is also stubborn and does not do the things he needs to do to be in better health, both physically and spiritually.  Pray for a change of his heart.  Tom’s friend is waiting to have a dream, he is ready and willing to receive one.  Let’s keep praying.  We will be having a big fast-breaking feast at our house this weekend (something we’ve never hosted before).  Pray that we could show good hospitality to all who come.   Tom just met a brother who has been living on the Big Island for some time.  He seems like a good man.  Pray for his integration into the community here.  Despite Clove Islanders’ lack of enthusiasm for the night of power, there are many around the world this week who will be praying for a glimpse of the Light.  May we pray that many, many will see that light.  Our short-termer is traveling to the islands this week and will arrive on Saturday.  He will be with us for 2 months.  Pray for his integration into our team and for all the logistics involved in finding him a place to stay.