The Same Questions as Nicodemus

There’s something wonderful about reading a familiar story with someone who has never read it before.  Even more so when that story is a life-changing one.  A few days ago Muki and I were reading together about a man named Nicodemus who came to ask questions of the teacher at night.  The teacher, as he was prone to do, spoke in a way as to provoke Nicodemus to think.  

Sat AM tradition- pancake art by Tom

“No one can see the kingdom, unless you are born again.”

Muki read the statement, and then he read it again.  Then he said, “I don’t understand.  How can someone be born again?”

I couldn’t help but smile.  Anyone who knows the story will know that Nicodemus asks nearly the same question in the very next sentence of the story.  I grinned and said, “Excellent question!  Keep reading!”  Muki went on to read:

“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

At that he laughed and slapped his knee, “That’s the same question I had!”  So now he was engaged in the story (not that it takes much to get Muki engaged in the stories these days).  As we read on, there were things he understood and things he didn’t understand.  But so much of it he loved.

After a little while he returned to a thought he has a lot.  “These things are so important,”  he says. “People here need to hear these things. They don’t know these things that are so important to know. But no one has heard them.  Nobody…zero…,” he says with a sigh. 

I remind him, “That’s why we have to share these things.”  

At English Ceremony on Sunday

“Yes,” he agrees.

“Yes,” I agree.  That’s the point.  Good news should be shared.

PRAYERS ANSWERED
Megan continues to improve post-surgery, residual pain has been clearing and she has woken up the past couple days completely pain-free. Mtsa is sharing with people in his community and he has five different people coming to him and wanting to study with him. We are so encouraged to hear this! Ma Imani made it back to the island safely (after being away for medical treatment). Her husband complained that she had gotten skinny, but her health is much better. Our daughter has been feeling just fine. She’s eating better and has had no reoccurrence of light-headness or fainting. All our kids are doing well right now. Megan was able to share more clearly the good news with Hashiri and she seemed to understand better the bigger story. 

PRAYERS REQUESTED
Continue to pray that Muki and others would truly understand, accept and share with others. Pray for Mtsa as he shares in his neighborhood. Pray for Ma Imani’s transition back to the islands and that her return would spark gatherings to restart in the town where she lives with reconciliation and unity. We have heard the gasoline shortage continues but there should be relief by the coming Sunday.  The boat project is changing up their schedule and working through different difficulties— continue to pray for encouragement for those running the project, a clear way forward, and other skilled and like-minded workers to join them, even if just for a few months.