"Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:14 NKJV
Ellie has a heart big enough for every child she meets! And she sets up Bible studies with most of those. One of the big missionary skills that Ellie is mastering is that missionaries have to work through the hands of Christian adults in order for our works to be indigenous and sustainable. Add to this challenge the low level of literacy among our women of the Kaonde tribe, and one sees how difficult this task can be. A lack of literacy causes women to fear using the Bible; many would prefer Ellie to just teach the classes for the children. But Ellie has to use tough love to insist that the women of the church plants “stir up their gifts” and learn to teach their own children. Missionaries have to work ourselves out of a job. The gratifying aspect of this approach is twofold:
1. We will be able to reach another dark corner of the world with the light of the Gospel.
2. Long after we are gone, those we have trained will still be teaching the words of Jesus in their village!
Taking the long view,
Brian, Sondra, Noah, & Bryson
Pictured above: Ellie teaching ladies how to teach their own children from the Bible.
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