Celebrations

The flag has been raised over the house next door and today we are listening to circumcision celebrations. Fortunately, this circumcision is happening at the hospital. Some people are opting to do that these days as it should be a cleaner situation. We are not sure, but feel that there is probably still a great deal of witchcraft involved. There is still a great deal of celebration and tradition even though the "appointed" person does not do the actual circumcision.

We have not been able to write about the beliefs and traditions involved because the friend who is teaching us is spending these two weeks at Bible school. We are very glad that he is doing this but look forward to continuing our education when he returns.

Is it coincidence that the greatest time of evil for the Kuria people is at the same time that we celebrate the Christ's birth? It could occur at any time of the year, but I believe that this has a special joy for the evil one - to desecrate a holy time in the lives of Christians. And why do we call these traditions evil? They are evil because they worship - in various ways - the evil one. In the end we have found that all these traditions inspire fear, not joy or strength. 1 John 4:18 tells us:


There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.


God tells us very clearly that there is no fear in love. Anything in our culture that inspires fear is not of God. This is not the holy fear of the Lord, which is a respect and awe of His power, but a fear of death and harm.


Please pray that we would have perfect love without fear so that we may share the Love of Christ with the Kuria people.

Breaking Through the Darkness

²¹ Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” ²² Then you will desecrate your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, “Away with you!” (Isaiah 30:21-22)

This is our prayer for the Kuria people. Every day this month, as the chosen clans make preparation for circumcision rituals, we pray for the Lord to make His voice known. Whether they turn to the left or the right, wherever they walk, wherever they sleep we pray that the Lord will speak and that their hearts would be softened and would hear.

As those who profess to be Christians follow in the ways of their ancestors out of duty and tradition, we ask the Lord to call loudly to them. May their spirits be disturbed until they come to the realization that these rites do not glorify God. May the one desire of their heart be kindled into a raging fire of love and dedication to the One True God.

As those who work to reach the Kuria walk in these days and watch what happens, we ask God to give eyes that see Truth and ears that hear with Wisdom. We ask also for protection in body and spirit.

And for those who live in darkness we entreat the Lord break through that darkness and pour out streams of light. 

Break through the darkness, Lord! Shine the Light of Your Glory on this land!

December

The month of December is a serious time for the Kuria people. It is the time of male and female circumcision. There are a great many traditions and rituals that are involved and a lot of witchcraft.

We do not know much about these rituals, though a good friend has started to open up that strange and mysterious world to us. It is not easy to find someone who will share the deepest heart of a culture.

I will begin to tell you the story as we discover it ourselves but for now I will tell you what we do know:
witchcraft is alive and well and the spirit of witchcraft does not like the Spirit of Christ that dwells in us. We experience a great deal of oppression in December. One example is the crazy people who wander around. They are usually fairly innocuous, if sometimes aggressive. But I have never had a crazy person attack me until our first December among the Kuria. It happened three times.

We beg your prayers for us during December. Please pray for our spiritual and physical safety. Pray that our joy will rise up every day. Pray that we will be more and more broken for these beautiful people. Pray that God will open doors so that every day we will learn more about who they are and how they see the world.