A Moment with Merrill - Part 2

Hi Family and Friends,

This is the second part to a post I began yesterday...

The Basotho have had the Bible in their language and have known the name Jesus for over 100 years and claim to worship Him. They will leave church and then pray to the ancestors and they see no problem with both of these things being true. To be Basotho is to worship ancestors, it is defining for them. Jesus made it clear, He is the ONLY one worthy of our worship. One God in three persons - a tough concept to get across without a language and cultural barrier.

The fact that the Zionists have begun meeting in the village of Manamaneng will make it confusing for the Basotho who are hearing about following Jesus in two very different and conflicting ways. If you can become a Christian and continue worshiping the ancestors, why wouldn't you do so? It muddies the water for Merrill, Khotalo and Sefiri who are trying to give a Biblical world view to the Basotho in the village. More concerning still, the Chief's sister has espoused the teachings of the Zionists and has been attending their fellowship. She, aside from being the Chief's sister, is also training to become a Sangoma. A witch-doctor.

Truly, Satan has pulled out every stop in this village... he has no desire to see Lehlohonolo baptised this week and through illness, syncretism and occultism he is waging war for the souls in this village.

PTL the war was won on the cross for the souls of all people who would receive Christ as savior, but daily there are battles being fought for individuals who must decide personally who will be their Lord. The space between the physical and spiritual here is like a sheer curtain... it cannot be dismissed. You don't meet atheists in Lesotho because it is so very clear that the spiritual world exists.

Will you please stop right now and pray with me:

1. Sefiri's son Tsepo (Hope) will be just fine and that Sefiri can travel to the mountains as planned.
2. Lehlohonolo will have the courage and conviction to publicly claim Christ as Lord and be baptized.
3. Pray for Merrill as she feels she must speak with the leader of the Zionists, with the Chief and also with his sister about the false doctrine they are promoting... she is taking a HUGE risk doing this and she will need as many prayers on her behalf for boldness, the right words and spiritual protection. 
4. Pray the Chief, his sister and the Zionist leader will hear Merrill, will understand and will be moved by God to reconsider their beliefs and will allow her to continue her ministry in their village.
5. Pray that God will redeem the entire village of Manamaneng and send Believers from their village into neighboring villages - continuing to spread the Gospel.

Thank you in advance for your prayers, This is why we go, to make disciples where there are none, to give the light, the truth and the hope of the Gospel - to know God and to make Him known!