Drama in Pambarra

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,

And do not return without watering the earth…

So shall my word be which goes forth from My mouth;

It shall not return to Me empty,

Without accomplishing what I desire.”

Isaiah 55:10-11.

This was my verse of the day for Thursday, 10 November 2011…and how I needed it that day. 

I read it before heading to Pambarra, where I typically meet with some church members and share the word of God with them. 

  Two Thursdays ago when I met with them it was great...many came and more than that the Spirit confirmed this is where I am supposed to be and what I am supposed to be doing.  The week after that no one came until it was already time for me to go and then it took me more than 2 hours to get home. It was just a frustrating day. 

Not knowing what would happen, the verse gave me the encouragement that I needed to go on.  I was reminded that sharing the Word of God is never in vain because it does accomplish the Lord’s purposes even if I am clueless as to the specifics of his purposes.  I arrived a little early and no one was there…about 30 minutes later the lady who lives there, Mama Laurentina shows and then leaves to talk to her neighbor, Mama Carlota who also comes to the bible study.  A few minutes later Antonio, Carlota’s husband shows up and is talking with Laurentina…Then he tells me to come to his place and we’ll simply have the bible study there.  Once I arrive there he informs me that Laurentina’s husband no longer wants to have the bible study at his house or even for Laurentina to be involved.  Antonio told me it’s more of Felizarda’s nonsense and he’s not afraid of her and from now on the bible study can be at his house. 

Over the past few months the number of people coming to church from Pambarra has dwindled from about 30 to about 6 people- largely due rumors, manipulation, threats, and confusion that people (who still come) attribute to Mama Felizarda. She’s even given death threats to three people who attend church.  She used to attend church and then she got sick.  We prayed for her healing and after about a month without her really showing any signs of recovery Maria (Pastor’s wife) suggested that there’s a spiritual problem.  Not much later we found out that she’s visiting the sangoma (witch doctor) and from there everything just seemed to go downhill.  This was in September, and since that time there has been quite a bit of drama in Pambarra.

Its been disappointing that many are no longer coming to church.  However, I see God using this as a sifting process, distinguishing people who are committed and not afraid  from the rest who used to come.

Please pray for this situation.  Its been one of the biggest challenges in local church since I have been here.