German Coffee and Miracles
“Declare his glory among the heathen, His wonders among all people.” ~ Psalm 96:3
One of the marvellous things on this whole trip has been those minutes when there has been occasion to speak of all the mighty works of God with believers. Some of the most satisfying times, though, have also been sharing with those who do not know God and then seeing hope and desire awaken in their eyes and hearts.
Yesterday, while out for a walk to stretch my legs, I met with a lovely German woman working here on the New Tribes Mission base and ministering to some tribal people in a village.
She was recently back from a family trip to Germany, and we sat on a garden swing sipping some delicious German coffee, and savouring mango crumble while talking about the LORD.
In 1975, I remember attending a large youth gathering in Brussels and walked past two Germans praying together in German, and my teenage heart was amazed, and I found myself saying to myself, “Ha! Yes, God understands German too!”. It is amazing being among believers from other nations and, even though we do not have the same language, we speak the same language of the Spirit and are family!
But I digress. One of the thrills of these ten days here in Goroka, at the New Tribes Mission base, has been the thrill of hearing stories of God at work in difficult, even traumatic situations among remote tribes living in the mountains and valleys of jungle all around this area.
Many people, who have merely a “romantic” view of these tribes in the jungle and state that they should be left alone as they enjoy peace, beauty and a simple lifestyle, living off the land. They do not understand the reality is the opposite. So many tribes at war with each other, living in constant fear of other clans and people, and constantly trying to appease the spirits of stones, hills, trees, birds, dogs, etc. in endless rounds of sacrifice and killing. These same people cry out for “light” in their “darkness” and to be freed from the oppression of the spirits of their lands and villages.
It has been rich listening to veteran missionaries tell of experiences of near death, deep sorrow and yet ultimate victory as whole villages and tribes are delivered from animistic prisons into the abundant life Jesus promised us … and them. These unassuming heroes of the faith have shared miracles with me, as I have with them from my own experiences.
The family of God. What an amazing gift. What love and what a deep fellowship we share whether we sit round a camp fire in America, or in a jungle hut as the rain pounds the tin roof, or chatting on a garden swing in the bright sunshine sharing with one another about what Jesus means to us and what He has done in our lives. German coffee and miracles. What a privilege to enjoy our stories together..