Greg and Wendy Mann: February 2008
Dear Family and Friends,
Last week I was in the jungle all week, and this week I have not had much chance to write. Let me catch up on a few things for you. We were blessed to have men from small country church in Alabama with us last week. Despite many setbacks with the delivery of materials, these men gave us a huge start on our new building in Blackwater. We are hoping to see that church open up in the next few weeks. Before the men left we had one service in the building on Wednesday night. The walls were not complete, and there was no roof, and we had just one small light run from a generator. The people came and sat on the floor...it was a blessing to see more than 50 people come from all over the jungle to hear the word of God. We wanted to make sure the devil knew that Blackwater was open for business...God's word is going out!
One day while I was at the building site the assistant pastor of a Pentecostal church from a nearby village came to see me, and he brought a young man. He told me that the man needed God, and he didn't know what to do...but he knew I would know what to do with him! We sat right there on the jungle path and I had the privilege of sharing Christ with this young man, the first time he has ever heard the gospel! The man sat there in a pair of shorts, no shoes, and no shirt...I found out later he doesn't have any "proper clothes". Before he left that day, he was dressed in a beautiful robe of righteousness made by and fit for a King! I am glad that even the Pentecostals know that I am a man who knows what to do when someone wants to know God! By the way, the man has left the Pentecostal church, resigned his position, and is now coming to learn from our ministry the things he was never taught where he has been.
During our last Bible College classes earlier this month I spent some time talking to the men about their home life. Just the other day I received a note from Allen in Hobadiah. He writes, "I must say to you that I had really enjoy our bible class study we had at Sebai Grace Baptist in this year. I had learn a lot, most of all to say to Pinky (his wife) that I love her, just as my father in heaven loves me." If that is all the Allen learned, I think we are getting somewhere!
Together we are making a difference...step by step and day by day. Thank you for standing with us. Men like Godfrey, who received Christ on a jungle trail in Blackwater, and Bro. Allen who has learned to tell his wife that he loves her...these are the kind of differences that God is doing! It is worth it.
Greg, Wendy, Joshua, Josiah, and John Mann