Update June 21

I (Aaron) just returned from a visit to the village. This is an update on the goings on there.
1. Teaching with Janji continues to progress. We have finished with the Old Testament portion of the evangelistic teaching and are moving on to the life of Christ. We had some very good discussion after the last lesson regarding what to do when someone wrongs you. In the traditional Jalunga way of thinking if someone wrongs you are within your rights to wrong them in return (repay evil for evil). God nor people will think you have done anything wrong. I suppose something we talked about caused him to question this. Having just talked about the prophecies related to Christ I was able to share that only with God's help could we do as Jesus did and be wronged, betrayed, mocked, beat and spit on without doing wrong in return - whether in our hearts, words or action. Left to ourselves we will always repay evil with evil. This was as great an introduction to the life of Christ as I could ask for. Please continue to pray on Janji's behalf.
Another interesting thing is that Lenaya and I have colored some pictures that go along with the stories that I'm teaching. Janji especially appreciated the stories of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob's dream. So we printed some extra pictures for him, colored them, and and I gave them to him on this last trip. He told me before I left that he had already started to teach others the stories that he has heard (using the pictures) and they are expressing interest. When I told Lenaya she said, "He's a missionary!"
The picture on the left is one of Janji (a couple years ago).
2. One of the group of three that I was teaching has dropped out and another went to work in a neighboring country.
Falai didn't come to the last lesson so I went and asked him if everything was OK. He said he would like to leave the teaching for awhile. I asked if I had done something to offend him and told him if I had it wasn't my intention and that sometimes we white people do offensive things out of ignorance. He said it wasn't me but didn't offer any more details. I assured him I was always there if he wanted to continue. I will take some written copies of the lessons that he will miss and hand them to him. Please pray that he will read them and the Lord will work in his heart.
Bakari has been temporarily assigned to work in Mauritania. He may return in a few months. Pray that the Lord will use the word he has heard and these new experiences to point him to Christ.
3. In regards to the teaching in the neighboring village, Musaa (the man who went with me on our previous visit) did not receive any word of people interested in the teaching. So, he went back to see what was up. They said they were very busy with work and didn't have time (read: "not interested"). Before I left yesterday I met a man who was visiting from this same village that told me that he was in fact interested. So this is an open door that we will pursue in the coming months.
4. Wiye, Bakari's brother, has returned from working at the gold mines and has resumed studying. Along with him a young man named Sidifu resumed as well. Some of you may remember that I started teaching Sidifu in 2008 but he got a job and moved away. When I was visiting with him recently he expressed interest in starting up again so he and Wiye are studying together now.
5. Please be praying for Juma. He has gone through some rough times of late. His wife was caught in an extramarital affair. This is not surprising considering his wife's history but it puts him in a tough spot. Her partner is one of the thieves that will be coming to live us in the near future. On top of that, he was pressured to take a 3rd wife and agreed to it. Unfortunately this young lady is not what we would call "virtuous" either (few, if any, could be called virtuous but some struggle more than others). In a way I take some responsibility for some of these poor choices because Juma lacks the spiritual maturity he needs and is dependent on us for that growth. Please pray for us all here.