Karin, Marc and Stacy's team leader, and Dudley, Marc and Stacy's regional leader, are here for a visit to observe and keep Marc and Stacy accountable. It's neat that I get to meet their two "bosses" within AIM. Who knows, maybe John and I will end up with this mission organization. I'm also thankful I get to experience ahead of time what such a visit entails for AIM missionaries.
Listening to all of them talk this evening, my eyes were opened to more needs of the Bara. Apparently they are extremely promiscuous. Marc said when he and Stacy first went to the village, women and girls would go inside their mud hut and strip down naked in front of him! And when they went down to the river to bathe he'd first call out in Bara, "Is it safe to come down? Is anyone bathing?" And women would respond, "Yes, it's safe." But when they got there dozens of women would be bathing naked and would be giggling when they saw him. Other stories included the false perception the Bara had that when Marc and Stacy went to town each month to pick up supplies, they were really going to sleep with prostitutes. Not only this, but it is expected that if you stay over night in somebody's home you sleep with the husband or wife as your payment for staying there. Interesting, I read in "African Religions" that it is a custom in many African societies to offer your spouse for a guest to sleep with out of hospitality.
Gosh, I have such a heart for purity- how neat would it be to minister in such an area as this, advocating a pure lifestyle in response to God's Word. But how difficult it'd be to change these people! Obviously God would have to do the changing. I guess that's the awesome power of the Gospel: it affects every part of our lives.
Oh Lord, let Your will be done among the Bara. Let Your Kingdom come here on earth as it is in Heaven. Send workers to minister among the Bara. Send forth Your Truth and let the Bara receive You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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