Those were the first words out of the pastor’s mouth as he took a seat in our living room. He came with 4 members of his church and a pastor friend who wanted to learn how to better tell Bible stories. The nativity scenes were of special interest, with each person pointing out the characters in the Christmas story as they found them in each of our many nativity sets. Today was a special meeting of the men and women we have trained in storytelling in a church in Masina, a difficult neighborhood of Kinshasa. One by one they shared how they were telling stories.
“I went with another church member to share with a group of 20 unemployed young men who are always at the same corner. They stopped their game to listen. Now when I go by there, they make me sit down to tell another story.”
“I shared with a student at the school where I teach. The next day a different student came and asked me questions about faith. The following day another teacher came and got me when a student started talking nonsense. First, I prayed for the student, who calmed down. Then we got her to a clinic to check for malaria. She was fine. Everyone wants to know if I am a pastor or pastor’s wife. I said, “No. I am just a servant of Christ.”
“At school I have told some of my friends the demoniac story. They started asking me questions I couldn’t answer and saying that Jesus was not God. What should I do?”
“Saturday I was supposed to meet with others to go out in our neighborhood, but I was late getting back home, so I just told stories as I went and met them later. In total, I shared with 45 people.”
“Outside a courtyard there were 7 grown men drinking moonshine. I sat down and they put a cup in front of me, inviting me to join them. I told them a story from the Bible and encouraged them to choose their families over their drinking. The next day 3 of them joined us at church. Within the week one had a job offer!”
We broke into two groups today to uncover and list Bible stories on the birth of Jesus. One group started in the Old Testament with prophecies from Isaiah and Micah and continued chronologically. The other group focused on personalities, like Zachariah, Mary, Joseph, the wise men, the angels. After 30 minutes we had over a dozen stories and their references!
Each one then chose a story to learn and tell before December 25. Kathy chose Mary. Jay chose the angels. Rachel, a high school student, chose the prophecies in Isaiah. Leon chose John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son…”
What story are you telling this Christmas?
At this time of year our thoughts turn to family and gift giving. Kathy and I are grateful to you and Southern Baptists for your generosity towards us. Because of your gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, we are able to live and serve here in the Democratic Republic of Congo. God has blessed this past year, allowing us to train over 1400 Christians to Tell His Story, Tell it Often, Tell it Well. Many have then trained others, and even more have made storytelling God’s Word a lifestyle. We extend a special thank you to the many who regularly pray for us and our ministry. We are indebted to you, as are those we work with.
When Christmas comes to your house this year, may it come with the joy and peace of the promised Savior!
