So what’s been happening with us since you heard from us last? We have been all over the place! Here is my best attempt to recap some of it for you:) In stages over a couple of updates…
Back in March and beginning of April, we had 2 weeks of Translation workshops and 3 weeks of Literacy workshops. Both were VERY profitable. It was a full 5 weeks squishing in every bit we could of learning and working on developing our own literacy curriculum for the Dem people. When I say “we”, I don’t just mean us Stokes, I mean our whole team.
We were able to develop literacy materials to teach the Dem people how to read and write their own language!!! It was very tricky to put together what I like to explain as a Preschool, Kindergarten and 1st/2nd grade grade class reading program for them that takes them about 5-6 months to graduate from. We had the help of some amazing literacy consultants every step of the way and 2 of our tribal men flew out and sat patiently all day in confining chairs to check our work each step of the way too.
We are thrilled to announce our first literacy class started in July! It is going on without us there, and while we are disappointed to be missing this exciting phase, we thank God we will be able to have a part in the literacy classes to come and that we have coworkers to do an awesome job. Our coworkers have paved the way and worked hard to get a small classroom built, books and materials printed and class started. It is a class of 14. The Dem are very excited about this opportunity to learn to read and write and in their language. The one tribal man who helped us said he was so excited that his legs were shaking. Another said they had pig’s hands and eyes…that they didn’t know how to hold a pencil to write and couldn’t read words on a page, like a pig…but they are learning they CAN read and write! This skill is necessary to have the Bible in their language so they can read it for themselves and be passed down for generations.
Please pray for our coworkers as they work tirelessly to teach, translate God’s Word and finish language study. We are all in different places/stages with different roles, but all working hard to see the Dem people reached with the lifesaving Gospel of our Savior. It won’t be long now! We are on track to start teaching them the Bible chronologically hopefully come spring/summer 2019!!!!! What a GLORIOUS day it will be.
I know many of you have a picture of a Dem person with their name on it- that was only a fraction of our Dem tribe and we ask you to pray for many to come to the teaching to hear for themselves and that they would be freed from their dark beliefs and set free from the darkness that encompasses them. We have already seen many what I would call miracles, people’s lives being preserved. We have lost a couple that we knew and have grieved that, but overall, it is shocking how many people have NOT died…and that is just a testament to our God. We thank Him for keeping them alive to hear the best news ever!
Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
-2 Corinthians 12:9
There is some new unrest on our island. I can’t foresee when it will be done. I imagine this could go on for years. Just wanted to keep those praying updated.
Your feet to the Dem... 