We are now home at Toka, having arrived on safely on Tuesday, after 14 hours on the trail. For the past two days we have been working on the tractor. Nothing major seems to be the problem. (This tractor was submerged in water while crossing a creek on a missionary trip to deep in the jungle five months ago).
Brother Delano will be going to Annai today, and hopefully he should be able to send this email for me. Three weeks ago, he carried Brother Carl to South Rupununi on motorcycle.
South Rupununi Missionary Report
Brother Delano and Brother Carl rode from Toka on motorcycle, to Rupunau, some 200km away. There they met the brethren. For the next few days, they went out to surrounding villages carrying the Message. Some brothers accompanied them on two additional motorcycles.
Some highlights are as follows:
An old sister made a decision the leave Catholicism and hold on to the truth, regardless of the persecution. She has now made a public declaration by accepting water baptism and gathering with the believers there when they come together to worship.
A young brother from Sand Creek has embraced the Message and made a decision to be baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
We were invited to Katunarib and the brothers visited for two days. On a previous trip, the pastor of a denominational church was very responsive to the Message, and was anxious for more fellowship. A special service was arranged on the spot, and for two services, Brother Carl introduced the Message to the congregation, and during the day, Brother Branham was played in the homes of villagers.
A visit was made to the foster father of two of the brothers. He, a religious man, and usually has a lot of difficult questions that these brothers are unable to answer. However, after playing the message “Indictment,” he didn’t seem to have any more questions. Only two things he wanted to know: was Christ born on Christmas day? (he did not believe this), and why worship on Sunday instead of Saturday? The prophet’s response was read from the Church Age Book, and he was satisfied.
A village called Mawaranau was visited, where it was told to them that the village council voted that no other religion could enter the village because of the “confusion” the Message is causing. The brothers were very civil, and said that they would verify it with the Toushou (chief). The Touchou was not present, so they went to the deputy Toushou, but he was not present as well. Eventually they found an elderly council member who told them it was OK. They were able to spread the Message for the next two days in the village, before any opposition could return.
In Mawaranau, a man by the name of Thomas was very exited to receive the Message. He was one of the worst sinners in the village (fighting, drinking, partying etc), but for the past three years he has been trying to get right with God. He tried with the Catholics, but found that the Baptist were closer to the truth. He is now embracing the Message, much to the joy of his wife, who, though not particularly religious, has been praying for years that God would change her husband. He wants the brothers to return and hold a service at his home. A direct invitation from a resident would be very difficult for the council to thwart.
A total of six villages were visited, the brothers staying about two days at each. The total trip took two weeks.
Other News
The schoolteacher at Rupunau has been hearing about this new religion, and finally decided to pay a church visit. After the tape service, she felt so convicted that she burnt all her worldly clothes, having little else remaining to wear.
God bless you richly, (and the staff at VGR)
Gideon