The Oak in Ophrah
We walked from the car to the Pastor's office and the sound coming from the mosque was deafening. It was louder than the previous day's chants and the some voices sounded feminine. We asked the Pastor if women were allowed to make pronouncements. He shook his head and told us that these were not women but the voices of children. "It seems they have decided to hold a contest today for the reciting of the Koran. These are young boys who have memorized these verses." I had to shake MY head. If evangelicals were half as committed and enthusiastic to memorize the Bible and pray even three times a day, the world would be a different place.
We entered the sanctuary and began the conference trying hard to speak loudly enough to be heard above the cacophony coming from behind us. From 10:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon there was not one breath or break in the consistency of the speaking. All throughout our lunch the voices were louder and louder. I sat trying not to get indigestion, and then I had an inspiration!
I remembered the Israelite army sitting for forty days in the Valley of Elah listening to the mocking of their God. It wasn't until the little brother of three of the soldiers showed up with some cheese that things changed. David asked, "Who is this uncircumscised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" 2 Samuel 17:26
We had been told earlier that the mosque knew there was something happening at the church because of all the arrivals. This was their response. They were harassing us with their noise! I turned to my teammate and said, "Eureka in Zanzibar! (not really) I know what we have to do! We have to have the congregation stand here in the corner and read the passage about David and Goliath." When the interpreter asked if we were ready to begin after lunch, I explained the battle plan. I gave her the passage for the women. (1 Samuel 17:16-58) "Tell everyone with a Bible to bring it to this wall facing the mosque. We will read the scripture aloud together. For those who don't have a Bible let them give the amen, after the verses."
We started reading, Debi and I in English and all the Africans in Kiswahili. We got louder, the mosque got louder, we kept reading and amen-ing! When the passage was over the women all returned to their seats. I shared with them an account I heard about an orphanage in Mexico. A girl was about to be returned to relatives who had every intention to sell her into prostitution. The director did not know what to do as this was their legal right. She desperately phoned a friend to help her. Perhaps the older friend would have more influence with the authorities. The police arrived, the relatives arrived, the friend arrived, the girl was crying, chaos was abounding. When suddenly the friend stood up, took out her Bible and began to read aloud; verse after verse after verse after verse. The police were confused, the relatives were confused - was this woman crazy? She just kept reading. They soon saw the woman was not to be shaken or moved by the antics. They walked out and left the girl behind never to return again. The director was relieved and expecting her friend to offer some comfort or something. Instead, she said, "You didn't have to call me. Never forget you have the greatest weapon and all you need to fight any battle you are in!" Not exactly what she was expecting.
I related this story and at the conclusion the women were saying, "Amen" in agreement with the victory at the orphanage. Perhaps as you read this you are saying amen as well. I asked them to listen. They turned to each other quizzically. "What do you hear?" They looked around still not sure of the answer I was looking for.
"Listen!" I repeated.
For the first time in six hours the speakers of the mosque were absolutely silent.
"And everyone gathered here will learn that God doesn't save by means of sword or spear. The battle belongs to God..." 2 Samuel 17:47
AMEN INDEED!
I shared the story in Judges of Gideon; how he gathered a huge army to fight against the enemies of Israel. In the end God took less than one percent of the army to bring about defeat. I looked at the small number of women gathered at the church in the backyard of the mosque and said, "You are God's one percent. Less than one percent of the nation of Zanzibar is Christian, when the enemy falls the living God will get all the credit."
"On this rock I will build My church and the gates of Hell will not prevail." Matthew 16:18
Our time with these women was brief; two days does not seem nearly enough given the weight of their issues and the circumstances they face. We are confident that we have used the time wisely in training them with love, equipping them with the Word, and showing them God DOES fight with us and for us.
We begin our conference with the Sunday School teachers tomorrow. Pray for continued silencing of the enemy and his minions from the minarets!
"One more thing friends: Pray for us. Pray that the Master's Word will simply take off and race through the country of Zanzibar to a groundswell response..." 2 Thessalonians 3:1 The Message (paraphrased)
Stones in my pocket, armed, dangerous and smiling in His service
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