Growth & Maturation

If you have a kid or an animal you might understand this statement; wow, how they have grown! Why is it that people say that? It is because they have not seen that person or animal in some time, and in that period of time, to the outside person all they see is the growth, whereas you, the parent or owner do not notice the growth as much. Sure, you can tell and take note from time to time, but because you are with them day in and day out you do not reflect on the growth as much as you should. Over the past month or so, several local pastors here in our area have said, “wow, those young men are maturing”, referring to the four men Seth has been discipling. Seth is with them 4-7 days a week, teaching, working, eating, doing ministry, talking with and living with them. When we left them for a little over 10 days they said it “felt like a year or two since they saw us, they missed the fellowship”. If you were to see the four men Seth is training two years ago, you would be surprised; one had always succumbed to peer pressure, one was basically a mute and had no interest towards full time ministry, and the other two had so many rough edges it was hard to distinguish them from the other youth in the village.

Independence Celebration Preaching: Isaiah

Independence Celebration Preaching: Patterson

Independence Celebration Preaching: Kevin

Independence Celebration Preaching: Frankie

Through God’s grace alone, God’s Word, countless prayers (yours and ours), their willingness, and God’s timing, these young men are shaping into godly men. The one who fell under peer pressure is now standing up against witch doctors. The one who was almost a mute just preached in front of hundreds and wants to do no other work than ministry. The other two young men are now examples to the community in the village. Piece my piece, precept upon precept, and truth after truth, God is conforming them more into His image. He has promised to do the work; all we have to do is help them along in their journey. It is a privilege to see these young men discover truths and apply them to their lives; it makes us proud to see them go against the norm and serve God with their lives.

Class is in session!

Continue to pray for Kevin, Frankie, Isaiah and Patterson. Our Lord said we must go and make disciples, not of ourselves, but of Him. Pray they continue to conform to His image, for they are the ones who will make great change here in Vanuatu.

Your feet to the unreached, Seth and Nicole Stokes