It’s Like Heaven Came Down to Us…

We wanted to share some highlights and testimonials from the marriage seminar, we are still hearing many positive testimonials from the 15 couples. Continue in prayer that all of the teaching and counseling will impact not just the families that were involved, but also other families and communities by proxy.

The group that helped cook

The Marriage Conference Group

One of the men in attendance said; “its like heaven came down to us”, he said that because now he better understands “how to love my wife…and how to train my children according to God’s Word”. He continued, “I have been saved for years, I have heard various teachings on this topic, but they always felt as if it was a hawk flying high above my head, I could see it, but it never came down to me. Now, it is as if the teaching came down and walked on the earth with me, now I can see it, touch it, and understand… now I know what the teaching is actually and how it applies to my life”.

Another man said; “the teaching made me have a feeling of refreshment, now my marriage has a chance to go on the proper path that God wants for my family and I”.

Another man stated, “now 15 families have the opportunity to reflect God’s purpose in marriage to all of those around them”.

While Seth was reflecting upon some of the teachings with one of the men, the man replied; “now I want to focus on training my son to be a godly man, I see now that it is my job to do so”. This is a very encouraging perspective and revelation, many of the people here, Christian or not, a church member or pastor; have a very mystical approach with God. They believe that God will move and do everything, and they themselves do not need to do anything in the process. One man once said, “I pray that God will teach my children”. Seth replied, “why don’t you teach them”? The shock on his face, the surprise, the realization that he was missing ‘his opportunity’ with his kids, because now all of his children are grown up and out of the house. This is a very real truth we continue to see here; their animism greatly impacts their Christian walk. This mystical approach to God hinders them, and they forget (or don’t know) how to apply their personal responsibilities that God has commanded them to do.

The following Sunday of the seminar at church, a man stood up during “open time” and said this to the congregation; “the marriage seminar encouraged me because I know now it is not too late to start anew in my marriage. God is like a source where water comes out, it has no end. He can make anything become fresh again. While I was in the study, it made me feel like a mango tree (a very seasonal tree, which is a special treat here) was nearby, and all of the fruit ripened at the same time. I looked at the tree and realized I would not be able to eat all of the fruit at once, but I enjoyed what I could eat, I left full and happy”.

Continue to pray that God changes people more into His image, one at a time, family by family, village by village. All for His glory.

Here are some photos from the past weeks…

A new addition to the Bible School Students… a new baby!

Ladies Bible Study

Digging new holes for toilets for the Bible School

Rainbows in the sky… reminds us of Gods promises!

Seth and Nicole Stokes, your feet to the Tiale People and to the country of Vanuatu