Do you know those tiny capsules they market as bath toys
for kids? You stick them in water, and what previously looked small you
realize is a giant sponge and its size grows exponentially seemingly in an
instant? Well, that’s what it feels like we have on our hands here with
many of our Akolet brothers and sisters in Christ.
Allow me to share about 2 such sponges: Lonsi and
Samam. They have helped me translate God’s Word for 2 years now, and only
got saved themselves in March 2010 (which aside from getting saved myself,
marrying Adam, and having Lela, ranked as one of the the best days of my life.)
However, today ranks pretty high too! I had the
privilege of translating portions of Romans 8 with them. (We’ve completed
through verse 30.) Seeing them and my two other helpers, Reu and Amos,
soak up this information, was too much for me! As I read them these
precious truths (do yourself a favor and go read them right now, you’ll see
what I mean), the joy on their faces moved me to tears – and I wasn’t the only
one. Samam, wiping away tears herself, said she wanted to stop and pray
right then and thank God for His amazing love.
Yesterday Lonsi came and talked with Adam about different
things, and he ended up in tears just sharing about how much it means to them
that God has saved them, that Christ’s death was the ultimate payment, and that
the Holy Spirit is at work in them now, changing them.
The changes he mentioned are obvious to anyone who knows
them at all. They still have a long ways to go, but from two people who
used to bicker and complain with each other constantly, beat their kids, and
were near the top of our “high maintenance” list of friendships here, to Lonsi
being in tears and telling Adam how he feels like he and Adam are true brothers
because of Christ and how thankful he is that God saved them, and Samam today
being moved to tears hearing about God’s great love…wow. Once they were
moody and grumpy, protecting themselves and “their rights”. Now they are
happy, giddy at times even, and are among the first to share what they have
when any sort of need arises.
Sponges – changed hearts, changed lives, growing
rapidly. I could point to many other of the Akolet sponges whose lives
are a testament to God’s power and grace.
Take time to carefully read through
Romans 8 as Lonsi and Samam did. As translation helpers, they needed to read or
hear each verse slowly, making sure that they understand what is actually being
said. It seems that we may have read these truths so many times that we really
don’t recognize what is being said. Read Romans 8 as if you were a translation
helper.
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