Money Can’t Buy Allegiance to Jesus
Pasemah of South Sumatra, Newsletter - June 2007
Renny is a native Pasemah. She believes in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, although she had to pay dear price in the instant moment when people discovered about her new faith. Lately all people in the local neighborhood of her village are talking about her, about her new belief.
‘Renny is a traitor,’ they said.
However, God let something special happened while Renny is being the hottest rumor in the village. The following is her story:
“Money Can’t Buy Allegiance to Jesus”
Local people took it for granted that Renny is a crooked traitor when she turned away from her Muslim belief. They said that Renny had received a sizable bribe, around IDR 25 Millions (USD 2,840), when she turned Christian. They made the rumor spicier by saying that all Christians have come to church to get such money. Christians will be paid for each coming in Sunday meetings.
None knows who has masterminded and spread the blatant false accusation. The gossip jumped from ear to ear quickly until it filled out every corner of the village, like wild lick of fire tongues in the dry season. Villagers spoke about it in traditional markets, stores, houses, and even in parties.
A few weeks ago, villagers thronged to a party. As usual, they made small groups of two and three, and started to ‘grill people with fuss of gossips; one of the hottest items was about Renny. Suddenly a woman named Yuni walked to the midst of crowd. She defended Renny. Although she was not a believer yet, she was a very good neighbor to one of our CPers in the area.
“Let me tell you that all those gossips are NOT true! In fact, those are NOT true at all!” Yuni screamed.
People were dumbfounded and stared wondrously at her. Yuni didn’t count until three after she finished with her speech. She left the party. Situation turned silent as the horde of gossipers dismissed.
At her house, Yuni asked Darsih, the CP who was her neighbor. Darsih gave her viewpoint concerning the gossips.
“Nobody paid people to convert to Christianity.”
“Faith isn’t a commodity you can trade.”
“Christians go to church not for money. We don’t be paid for our coming. Precisely, we give what we have as our dedication of our thankful to God.” “Faith in our heart doesn’t grow because of material increase we derive from other persons.”
“Yes, exactly as I think of! Those gossips must be NOT true!” Yuni said. “And I believe it after I heard your explanations,” she added.
****
Renny is under team’s follow up program. She really needs our prayer support to let her stand strong in the midst of problems and struggles she goes through in her neighborhood, because of her newly acquired belief. Yuni is also opening her heart for the Word***
Please pray:
- Ibu Sunti (pen name) got baptized on May 12th, 2007. May her faith and belief deep-rooted, and have no motivation to earn money from this.
- Munir (pen name) and family had leaved this ministry for a reason. Pray for God reminded him about his calling to serve Him.
- Marriages planning for our two CPers; Brother Aminudin, going on June 22nd; and Brother Jeffry going on June 24th, 2007.
- Brother Jeffry and Jacob are now in recovery from motorbike accident that was happened on June 12th, 2007.
- Brother Jeffry and Bernard are preparing to serve Semendo tribe, and Brother Jacob serve Kikim tribe. Will start on August 2007.
