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"Not What We've Been Taught"

They left their homes and everything they knew in the remote, undeveloped, mountains and moved to town in search of education and work. That is the story of countless Papuans, including a group of Ketengbang people whom we have gotten to know during our time living in this town. When these Ketengbang friends moved out to our small town, their world expanded immensely...but not without them bringing some of their cultural ways with them: although here in town buildings are typically built of cement, and running water is common-place, this little Ketengbang subdivision is set along a small stream where they bathe and wash their clothes/dishes, and their wooden houses are all built on stilts.

Jim and a couple of coworkers teach weekly in the Ketengbang community, and the group of men who attend have started commenting on how different this teaching is from what they have been taught their whole lives. Almost all Papuans throughout the whole island consider themselves "Christian," but this rarely is an accurate representation of their personal faith; for the vast majority, it's simply a cultural identifier. This past week, after learning about Cain and Abel, and the effects of The Fall (namely, that we are all born into sin, separated from the Holy God), one of the listeners said, "Pastors always say we (Papuans) are all God's children. But if this teaching is true, then that can't be a true statement." Join us in praising God that interest is being piqued to continue to come listen to what God's Word actually says!

While we await the time for us to make our big move out to Miobo island, Jim and I are enjoying this time serving/ministering here in town. 
There are always errands to be run for the various teams living interior. In addition, Jim has had preaching and teaching opportunities at a couple of different churches in town, as well as at the teachers' chapel at Hudson's school. Rachel has been involved with a twice-weekly ladies' Bible study (currently studying the life of Christ, leading up to his death, burial, and resurrection) as well as helping at our organization's local training center for national/indigenous missionaries. 
Rachel helping 11yo Dari learn to read. Many families come to the training center from remote areas that have no schools. These families often do not have the necessary birth certificate and other documentation their kids need in order to enroll in school while they're here in town, so we teach reading/writing/math while their parents are in class. I am SO grateful for the ladies who watched my kids while Jim and I were in training. That literally was the difference in me being able to be trained right alongside Jim, and I am thankful for this opportunity to be able to help in the same way (even though for a short time)! Ministry targeted at ladies is gravely lacking here, so praise God for more indigenous women being equipped to reach the lost!
Culture Snapshot
Asia Pacific's version of Blue Apron. Every morning, dozens of these bikes, loaded down with groceries, spread out accross town, hitting virtually every neighborhood as they sell their goods. Each seller has his own territory. You have to be ready though! They drive through, honking their horns, sometimes as early as 6am!
Pray for Us!
- Praise God, the third family of our team, the Steffens family, has arrived in Papua! Please pray that our three families would seek the Lord together and be unified in Him as we continue to hash out plans and strategy. 
- Pray that day in and day out we would be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and be useful vessels in His hands. 
- Pray for the various teachings we are involved in, that the Holy Spirit would open hearts and make the Truth clear to each listener.
As always, we are incredibly thankful for every prayer, email, encouragement, and gift so many of you give. Thank you! You are such a blessing to us!
Your partners in ministry,
Copyright © 2018 Jim & Rachel Jobe, All rights reserved.


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