Update on the Madak Teachings

Many of you know that my step mom, Beth, has been in New Guinea assisting some missionaries as they teach the Bible (for the first time) in the Madak people's native tongue. You can click here or here to read further. They have now taught all the way through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ - here is the latest update!

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"THANK YOU for all your prayers!!

We are happy to announce that we have completed our first phase one Bible teaching program here in the village. We humbly thank all of you who prayed, wrote letters of encouragement, and those who have made it possible for us to live here in PNG and have this ministry with the Madak people. You are truly partners together with us in reaching the Madak.

The final week of teaching went well. Unfortunately, many people were absent on the day we presented the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Various things going on in the village and community prevented many from coming. So, we did a thorough recap and review on the final day of teaching as well. Fortunately, there was good attendance for the final lesson. It is hard to know exactly just what people are thinking.

We need to do of lot of follow up with people one on one. The Madak people are very self conscious and for them to stand up publicly and admit that they were wrong in their thinking before and have now believed the truth is very difficult for them. Yes, we wish they wouldn't worry about such things, but that's the reality of things here. So, we'll be doing a lot of follow up with individuals in the days to come.

We do have clear testimonies from two men already. We believe that they are both saved. Robin (Karl's translation helper) and a man named Paul Tomailin. There are several other people who we believe will give similar testimonies as well once we have a chance to talk with them individually. We are excited to see the Lord building His church here in Papua New Guinea.

We already have an invitation from a neighboring village to go teach there. We will be considering this and maybe in the months to come, we'll begin to make plans for another outreach. In the mean time, we will be getting a pulse on those who did attend the meetings regularly. Our next step is to get the believers involved in a discipleship program and further Bible teaching.

Thanks Again for all your prayers and support... we would ask that you not stop now. The work here is really just beginning. We are trusting the Lord to do big things here in the village as He begins to work through these new believers. Thanks for the HUGE part you play in the Madak work.

The Madak Team,

Chris, Peggy, Leah, Micah and Levi Bittner

Karl, Maribeth, Laura, Matthew and Rachel Greeb

April Fish

Sharon Muhill"