Clay Pots ~ Believers Reading Scripture In Their Own Language!

The above picture is of 2 literacy graduates copying down Bible references from a poster that we had put up of the prophecies concerning the Deliverer given in the OT, and the later fulfillment of the prophecies in the NT. Last month there was a graduation of 15 people from the literacy class in Dengenu. Another class is ready to start in the next month or so. The man you see in the picture (Nikos)was their teacher. It was so exciting for us to watch the literates take notes during the teaching! Right now, lesson materials and portions of scripture are being prepared and printed to hand out to the believers, so they can be reading on their own. Isn't that exciting? Tobo men and woman reading the scripture for the first time ever in their own language! Keep praying for Chad and Jason as they continue to work hard to make this possible...there are still many years to go before all the scriptures will be done being translated in the Tobo language.

His Clay Pots,
Jason, Kellie, Micah, Sophia, and Malachi Knapp

Clay Pots ~ Your Sister Church

~ YOUR SISTER CHURCH ~

This morning was the first meeting of the Tobo believers! Wow, praise God! Because of Jesus, we now have brothers and sisters in Christ to worship with here in the tribe!

It was amazing. A few weeks ago, these people were cargo cult followers, J.W.'s, and animists before they were saved, but today they were praising the name of Jesus. For 3 hours we sat there hearing people's testimonies, reading scripture together, and listening to Jason encourage them with what Jesus has done for them. One man, Paul, stood up and said, "No one can tell me anymore that I am a sinner and going to hell. Jesus paid the price for all my sins; they are washed away, and I am pure in God's sight. Jesus did that for me, how can anyone say I can loose that?!" There were about 13 men there with their wives and children. There was also a handful of young adults and teenagers! Looking around at the men we can see how God hand-picked each one of them. They are all "big men" from different villages and in the community spotlight constantly. And they are all very excited to go tell their friends and family so that others can join us!

Get This!! Last night the leader of the Cargo Cult was arrested and the Cargo Cult meeting house was burned down! Like we had mentioned before the Cargo Cult is illegal in this country and someone told the task force on him after they didn't get the promised cargo. False prophets are always found out, and this happened today. We were able to show them how God's Word is always true, and man's word is always false. The believers have a new respect for the reliability of the Word of God. Praise God for this incredible testimony to the believers who have just left the cargo cult!

Keep praying for these new believers. There is great opposition out there. Pray that their excitement doesn't waver and their boldness continues. It's humbling watching these new believers and all their excitement over what Jesus has done ... where did all our excitement go? This is life giving news, we were dead, but now alive; lost but now we are found! Praise God! Has our excitement been suppressed by what we think is "maturity"? May we all learn to be bold again!

His Clay Pots,
Jason, Kellie, Micah, Sophia, Malachi Knapp & The Tobo Church

FOUND!~ Nikos & Daisa

Nikos, Daisa, their kids, and Nikos' Father. Daisa is pregnant with Noah in this picture

Meet Nikos and Daisa and their family. They too are believers!!!! This family is very near and dear to Kellie's heart. Daisa was Kellie's language helper and best friend since we arrived. This past May, Kellie was able to help Daisa during the delivery of her baby boy. When he was born she asked Kellie to name him. Kellie gave him the name, Noah. Noah means "Rest" and Kellie's prayer was that Daisa's family would soon come to understand the rest they can find in Jesus.

Jebin (the boy in the red/yellow shirt) is Micah's best friend. There is hardly a day that Jebin isn't around the house coloring with Micah, reading books, or building forts.

Nikos is one of the major Lutheran Church leaders and has been seeking the truth for many years now. On the last day of teaching he got up and publicly gave testimony of what Jesus was doing in his life.

If you have visited us here in Tobo you have probably eaten at Daisa's house. She has a wonderful gift of hospitality.

We know God has some special plans for this family and His church. Pray for them as they continue to grow and mature in their faith and make their faith known to others.

His Clay Pots,
Jason, Kellie, Micah, Sophia, and Malachi Knapp

FOUND!!! - Megilin Mama

Megilin Mama
(He was one of the "Wanted's" in a past update!!!)

This man, along with his wife, are both so excited about what Jesus has done for them; that all their sins are washed away and they are now clean in God's sight and able to go to heaven, that you can barely get a word in edgewise. Every time we go to their house, they are talking about it with whoever is there with them.

Megilin Mama's father is Ukawong (Committee - look under past Wanted's on our website for his picture). Ukawong is a member of the cargo cult and was one of the ones who went to the big meeting this past week. He came back just before I went up to the village on Thursday. As I came to Ukawong's house I saw many people who were a part of the cult gathered there in the house with him. Megilin Mama was there as well. Ukawong was trying to tell his story; but Megilin Mama kept on interrupting and telling his story, "We heard from God's Word the other day that Jesus has washed all our sins away, and now we are clean in God's sight because all our sins were on Jesus. It is true, you just have to believe it!" Most of the people in the house got up and left (probably because they didn't want to hear about Jesus), but some stayed. One old man, who on the last day of teaching was unclear, stayed in the house and made a very clear profession of faith to us. And he and Megilin Mama were sitting there saying, "Thank you God, thank you, Jesus". And all of this was done in front of Megilin Mama's unbelieving father, Ukawong.

What a testimony this man is already to those around him. Pray that he continues strong in the faith, and that he will grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We will be having our first believer's meeting next Thursday, 25th at the Dr's house (more to come on him:-)! We have told many people the date, and they are very excited to hear more of God's Word. They are hungry.

His Clay Pots,
Jason, Kellie, Micah, Sophia, and Malachi Knapp and the Tobo Church!!

Clay Pots ~ The Birth of a Church!!!

Jason and Alis this Morning at the Teaching

January 16th will forever be marked in history as the birth of the Tobo church! Tuesday, Jason taught on the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. There were many people that came, more than what we were expecting. A large group of people left immediately after the teaching to go get dressed in their traditional clothes to show support for the cargo cult. Yet others stayed around just silently sitting and talking. 2 groups of men formed around Jason and Chad as they pelted each of them with questions. Some were having a hard time believing that Jesus washed ALL their sins away...if they were to sin again how would they stay righteous before God? Others had worked all their lives to gain God's favor and didn't want to be told that all those years of "works" were for naught. And yet others still didn't want to let go of the Cargo Cult and were looking for some way they could follow both.

Jason and Chad took the rest of the afternoon going to different houses and asking questions and seeing where people are at. We don't know how many are saved, but we do know that there are brothers and sisters in Christ here now. We know of at least 4-5 families who have put their faith in Jesus alone, and we haven't been able to talk to everyone yet. Tragically, there are some who clearly have rejected, and that saddens our hearts. So we ask you to continue to pray as people are still struggling to choose. God is working in people's hearts!

We are VERY excited to tell you that not only did Alis and his family stay back from going to the Cargo Cult meetings; but they are now believers in Jesus Christ! After the teaching on Wednesday, Alis was just sitting there crying, so Jason went to him and just sat with him for a while, and Alis said, "Thank you Jesus." Jason asked, "What are you thankful for?" And Alis said, "I am no longer afraid that I will go to hell, Jesus' blood saved me." Alis is our land owner. To say he has been nothing but a frustration to our team would be an understatement. If we could have picked one person whom we didn't think would get saved it would have been him!:-) Thank God that our thoughts are not His!!!! Alis is very much like a Peter in that he speaks often without thinking first; but there is a definite change in his life these past few days. And we also know that as the Holy Spirit works in his life that others will see the change. In the last week or so, we have been noticing a change in his personality going from a very angry man to almost quiet and humble. Isn't God awesome?!!!!

As God shows us who He has chosen to be His church here in Tobo, we will be sure to share it with you.

Thank you again for your prayers, it is because of your prayers that many of these people have trusted in Jesus as their Savior. In a way the work is just beginning! We have babies in Christ. Pray that God would work through us to disciple these new Christians so that they can someday soon reach the rest of Tobo!

His Clay Pots,
Jason, Kellie, Micah, Sophia, and Malachi Knapp

Clay Pots ~ 48 Hours

Alis and His Family

We were told this week that the followers of the Cargo Cult will be leaving to go to another village on Monday for a "holy day" on Tuesday and Wednesday. They are going in order to worship their leader, do the required rituals, and wait for the cargo (i.e. the bread which perishes) they think is coming. They will be coming back on Thursday and Friday.
Jason went down to our neighbors house and saw that he had his bark loin cloth drying outside on the grass.......

Jason: "I see that you have your bark outside. Are you planning on going? I see you at the teaching ever day and I know you are struggling in your heart, is this the decision you are struggling about?"

Alis: "Yes, I am struggling greatly. On the one hand I am scared of all the other men who want me to keep on believing in this Cargo Cult. But I am also afraid of God who sees all, and I know that if I go and put that loin cloth on and follow them this week, I will be choosing eternity in hell. My insides are split in two. "

So, in light of the facts, we have decided that instead of teaching the gospel next week, we are going to go ahead and present Christ's Arrest this Monday and then His death, burial, and resurrection this Tuesday morning!!!! This is different than what our last update said. Our reasoning for this is that we do not want to "feed our pearls to swine". They will just trample it underfoot, and are not coming for the true bread of life, but for the bread that perishes. And for those who have made the decision to stay back and listen to God's Talk, we feel that they are ready to hear the power of the message: the Gospel of Christ.

Please be on your knees, we NEED your prayers!!!! Pray for the ones "on the fence", pray for the ones who stay back, and pray for fellow Brothers and Sisters to be added to the family of Christ in the next 48 hours.

We ask that you pass this e-mail on to as many people as you can and ask them to pray for the Tobo people. If they would like more information and background send them to our web page:

www.claypots.org

[Note: If you click on the little icon/picture of an envelope below you will be taken to a page where you can enter a friends email address and have this post sent to them.]

His Clay Pots,
Jason, Kellie, Micah, Sophia, & Malachi Knapp

Clay Pots ~ Bark Loin Cloths, Jehovah Witness, 7 More Teaching Days, Grass Skirts, The Next Phase, and Prayers

~After the teaching on Jesus being the bread of life, a Tobo man from another village came up to me and said, "It's just too easy, I have worked all my life to try and earn my way to heaven and to be "clean" in God's eyes, and here you are telling us that all we have to do it believe in Jesus?" So I told him to listen to what Jesus said again, "I am the bread of life." And he read John 3:16 and John 6:29 again, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he sent." I asked him if God needed our help, as if God wasn't strong enough to save us? He laughed, of course not, God doesn't need our help. So then according to God's Word, do you need your works to help get you to heaven? The man shook his head and left deep in thought.

~Wednesday was the lesson on Jesus feeding the 5000 and being the bread of life. The people in Jesus day followed him across the lake in order to fill their bellies again with bread which Jesus had provided them with the day before. But Jesus just said, 'You are not following me to find me, you are following me to fill your bellies with more food... do not labor for the food that rots, but for the food that does not perish," (my paraphrase). And this is exactly what the people here are doing... they are using Jesus as a means to rice and canned meat (their version of the loaves and bread)... but what did Jesus do? He told them the true reason He came... to save their souls from sin and from Satan's rule. And many of them left Him at that time because he did not fulfill their earthly desires. The same is happening here as the true reason for Jesus' coming is being taught... they don't want to believe that he only came to save them from their sins... like Israel, they want to make him their earthly king so he can provide food and heal their diseases and so they don't have to work, but can eat till their bellies ache. But that is not why Jesus came. The group is being whittled down day by day, but we are beginning to see those who really are desiring the true bread of life.

~A plane flew in today with an Australian Jehovah Witness Missionary and his elder. They are here for the next 3 days just making sure their followers aren't coming to the teaching.

~Rumor has it on the "streets" (or should I say muddy trails?) that the cargo cult believers are going to make a stand next week and come to the teaching in their traditional clothing (bark loin cloths, grass skirts,etc). It is unknown to us what kind of stand they are intending to do at the teaching. We aren't exactly expecting a peaceful demonstration. But we would appreciate your prayers for wisdom if this rumor is in fact true.

~Tingon and I have started this week to translate lessons for the next phase of discipling believers. We are both having a lot of fun transitioning from Evangelism to Discipleship lessons!:-)

~7 more teaching days! The last 2 days (January 22nd & 23rd) will be of Christ's Death, Burial, Resurrection, and Ascension.

~Could you be in constant prayer for the next 7 teaching days? God is working in people's hearts, we can see them thinking and questioning what Satan has led them to believe.

We know God WILL have a victory here in Tobo with believers being added to His Church in the next few weeks! Get ready to rejoice with the angels!

His Clay Pots,
Jason, Kellie, Micah, Sophia, and Malachi Knapp

The Last of the Teaching Schedule For This Phase!!
January 15th: Jesus Raises Lazarus from the dead, I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life
January 16th: The Rich Young Ruler
January 17th: Rich Man and Lazarus
January 18th: The Last Supper
January 19th: Jesus is Arrested
January 22nd: Death, Burial, and Resurrection
January 23rd: Ascension

Clay Pots ~ Prayers

~Our Team at Christmas Time~

We really wanted to thank all of you for your prayers during these past 3 months of teaching. We feel that the opposition to the teaching is needed for the Tobo people to make a stand and decide if they believe God's Word to be true or not. So even though opposition is no fun, we see it as God's means to convict and prepare hearts for salvation. It can be discouraging at first, no doubt; but when you can see how God is taking Satan's feeble attempts to try to hinder the gospel and turn it into opportunities to actually strengthen it, all you can say is, "Praise the all wise and all knowing God of heaven!"

However, we truly believe that your prayers have kept us as a team and as a family protected from physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual harm .. We have never been closer as a team or as a family as we have been during this time and we want to thank you personally for your prayers. They do make a difference and we can feel them!

His Clay Pots,
Jason, Kellie, Micah, Sophia, and Malachi Knapp with Chad, Janeene, and Elijah Mankins

This Week's Teaching:
January 8th: The Parable of the Soils
January 9th: Jesus Calms The Storm & Jesus Is God
January 10th: Feeding 5,000 & Jesus Is The Bread Of Life
January 11th: False Thinking Of The Pharisees
January 12th: Jesus Is The Doorway To Eternal Life

just an update for you

Hey, you can look on the websight to see these guys if you want to remember who they are.

[Note: if you click on the names you will be taken to a page with every post that mentions that name.]

Alis, the crazy landowner who is always giving us trouble... he of all people, I originally thought would never come to the teaching. But he is not only coming, but he is understanding it, and he is getting it, and he is close to salvation (from what I can see). He will definitely be a Peter... with his "angry" style of talking, and his "don't think before you speak" attitude... wow, some of the things he says are really wacked, but he means well. (Just like Peter, "lord, lets build three tabernacles here...")

Also, his brother Morisin is really getting it (probably more so than Alis even). He is faithfully coming, genuinely concerned about his sin, and he is seeing the lack of truth in the established church (and Alis... we did a little blurb on infant baptism, and those two were actually second guessing their traditions... wow, what a break through!) They are seeing that there is nothing they can do to merit God's salvation, and they are waiting for the time... one question the other day after we taught on John 3 was, "if we are born again, can we sin and be an old man again, and then be reborn again?" I love it... eternal security will be preached right along with the gospel in a few weeks... and that is going to be the clincher. Knowing that they do not have to "perform" in order to maintain their salvation... all is on the shoulders of the Savior. How freeing that is going to be for them...

just like Tingon, who is still on a high. He left for 3 weeks to go around with the doctor and another couple guys for a "government fund raising time". He got them all together and was telling his testimony to them in one of the houses... he told me how it went, and he said, "the doctor and some of these other guys are super close to believing!" So, he is a tremendous testimony.

Our ol buddy Kliford, though, has all but disowned us. He has totally left us and we never see him anymore. He has not come to a teaching morning for 3 weeks now, has totally missed everything about the deliverer, and is off running his fool head off to all the other villages chasing after the dream of cargo. They are opening up these cargo houses all across this peninsula from the coast up to here. Every village is doing it, and so all the "head men" from all the other ones run off to "help' with the opening of them. The big "profet" guy that came to Yapang and prophesied that there would be 3 days of darkness, large earthquakes, tons of food, etc. (and said if it happened they would do the human sacrifice stuff) is still there. And it still isn't dark, and it still hasn't been earthquaky, and they are actually running out of food, so they sent a letter up here the other day asking Lengbati to carry down food because the "big man" is getting hungry. What a sham! What total blindness on the part of Kliford! BUT, we are not giving up on him... his time is coming. I believe God is going to bring him to a complete end of himself, and then he will come back with his tail between his legs (or as they say here, "after skinning my teeth") and he will be wanting the eternal life. We will see.

Lets see... Oh, there are a bunch of young guys from one line here that have been coming... they don't talk much, but they are faithful... answering the question correctly. They sit off to the corner, but they are interested. Pray that they will believe and that we can get to know them... they are tough because they are so "shy"... but we are finding an in with them now.

Lets see, oh, and Pot is still coming every day. He is very close as well to understanding. After the fight on New Years, some people didn't want us to shake their hands because they were "sinners"... but we did the message on why Jesus came... to call sinners, not those who are righteous. So we said, man, we are here for you guys... we are all sinners, in the same boat, if it were not for Jesus. We love you guys. Boy, that kind of interest just blows these people away... everything to them is performance based, not just unconditional love.

Another guy named Oki has been coming... another very quiet guy, but he is totally on board; totally getting it, and I am excited for him... pray that he will get saved as well. Some of the older guys who in the beginning were fighting about words and different phrases and such are actually coming around... they never mention words anymore... they are interested in the meaning of the Bible instead of how it is said. That is a huge step for some of these guys, and it is awesome to see the change.

So, there have been some bad things, but in the midst of the "glaring" difficulties and the "setbacks" (which are not setbacks, but in reality are used by our Father to draw all to himself), there are some glimpses of hope. Thanks for praying.

Your brother in Christ,
Jason

Clay Pots ~ Wrestling Against Powers

Today's lesson was on Nikodemus, "you must be born again," in John 3. It was going so good, people were answering questions and really getting into it. But when Chad read John 3:16 a plane flew overhead and decided to do maneuvers on our airstrip. That was a huge distraction at a very key spot (obviously John 3:16 is key:)). After that it sort of went down hill. A lady stood up and started complaining how we weren't using the Lutheran churches "approved" words for the word "sheep", and she brought up a few other things. It got everyone going. When you have 200 people arguing and/or giving their opinions (good or bad) it gets pretty disruptive. Jason and Chad stood up and said, "We just talked to you from God's Word for the last 2 hours and all you can think of is to argue about words? Do you even remember anything that we just read from the Bible?" No one spoke up. We could see Satan just having a hay day distracting everyone from the message.

Jason will be teaching the exact same lesson tomorrow because they didn't get the message today. He will ask them to please not talk about anything other than what we are covering in the message for that day. Some people are just coming to argue with us. And there are others who don't agree with the them, but still, everyone's thoughts are disrupted and focused on something other than God's Message for them for that day (Satan's tricky scheme). Our prayer is that Satan's disruptive "arguments" would be silenced and the Word of God itself would speak to them... That they would forget everything else besides the Scriptures.

So if you could please pray that Satan's plans and schemes would be thwarted. We aren't discouraged, just very frustrated with Satan's tactics. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Pray for a spiritual victory tomorrow.

His Clay Pots,
Jason, Kellie, Micah, Sophia, and Malachi Knapp