Clay Pots ~ Sweet Potatoes

I couldn’t help but laugh to myself as I watched the Tobo people prepare the Lord’s supper yesterday. My memory kept playing back to how we Americans prepare communion. Our church elders stand in the church’s kitchen wearing their nice pressed suit and ties, pouring grape juice into little plastic communion cups. Then they quietly passing it out with the little crackers while everyone sits their silently. The formality of it always scared me a little as a kid (“What if I dropped the juice on my new dress?” “What if I sneezed?” “And why do saltine crackers always taste so much better at church?”).

There was no grape juice or crackers, and definitely no suit and ties being worn yesterday. The babies continued to cry, the little kids played soccer on the grass, and the dogs kept on barking. There was a small fire in the middle of the adults and one lady slowly turned the sweet potatoes over the open fire during the sermon on baptism. When the sweet potatoes were done, Jason and Alex took their knives and peeled them. Then Jason led us in prayer, and the sweet potatoes and water were passed around for everyone to share. And that is how we remembered our Lord’s sacrifice and death for us.

This was the first time we have done the Lord’s supper as a complete group with the believers. But there was that one time on the trail that Chad ate beef crackers with one of the guys, and a couple other times when the ladies were together drinking tea and eating sweet potatoes. We have been teaching them that we can eat and remember what Jesus did for us on the cross at any time. I love the simplicity of scripture and how Jesus took the staple of the Jews and used an everyday occurrence (eating and drinking) as a way of reminding us of what he did for us. The Tobo people have no way of getting wine or bread. But God provided them with their staple: sweet potatoes and water, for them to be able to break and eat and remember His son Jesus, and the sacrifice he made of himself for them.

Keep looking forward to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, when we will no longer have to “remember”, for we will be with Him in person!

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

Clay Pots ~ Baptism & Answered Prayer

During this week’s Believer’s meeting, the Tobo church will be learning about baptism! Some other religious groups in our area baptize as infants or get “baptized” into their church, so that their sins can be forgiven. Many of the believers have stopped by this past week to ask Jason what God’s Word teaches on baptism. “I thought our sins were forgiven because Jesus blood washed them away.” “Should we be baptized? And if so, why?” We love God’s timing in all of this, because Jason already had a baptism “sermon” all ready to teach, but was waiting for God’s direction on the timing of it. Now, while the church is asking about it, we can teach the truth from God’s Word. That baptism is a picture of how we died with Christ, were buried and raised again with him through belief. And that it simply identifies us with Christ before the eyes of others; but in no way washes away our sins.

In addition, Sophia told us that she wanted to be baptized! We asked her why and she said she believed and she wants to obey what the Bible says about it. We are very proud of her. We are so thankful that God’s Word is simple enough that it can be understood and obeyed by a 6 year old and yet deep enough to convict a 60 year old!

Don’t forget to keep praying for the Tobo church on Wednesday nights (which is our Thursday mornings). Pray for wisdom as Jason leads and disciples this group. And pray for the believers, that they will continue to stand strong amidst rejection and to continue to grow and reach out to others.

Answered Prayer!!!:
1. Jason talked to the Doctor’s wife and her son (the school teacher) about their leaving. She informed Jason that they were no longer going to leave because she knew the people needed them (whether the people knew it or not)! She said that she did not ask the Doctor yet (he is in town), but since it is 2 to 1 (her and the teacher), he looses, and they stay! Since becoming believers we have noticed ever so slowly a softening of this ladies heart. Praise God for her sensitivity to His leading and Praise God for you, for praying for them!

2. The total of Jason’s medevac to Australia cost approx. $30,000.00. We are praising God that everything has been covered! Our emergency evacuation insurance covered the whole flight out of the tribe and down to Australia. And our health insurance will cover 80% of the ambulance and emergency room bills (minus the deductible). God also laid it upon some of your hearts to send us financial gifts. There are no words to express our thanks to you. You are a tremendous blessing and we thank God for you! Our God is SO big!