Mzees

Lately it seems the Lord is stirring in the hearts of the mzees (mm-zays) – the old men, the elders of the villages. Some of them have for a long time been leaders in witchcraft.

Egiriwas, seated between our translator Lokwii David and Pastor Dave, came to us seeking to be baptized. We began instructing him in the Christian faith. He now comes regularly to worship the Lord.

He was soon joined in instruction by Joseph Ekemer. He is blind, but is seems God is opening his eyes. He attends weekly worship and devotional times very faithfully. Recently I asked him – would he continue to offer the sinful sacrifices of Karimojong traditional religion? And what if others pleaded with him – as a former elder who knows well the ritual chants, special cuts of meat, and other aspects of the pagan cult – to come and preside over another sacrifice: would he go? He said no – he wants to follow Jesus now.

Loyep Daudi (David), a long-time believer and former leader at a church some distance away, comes to worship consistently. He has joined the other men and is preparing to profess his faith in Christ and become a member of Nakaale Presbyterian Church.

Loduk Peter, another mzee, is also coming and learning the gospel. You can see his home behind him; it is in a terrible state, about to collapse. The physical needs of all of these men are very great. Old men and women, who are more likely to be weak and unable to contribute much, are often neglected.

We praise God for his work in these and other old men who are also receiving instruction. Please pray for Omena, one of our translators, who is teaching them every Saturday morning. Pray that the Spirit of God would accomplish a mighty change in their hearts: that he would bring them out of their bondage, enlighten their minds and hearts with the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, and bring them into his church. And pray that he would use them to reach many other mzees!