Mission Partner Update - The Williamsons, November 2024

We just got a call from 2 of our elders this morning and they wanted us to pass on a urgent prayer request. Our church there in "M" village is comprised of people from mainly two villages, "M" village and "P" village. Last night a group of people from another village came in and burned the vast majority of houses in "P" village, including a number of houses of our believers. Everything they have is gone. Why would someone do this? Well, information is limited at the moment but it seems like there is ongoing conflict and jealously over this ground and things finally came to a head last night. Two of our elders live in this village and initial reports are that their houses are still standing. However, everyone in village has fled to the jungle to hide.

The rest of the church leaders are headed there now to try to encourage and care for the believers living there. There is fear that people who were affected by this in "P" village will retaliate and burn down houses of those who did this to them or go and fight. There is also fear that the remaining houses will be destroyed and people will be displaced long term. This has the potential to really shake the faith of some of the believers in there as well as those elders and their families who live there. Also with the outreach going on right now this could potentially stretch our Bible teachers beyond their ability to oversee both situations. I just spent a bit of time praying with them on the phone and giving them some direction on how to move forward. I really wish I could be in there right now and walk them through this but I'm trusting that God allowed this to happen in my absence and that he cares for them more than I do and ultimately he desires to test and grow the believers' faith and endurance through this.

Wherever you are would you just stop and spend a minute in prayer over this developing situation? Pray for the church to come together and really care for those affected by this. Perhaps God will use this eventually to add to the number being saved. Pray for this situation to resolve itself and for tempers and fears to be subsided. Also please pray for our two elders and their families Ranka and Evinge, that they would stand strong and be a light. Ultimately Pray for God's glory in this trying time.

Your co-laborers,
Jason & Nisae Williamson