Following the Jesus Way

It's hard to believe, but there are a great many people in the world today who do not know how to read. In fact, many cultures in the world are oral learners; that is, they learn by listening and repeating stories. You would also find that in these cultures, the people express themselves with dances, chants, storytelling, etc. So I suppose going into a village in an oral culture and handing out tracts and singing Hillsong probably wouldn't do much good. But many times, this is what missionaries do. Many go into a village, build a building give someone a guitar and say "here's your church." And the problem with doing this is that many tribes view Christianity as "the white man's religion." Further complicating matters is the fact that tribes in Latin America, like the Kuna, people will go along with just about anything you show them even if they do not understand it just because you are a foreigner, a guest in their land. So what is the solution to this problem which has been repeated for years in missions? We need to become one of them, learn from them, live out the Gospel without forcing it on them, and allowing them to develop methods of worship in the culture that God created them. Every human being on the face of the earth has a unique culture given to them by God, and every one has worth in the sight of God. Lets face it, the world would be a boring place if everyone looked, acted and did everything just like us. God is the God of variety, of diversity, and tribal dances and music that are used to worship Him is just as much a blessing to Him as the music and worship that touches our hearts.

So check out some new pics in the slideshow! We spent a Saturday with YWAM and the current Discipleship Training School putting on an Indigenous Worship Festival, allowing the different tribes in Panama to come together and worship the Lord using their own dances and music. It was the most beautiful thing I have ever had the privelige of witnessing. We had such a positive response, that a decision was made to do the same thing next year and make it even bigger and better than ever. Along with the Indigenous Worship Festival, we have also been spending a lot of time in the classroom learning how to do such things as encouraging a culture to use their own God given talents and expressions to worship. It has been truly amazing! Stay tuned for more updates in the coming weeks!!! Also, be sure to check out the video below!