The Bangladeshi tribals left their shoes just outside the threshold and entered the small Baptist church with a genuine eagerness to learn.
Bangladeshi tribal Christians, most new followers of Jesus, leave their shoes just outside the threshold as they enter a small Baptist church to learn stories from the Bible.As they introduced themselves, they said not only their names but also noted when they had become followers of Jesus – “2007,” “January 2008,” “November 2008,” “December 2008,” “Dec. 7, 2008.” One man announced that he was a new believer who had not yet taken baptism.
“We are honored to be here to share God’s word with you today,” said Thad Bessmer,* 40, who was on his third volunteer trip to Bangladesh. “The great love of Jesus Christ has brought us here. We hope that the stories we share will encourage you and allow you to share with others about Jesus Christ.”
The stories began with creation, then the fall of man, and on through Cain and Abel – all stories that most American Christians have heard since childhood, but stories that were completely new for these recent converts to Christianity.
“Cain had sinned, but God showed mercy on him by placing a mark on him so no one would harm him,” Bessmer said.
Six South Carolinians took turns reading from the Bible for tribals who were clinging to every word and stretching their necks to watch the expressions on the faces of their storytellers and see their drawings.
“We are all new believers,” Hiralal, 38, said. “This is our opportunity to learn something about Jesus.”
Deborah Acomb* did not miss a beat when the lights went out during her narration of the stories of Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham and Isaac, the Israelites’ slavery in Egypt, and God’s call on Moses’ life.
“God has a plan for each one of our lives,” she said. “God calls us to faith and obedience, and he chooses people because of their faith and obedience.”
Deborah Acomb, 66, and her husband Sonny Acomb,* 74, of Kirby Memorial Baptist Church in Gaffney, were making their fourth trip into Bangladesh and were leading their third volunteer team to minister among the tribals in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. This year, two of their team members were return volunteers, but two were coming for their first time.
Nineteen-year-old Amy Harvey – who had never even been on an airplane prior to the February volunteer trip – told stories about the Israelites’ escape from Egypt, the Ten Commandments, and the golden calf.
God demanded that the people look upon the bronze snake that Moses raised on a pole if they wished to live, Harvey explained. Many were obedient and lived.
“Others refused because they said this is not my religion or tradition,” she said. “They would not consider this, because it was something new – and they died.”
After Harvey told the story of Jesus’ birth, Dewayne Marsden,* 43, from Greer, moved the listeners through the stories of Jesus’ baptism and his calming of the storm.
“Jesus’ followers looked at him in amazement. They said even the winds and waves obey him,” recounted Marsden, who also was on his third trip to Bangladesh. “If Jesus can calm the sea, think about what he can do through each of you.”
Marsden and Sonny Acomb shared several other stories about the miracles Jesus did during his ministry on earth.
First-time volunteer Jeff Wilkins, 26, the associate pastor serving children and youth at Kirby Memorial, then demonstrated the story about Jesus’ washing his disciples’ feet by washing the feet of Tinaram, a new believer who was baptized Dec. 14, 2008.
The act astonished those looking on – tribals, former Hindus and Buddhists, who for years have felt oppressed by Bangladesh’s majority Muslim population.
“The love (of Jesus) I’ve seen through the foot washer,” said 48-year-old Lalon, who had accepted Jesus as his Savior only a few months earlier. “Through Christ, I’ll become a human.”
Wilkins continued with the stories of Jesus, telling about his arrest and crucifixion. As he explained that Jesus chose to die for our sins, the Bangladeshi tribal believers responded with spontaneous and joyous clapping.
They again clapped as Wilkins declared, “He had power over his own death. He is not dead; Jesus is alive. Jesus rose from the grave proving that he is the Lord with the power to save us all.”
*Names changed for security reasons. Goldie Frances serves as a writer in South Asia. To learn about the South Carolina Baptist Convention’s service opportunities planned for South Asia in 2009, visit http://www.scbaptist.org/international/article158733c1594414.htm.