Preaching at Peter's Church - Please Pray

I mentioned in an earlier blog that we had a man named Wilson admitted to the clinic very late Saturday night who had been struck on the head and died of his injuries.  Here is the full story as I know it, because I ask that you pray for us.

Wilson’s brother Peter was a pastor at a local Episcopal Church very close to the compound.  Sebit has known him for some time, although he seemed to be a proud man and refused to attend the Bible school (even though there once were over 100 other pastors from all over the region).  Some time ago, Peter impregnated a girl.  In the past few weeks it has been discovered that he impregnated a second girl named Rebekah.  Rebekah’s family was very upset with Peter because the dowry for a virgin is much more than for a woman who has already known a man (think 100 cows vs. 31 cows).  They expected Peter to keep his distance until their tempers cooled, but he did not.  Eventually things escalated and they tried to kill Peter.  He escaped, but they followed him to his family and Wilson was clubbed twice on the head.  Then the same night Wilson died in the clinic, Peter and a group of men sought retaliation; they went to Rebekah’s family’s house and attacked the first old man they saw.  He died the same night.  Peter is still at large and has not been seen, but he has been removed from the church and replaced by a man named Juda.  I have met Juda a handful of times; he seems to be a good man who knows the Lord from his heart, a family man, and well known by Sebit through the Bible school.  Lastly, the man who struck and killed Wilson was arrested in town and thrown into prison.  Also, understand that it is culturally expected that some form of retaliation occurs when a woman is impregnated outside of marriage.

Sebit has been invited to preach this Sunday at the Episcopal Church and he has extended the offer to me.  I am neutral in the eyes of both families, who will both be present at the church.  Please understand that I am very safe, but that I ask for you to pray for me as I prepare.  Pray for godly discernment but boldness to speak what the Lord is saying to the church at this time.  Pray for soft and repentant hearts.

Sebit tells me that many people will be concerned at how a pastor—of all people—has stumbled and done such a thing: who can they look to now?  Pray for Christ to be established in the hearts and minds of His people as head of the body.  There is also potential for the church to be split between those still loyal to Peter and those not.  Pray for unity.  There is also the issue of culture: how do we handle our culture and tradition in light of the gospel?  As the Lord says that every tribe and nation will be represented in heaven, the Dinka are unique; but pray that Christ becomes preeminent in all their life.