Over the river (which is dry) and through the woods...

To Koutie-Tchatidoh (pronounced Koo-chey Cha-tee-dough) we go! Manny and I had the privilege of traveling
to Koutie-Tchatidoh this last week (June 16-18) for some culture study research. We left on Tuesday morning for
Takonta the last place taxis will go (well for a reasonable price that is, the road to Koutie is pretty challenging for vehicles).
And it was also market day in Takonta which is the only day of the week any taxi actually goes. We got there before the
market began, and started out walk to the village. We waved hello to some of the kids who recognized us from our last
visit to Takonta. (Update on that church we built, it fell over unfortunately. Not all of it but part of the walls. The guy
hired to get the wood for the roof, took the money and did not work [yes makes me very angry as well], so without a roof
the walls were exposed to the rains and collaspe followed. And now that the rains are more steady you cannot rebuild because
the walls will not dry, so that means until October they will have to wait!)
We took along our friend Augustion from church. He is finished school for the year and was happy to go along as interpreter.
The hike is 8km, and was very nice, alittle cloudy made it pleasant for walking. We arrived at the village tired but glad to be there.
When we go to K-C we do carry all our clothes and mosquito net and such, but the village people provide food so it is not
quite a full out backpacking trip! That evening we were able to record many stories from the old men of the village. Two of the
old men are Adventist and the rest are very familiar with us, this is such an amazing blessing, because many older folk
are too suspicious of us outsiders to share anything with us. They usually just don't share when we ask. But these
guys by the end of our time together on Thursday morning gave us around 65 stories of history, legend, and myth! Praise God.
On Wednesday night there was prayer meeting at the little church in K-C. There are about fifty Adventists in the town. The evangelist
Clement is their shephard. He is employed by Gospel Outreach Canada. But most of the members are without any formal education.
Some do read, the younger guys. The culture we are working on hopefully will bring new insights to be able to train current members
to reach their fellow villagers and all Ottamari. Somehow ever time I come to K-C and there is a meeting I end up sitting
next to this one older man, he is always very smiley and shared some great stories. And since it was prayer meeting there was time
when we go into pairs and prayed, as I have done before I prayed with the older man. I prayed in French he in the local Dittimari language.
As I heard his voice, raspy, yet warm from his many years of life, lifted up to the Creator, I was deeply moved. I sometimes
struggle to remember why I am here. Since we are in culture study right now we are not doing any active evangelism, meaning we
are not out getting bible studies, having trainings, etc. We do of course share our faith when we can, make friends, and such,
but the culture will equip the project to reach right to the heart of the people. I have always thought I need to do Bible studies,
need to be directly telling people Bible truths, or nothing. That is good, but here we are at a different phase right now. As the man
prayed I thought of the past he'd come from, he had shared with us stories of what life was life was like before, of the beliefs
of his parents and their parents. Yet now by the greatest story ever told of Christ and His sacrifice, he was new, different. God reminded
me that I am here for old men like him, for confused young people , for all ages, everyone to hear the Good News. I felt a smile on
my face. Though the church has no electricity (actually the whole village plus Takonta, believe it or not), it seemed somewhat
brighter after our prayer. Thanks be to God.