After arriving in the general area of a country where Tai Lu people live, *Bob and his team checked into a hotel and rented some motorcycles. They were from a closely related people group and wanted to share the Good News with the Tai Lu people. After a night’s rest, they prayed together and pointed their motorbikes down the scenic, mountainous roads.
An hour later, they saw a sign pointing toward the district they were seeking. They prayed continually, “Lord lead us to those you have prepared, a ‘person of peace’” (Luke 10: 5-7). Soon they saw a lady tending a water buffalo and dressed in Tai Lu garb. They stopped and asked if there was a Tai Lu village near-by. She said yes and motioned them further down the road. Upon finding the village, the team soon spotted a couple working in their yard.
They greeted them, identifying themselves as being from a near culture. “We are here to visit with Tai Lu people.” Both the husband and wife were intrigued to meet people from another country yet like themselves. After inviting the visitors inside their home, conversation gradually unfolded.
“Will you tell us about your practices of ancestor worship?” Bob asked.
After hearing about their religious practices, someone on the team said, “Those are not ancestors, but spirits who are lying to you.” Despite this seemingly confrontational statement, the couple were open and even eager to hear what they had to say.
The visitors shared a Bible story about God’s creation and ended with the redeeming work of Christ on the Cross. Excited, the husband shared that an older Tai Lu man had visited them 20 years before. He had told them about a creator God who made everything, about Adam and Eve, and that all people are sinful. That was all he knew of the Bible message. In faith, the husband had been acting on that message as best as he could. This couple and their son were delighted to hear the full story of God’s love expressed through Jesus.
The family believed and was baptized that same day. The team left early in the afternoon and continued their search for spiritually prepared persons of peace in other villages. Later that afternoon, the man telephoned the prayer-walking team to tell how he was out sharing the Bible stories with others!
*pseudonyms used