“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” – Habakkuk 2:14
Pastor Santino has been preaching in Malony for a period of about four months. He is very excited of the outcome and how the people of Maloney are responding positively to the gospel. He have about sixty members in his church. He made one of them secretary and the other a treasurer. The chief of that area gave out the land for the church. The most interesting thing is that the chief is not a believer in God, or witchcraft. Santino has been mentoring two people who have a heart for winning souls in Maloney. These two are primary school teachers who have been helping him with evangelism in the evening after school.
Santino goes from house to house to evangelize the people. He also goes about in the area wherever he can find people to witness to them the gospel of Christ. Every Wednesday when the medical team goes to Maloney outreach he goes to preach to them. The people of Maloney love God and and they also are willing to learn more about the word. He preaches to the sick and prays for them because they believe in the healing power of God.
Santino gave me a testimony of a certain member of his church who had leprosy. He got saved in a Pentecostal church in Wau and was also baptized. When he came back to his village there was no church, preacher or any spiritual leader. He back slid and his leprosy worsened. He then met with Pastor Santino who prayed for him and he gave his life to Jesus again. He believed that God is going to heal him. Santino prayed for him and the leprosy started to heal. He is one of the witnesses in Maloney that God is a healer.
Santino wanted to go home to check on his family for two weeks before the school opens. The headmaster of a neighboring school who is also a member of his church requested him to stay for one more week. This touched his heart so much and he felt like crying seeing how these people are hungry for the word of God. He believes that God has sent him and he has given his heart for the people of Maloney.
Fifteen members of his church can read both English and Dinka. Fifteen can read Dinka and little bit of English. They requested well wishers to support them in getting Bibles so that they may be able to read and understand God’s word. They are hungry for the Gospel and what they have learned by Santino’s preaching and they want to move a forward by learning more about the word of God for spiritual maturity.
The Headmaster of Pawel Primary School, sometimes called SalvaKir primary school, requested Santino to be teaching Christian Religion Education (C.R.E) in his school, for what a favor from God.
Please pray for Santino that God would continue to give him encouragement through the challenges. That Santino would be able to reach those who are still held captive by witchcraft and other traditions that do not glorify God.