The Fifty-three
Fifty-three reasons—and more. That’s why you work with us to make Ethnos360 Aviation available to support and sustain church planters as they reach people with God’s Truth.
You might remember a story we sent a while back called “Wednesday Happened.” For the first time in eight years, Ethnos360 Aviation started providing helicopter service for Jason and Laken Cizdziel (/cheese-gel/) and their family, who work among the Wabuku people in PNG. The flight took six minutes versus an hours-long, treacherous river trip!
The eight years of work by the Cizdziel family – even though they had to endure the river trip those years -- was worth it! Just a few weeks ago, the Wabuku church was born! Fifty-three people in the village believed after Jason taught the grand story of God’s salvation, beginning with who God is and culminating with the death, burial and resurrection of Christ – and the eternal hope He provided.
That’s the Wabuku church in the top photo. They may speak a language that we do not know, but we can clearly understand when they speak of their salvation. Let their testimonies encourage and delight your heart! Jason writes:
"We're excited to continue sharing that 53 new believers have been baptized. I interviewed each one who wanted to be baptized. Here are some quotes from their responses:
Sebeti told me, “Just like the sheep took Isaac’s death place, Jesus took my death place.”
Jebri said, “Jesus defeated Satan on the cross. Satan thought he had won, but when Jesus stood up again from the dead, it was clear that Jesus had won and cut a road for us back to Yawe.”
Aiwasi said, “Like Cain, we all were born in Satan’s clan and couldn’t escape. But Jesus beat Satan for us, and now we can join Yawe’s clan.”
Kiwar said, “We were trapped in Satan’s clan and couldn’t do anything to get out. How can we people defeat Satan? No, Jesus beat Satan for us and rescued us. We only have to know with one thinking (or single-mindedness) that Jesus’ talk is true.”
Dina said, “When Jesus comes back, he’ll undo all the evil Satan brought into this world. We won’t be afraid or sick or ashamed or die or fight each other. That’s what our ancestors wanted too, but they didn’t know Yawe’s talk. We used black magic but that never helped us. It was all a lie from Satan to keep us calling on his power. So we will not follow our ancestors’ traditions anymore. We will leave them behind because they were Satan’s lies. And now we know Yawe’s true talk.”
What powerful testimonies!
The nearest airstrip, where the Cizdziels transfer from a Kodiak airplane to the R66 helicopter to avoid the river trip.
Thanks for being a part of the Flight Crew, making flights affordable for church planters like the Cizdziels. The Wabuku believers are now in the Body of Christ with you! Fifty-three souls are added to those redeemed and washed by the blood of the Lamb. May the Lord add many more to the Wabuku church! Pray for the Cizdziels as they spend the years – now assisted by the helicopter – to nurture this group of believers into a thriving church.