The Oreo Story


part of the crowd for the New Testament dedication, May 2005

We are keenly aware that we cannot, and must not, be credited for the changes that have taken place among the Oreo people. During our 21 years among them, government and commercially-sponsored development have vastly changed the area, providing roads, better schools, somewhat better medical care, and more options for earning money. At the same time, God has exposed the people to various denominations and teachings, especially when they visit the urban area surrounding the provincial capital. But a very powerful influence has been God's Word, which is “good seed,” and God says that it never fails to produce a crop. (Mark 4:14, Isaiah 55:10-11) So credit for the spiritual changes among the Oreo people belongs to God, because His Spirit has been at work as the people have heard the Word of God in their heart language.

Before and Now

Each of the highlighted Now words
or the little pictures below
will take you to a Photo Gallery
with more about each of the six topics below.

I suggest reading the topics before investigating the Photo Galleries.

Before, we left our land and family to go a strange place.
Now we are at home there with our many dear brothers and sisters.
Before the people didn't understand why we came.
Now many count themselves our partners.

Before worship was lifeless, and attending Sunday church was just a civic obligation.
Now they often enjoy authentic and creative worship.
Before the people didn't pray. 
Terms used in prayer had not yet been developed.
And they didn't have the high language required for prayers in the national language.
Now they pray fluently in Oreo.

Before God's Word was in a foreign language.
Now God speaks in the language of the heart.
Before there was little desire to study God's Word.
Now the people have discovered that Bible studies can be encouraging and even fun.

Before the people reverenced false prophets who mixed old traditions and Bible stories to entice the people into lustful practices.
Now they refute them saying, “That's not what we read in God's Word.”
Before people performed rituals in service of demons.
Now they dance for God.

Before, if they had been invited, no one would have shared a favorite verse or a testimony. 
Now they share testimonies and passages that have been meaningful to them.
Before there was no joy in following Jesus.
Now they create worship songs in Oreo and follow Jesus with determination and joy.

So what are we doing now?  Read about our new project.


Our family at the New Testament dedication