Lessons in Humility

By Dave Bill, serving in the Republic of the Congo

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: . . . the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Marivia, 18, is a baby. That is, he’s a brand new Jesus follower. He’s also our neighbor here in Ollombo, Congo, whom we’ve been privileged to witness God transform.

“Before I received Christ,” he explains, “I used to steal money from my mother’s purse so I could go to the movies. If she didn’t give me the money, I’d fight with her. I also used to get into street fights easily.”

Our national colleague, Celestin, has the gift of evangelism, and soon after he joined us here in Ollombo, he began talking to Marivia (pronounced “Mar-e-vee-ah”) about the Lord.

“Celestin’s presentation to me of God’s Word helped me to realize that even if I die, my spirit will be with Christ,” Marivia recalls. “After I accepted Christ, I was really ashamed of how I used to act.”

Soon after his conversion, Marivia began taking discipleship classes from my wife, Teresa. “She helped me become firm in my faith and to resist the world and my old life,” says the 18-year-old, noting that the “weapons of our warfare” (Ephesians 6:10–18) assist him to avoid temptation.

New Beginnings

After his conversion, Marivia also began taking literacy classes from Teresa. (Talk about starting a new life—not only spiritually, but educationally as well!) “I never liked going to school,” he admits. “Even though I somehow made it to sixth grade, I never could read or write.”

It’s possible to stay in school here even if you can’t read or write, because a classroom sometimes holds more than 100 students—and just one teacher. This is the educational system in rural Congo, where a school room is a dirt shack!

Humility Equals Growth

Just the other day, Marivia announced that he was going to use most of the meager funds he has collected doing odd jobs for us and enroll in a private school where he can better learn to read and write. Imagine—an 18-year-old entering primary school!

While I was writing this article, Marivia arrived back from his first day at school, excited to talk about what he had learned.

“I’m excited about learning again!” he exclaims. “I now realize that it’s not a very easy future without the ability to read and write.”

We know it takes being humble like a child to enter the Kingdom of God, but I’m reminded by Marivia’s journey that to progress in the Christian life, we need to remain humble. That’s how God gives us grace to grow not only spiritually, but in every way!

What You Can Do

Praise God for Marivia’s new life in Christ; pray for his continued spiritual and educational progress. Join in praying for Alliance workers around the world.

Donate to the Great Commission Fund—partner in Living the Call together with Alliance workers like the Bills.

Learn more about our work in Congo.

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