Apa Update

You may have read our last post about our friend Apa. The last few years of his life have not been easy, but they tell an incredible story of faithfulness and redemption.

Becoming good friends with Apa and hearing his story has been a great blessing to my life. As the previous post stated, Apa used to lead a life of crime. Throughout the valley everyone knew the infamous name of Apa due to his intimidation and violence. I never knew Apa when he was so feared, and it is hard for me to imagine the kind hearted man I know now to have had such a violent reputation.

Through a near death experience Apa gave his life to the Lord and never looked back. Though he has the body of an NFL linebacker he doesn't seem to intimidate anyone. His heart has truly changed.

In the last post Apa had just lost his job as a security guard because of lies that his ex-wife had spread. Apa should have gotten his job back but there were to many complications. I am happy to report that Apa got a better paying job, with better hours working with the mission station maintenance (where I currently spend my days). Though Apa isn't skilled he makes a great laborer, carrying twice as much as I could and working twice as hard as most other guys.

Several months ago some of Apa's relatives took control of Apa's land and in the process burned down his homes, burned all of his possessions, killed his mother, and buried her where Apa could never find her to morn her death. In a conversation not long after this had happened Apa told me that he really wanted to go kill the people who had done this to him, he wanted to follow his instincts from his previous life. But he told me that even though he wanted to go kill, Jesus wanted him to forgive. That his homes, his land, his coffee gardens, and all of his possessions were just that, possessions. That the most important thing was that he continue to follow Jesus. The thing that hit me the hardest was when Apa told me he was tempted to forget he was a Christian for a few days so he could seek revenge, and then return back to faith and ask forgiveness. He ultimately resisted that temptation, but really made me think.

As Apa tells it, "My life is so much greater now that I have given my life to Jesus, I am very sorry for the things I used to do but I do not like to think about those things. God has a plan for me and that makes me very happy, I am people's friend now, and not their enemy."

Since Apa was not able to pay the bride price, his wife's parents took her back which broke up the marriage. Things are still the same today, he is able to pay the bride price, but she is not interested in going back. This has left Apa a single father. His children are staying with relatives of to keep them away from the feud here, and his youngest son, Bobby, stays here on the station with him.

Through all of this Apa stays optimistic. Optimistic for the plans God has for his future, and for as Apa says "forever in heaven with Jesus."

Apa would like to save up enough money to go to bible college and become a pastor. This would be a long hard path of study for him since he does not have the proper education to go strait into bible classes. But we are doing our best to encourage him to become a pastor. His testimony, passion, and faith will surely make him a great preacher and spiritual leader.