Iata (pronounced ya-ta) [left] is the father of Sam Tabawa, a Christian in Etas Village. Aaron met Iata the first time he went to Etas, back in 2005. Iata has had no real desire to study God’s Word or become a Christian, that is until recently.

Iata began to feel that his life was missing something. He described, “the son was setting on my life. If I am going to do anything good with my life, it has to be now.”

On April 2nd, Aaron began his studies with Iata in Etas village. On April 8th, Iata was present for worship when Aaron preached a lesson on “God looks at the heart.” At the end of the lesson, Iata was struck by how we re-enact Christ’s resurrection (tying in with the Easter theme) through Baptism. At that point, Iata approached Aaron and said, “I’m lost. I don’t know how many more days I have left on this earth and I want to be with God when I die. I’m ready to be baptized.”

Despite our only just beginning to study together, Iata is a very smart man. That afternoon, I spoke with Iata about Baptism and it’s meaning. He understood very well what he needed to do and said he was ready.

On the same day in which Jake Long was baptized into Christ by Peter [right], Iata also became a Christian and for the first time, felt free.

AB