November 1. No rain last night to speak of. Daddy cleaned out the drum this morning so it would be clean and ready for more rain water. This morning, it did not look like rain would be coming today, but the Lord changed things by this evening and sent a good hard rain. So the drum is full and over-flowing again. Praise the Lord for water to wash clothes with on Wednesday! As well as water for other things. Lilian and Tania came this morning and this evening also, and each carried a bucket of water from the river each time. We are grateful for their help. They got sopping wet this evening as the rains started not long after they left the house with the buckets.
David and Luke showed up early also, so they started Bible school early. They had planned to carry coffee tomorrow too.
“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1
November 2. Praise the Lord for one inch rain last evening, and for a nice sunny day today. It is raining again this evening.
Somebody said the dam is up to its level again, but there is still no water coming through. So there is apparently some other problem that the people cannot find. Kelly came back today, and they said he went up to check things out too.
Manila was ready for school before 7:30 this morning so we got an early start, and got done a little before noon today. We had a little visitor in school today — a gray, four-legged creature with a long tail. I heard him up in the silver paper during math class. I got out the broom and tried to hit him, but wasn’t sure exactly what spot he was in. He dashed over to the top pole of the frame on the west side and ran across it to the corner above the closet. I took a whack at him there, but he was hard to get to. He dashed back the other way, and jumped down onto the floor. I went after him, but he went outside through a space between the wall and the floor.
"I am the Lord, I change not." Malachi 3:6 It is well for us that, amidst all the variableness of life, there is One whom change cannot affect; One whose heart can never alter, and on whose brow mutability can make no furrows. All things else have changed—all things are changing. The sun itself grows dim with age; the world is waxing old; the folding up of the worn-out vesture has commenced; the heavens and earth must soon pass away; they shall perish, they shall wax old as doth a garment; but there is One who only hath immortality, of whose years there is no end, and in whose person there is no change. The delight which the mariner feels, when, after having been tossed about for many a day, he steps again upon the solid shore, is the satisfaction of a Christian when, amidst all the changes of this troublous life, he rests the foot of his faith upon this truth—"I am the Lord, I change not."
The stability which the anchor gives the ship when it has at last obtained a hold-fast, is like that which the Christian's hope affords him when it fixes itself upon this glorious truth. With God "is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." What ever His attributes were of old, they are now; His power, His wisdom, His justice, His truth, are alike unchanged. He has ever been the refuge of His people, their stronghold in the day of trouble, and He is their sure Helper still. He is unchanged in His love. He has loved His people with "an everlasting love"; He loves them now as much as ever He did, and when all earthly things shall have melted in the last conflagration, His love will still wear the dew of its youth. Precious is the assurance that He changes not! The wheel of providence revolves, but its axle is eternal love.
"Death and change are busy ever,
Man decays, and ages move;
But His mercy waneth never;
God is wisdom, God is love." —Morning and Evening
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“1To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. 2He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved…. 5My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. 6He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. 7In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. 8Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. Psalm 62:1,2,5-8
November 3. Light rain off and on through the night.
Up early. Started preparing the uxai and pumpkin for dinner. Praise the Lord for uxai again. We have been thankful for pumpkin and greens the past two or three months, when they have been available. But it is a special blessing to have uxai again.
Early this morning, Jevin called to say that he was just about at the market place to sell his coffee.
Started wash at 6:30 this morning and was done hanging them out a little after 7:30. Then read Bible and did my walking and praying. Had a little time to work at the computer before lotu. Not many in lotu today as so many went yesterday to sell coffee. Miriam came to help carry our chairs. Nuxawai led the singing this morning, and took charge of the prayer time. Daddy tried to clarify some misunderstandings people had regarding Sunday’s challenge. After that, he finished up the story of Abraham’s servant seeking a wife for Isaac, pointing out the last two applications for knowing the will of God.
After lotu, Nuxawai talked to Daddy a bit and said that his wife has been off working in the garden; but when she comes back, they will come see us.
While Manila and I were in school, I heard Kelly’s voice, talking to Daddy. Also heard the sound of water coming through the tap. Kelly had worked on the water system this morning, and right now water is flowing. Praise the Lord!
This afternoon, Opo came to say that he and his family want to follow God’s Word and help build a true church. He wants to do something to serve the Lord, like song leading. He said that the problem with his legs started several years ago when he was very sick and Kelly gave him some strong shots. From Opo’s description of the shots and the pain he suffers, it looks like there was damage to the nerves. He cannot straighten his legs and has a lot of pain. Has to walk with two sticks.
At supper time, Jevin called again and said that he would be crossing the river around 7:00, so he probably should be home by now. Miriam came after supper with some greens and shared her desire to be with her husband in following the Lord and seeking to do right as a church.
“1A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; 2To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. 3Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. 4Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. 5My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: 6When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. 7Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. 8My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.” Psalm 63:1-8