January 4. It has been a very warm, humid day, partly cloudy and partly sunny. Only a few little sprinkles of rain. But the rain yesterday afternoon and evening just poured into the meeting room. There was so much that this time some of it spilled over the wall into Connie’s room. Wan came this morning and worked on the roof for a long time. Matthew and, I think, Daniel helped him try to assess the problem. One problem seems to be that the new roofing iron is so thin and flimsy it does not sit down evenly. The other is that the beams were not laid evenly across that part of the house. We still can’t figure out why it comes in so much though after they’ve patched up with hydroseal. If the work they did today doesn’t help, Daddy will just have to buy some 7-foot sheets of roofing iron to replace the 6-foot ones in that section so there will be more overlap and hopefully keep water from backing up far enough to come inside.
The biggest joy of today was Sosthenes’ getting saved. He came while I was still fixing my breakfast. Daddy had already eaten and had the privilege of leading Sosthenes to faith in Christ. Sosthenes was very ready and had good understanding. Matthew said later that, before he left the house early this morning to go preach outside with David, Sosthenes had asked him to explain to him again about being saved. That makes six of my students now who have trusted Christ. We are seeing that it pays to lay a foundation. Have been teaching the chronological lessons in our school Bible class. Tears of joy have welled up in my eyes as these students get saved.
David and Matthew and other church folks sang and preached this morning down in the village. We pray that more fruit will result from their efforts.
This morning, I swept our bedroom and then scrubbed parts of the floor where new tape had to be put down at the places where the linoleum joins together. Daddy did the taping as it is hard for me to get down on the floor and do that.
Daniel worked more on the woodshed this morning, and George came and cut firewood. Tony was busy cutting grass. In the afternoon, they all went over to Marivo to buy goat meat. Yerontse had slaughtered his two big fat goats that kept running away and coming over here to Ahnyauntapeq. He was always having to come over here and take them back home.
Later in the morning, I worked on December progress report to get that ready to send to Pastor Ogle. For dinner we had leftovers. I was thankful for a long nap today. I haven’t really napped well the past few days and was extra tired today.
This afternoon, I sorted out boxes and set aside a few large strong boxes that we may need for packing up before we go on furlough. Then Daddy and I spent time trying to fix up the bookshelf to fit into a different spot in the schoolroom. We had to take it down when we tore down the guest room. We didn’t get it finished today so will try to finish tomorrow.
This evening, three of the men are here for Bible school.
“For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them….” Luk 9:56