Blog Archives

Sosthenes Gets Saved

1/11/2013

Romi and Sosthenes giving their testimonies. Doesn't Romi look happy?

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

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Busy but Restful

1/11/2013

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January 3. It was a busy day, but seemed like a more relaxing and restful day. Made hot rice cereal for breakfast. Had quiet time and time for walking and praying. Then it was time to work in the kitchen. Gathered all the trash together first to be burned. Then I got tea steeping for banana bread and green jasmine tea steeping for iced tea to put in the fridge for a warm day. Peeled, washed, and cut up potatoes to cook for Daddy’s dinner. Daddy cut up half a pumpkin for me, and I got that peeled and cut up and ready to cook for dinner. I also got out the rest of the onions that had been sitting in the cupboard a while, pulled off or broke off all the dried leaves so I could cut some of them up in Daddy’s potatoes and some in my dinner biscuits.

            Then Daddy suggested going for a walk. He wanted to look over the airstrip and see what it looked like after the big rain yesterday afternoon. The ground must have been pretty dry before the rain as it was still pretty firm. We walked up to the top of the airstrip and then down to the bottom and back home from there. I was really tired out after just that short walk. Guess I still haven’t gotten all my strength back since being sick. Daddy did well today. I don’t think he felt as tired today as he had been feeling. When we got back, I had an emergen-C drink; then sat in the recliner, and shut my eyes a few minutes.

            Tony was here cutting grass today, and Daniel came for a short while and worked on the woodshed. Now it is ready for him to put the kunai roof on.

            After getting a snack, I sat down at the computer and cleaned some e-mails out of the inbox and wrote a few short e-mails. Then it was time to make my dinner biscuits and start cooking the potatoes and pumpkin. I also got my tea bottled and ready to go in the fridge and finished making the banana bread so it could go in the oven when my biscuits were done.

            Around dinner time, Wan came to work on the roof again. It had leaked in quite a bit around the wood stove chimney yesterday evening. And he tried to fix the leak in the meeting room better, but instead it leaked even worse. But it was good for him to be here and see how it leaked and try to see what needs to be done to fix it. In the mean time, I had gone down for a welcome afternoon nap. Daddy didn’t get his nap until mid-afternoon after Wan had left. While I was napping the rains came, strong and furious. It must have rained hard for an hour and a half.

            After I got up, I swept the bathroom and kitchen floors. Then I worked on e-mails again and got a few sent off. Started hemming a jumper that I discovered in my sewing box. Then I made banana pudding for our supper.

            It is starting to rain again now this evening.

            “And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.” Luke 9:48

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A Sad and Happy Week

1/11/2013

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Candidates for baptism

January 2. God is good! We praise Him for a good week of hearing the Word. We praise Him for two souls saved and one receiving assurance of salvation. We are thankful for all those who came to the meetings. A number of unsaved people were here this week. Today there were many visitors from Marivo. Perhaps they came to Owena today for the funeral. This morning was the last of the New Year meetings. We had planned to have the baptism this afternoon; but this afternoon, they buried Martin’s body. So the baptism has been postponed until Sunday afternoon. It was both a sad and happy week - sad because of Martin’s death and happy because of God’s Word being preached.

            The Lord gave us lovely weather all through the meetings too. Then this afternoon, He sent a big rain.

            First thing this morning, a group of church folks went down to visit Martin’s family. They sang for them, read a few Bible verses, prayed, and presented them with a gift - money, food, and other goods.

           After they sang with the church group down below, the school kids came up here to practice their number for today. Then they went off to wash before the meeting. They did a good job this morning on their song (Ye Must Be Born Again), and once again the Lord’s hand was with me to help in the playing. Daddy’s preaching this morning covered the Great White Throne Judgment.

            It was 12:00 when the meeting was done. Some people hung around for a while and talked. We warmed up the leftover rice for dinner and a can of creamed corn to go with it since there were no cooked veggies left. Then we had our nap. I was hoping to get a good nap today, but the flies were making pests of themselves. With the door opening so much with people going in and out of the meetings, many flies have worked their way into the house.

            After nap, I worked on lesson plans for next week. Already had Bible class and phonics/reading class lessons done. Got math and English/science plans finished this afternoon.

            Late this afternoon, Dallas and Phinehas came by to see about keyboard class this week. I asked them if they had had time to practice since last week. They hadn’t so we decided to wait until next Thursday. There were a bunch of other teenage boys hanging around with them. While they were here talking, it started raining really hard so they hung around on the porch waiting for the rain to let up. When the rain didn’t seem to be letting up, we asked them if they wanted to wait inside. They did. They were here all through our supper time and while I was doing dishes and were singing some of the choir numbers they had been learning and singing. It was a joy to hear them singing together.

            “23And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? 26For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.” Luke 9:23-26

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Salvation of a Soul

1/11/2013

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December 31. The last day of December and the last day of the year 2012. Could even be the last day of our lives on this earth.

            Daniel came last night to talk to Daddy about salvation. He was here a long time. He wanted to make sure he understood everything clearly which is good. After Daddy dealt with him a long time, he acknowledged that he was a sinner and put his faith in Christ.

          It was a blessing to hear Daniel’s testimony of his wife. He said that Apekio always used to point out his sin to him and tell him he needed to straighten his life and go to church. After she got saved, however, she never said anything to him anymore about his sin or about going to church. She just prayed for him. He said that made him feel ashamed. He knew she prayed for him. He praised her for being a godly woman, and said that her testimony played a big part in helping him to come to Christ. He also said that the testimony of the other church members had a big impact. He could see that they were real, that their lives were truly different, and they weren’t afraid of man or afraid to serve the Lord in the face of persecution. He said that people hate the people of GIBC. See Luke 6:22,23; John 15:18-21, and I John 3:13. We praise the Lord that the church has this testimony.

           Because I had been awake a long time, I got up early this morning, right after Daddy did. Warmed up our pancakes for breakfast, ate, and had quiet time. Then I worked on cleaning up Connie’s room. Emptied some of her boxes of clothes and put them into the last drum. Started hanging up give-away clothes in the closet.

            It was late today before anybody came to practice for choir. Apekio was the first to come. Most everyone had been up most of the night crying with Martin’s family. It was going on 10:00 when there were finally enough here to practice the choir number. They sang “Husat Bai I Tokim Ol” (Who Will Tell Them?) today, to the tune of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”. Once again I thank the Lord for his help.

            Daddy’s preaching this morning was on the first of the three sets of seven plagues - the seven seals. There was a good crowd here today. A number of folks came from Marivo, including Jonathan. We were glad to see Makwi here today for the first meeting. I believe it is the first time we have seen him in church at all.

            After the first meeting, I had choir practice with the school kids. Then we had our dinner and nap. During the second meeting, the school choir sang John 1:12,13. Then Daddy preached on the second set of seven plagues - the seven trumpets. There was a lot to think about, and the preaching was long. Daddy was going to save part of it for tomorrow; but people wanted to stay and hear the whole message. We just need to be careful that people don’t decide they want to get saved just because they are afraid of what may happen to them if they are left behind.

            When the second meeting was over, I did more work in Connie’s room until I got the bed all cleared off. Then I put the other double mattress on the bed under her mattress and put the single mattress on top so they don’t take up extra space in the room. There is more cleaning to do, but maybe I will have some time the next few days to do a little here and there.

            “Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.” Luke 8:39

January 1, 2013. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

            We didn’t need to be concerned about Daniel after all. It was apparently a matter of miscommunication. Daniel didn’t think it was right to get baptized so soon so that’s why he talked about waiting a couple weeks.

            After Daniel left here Sunday evening, he ran into Amos outside and talked with Amos for a while. He asked Amos, “Is it okay for a person to get baptized right after he is saved?” Amos said, “Sure, that’s the Bible way.”

           Yesterday evening, Albert came to talk to Daddy. He had been saved when Ed Keithley was here and seemed to correctly understand the plan of salvation. However, he thought that he could lose his salvation. He felt that if he has unconfessed sin in his life when he dies or when the Lord comes back, the Lord would not receive him into heaven. Praise the Lord for helping Daddy to correct the erroneous thinking and bring him to assurance of salvation.

           The Lord gave us another good day today. We praise Him for giving us good weather during the meetings. The first order of business this morning was to wash clothes. It was about 8:00 when I finished hanging them out. After relaxing a few minutes, I did more cleaning and organizing in Connie’s room. Most of Connie’s things now are in a drum. No more room for the rest of her things.

            People were very late this morning for the meetings. There wasn’t a soul around for a long time. Finally enough people came so we could practice the choir number. It was after 10:00 before the meeting started. We praise God for many more visitors today. Maita was here from Oxorotoba. Erisapet’s mother was here, and even Marava was here. Also quite a few others whose names I don’t know.

            Daniel gave his testimony, and it was very moving. First of all, he thanked God for saving him. Secondly he thanked the church for praying for him, and also all individuals who prayed for him in their homes. Third, he thanked the church for maintaining a strong testimony. And last, but not least, he thanked his wife for her quiet, godly testimony and her prayers. I think the thing that really touched the hearts of the GIBC church members was to see evidence that their patient endurance through trials and persecution is bearing fruit.

            Daddy preached a long message in the first meeting, but he felt it was important to use the message to present the plan of salvation to those who were visiting. This morning he covered the third set of seven plagues. It was 12:30 when the meeting ended.

            Afterward, I practiced with the school choir. I had thought they knew the song well, but we hadn’t practiced it since Saturday. I guess I took too much for granted.   Today they were getting mixed up with the timing. I thought they had it okay after we practiced, but when they sang during the meeting, they kept going way ahead of the music on the last line of the song. They sang “God With Us” to the tune of “O Come, All Ye Faithful.”

            While I was practicing, Daddy went out and got the clothes in. I had planned to do that after we ate, but he wanted to help in case it rained. We only had time for a short nap today before the second meeting, and he felt quite tired and weak when the second meeting started. But the Lord graciously gave him extra strength, and he preached well. Taught about the millennial kingdom this afternoon.

            After the meeting, he met with the candidates for baptism to be sure they understood about baptism. While he was doing that, Amos and Mata and Matthew met in here with Romi. Praise God that Romi was saved today! I have been praying for her for some time. The first baby born (into God’s family) in this new year!

            With the death of Martin, we did not hear of any of the former ungodly New Year events taking place this year.

            “47And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. 48And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.” Luke 8:47,48

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Sickness, Sadness, and Special Meetings

1/11/2013

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December 29. We praise the Lord for a fairly dry day after a lot of rain last night. We think it must have rained almost all night. Every time I woke up, I heard rain falling.

            People came on time for lotu this morning. Mike was here early, and he was in charge of the meeting. He did a good job teaching on the work of the Holy Spirit, using material from the soul-winning classes. It seemed that he had spent time preparing.

            After prayer meeting, we had choir practice - just went over the songs they’ll be singing during the meetings, and particularly the one they will be singing tomorrow morning. I had a really hard time playing this morning. I just felt hot and weak like I hadn’t eaten. It was all I could do to concentrate on what I was playing and where they were at in the music, and I kept making lots of mistakes. I just kept praying for the Lord to help me think clearly. I went over a couple of songs with the school choir too and had an even harder time so only covered two of the songs that they will be singing. Then I went and had something else to eat and sat and relaxed in the recliner for a while. Checked more of Revelation while I was resting as that needed to be finished today so I can print copies out this evening to hand out tomorrow. They are in the process of being printed now. I just had to change one of the black ink cartridges.

            After I relaxed a while, I found a couple pieces of plywood to put around the keyboard so kids won’t be sitting up against it during the meetings. Daddy nailed them down as soon as he had a chance. I also had Daddy cut up some pumpkin for me to cook for lunch. After I got that peeled and cut up, I set to work making bread as I had finished up my bread yesterday. Started the pumpkin cooking, and when it was about done, I put the spaghetti on to warm.

            We had a very welcome nap. When I got up, I put the bread in the oven to cook, and then I finished checking over Revelation. While the computer was working on sending Christy and Connie the e-mails that didn’t send yesterday, I made corrections in the Revelation file.

            I was thankful there weren’t very many dishes this evening. I was able to start right away on printing as soon as the generator was started, but then that project got interrupted so we could talk to Penina, Tomas, Eric, and Phinehas about Penina’s health. She still has days when she does not feel well at all. When Daddy goes to the doctor, he will check on the cost of a thorough blood test for her. Sounds like Phinehas was wondering what to do for himself too.

            “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” Luke 8:15

December 30. Praise the Lord for a good day. The Lord gave us a dry day, and the weather did not seem to be too hot. It is much cooler in the meeting room with the two guest room walls gone and an extra window to open.

            The day started with pancakes and quiet time. Then there was the bed to be made, clothes to fold, Revelation booklets to be stapled, and the meeting room floor to sweep.

            The church group held a meeting early this morning somewhere down in the village. We couldn’t hear them today so they must have been farther away than last time. The school choir sang John 1:12,13. We didn’t hear who did the preaching.

            About 8:30 or so this morning, we started hearing wailing down at the ward. In a short time, we found out that Martin (Parexe) had died. He was probably only in his late thirties. We do not know if he was truly saved or not. It is a sad time for the family             A good group of people still came to the meetings today. Only a couple of our members did not come. Maro’s mother wasn’t here too, but they said she is sick. Quite a few came early so we could practice the choir number ahead of time.

            Around 9:30, Amos started the song service. About 10:00, the choir sang their number. I thank the Lord for His help in playing this morning. I am entirely dependent on Him to help me play well, and to be able to play and listen at the same time so I know where the choir is at in the song and when the song ends. I get nervous and also easily distracted with a lot of people around and especially with little children moving around.

            Then Daddy preached the first meeting on signs of the last days. It was about 11:45 when he finished. We thank the Lord for giving him the strength to preach too. It was all so interesting that nobody seemed to notice how long the preaching went. Nobody responded to the invitation, but afterward Daniel asked for copies of the tracts on salvation, repentance, and faith. We were thankful to see Daniel and Gibson here for both meetings.

            After the meeting, I practiced with the school choir so they would be ready to sing during the second meeting. I am glad we did the hardest song first - “When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder.”   It didn’t seem to be too hard for the students to sing, but it was the hardest one for me to play. I really had to concentrate hard.

            After we practiced, Daddy and I had our dinner and then a nap. It was 2:00 before we woke up - time for the second meeting to start. We got up and got ourselves ready. Daddy hollered out for someone to hit the bell. About 2:20, Mike started the singing. Then the school choir sang before Daddy preached on the rapture. He preached for about an hour, looking at a number of Scripture references. I noticed the Bible school men taking notes in both meetings.

            We had originally planned to have choir practice this evening, but everybody has gone to cry with Martin’s family. We will just practice before each meeting, whatever number they will be singing. It is actually a blessing to be able to relax this evening, we have been on the go so much.

            After everybody left, I reorganized the cassettes and CD’s that had been taken off the shelf when they were tearing down the guest room and doing pounding on the other side of the wall. Then I relaxed in the recliner and started planning phonics/reading lessons for next week when we start school again.

            Not too many dishes this evening, so I used the dish water to wash the floor after the dishes were done.

            “And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.” Luke 8:21

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Lewis and Judy Young

Hello!

Thank you for visiting our site. If you would like a copy of our latest newsletter, you will find it in PDF format below the flag. Also, check out our Facebook page Owena Opporty. Enjoy and God bless!

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Owena Saints to
Pray For

Apekio and Family
Apekio is full of joy over her salvation. Her husband, Daniel, was also recently saved. Praise the Lord! Please continue to pray for Apekio's children to be saved.

Devit and Family
Devit and Silvia have often ben an encouragement to Dad and Mom. Thank God for this and pray that they will remain strong in the Lord.

Doesn't Erik look very happy about his salvation?

Erik and Family
Please continue to pray for Erik and his family.

Matyu A
Matyu A was recently saved. Pray that he will grow in the Lord and become a strong servant for Jesus.

Matyu Y
Matyu Y was also recently saved. Pray that he will grow and be a good testimony for the Lord.

Erisa
Erisa is a young Christian with many questions. Thank God for her enquiring heart. And please pray for her to have a clear understanding of spiritual things and a steady growth in the Lord. Also, please pray for her husband, Anevina, to be right with the Lord and to be a leader in the home.