Today was the last day of the first small term of school. It was family day. After lotu the parents came to school to see and hear what the children have been learning. We had a program planned for the parents. Each child had a special part, and there were also things that the whole class participated in. Jonas said the school motto in tokples, Frina in English. Sosthenes said the school verse. Everyone sang the school verse. Then the other verses they have learned were quoted by Rebecca, Manila, Graham, and Bethuel, and sung by all. We also sang the other two Bible songs the class has been learning — B-A-I-B-E-L and God I Wokim Olgeta Samting (God Made All Things). They had a Bible quiz, sang the alphabet in tokples, spelled tokples words, said they add families (they did a bad job on that today). Then Stephanas said one of the monologues they had learned in English. Ephraim said the other one. And Jocelyn and Bonita said the dialog. After that I gave out the report cards. Then we had refreshments. After refreshments, the students were dismissed and I talked with the parents for a while.
We were able to have an earlier lunch today. After nap, there was packing to do. Also straightened up the schoolroom a bit and straightened up around the yard a bit. Daddy and I went out and picked a ripe pineapple.
After supper, I put today’s pictures and videos into files and did computer backups.
"I will be their God, and they shall be my people." 2Corinthians 6:16
What a sweet title: "My people!" What a cheering revelation: "Their God!" How much of meaning is couched in those two words, "My people!" Here is speciality. The whole world is God's; the heaven, even the heaven of heavens is the Lord's, and He reigneth among the children of men; but of those whom He hath chosen, whom He hath purchased to Himself, He saith what He saith not of others—"My people" In this word there is the idea of proprietorship. In a special manner the "Lord's portion is His people; Jacob is the lot of His inheritance." All the nations upon earth are His; the whole world is in His power; yet are His people, His chosen, more especially His possession; for He has done more for them than others; He has bought them with His blood; He has brought them nigh to Himself; He has set His great heart upon them; He has loved them with an everlasting love, a love which many waters cannot quench, and which the revolutions of time shall never suffice in the least degree to diminish. Dear friends, can you, by faith, see yourselves in that number? Can you look up to heaven and say, "My Lord and my God: mine by that sweet relationship which entitles me to call Thee Father; mine by that hallowed fellowship which I delight to hold with Thee when Thou art pleased to manifest Thyself unto me as Thou dost not unto the world?" Canst thou read the Book of Inspiration, and find there the indentures of thy salvation? Canst thou read thy title writ in precious blood? Canst thou, by humble faith, lay hold of Jesus' garments, and say, "My Christ"? If thou canst, then God saith of thee, and of others like thee, "My people;" for, if God be your God, and Christ your Christ, the Lord has a special, peculiar favour to you; you are the object of His choice, accepted in His beloved Son. —Morning and Evening
May 6. Praise the Lord for a safe trip to town today. And for the availability of a vehicle while we are here.
Got up before 6:00 this morning to finish packing and get things weighed up. As I was sitting in the recliner eating my breakfast and having quiet time, I looked down and saw a scorpion crawling right toward me. It didn’t take me long to get out of the chair and stomp on it quite soundly.
Around 9:15 we headed up to the airstrip. Heard the plane go over as we were on our way up. NTM plane was going to Aziana first, then would come back to pick us up. They arrived in Owena around 10:20, and we arrived in Goroka around 11:00 or so. Waited a while at the hangar to pay our bill and then get a ride over to CRMF.
After getting settled in a bit, we went up to the Post Office. Had a couple parcels from C & C, as well as some other mail. Then to SVS for meat pies for lunch. Did a little shopping there. Then went to Bintangor for a few things. Stopped at the ATM machine to get some cash for shopping. Then to Papindo’s before coming back to the flat. Put away the food. Opened the packages. Read the mail. So thankful for the “Thinking of You” note that came in the mail from the ladies at Maranatha Baptist in Virginia, and another that was in one of the boxes. It was from the ladies at Independent Baptist in Honolulu. How good God is to give us some extra encouragement when needed!
After that, I lay down for a nap. Slept a little while, but felt hot and sweaty and dirty. Finally got up and took a shower. Must have gotten sunburned while sitting at the airstrip, waiting for the plane, as my face was quite red. Felt better after the shower.
Just finished supper a bit ago and came to the computer. Then the power went out. We thought it might go out, as it had been going off, then coming back on. Also there are black storm clouds in the south. We are thankful that the power just came back on again.
"We dwell in Him." 1John 4:13
Do you want a house for your soul? Do you ask, "What is the purchase?" It is something less than proud human nature will like to give. It is without money and without price. Ah! you would like to pay a respectable rent! You would love to do something to win Christ? Then you cannot have the house, for it is "without price." Will you take my Master's house on a lease for all eternity, with nothing to pay for it, nothing but the ground-rent of loving and serving Him for ever? Will you take Jesus and "dwell in Him?" See, this house is furnished with all you want, it is filled with riches more than you will spend as long as you live. Here you can have intimate communion with Christ and feast on His love; here are tables well-stored with food for you to live on for ever; in it, when weary, you can find rest with Jesus; and from it you can look out and see heaven itself. Will you have the house? Ah! if you are houseless, you will say, "I should like to have the house; but may I have it?" Yes; there is the key—the key is, "Come to Jesus." "But," you say, "I am too shabby for such a house." Never mind; there are garments inside. If you feel guilty and condemned, come; and though the house is too good for you, Christ will make you good enough for the house by-and-by. He will wash you and cleanse you, and you will yet be able to sing, "We dwell in Him." Believer: thrice happy art thou to have such a dwelling-place! Greatly privileged thou art, for thou hast a "strong habitation" in which thou art ever safe. And "dwelling in Him," thou hast not only a perfect and secure house, but an everlasting one. When this world shall have melted like a dream, our house shall live, and stand more imperishable than marble, more solid than granite, self-existent as God, for it is God Himself—"We dwell in Him." —Morning and Evening
“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” 2 Corinthians 5:1
What a blessing! My Bible reading for this evening was along the same theme as the devotional.
Below are a couple of videos of the children reciting for their parents. To view, just right click and then click "Open in New Tab" or "Open in New Window." It may work just to click on it; that may start it automatically.
schoolday1.mov |
schoolday2.mov |