The journal notes were short this time, so I just made one post. Some special praises and prayer requests are in bold. Thanks so much for remembering Mom and Dad in prayer.
September 20. A little bit of sunshine today, but mostly cloudy. A little bit of rain this afternoon. MAF was able to get in today so they came and picked up the CARE team.
We were up early this morning and did laundry before lotu. Mike was gone somewhere this morning so Matthew brought a short message from Romans 12:1,2 before prayer time. There weren’t very many people here, but now it is peanut planting time again so a lot of people are down at the river.
After lotu, we hung clothes, and I enjoyed the sunshine which came and went throughout the morning. I think I spent most of my computer time today working on e-mails.
This evening, Matthew was here with five or six of the school students, trying to teach them how to help with translation into the Owena language. He is trying to get the school students more involved in ministering in the church so that is a blessing. He wants them to help lead singing too and teach new songs to the congregation.
“Thus was all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation finished: and the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they.” Exodus 39:32 They finished the work, and did all according to the LORD’s commandment.
September 21. Praise the Lord for His goodness and help today. It was a blessing to see a good number out for lotu. The meeting this morning was quite long, but the preaching was good. Matthew covered II Corinthians 13:1-5. It was interesting that verse five came up at this time, and surely seemed to be of the Lord. Matthew encouraged our people today to examine themselves. Solomon had given Matthew a book (can’t remember what it’s called) which has the story of John Wesley and how he preached for years but was never saved. Matthew shared that story, as well as Daddy’s story of serving many years as a missionary and not being saved, and the story of Dan P’s wife. It was after 12:00 when he finished preaching. Please pray for David. We pray that the Lord will encourage him (David) and help him to grow stronger in the Lord through all that has happened.
I wrote a couple short e-mails today, but most of my computer time was spent working on the next soul-winning lesson which will probably be needed next Sunday evening.
Not much sun again today, and the Lord sent us just a few drops of rain.
“42According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work. 43And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.” Exodus 39:42,43
September 22 and 23. An afternoon shower, but the Lord sent mostly sunshine today.
Back to school again after a week holiday. We spent more time singing at the beginning of Bible class since Matthew wants the students to start teaching more songs in lotu. Phinehas led one of the songs and did fine.
Matthew is here again this evening trying to teach others how to help with translation into Owena.
“Thus did Moses: according to all that the LORD commanded him, so did he.” Exodus 40:16
A little sunshine, a little rain, a lot of clouds.
Today Sosthenes, Graham, Esau, and Dallas each had a turn leading a song in school so they can practice for teaching some new songs in lotu.
September 24. Amos was sick this morning so Matthew preached in lotu. His text was Romans 8:5-9, and he compared those who walk in the flesh with those who walk in the Spirit.
I was thankful that we could start classes before 8:30 as we had some catching up to do in their phonics and reading workbooks. We actually spent about 1 3/4 hour in that class so ended up starting math class a bit late and going overtime in that class too. The last class, English, had a short lesson so they were only a few minutes late getting out of school.
“1Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: 2Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.” Jude 1,2
September 25. We finished our Bible lesson in Bible class this morning, having covered John 5:16-30. We talked today about the two resurrections and what it will be like for those who come forth unto the resurrection of life as well as what it will be like for those who come forth unto the resurrection of damnation. It was very sobering as we considered the need of the lost and our responsibility to warn them of coming judgment and show them the way of life. The students had some good questions at the end of the lesson.
In their last class today, while they finished coloring their pages in their science books, Bethuel and Steve counted the money that they had earned during the school year. I encouraged them to tithe on their profits before we use any of the money so we figured out 10% of the total profits. Then Graham and Sosthenes counted out the tithe money and we set that aside. They had time after that to start deciding what they want Daddy to get for gifts for their parents for the end of the school year. They spent a long time talking, but didn’t come to any conclusions so they are supposed to think things over and let us know their decision by tomorrow, or by Monday at the latest. This will be Daddy’s last trip to town before the end of the school year so whatever is needed for closing program day, Daddy will have to buy now.
I wanted to wash my hair this afternoon, but the weather had become too cool and rainy. Cooked up the last broccoli this evening, along with some onions. Made a pie crust and put in the rest of the little tomatoes Yerontse had brought to us a couple weeks ago, part of the broccoli and onions, and the leftover chicken ‘n’ rice. Popped that into the oven and there was our supper. We had to make sure we finished eating by 6:00 as Wilson was to come earlier for Bible school this evening. Then later, when Matthew comes to teach some of the young people how to do translation into Owena, Wilson can join them.
“Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” Revelation 1:3
September 26. We were thankful for a little more sunshine and warmth today. It has been raining this afternoon and evening.
After school, Esau remade the table out by the clothesline that we use for drying peanuts and things. All the supports were rotten. Bethuel made a bridge across the ditch to the airstrip. There was lots of work to grade today so that took a good part of the afternoon.