October 20. It was very warm all night, and Daddy did not start a fire this morning. I was glad he didn’t. The stove has been smoking a lot lately, and that makes it hard to breathe sometimes. It was warm all day today too. The Lord gave us blue skies again and lots of sunshine. It was a perfect day for the baptism. It is still warm this evening - 8:00 p.m.
The lotu bell ran at 5:40 again, but we didn’t get up until 6:00. After getting dressed, I got the pancakes made. Had breakfast and quiet time. Started making up a final exam for math.
The church folks were already down at Wanyapeq starting the outreach meeting when we got up. We could hear the young people singing and hear the men preaching. Some people came early for lotu, but the women were busy preparing food for the fellowship today. However, we still started fairly early. Mike led the singing. Then Matthew took over announcements. There were three specials - the school choir sang John 3:16; the young men sang “At Calvary”; and the youth choir sang “Jisas I Gutpela” (“Isn’t He Wonderful?”, which has five verses in Pidgin). Matthew really seemed to have his heart in the work and in the preaching today. His joy and enthusiasm was contagious. He preached today on II Corinthians 4:3-6. Afterward they had their fellowship dinner, and then went down to the creek for the baptism. They must have been down there about two hours – had a service down there. The youth choir sang a couple specials again. I sent the camera down with Phinehas so he could get some pictures.
I took a couple videos and several pictures during the meeting this morning and took a picture of the three baptism candidates after the meeting. Then Daddy and I had our dinner and nap. While we were eating, we talked about the need for getting a youth program started. They are hungry to learn, and now is the time to teach them. We just don’t know where to start, and neither of us have much time right now. But it is a great need so we are asking the Lord to show us just what we can do and to give us the strength to do it. David really has a heart for the youth and would probably make a good youth pastor. We also talked about putting David and Matthew before the church soon to be considered for ordination as pastors.
This afternoon, I finished up the math exam preparations and then worked on getting the monthly updates ready to send out. After that, I spent a little time until supper time seeing what we have on hand and what needs to be done yet for the drama for the school closing. This evening, Daddy sent out the e-mails while I did dishes. Then I got a couple more e-mails ready to go and did some printing that I need for math class this week. People are here this evening for soul-winning class.
“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” II Corinthians 7:1
October 21. Another very warm night, and no fire again this morning. I am always happy to have no fire. It was nice and sunny and warm again this morning, but the Lord sent clouds and rain this afternoon, with thunder and lightning too.
After breakfast and quiet time this morning, I had to get the classroom set up for school. I didn’t get a chance to do that last night because Daniel was here with his video machine trying out the “Jesus” film video he had bought. The copy he has is in several languages, including Pidgin. After getting the classroom ready, I had a few minutes to put the pictures Phinehas and I took yesterday into Kodak Easy Share. Got part of them edited and need to do the rest this evening.
In Bible class, we prayed and then sang Romans 10:9,10,13. Then we started memorizing I Corinthians 10:31 and sang that to the tune of “Everything’s All Right.” Did the first lesson on the practical applications from Daniel 1-3. Then we started talking about how these youth – Daniel, Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael – were able to stand strong in a heathen land without their parents, a church, and many other privileges that we take for granted.
We finished school early today - a little before 12:00. I thought about going through part of the drama again since we had a little time, but I was tired for some reason so told them they could go home early. Phinehas and Dallas stayed and practiced keyboard, and Daddy and I had lunch. Then the two boys left and we had our nap.
I was enjoying a nice nap, but was suddenly awakened by a loud clap of thunder. I needed to get up anyway and get things done. Finished grading papers and recording grades. That didn’t take long. Got things ready for school tomorrow. Then got things together for the students to work on props after classes tomorrow. Daddy also got the back put on the king’s throne today so now I need to find some material to cover it with.
After that, I went to the kitchen to make some cookies for Daddy. It was only 4:15 but was already dark because of the storm so I had to turn on the solar powered light. Decided on chocolate peanut butter brownies. Got those mixed up and put into the oven, and then it was time to fix supper. There were quite a few dishes tonight, but I was still able to get out of the kitchen by 6:30 so I was glad for that. Enjoyed listening to the Bible reading from Isaiah while I was working.
MAF twin otter came today and took out a load of Waisara’s coffee.
It is quite chilly this evening.
“1Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 3For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 4Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.” II Corinthians 8:1-5