December 29. Last evening, there were six of each translation team who came to work. Daniel’s team worked on translating Matyu. Matyu’s team worked on checking the Bridge of God tract. Daddy worked with Matyu’s group for a while, and I worked at the computer. Then I worked with the group while he took a break and checked up on the other team.
Some rain during the night last night. Periods of clouds and sunshine today. And more rain this afternoon, but not a lot. Daddy and I finished the checking of Mark this morning. Praise God for His help and guidance with that. This afternoon, we started rechecking Romans, and finished the first 20 verses of chapter 1.
After checking Mark, I did dishes, made the bed, and swept floors. Then I worked at the computer — got progress report up to date; corrections for Bridge of God — Owena language version; revisions for meri bung lessons. Daddy went to the radio and talked to someone at CRMF. Said that we have two packages there.
Warmed up leftovers for lunch. Had nap. Cut up popo, which we had for snack after we worked on Romans. Eris and Boni brought some greens, and raked grass. They each got a kina, and each bought a shirt and some lollies (candy).
Nobody worked on the house today. Most of them are involved in the games.
After snack, I played keyboard a while, then worked more on meri bung lessons. Did dishes again this evening. Washed up, and soaked foot. Foot doesn’t seem to hurt as much today. Seems like the boil is going down.
This evening we have the generator running so we can do printing. All the printing has to be done from the Acer. The Acer is not acting good though. Hope it holds out until we get a battery.
"Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." 1Samuel 7:12
The word "hitherto" seems like a hand pointing in the direction of the past. Twenty years or seventy, and yet, "hitherto the Lord hath helped!" Through poverty, through wealth, through sickness, through health, at home, abroad, on the land, on the sea, in honour, in dishonour, in perplexity, in joy, in trial, in triumph, in prayer, in temptation, "hitherto hath the Lord helped us!" We delight to look down a long avenue of trees. It is delightful to gaze from end to end of the long vista, a sort of verdant temple, with its branching pillars and its arches of leaves; even so look down the long aisles of your years, at the green boughs of mercy overhead, and the strong pillars of lovingkindness and faithfulness which bear up your joys. Are there no birds in yonder branches singing? Surely there must be many, and they all sing of mercy received "hitherto."
But the word also points forward. For when a man gets up to a certain mark and writes "hitherto," he is not yet at the end, there is still a distance to be traversed. More trials, more joys; more temptations, more triumphs; more prayers, more answers; more toils, more strength; more fights, more victories; and then come sickness, old age, disease, death. Is it over now? No! there is more yet - awakening in Jesus' likeness, thrones, harps, songs, psalms, white raiment, the face of Jesus, the society of saints, the glory of God, the fulness of eternity, the infinity of bliss. O be of good courage, believer, and with grateful confidence raise thy "Ebenezer," for --
He who hath helped thee hitherto
Will help thee all thy journey through.
When read in heaven's light how glorious and marvellous a prospect will thy "hitherto" unfold to thy grateful eye!
"Though all the world my choice deride,
Yet Jesus shall my portion be;
For I am pleased with none beside,
The fairest of the fair is He" —Morning and Evening
December 30. Heavy rain last night. Sounded like it was going to wash the world away. But we were still here this morning.
Started laundry around 7:00 this morning. We didn’t get a lot of sunshine or wind, however, so several items weren’t dry when we brought the clothes in after dinner.
Lotu at 9:00. Nuanda preached from Exodus 23:2. Not very many there this morning. Many of the men at the games.
After lotu, I fixed up greens for dinner, and got the rice started. It took quite a while to prepare the greens. While dinner was cooking, I worked on Bible school lessons, outline of Acts 12.
After nap, I finished up Acts 12. Was going to play the keyboard a while, but Nuanda was here talking to Daddy. Sat with them for a while. Then did up the dishes and fixed supper.
December 31. Last day of the month, and last day of the year. Thank the Lord for a nice morning, and for the rain this afternoon. Quite a heavy rain. Some water leaked into Connie’s room this time. One never knows where it’s going to come in.
After my prayer time this morning, I studied the youth lesson. Then I cleaned out window ledges and swept floors. Worked on future youth lessons. Cut up pumpkin for dinner and got dinner ready. This afternoon, Daddy and I rechecked the second chapter of Romans. Then I cut Daddy’s hair. Did the dishes. Played keyboard. Fixed supper.
HEAVEN
A robe of white, and pure delight,
With love and beauty ev’rywhere;
A crown of gold and joys untold
Are mine when I get there.
Eternal days, unending praise,
The Savior’s smile, His words, “well done!”
There is no night for God is light,
No need of moon or sun.
The battle done, the vict’ry won,
And heaven’s bliss enough reward,
My voice I’ll raise in endless praise
To Jesus Christ my Lord.