October 16. .2 inches rain last night. Rained again this afternoon. Looks like rainy season is here. A beautiful rainbow late this afternoon. I wanted to get a picture, but couldn’t get it in view without going out in the rain. We thank the Lord for answered prayer. Our greatest desire, however, is for answered prayer in regards to the spiritual needs of the Owena people.
Even though there wasn’t much sunshine today, most of the clothes were dry by noon — before the rains came. We are thankful for that.
It was a somewhat frustrating day. About half the day, we had no water. I had to wait until late afternoon and early evening to do any cleaning because there was no water. I had to wait again in the middle of cleaning the bathroom because Wan came to replace the bamboo drain pipe that runs from under the house to the ditch out back. Had to keep the water off in the bathroom until he finished that. Finally finished cleaning the bathroom, including washing the floor. Then sat down a few minutes before getting supper.
Tomas and family brought firewood today. They got more than two dozen lollies for themselves and the kids who helped them carry the firewood.
Praise the Lord that Devit arrived safely back in Owena early this evening. Silvia went and met him on the mountain across the river and walked home with him. (He wasn’t able to come in on the plane because they had dangerous cargo and could not carry passengers with it.)
This morning, I made a casserole for dinner, using the leftover chicken and noodles and adding cheese and cracker crumbs. Also made banana bread with the over-ripe bananas.
Throughout the day, I worked on school lessons for this coming week. Spent some time finding a song for the new Bible verse. I’m thankful for the Lord’s help in finding just the right music for each Bible verse.
After supper, I did dishes. Then swept and washed the kitchen floor. I was glad to sit down most of the rest of the evening. Didn’t get to do any walking today. Will definitely have to fit that in tomorrow. Rebeka said she is having joint pains too. Showed me her right knee — it was very swollen.
“1To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. 4There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. 5God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.” Psalm 46:1-5
October 17. .4” rain again. And rained again this evening.
It was somewhat of a frustrating morning again. From around 6:30 this morning until we went to lotu, there was no water again. I makes it so hard to get things done. After getting breakfast, I was trying to get carrots and potatoes, onions and garlic ready to go in our stew for dinner today. I was feeling a bit down too, and lonely this morning. I am so thankful for the Lord’s longsuffering with His children. I wish I were more like Paul and could find it easier to rejoice in all circumstances.
It was an encouragement to talk with Christy and Connie today, even though there wasn’t a whole lot of news to pass amongst us. It was still a blessing to hear their voices.
Daddy started the messages today on “What Is Independent Baptist?” The folks from Marimari Baptist Church came too. I was glad to see Matyu there. Even Graham and Ephraim were there for part of the meeting. Hadn’t seen them in church for a while. In the first meeting, Daddy went over briefly each point in the acrostic — BAPTIS. In the second meeting, he covered the B — Baibel.
After the second meeting, Epekio came by to show me her crocheting and ask for help. I think I still didn’t tell her quite right. I haven’t done that kind of afghan for a while so couldn’t remember exactly how it goes. Kristina and children came by for a while too. Daniela wanted to come see toqo (grandma). She had to make sure her bigger brother (a couple years older than she) shook my hand too. She is a character, and a sweetheart too.
After they left, I had dinner. Daddy had already started eating when they came. Then we had nap. After nap, I washed my hair, cut up the other popo, had snack, and cut Daddy’s hair. Then I got material written on the chalkboard for school tomorrow before getting supper. After dishes, there was time to play keyboard. Then worked on school lessons in the computer.
"And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul." 1Samuel 27:1 The thought of David's heart at this time was a false thought, because he certainly had no ground for thinking that God's anointing him by Samuel was intended to be left as an empty unmeaning act. On no one occasion had the Lord deserted His servant; he had been placed in perilous positions very often, but not one instance had occurred in which divine interposition had not delivered him. The trials to which he had been exposed had been varied; they had not assumed one form only, but many—yet in every case He who sent the trial had also graciously ordained a way of escape. David could not put his finger upon any entry in his diary, and say of it, "Here is evidence that the Lord will forsake me," for the entire tenor of his past life proved the very reverse. He should have argued from what God had done for him, that God would be his defender still. But is it not just in the same way that we doubt God's help? Is it not mistrust without a cause? Have we ever had the shadow of a reason to doubt our Father's goodness? Have not His lovingkindnesses been marvellous? Has He once failed to justify our trust? Ah, no! our God has not left us at any time. We have had dark nights, but the star of love has shone forth amid the blackness; we have been in stern conflicts, but over our head He has held aloft the shield of our defence. We have gone through many trials, but never to our detriment, always to our advantage; and the conclusion from our past experience is, that He who has been with us in six troubles, will not forsake us in the seventh. What we have known of our faithful God, proves that He will keep us to the end. Let us not, then, reason contrary to evidence. How can we ever be so ungenerous as to doubt our God? Lord, throw down the Jezebel of our unbelief, and let the dogs devour it. —Morning and Evening
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“1To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. 2For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth. 3He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet. 4He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah. 5God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet. 6Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises. 7For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding. 8God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness. 9The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.” Psalm 47
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October 18. 1/4” rain last night. Daddy did first and second year Bible school back-to-back today as Devit wants to go to Okapa tomorrow to carry coffee. Said he has enough coffee to go the next four weeks. So they plan to have both first and second year classes on Monday for the next four weeks. He will get back by Thursday so will be here for Friday’s class. The Lord is blessing these people with a continuous coffee crop this year. We have never seen it like this. The coffee just keeps bearing and bearing. Oh, that the people would bless the Lord with their abundance!
Mostly it was a pretty quiet day. School went well. Manila is learning many new things.
“9We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple. 10According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness…. 14For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.” Psalm 48:9,10,14