December 31. The last day of December and the last day of the year 2012. Could even be the last day of our lives on this earth.
Daniel came last night to talk to Daddy about salvation. He was here a long time. He wanted to make sure he understood everything clearly which is good. After Daddy dealt with him a long time, he acknowledged that he was a sinner and put his faith in Christ.
It was a blessing to hear Daniel’s testimony of his wife. He said that Apekio always used to point out his sin to him and tell him he needed to straighten his life and go to church. After she got saved, however, she never said anything to him anymore about his sin or about going to church. She just prayed for him. He said that made him feel ashamed. He knew she prayed for him. He praised her for being a godly woman, and said that her testimony played a big part in helping him to come to Christ. He also said that the testimony of the other church members had a big impact. He could see that they were real, that their lives were truly different, and they weren’t afraid of man or afraid to serve the Lord in the face of persecution. He said that people hate the people of GIBC. See Luke 6:22,23; John 15:18-21, and I John 3:13. We praise the Lord that the church has this testimony.
Because I had been awake a long time, I got up early this morning, right after Daddy did. Warmed up our pancakes for breakfast, ate, and had quiet time. Then I worked on cleaning up Connie’s room. Emptied some of her boxes of clothes and put them into the last drum. Started hanging up give-away clothes in the closet.
It was late today before anybody came to practice for choir. Apekio was the first to come. Most everyone had been up most of the night crying with Martin’s family. It was going on 10:00 when there were finally enough here to practice the choir number. They sang “Husat Bai I Tokim Ol” (Who Will Tell Them?) today, to the tune of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”. Once again I thank the Lord for his help.
Daddy’s preaching this morning was on the first of the three sets of seven plagues - the seven seals. There was a good crowd here today. A number of folks came from Marivo, including Jonathan. We were glad to see Makwi here today for the first meeting. I believe it is the first time we have seen him in church at all.
After the first meeting, I had choir practice with the school kids. Then we had our dinner and nap. During the second meeting, the school choir sang John 1:12,13. Then Daddy preached on the second set of seven plagues - the seven trumpets. There was a lot to think about, and the preaching was long. Daddy was going to save part of it for tomorrow; but people wanted to stay and hear the whole message. We just need to be careful that people don’t decide they want to get saved just because they are afraid of what may happen to them if they are left behind.
When the second meeting was over, I did more work in Connie’s room until I got the bed all cleared off. Then I put the other double mattress on the bed under her mattress and put the single mattress on top so they don’t take up extra space in the room. There is more cleaning to do, but maybe I will have some time the next few days to do a little here and there.
“Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.” Luke 8:39
January 1, 2013. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
We didn’t need to be concerned about Daniel after all. It was apparently a matter of miscommunication. Daniel didn’t think it was right to get baptized so soon so that’s why he talked about waiting a couple weeks.
After Daniel left here Sunday evening, he ran into Amos outside and talked with Amos for a while. He asked Amos, “Is it okay for a person to get baptized right after he is saved?” Amos said, “Sure, that’s the Bible way.”
Yesterday evening, Albert came to talk to Daddy. He had been saved when Ed Keithley was here and seemed to correctly understand the plan of salvation. However, he thought that he could lose his salvation. He felt that if he has unconfessed sin in his life when he dies or when the Lord comes back, the Lord would not receive him into heaven. Praise the Lord for helping Daddy to correct the erroneous thinking and bring him to assurance of salvation.
The Lord gave us another good day today. We praise Him for giving us good weather during the meetings. The first order of business this morning was to wash clothes. It was about 8:00 when I finished hanging them out. After relaxing a few minutes, I did more cleaning and organizing in Connie’s room. Most of Connie’s things now are in a drum. No more room for the rest of her things.
People were very late this morning for the meetings. There wasn’t a soul around for a long time. Finally enough people came so we could practice the choir number. It was after 10:00 before the meeting started. We praise God for many more visitors today. Maita was here from Oxorotoba. Erisapet’s mother was here, and even Marava was here. Also quite a few others whose names I don’t know.
Daniel gave his testimony, and it was very moving. First of all, he thanked God for saving him. Secondly he thanked the church for praying for him, and also all individuals who prayed for him in their homes. Third, he thanked the church for maintaining a strong testimony. And last, but not least, he thanked his wife for her quiet, godly testimony and her prayers. I think the thing that really touched the hearts of the GIBC church members was to see evidence that their patient endurance through trials and persecution is bearing fruit.
Daddy preached a long message in the first meeting, but he felt it was important to use the message to present the plan of salvation to those who were visiting. This morning he covered the third set of seven plagues. It was 12:30 when the meeting ended.
Afterward, I practiced with the school choir. I had thought they knew the song well, but we hadn’t practiced it since Saturday. I guess I took too much for granted. Today they were getting mixed up with the timing. I thought they had it okay after we practiced, but when they sang during the meeting, they kept going way ahead of the music on the last line of the song. They sang “God With Us” to the tune of “O Come, All Ye Faithful.”
While I was practicing, Daddy went out and got the clothes in. I had planned to do that after we ate, but he wanted to help in case it rained. We only had time for a short nap today before the second meeting, and he felt quite tired and weak when the second meeting started. But the Lord graciously gave him extra strength, and he preached well. Taught about the millennial kingdom this afternoon.
After the meeting, he met with the candidates for baptism to be sure they understood about baptism. While he was doing that, Amos and Mata and Matthew met in here with Romi. Praise God that Romi was saved today! I have been praying for her for some time. The first baby born (into God’s family) in this new year!
With the death of Martin, we did not hear of any of the former ungodly New Year events taking place this year.
“47And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. 48And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.” Luke 8:47,48