March 4. A dry day today, but very cool and windy. Had a bit of time after breakfast and quiet time to write a couple more e-mails and try to send them. All the e-mails went out except for the one to Christy and Connie. Will try again this evening to get it sent. Also worked a while on February progress report.
The first meeting this morning was quite long. After the singing and Scripture reading, there were a number of announcements. Daddy tried to encourage the people to make sure that the things they hear and believe are based on the Word of God.
Sani Ari gave her testimony. Then Daddy preached a message on assurance of salvation. It was a good message, and I believe it was an encouragement and help to those who were here. During the second meeting, he finished up Romans 12, verses 17-21.
This afternoon, I worked more on the progress report. Also got material ready for school tomorrow.
This evening, people are here for soul-winning class.
“3Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: 4But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, 5In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; 6By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, 7By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; 9As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; 10As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” II Corinthians 6:3-10
March 5 & 6. I never realized until bedtime that I had forgotten to write in my journal yesterday evening. Let’s see if I remember yesterday’s events. For breakfast Monday morning, I warmed up Daddy’s pancakes. Didn’t have any extra pancakes for myself as Sunday I had finished up my leftovers from last week. So after I got Daddy’s breakfast ready, I made some lemon banana muffins for myself.
At 8:30, we started school. The children are learning Romans 4:21 this week, and we started on the story of God’s testing Abraham in Genesis 22. Started learning the letter “s” and syllables with “s” in English class. For lunch, we had sandwiches because I didn’t have any leftover veggies. Most of the afternoon was spent getting materials ready for class today. Also worked on the next soul-winning lesson. Had Daddy cut up the pumpkin for me, and I cooked that for supper. Added onions and egg to the leftover mashed potatoes, and also cooked some mushrooms to go with mine. And there are still leftover potatoes.
In the evening, I photo-copied a few papers and then finished up the soul-winning lesson.
This morning after breakfast, I made some granola and put it in the wood stove oven to toast — that with the oven door open because the oven gets way too hot and things burn. Even with the door open, I had to stir the granola every five minutes so it wouldn’t burn. We have been keeping the oven door open in the morning anyway, as that lets more heat into the room.
After quiet time, I was thankful to have a little time for walking. Then I colored the vowel tree which I had printed out, so that was ready to hang up when it was time to start school.
It was funny to watch the fathers today, trying to do the worksheets (coloring, cutting, gluing). The children were way ahead of them. Two of the fathers have been coming to English class — Bonita’s and Sosthenes’ dads, Amos and Matyu. During recess, Matyu was telling about the Aziana man who is staying at his house. This is the man’s first time here in Owena. He brought his wife to the health center. They were both somewhat scared about being here as they didn’t know anyone here so Matyu was happy to take care of them. He has been reading God’s Word with them and giving them literature and witnessing to them. It is a blessing to see these men taking whatever opportunities they can to witness. Tomas has been going to Gibson’s house recently and talking to him about repentance and salvation. Apparently Gibson realizes that he has never really been saved.
Sandwiches for our late lunch since the boys had Owena class today. After nap, I got things together for classes tomorrow (only two classes tomorrow because of lotu) and graded some papers. Then Daddy helped me put up the border on the fake window in our bedroom. My what a mess there was afterward from pounding the nails! There is so much dust in these bamboo walls. Whoever told us this was good bamboo and the bugs wouldn’t eat it was sadly mistaken. I am sorry we did not put pitpit on the inside of all the outside walls. Even if the rats do sometimes make their nests in there. I think I would rather have put up with that than with all this dust.
So when the pounding was done, the bedroom floor got swept, and then the kitchen floor before I started supper. Was getting tired of potatoes after three days in a row so fixed spaghetti tonight. We had uxai to go with it. That way we have something leftover for dinner tomorrow as well.
The weather has been very dry ever since we went to town. There has been a small amount of rain, but not enough for the ground to be wet. We wonder if this year will be another drought year, the way the weather is looking. It has been hot too — temperatures in the mid-nineties several days.
“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