"Oh, happy day!"

Yesterday, we faced the vocal opposition of a false teacher who attempted to hijack our meeting. Today, Jimmy Lee was stoned. Now, before anyone gets excited let me explain. Our day began with a trip to the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary outside of Freetown up in the mountains. Just as we were being warned to stay behind the netting, “Jimmy” the chimp checked a rock at our Jimmy hitting him in the chest. Yes, you read correctly the chimps name was “Jimmy” – couldn’t have been any better.

The ride up to Tacugama was literally UP. The roads, or at least I think it was a road, was little more than a dirt path up the side of a steep mountain – a path that showed the ravages of the summer rains (several summer rains). The car in which we were riding overheated and had to stop clogging the little path. Shortly after finally arriving at the top (via a different vehicle), two Americans from the US Embassy complained about the car stuck in the road making them walk the last ½ mile or so on foot. Glad it was them and not us.

The chimp compound was fascinating. They are attempting to rehabilitate some 90 or so chimps after having been cruelly treated as pets. It was a wonderful place – hot but wonderful.
Quietly and calmly, Steve began the teaching portion of our day teaching about the possibility of being deceived if we do not love the truth (2 Thes. 2:1-10). He and Jimmy did the teaching today and I participated in answering questions. I am grateful to these two brothers who gave an exhausted brother a breather.

I thought Steve and Jimmy shelled the corn yesterday. If so, folks they started on a new ear today! Jimmy delivered a powerful and pointed lesson on King Agrippa’s statement of being almost persuaded. He got in folks face; made the lesson so pointedly plan that no one could misunderstand their need to go all the way back to the authority of Jesus and seek His church and His church alone. Steve followed up with a lesson on whether or not one can be taught wrong and baptized right. Folks, I didn’t know Steve was capable of such powerful preaching. He challenged individuals – especially individuals who had been vocal in their opposition. He and Jimmy got right down to where folks were, addressed their specific situations and touched hearts.

At the conclusion of the lesson Joseph asked everyone in the audience to carefully examine their faith/baptism and act and act now if need be. It was a powerful call to action. He asked everyone who had not been baptized in water in the name of Jesus to stand. He personally and powerfully challenged each one to make a decision to commit to and follow Jesus through that watery grave.
Earlier in the day, they sang the song, “Jesus must be honored” as the keyboard was played. Steve pointed out the obvious contradiction in this song and how it was sung. Near the end of our teaching day, they sang the song, “Jesus must be honored” once again. This time, Joseph asked that the keyboard be silenced stating that if we are really going to honor Jesus then we must offer to Him the kind of music (worship) revealed through His will- the New Testament. When we sang without the accompaniment of the instrument, it was beautiful. Tears were streaming down the cheeks of all three of us. Those who were present sang with renewed vigor. The three of us had difficulty singing, not only because we did not know the words, but because we were fighting back tears. It appears that a breakthrough was made today. To God be the glory!

As we closed out our teaching day, we were thanked for bringing the un-perverted Gospel to Sierra Leone – a Gospel that they had never known. Folks were challenged to know and practice that Gospel. We were thanked for opening their eyes to truths that had for far too long been unknown by Sierra Leoneans. You guessed it – that started the tears flowing once again. We ended our classes with a rousing chorus of "All to Jesus I Surrender!." May many surrender to Jesus as the Lord and Master.

After our classes, several folks asked for copies of the notes to study further and for private studies if possible. Lord willing, the early morning hours next week will be spent in private/small group study.

On the way back to our hotel, we sang (and sang rather loudly with our two Sierra Leonean friends who accompanied us home), “Oh, happy day.” Yes, Lord, this has been a happy day.
We’re tired – exhausted might be a more accurate word, but what a sweet tiredness it is knowing that hearts were taught, souls challenged, men were made to think and convictions were beginning to change.

Tomorrow, I have been invited to preach in the church where Joseph preaches. What an honor! We will have our communion service among the three of us and take advantage of this opportunity to once again teach the un-perverted Gospel of Christ.