Day 14

GOD IS GOOD! ALL THE TIME! Today was not an exception! After a very short night of rest the four of us had our final breakfast together and then off to teach. Upon our arrival a young man was introduced to us by the name of Moses – Moses had been at our studies the whole week – it is very difficult for us to remember all the names but we know the faces and Moses’ face was very familiar. We had some discussion with Moses and then we had Theophilis talk with him. After a few minutes and right before Dan Barker’s lesson Moses was off to be baptized. Also, there was an older man who has been studying with us and I apologize but I have forgotten his name – he talked with Theopolis and he too went to be baptized. GOD IS GOOD! ALL THE TIME! Today was not an exception!

Dan and Dan gave the first two lessons of the day and their last on this trip and then they were off to the airport. Both did a remarkable job presenting their lessons and controlling their emotions. They were hugged by everyone and right before they left the four of us huddled up and I must admit some tears were shed – why? The four of us have been through some things that have bonded us in ways that will remain with us for the rest of our lives. In the 14 days we were together there was never any issue between the four of us – we were focused on what we were here to do and the obstacles Satan was putting in front of us and we worked together to overcome those obstacles. Jimmy and I certainly miss them and they only left us 9 hours ago.

What a 9 hours it has been though. Jimmy taught next about Mixed Religion and drove home point after point of many things that Satan has confused these people with. He used scripture after scripture to address these issues – he spoke about 50 minutes and had some questions he had to deal with also. I then spoke and addressed the issues of institutionalism and the lack of authority for these things. We are using a blackboard and chalk to illustrate our points - I for one long to use a whiteboard and marker when I get back to Greenwood to draw some of our illustrations because they have really been effective.

At the end of my lesson the questions started and they kept coming and we kept answering – I would take the ones on institutionalism – Jimmy would take the ones on proper giving and fund raising – question after question – answer after answer – more questions – more answers – the audience was even asking each other questions in an orderly manner and we found some of the audience giving answers to the ones who had asked them the questions. How long you ask! Jimmy and I held session for three hours!

Theopolis took the microphone at the end of the session – had the people to sit down – now remember we have about 7 or 8 congregations represented from those started by the institutional folks years ago and many of them have some of those teachings imbedded in them – now Theopolis has the microphone and he starts by putting Para-church on the board and starts in using our diagram to show how the “things they used to do – they need not do them anymore”. Now folks this is HUGE! They are learning about the proper way to do the work of the Lord’s church and they are having the hearts to change!!!! Oh that more of us in the USA could have these hearts. Stay tuned for more exciting news along this line.

Tonight after a short rest of about an hour (in which we had to prepare for tomorrow’s teaching that will be about 8 hours total) we headed to the largest congregation still in existence from the institutional persuasion. Tengbeh Town is the name of the congregation – the national director of the World Bible School is a member there – in today’s study we used WBS as an example of an unscriptural work of the church. We had to walk down a very steep hill to get to their building. Jimmy and I both spoke and then answered questions. It was a good experience and quite an opportunity to be able to speak there. They are practicing some things they need to stop and at least we got started on addressing these. Tomorrow our 8 hours of teaching will be at Tengbeh Town.

Here is another reason we decided not to go to Makeni – this will be number three on our list of reasons for not going. The Lord has opened such a door for us into the congregations that have been practicing some things they have no authority for (set up by institutional persuasion) that we could not justify leaving them without spending more time with them. Jimmy and I are already booked until our plane leaves with studies with newborn babes and with those of the institutional persuasion. If we had taken off to Makeni without addressing the issues with these two groups we would have nothing but chaos upon the return of the next ones to teach.

In closing of today’s blog I want to say that one of the major issues that we have faced on this trip has been the disappointment of individuals we have trusted in the past. It is amazing how hard Satan works at tearing up things sometimes. Yet, when Satan tears down – God opens other doors and He has certainly provided open doors on this trip. When we get home you might want to pull up a chair – grab an iced tea or coffee and sit and listen – it will take awhile (somewhat like my blogs) to explain but it will make you appreciate Paul’s statement in II Timothy 4:10 more than ever.
GOD IS GOOD! ALL THE TIME! Today was not an exception!