SIERRA LEONE UPDATE
November 15, 2011
The pace of our work has slowed since the end of the lectureship. Jack Smith and I met with a number of young men at the Priscilla Street building. We talked with them about Bible study methods. They seemed very eager to learn. Ken Craig and Dan Byers stayed at the hotel. Dan met with John Kabul of the Wellington congregation and Ken studied with one of our waiters from the hotel. Later that evening Ken made his “The Big Picture of the Bible” to a small audience consisting of our driver Sheiku, Stella (Miss Sierra Leone) who we met through our driver and another friend that he brought with him.
On Sunday Ken Craig and I preached at Wellington . Ken presented a very brief summary of his material. I used the first sermon in my Remnant Series entitled “Many Are Called, Few Are Chosen.” Dan Byers and Jack Smith went to Priscilla Street where Dan taught the Bible class on John 4 and Jack preached on the subject of “Giving Glory to God.” After the services Ken departed for the airport and his return home. The rest of us returned to the hotel and enjoyed a day of rest.
Yesterday after a restful morning we went to the Crown Bakery for a respite from the food that we have been eating at the hotel. We enjoyed a pizza! We returned to the Priscilla Street building for a meeting from 5:00 – 8:00PM. The three of us presented Ken’s “The Big Picture” presentation using his PowerPoint slides that if he left with us. We had approximately 25 in attendance for this session which was held for those who were unable to attend the day lectures last week due to their work schedules.
Today we have a private Bible study scheduled for this afternoon. We are having another meeting at Priscilla Street tonight at 5:00 PM. We will be repeating other lecture topics for the benefit of those who were unable to attend the day sessions.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Week One
It is Saturday morning and we have completed our week of teaching at Pricilla Street . We had four lessons each day with periods of questions and answers. The lessons have been well attended with as many as eleven different denominations in attendance. Ken Craig presented a series of lessons on The Big Picture of the Bible. These lessons concentrated on the Theme of the Bible and how God provided redemption for us. Mike presented a series of lessons on the Remnant. These lessons focused on the people who have served God through out time and how this turns out being the few. Mike’s lessons encouraged Christians to remain faithful to God and not depend on men or numbers. Jack Presented a series of lessons on Misconceptions. Dan presented lessons on Romans 12 and Spirits. At the end of the lessons we received some very good questions that showed that the audience was listening.
After the General Sessions we conducted classes for the ladies. Subjects covered in these lessons included instruction on living as Christian ladies and mothers. We also had classes with the ladies about teaching children.
There were two baptisms on the last day of lectures at Pricilla Street . We have been able to set up several individual Bible studies for today and tomorrow. One of the scheduled studies is with Miss Sierra Leone who we met through our driver.
Since I started the report we have had a 10:00 study and been to the ocean for a baptism. Kyrian had attended our studies at Pricilla Street and had some follow up questions which we discussed resulting in his being baptized into Christ.
After the General Sessions we conducted classes for the ladies. Subjects covered in these lessons included instruction on living as Christian ladies and mothers. We also had classes with the ladies about teaching children.
There were two baptisms on the last day of lectures at Pricilla Street . We have been able to set up several individual Bible studies for today and tomorrow. One of the scheduled studies is with Miss Sierra Leone who we met through our driver.
Since I started the report we have had a 10:00 study and been to the ocean for a baptism. Kyrian had attended our studies at Pricilla Street and had some follow up questions which we discussed resulting in his being baptized into Christ.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Update by Mike Grushon
SIERRA LEONE REPORT November 8, 2011
Submitted by Mike Grushon
We have had difficulty accessing the internet since our arrival on Thursday, November 4th. We spent most of Friday resting from the journey and meeting together to plan our work together. Friday evening we met with the Priscilla Street church for their Friday night prayer meeting.
On Saturday we met with a group from Priscilla Street . The group was primarily composed of some of the men who are trying to develop their preaching and teaching abilities. Several sisters from the congregation also attended these sessions.
On the Lord’s Day, Ken Craig and Mike Grushon attended the services at Priscilla Street . Ken taught the Bible Study class presenting a lesson on evangelism. Mike Grushon preached a sermon on the work of the local church. Daniel Byers and Jack Smith met with the Wellington church and Daniel preached a sermon on assumptions made by David when he decided that he would build a house for God.
Monday through Friday of this week will be spent in a lectureship at the Priscilla Street church. Monday’s schedule was shortened slightly because Monday was a national holiday in Sierra Leone . The brethren were concerned about the members making their way home through the people who were celebrating the holiday so we only held four sessions instead of the six sessions that we will hold Tuesday through Friday. The lectureship features three daily themes. Mike Grushon is presenting a series of lessons on “The Remnant”, Jack Smith is presenting a series of lessons about common “Misconceptions” in the religious world, and Ken Craig is presenting his series on evangelism entitled “The Big Picture of the Bible.” In addition to these series, Daniel Byers is presenting a variety of individual lectures on subjects requested by the brethren at Priscilla Street . An additional feature of this lectureship is that there is an additional two hour session daily for the women. One hour of the women’s session is devoted to helping them to grow in their service for the Lord and the other hour is devoted to giving them ideas to help them develop as teachers.
The weather has been hot and humid. The day sessions are very demanding. The church building has ceiling fans but it is still uncomfortable in the afternoon. During the first two days we had visitors from approximately nine different denominational groups and four other congregations of the Lord’s church. After the lessons we spent time answering questions submitted by the audience. It is certainly encouraging to see brothers and sisters sit through multiple lessons and then rather than immediately leaving sit patiently while we discuss the dozens of questions that they have asked.
We are looking forward to the remaining days of the Lectureship. Please remember us in your prayers.
Submitted by Mike Grushon
We have had difficulty accessing the internet since our arrival on Thursday, November 4th. We spent most of Friday resting from the journey and meeting together to plan our work together. Friday evening we met with the Priscilla Street church for their Friday night prayer meeting.
On Saturday we met with a group from Priscilla Street . The group was primarily composed of some of the men who are trying to develop their preaching and teaching abilities. Several sisters from the congregation also attended these sessions.
On the Lord’s Day, Ken Craig and Mike Grushon attended the services at Priscilla Street . Ken taught the Bible Study class presenting a lesson on evangelism. Mike Grushon preached a sermon on the work of the local church. Daniel Byers and Jack Smith met with the Wellington church and Daniel preached a sermon on assumptions made by David when he decided that he would build a house for God.
Monday through Friday of this week will be spent in a lectureship at the Priscilla Street church. Monday’s schedule was shortened slightly because Monday was a national holiday in Sierra Leone . The brethren were concerned about the members making their way home through the people who were celebrating the holiday so we only held four sessions instead of the six sessions that we will hold Tuesday through Friday. The lectureship features three daily themes. Mike Grushon is presenting a series of lessons on “The Remnant”, Jack Smith is presenting a series of lessons about common “Misconceptions” in the religious world, and Ken Craig is presenting his series on evangelism entitled “The Big Picture of the Bible.” In addition to these series, Daniel Byers is presenting a variety of individual lectures on subjects requested by the brethren at Priscilla Street . An additional feature of this lectureship is that there is an additional two hour session daily for the women. One hour of the women’s session is devoted to helping them to grow in their service for the Lord and the other hour is devoted to giving them ideas to help them develop as teachers.
The weather has been hot and humid. The day sessions are very demanding. The church building has ceiling fans but it is still uncomfortable in the afternoon. During the first two days we had visitors from approximately nine different denominational groups and four other congregations of the Lord’s church. After the lessons we spent time answering questions submitted by the audience. It is certainly encouraging to see brothers and sisters sit through multiple lessons and then rather than immediately leaving sit patiently while we discuss the dozens of questions that they have asked.
We are looking forward to the remaining days of the Lectureship. Please remember us in your prayers.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Latest from Freetown
**Dan sent this to me on Saturday, but I didn't have time to post it till this morning.
Today we went to the grocery and purched some supplies. When we got back from the grocery Christian and Theophlipus were here and we spent a good while with them discussion the work here. They are good men but are feeling burdoned with many things. They very much want the work to prosper according to the Bible and both of them expressed a great desire for this. This evening we went to Pricilla Street for a Prayer meeting which started on regular time (30 minutes late) which is on time for here. I spoke on Prayer and used Matt 6 as a text. We had good prayers for the work by brethern and sang songs of praise to God.
Tomorrow we will be studying with the teachers and preachers.
I believe that the evening meals are improved at the restaurant. Tonight Miss Sierra Leone was at the Hotel for a charity fund raiser so it was a big deal here.
John - Receiveed a note from Dan's Wife that there were two baptisms at Wellington and one at Priscilla Street. God is Good all the time. All the time God is Good!
Today we went to the grocery and purched some supplies. When we got back from the grocery Christian and Theophlipus were here and we spent a good while with them discussion the work here. They are good men but are feeling burdoned with many things. They very much want the work to prosper according to the Bible and both of them expressed a great desire for this. This evening we went to Pricilla Street for a Prayer meeting which started on regular time (30 minutes late) which is on time for here. I spoke on Prayer and used Matt 6 as a text. We had good prayers for the work by brethern and sang songs of praise to God.
Tomorrow we will be studying with the teachers and preachers.
I believe that the evening meals are improved at the restaurant. Tonight Miss Sierra Leone was at the Hotel for a charity fund raiser so it was a big deal here.
John - Receiveed a note from Dan's Wife that there were two baptisms at Wellington and one at Priscilla Street. God is Good all the time. All the time God is Good!
Friday, November 4, 2011
Byers & Company Arrive Safely
Dan Byers & Company has arrived safely. Here is a note Dan posted to my email:
We are safely in Freetown. No major travel problems. New water taxi is faster.
Internet is slower. Tonight we have a prayer meeting at Pricilla Street. Tomorrow we will be meeting with the preachers and have a class. Christian has started a Saturday study which we will teach.
Breakfast is the same but they have a new dinner menu. Clean this up before you post. Sorry for being soo short.
From Freetown
Dan Byers
We are safely in Freetown. No major travel problems. New water taxi is faster.
Internet is slower. Tonight we have a prayer meeting at Pricilla Street. Tomorrow we will be meeting with the preachers and have a class. Christian has started a Saturday study which we will teach.
Breakfast is the same but they have a new dinner menu. Clean this up before you post. Sorry for being soo short.
From Freetown
Dan Byers
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