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.