Day Seven

Our day started with good news that our regular driver U K was back behind the wheel. The driver we had yesterday was just about as “goofy” as they come. He backed into another car – of course he had the flat which was not his fault but he was only two blocks away from us when he had the flat and did not walk down and tell us – then he could not get back into the parking area (which is up a hill and very small) at the hotel. When we saw U K we knew the day was going to be better! It was – we made it to Crown Bakery as they were opened and each of us had a pretty good breakfast (Connie had toast but for her that is a pretty good breakfast!) Then on to the teaching – Mitch and I got to hear some of the teaching that Connie and Cindy did with the children before we went over to the hall to teach. WOW!!!!! They had almost 70 children eating out of their hands as they had all of them for awhile – ages 3 to 12 together!! What we heard just made Mitch and I excited – those kids are soaking it up and the two ladies are really working hard. It was hot today and Connie who never sweats – yes even she sweated!!! Mitch and I then went on to the hall and Mitch gave a great lesson on Shadrach – Meshach – Abednego. He is a very good teacher and I knew that – what I did not know is that he can preach with the best of them!!!! Then we talked about the Lord’s Supper and many other issues such as one church – we had 5 people there who were from 4 different denominations – and they started asking questions about the Lord’s Supper and about one church – we went that way for about an hour and a half – then we had to stop and they all stated they would be back tomorrow for more of this “teaching”! Also in the audience today was three of the new converts – the other two were there at the night sessions. After the session we made it to the Crown Bakery for our “lupper” - we feel so fortunate if we can get one meal a day – today we had two – it was wonderful. The restaurant at the Kona Lodge is just not very good – it is tolerable but they only have one or two things and that gets old five days in a row when it is the only meal you get. We are trying to get to Crown Bakery early in the morning and then in between sessions – we need the energy. The night session again brought out a full house – we discussed the spiritual nature of the church – the church at Corinth – Worldliness No. 5 which dealt with sexual immorality (a major issue over here and of course back in the states) and that Satan wants to kill the church at Priscilla Street by having division in it and people calling themselves after a man. Then questions and answers! A good night session. We just cannot get enough to drink - we are going through a lot of water – it is so important not to get dehydrated and we are really watching out that all of us drink enough. So far so good but we are like “waterholics” ! The four of us are really working well together – we are letting the ladies give us some feedback so we can adjust – Mitch and I are feeding off of each other and thinking as one in the heat of the question and answer sessions – for those who have been a part of the work here in Freetown you know how important that is! God is good! All the time! Today was not an exception!

Day Six

What a day! Toast and peanut butter to start. Our driver did not show up for work. The replacement driver did not know how to get to Priscilla Street and got lost! It was “Red Day” which meant it was a day for all the supporters of the present president to wear red and shout and blow whistles and pile on top of anything that moved and go up and down the streets yelling and screaming and playing loud music and act crazy! We finally arrived at Priscilla Street (I might as well of driven – I knew the way better than the driver did!) Connie and Cindy started the teaching of the children and I taught a short class of 15 minutes to the older children before going over to the hall for the adult teaching. Connie and Cindy continue to mesmerize the children as they teach them new things from the Bible. Also, they are teaching the teachers new things about the Bible. You know what is amazing? The children are soaking it in and remembering the things being taught – they even come to Mitch and I and tell us what they have learned – to all who helped to send the ladies over here – thank you!!!! Mitch and I spent almost 4 hours in intense question and answer session about who is a true Christian – the work of an evangelist – the work of an elder – how to remove the divisive brother or sister – how to show brotherly love – and on and on – we did not plan to do this but we had such a great group of hearts in the study we decided to let the questions determine our study – it was one of the best studies that I have been a part of over here in S L. During our study of who is a true Christian – a young man by the name of Johnathan Samura wanted to be baptized – Christian and Theophilus knew him and Christian and Taejohn took him and baptized him. At the end of the studies we were ready to go get something to eat – however we did not have a driver – he had a flat tire and was about 45 minutes late in getting to us –then there was so much confusion due to the political rallies that it was best for us to try and get back to the hotel – then the political rallye was growing and all were going to the national stadium (which Priscilla Street is only about 1 mile from) so the president could speak to them. Christian and Theophilus thought it best that we did not come back to Priscilla Street tonight due to the political rally. On our way back to the hotel we were amazed at how many people were out for the rally – when we got back to the hotel we were very hungry – all we had eaten was a piece of toast – that was 9 hours prior! The restaurant did not have very much food – so we ordered a type of chicken that when it came it was so spicy hot that Mitch could not eat it – Connie did not want it – Cindy and I ate part of it – so we had another piece of toast and portion of French fries! Tomorrow there is no political rally – back to our normal schedule – YEA!!!! What a day! Yet, God is good! All the time! Today was another example of His goodness!

Day Five

Today started with a very quick breakfast of toast and Mitch and Cindy had some scrambled eggs – Connie had something called “Vevetta’ – I had toast!!!! That was at 7:15 am – we ate again at 3:45 pm in between our sessions – we ate a pizza at Crown Bakery. Then we went quickly to the African market and saw my friend Mohammed who fixed up Connie – Cindy – Mitch with some things to bring home – they did the choosing – I did the negotiation – it went well – then on to Priscilla Street tonight for the session. Connie and Cindy taught the school children in two different settings – 3 yrs to 5 yrs of which they had about 50 of those – then about 25 or so of the 8 years to 12 year olds. The children are really taking to the teaching of Connie and Cindy – when they went down to start teaching the younger children about 8:30 am I had about a 20 minute class with older ones before we left for the hall to start our teaching session. The day progressed quickly and we adjusted our lessons to meet needs of the folks here. We decided to have them not pass out the question cards until after our lessons. That helped the quality of the questions and moved our studies on so we could address the needs. During the night session we had a young lady who came to the day session come tonight. Her name is Mary Dorcus Marion – she was interested and talked with Christian – then she was baptized! So far the baptismal pool has been used for four burials and resurrections – to God be the glory! Connie and Cindy are troopers! They have had to adjust to many different things and they just keep moving forward. Mitch is a seasoned warrior! He laid down a lesson on the church at Colossae tonight and applied it to Priscilla Street – he was bold and powerful and they got what he was saying. Tomorrow – we do it all over again! God is good! All the time! Today was not an exception!

Day Four

Today was a great day! We had a very quick breakfast and then off to Priscilla Street for Bible Study and worship. We had separate studies for the men – ladies and children. Connie and Cindy taught the ladies and children – they had a packed house – 42 children in the children’s class and several ladies in the ladies class. I taught the men’s class on church finances and the ladies were taught how to teach children – a great period of studies. Mitch spoke during worship on “Heaven and why I want to go there” – it was a very uplifting sermon. We sung from the song books sent over by the congregation at Greenwood – it was a very uplifting service – when the invitation was extended a young lady by the name of Facema came forward wanting to be baptized. Also, a young came forward who had just returned from training in India expressing the need for prayers for those in India who were not members of the Lord’s body – his statement was touching. Brother Abraham baptized the young lady and brother TaeJohn prayed for those in India. It was very uplifting to hear the congregation singing some traditional African hymns after the young lady was baptized – but they first sung – I have decided to follow Jesus. What a great service – by the way there were 112 people there – 70 adults and 42 children – the children absolutely love Connie and Cindy! As usual all the studying and preparation that was done before we came is helpful – but Mitch and I will be adjusting our lessons to meet some needed teaching on subjects that have been brought up. This is okay and we will do what we can to address these much needed subjects. Tomorrow the long days and nights of teaching start – we will leave at 8 am Connie and Cindy start at 8:30 am with the children’s classes at the school. Mitch and I start at Jarwlee Lewis Hall at 9:30 am. We will break somewhere around 3 pm or so and then start again at 5:30 pm and go until about 8:30 pm or so. This will be the schedule until we leave except for next Saturday which will be 9:30 am until about 5:30 pm and of course the normal service time next Sunday. God is good! All the time! Today – not an exception!

Day Three

A long day but a great day! We started out with just a quick breakfast of toast and a scrambled egg (Connie just had toast). Then to Priscilla Street for 3 and one half hour of teaching and answering questions on eldership. Then the men went up the street to Jarwlee Lewis Hall for their study. The ladies stayed at Priscilla Street for their study. The ladies did a great job of teaching according to Mary and Mabel and other ladies. Mitch and I never were able to get into our planned lessons – we had three non-members and one – Solomon who had been at the evening studies because of seeing the teaching of our DVD’s on TV had numerous questions and all the men then had questions about one baptism – Holy Spirit – one body, etc. For about three and a half hours we studied these things. Then all of a sudden Solomon asks “do you delay baptism?” Our answer was “no”. Well, folks he was ready to be baptized and we immediately moved to Priscilla Street to baptize him. We had to interrupt Connie who was in the last lesson – she understood of course – then Sarah who is 16 also stated she wanted to be baptized came forward. Christian took their confession of Christ and baptized them into Christ in the repaired baptistery at Priscilla Street – it was a glad day! We then came back to the hotel and cleaned up and ate at 7:30 PM – approximately 12 hours from our egg and toast. We were all very hungry – also Mitch and I ran out of water and when they brought us some I immediately recognized that it was water we learned from a previous trip to avoid. So we were very thirsty when we returned also. Tomorrow we look forward to worshipping with the brethren at Priscilla Street. Cindy and Connie will be conducting classes for children and ladies in the Bible Study hour while I will teach men about church finances. Mitch will present the sermon on Eternity and Heaven. It was a great day! God is good! All the time! Today was not an exception!

Day Two in Freetown

When we went to bed on Thursday night it was raining. Today was hot and humid! We tried to go to the African market and Crown Bakery but both were closed for a Muslim holiday. The Muslim believe this is the day that Abraham offered Isaac on the alter – think about that and try to figure it out! We did have the opportunity to take Connie, Cindy and Mitch out to the Lighthouse where we normally stay. Even on this holiday where traffic was very light it took another 35 minutes from the Kona Lodge which is 20 minutes in good traffic from Priscilla Street where we are teaching. The roads are all falling apart and for the third year in a row they are suppose to be under construction with help from the Chinese – well the Chinese must be watching their investments elsewhere because they certainly are not present here assisting in road improvement. Tonight we had another full house with some in extra chairs and a few younger ones sitting on the floor. Solomon was back – the Catholic that talked with Cindy last night. We took a Bible for him tonight and had Cindy give it to him – he was so excited. He talked with Christian and myself before the studies – we see him struggling as he is hearing truth for the first time and it is pricking his heart. Mitch had some real good conversations with some of the brethren before the studies concerning elders. Theophilus and I talked about the issues in Makeni and the need to have a congregation in eastern Freetown. Connie and Cindy have to adjust their teaching plans and they do not start teaching until tomorrow! Mitch taught about the church in Rome and how it could not have been the Catholic Church – he presented the material very well – he has quickly earned their respect as a teacher! I presented lesson 2 in the worldliness series – then we answered question after question – we answered all their questions before we stopped! Tomorrow the real work begins – we will start teaching at 9:30 AM and should be finished around 6 or 6:30 PM tomorrow evening depending on the questions. We ask for your prayers – the Lord has blessed us with packed houses so far and they are willing to be taught! God is good! All the time! Today is no exception!

Saafe Arrival!

We finally arrived in Sierra Leone about 5:00 pm Sierra Leone time Wed. evening. We had delays from Indy – meaning we had only 10 minutes to catch the London plane in of course a gate 20 minutes away. We walked with a great pace and barely made – Mitch was there but had also been delayed. Then we were held up on the tarmac for 40 minutes – this put us late arriving in London. Then we caught a bus to another terminal – back through tight security with only one checking lane open – we all made it okay except that terrorist looking guy from Arizona. They held Mitch up for 45 minutes. We made the flight to Freetown as they were ready to shut the door. Then the fiasco through the Lungi airport is just unexplainable. However, someone donated some old busses to them and instead of walking 100 feet to the terminal you now get the benefit of driving about a half mile out of your way packed like sardines with no air conditioning. We finally got to the Kona Lodge at 10:00 P.M. With 11 pieces of luggage (5 bags of song books and one bag of Bibles and one bag of equipment) we were surprised all the bags made it to Sierra Leone and equally surprised when two bags did not make it across the water on the water taxi. The two bags of course were Connie’s and Cindy’s bags. Well about an hour later they made it across. Our first teaching was tonight – I spoke on “What is worldliness?” Mitch spoke on “The church at Jerusalem”. We had many questions from the full house – The ladies did a great job of meeting the people and getting familiar with the conditions. They will start their teaching on Saturday with a 5 hour session. Already they are making an impression. Cindy helped Solomon – a Catholic who came because he saw us teaching on T V but did not have a Bible find scriptures. He asked some good questions and stated he will be back. We sung out of the song books the congregation at Greenwood sent over. The first song sung – “O worship the King”. Mitch was a natural – he fit right in answering questions and you would think he had been teaching in S L for years. With the ladies and Mitch – I am so excited as they are fitting right in. We went to Crown Bakery and had pizza today – all liked it. Tomorrow night – three more hours of teaching – then we will go to 10 and 11 hour days! God is good! All the time! Today – was not an exception!

Fall 2012 Trip Preview

Tomorrow afternoon (Tuesday 10/23) will be the time for departure for another trip to teach the gospel to our friends in the Freetown, Sierra Leone, West Africa area. Cindy Hill, Connie Niemeier, Mitch Johnson and myself will meet up in Chicago and fly to Freetown via London. We will arrive in Freetown Lord willing on Wednesday afternoon around 4:50 P.M. Sierra Leone time. This trip is going to be another historical trip in the work in the Freetown area. It will be the first time that two ladies have made the trip to teach ladies and children. Cindy and Connie will have about 48 hours of public teaching time during this trip not counting some private teaching opportunities that always come up. They have prepared 325 story boards for the teachers to use in teaching children. They will have about 5 hours a day of teaching in a school consisting of ages 6 through 12. Each Saturday they will have 5 hour classes for the ladies. Mitch and I will be teaching daily from 9:30 A.M. until 3:30 P.M. Then we will have a two hour break and conduct a three hour session each night at the Priscilla Street congregation. We each will have a lesson each night and have an open question and answer period. Then on each Saturday morning we will be having a three hour class on elders and then a five hour men’s class (while the ladies are having their class) on various subject centered on “Searching for Happiness”. We could not be making this trip if it was not for the support of many of you as individuals and the congregations you attend. Please pray for us that we will do the work the Lord has presented us with in a way that will be pleasing to Him. Also, check the blog routinely as we plan on posting a blog each day that we can – providing the internet service will allow us to do so. I want to thank John Smith for being our blog coordinator for us. God is good! All the time! And this trip will not be an exception!