Day 11

After yesterday we were very tired – especially Mitch and I. The ladies are holding up fine – however the men have been dealing a lot with some pretty heavy teaching and question and answer sessions pertaining to the eldership as well as spiritual gifts and church finances. We of course are here just to teach and the brethren at Priscilla Street asked us to teach on eldership and church finances among other subjects. We have been doing that and doing it in a teaching way – allowing many questions and answers and comments. For those who teach you know that this can be the most challenging and yet the most beneficial for the students if done right. During the teaching yesterday morning it was stated that there were some who had objections against the men whose names were submitted for elders. As a result of this I believe I mentioned in yesterday’s blog about Tejan removing his name as he was told he was not fully capable of being apt to teach. He is very capable of teaching – he stepped down to avoid any conflict in the congregation. As a result of two individuals stating they had scriptural objections we asked them to write them down so the remaining two candidates could respond to them. They did this but did not talk with the candidates – they gave those objections to Mitch and I myself – we immediately just handed them over to Christian and then to Theophilus. After a sleepless night by both of them and some very long conversations with their spouses they were looking at what they should do. In talking with them it was decided that at this time they might remove their names (even though the objections proved to be unfounded as we will explain later in this blog). We started today with just a piece of toast for most of the group – I had nothing as the S L revenge that had a hold of Mitch earlier now found a willing candidate in me during the night. However, I was able to go and teach the Bible Class and worship and I am so glad I was. The Bible Study period for the ladies and children was very profitable as we understand. The ladies have been teaching the children and the ladies that they should love one another – this is not something shown in S L. No one trusts anyone including their brothers and sisters in Christ. However, that is now changing – to God be the glory on that! The men’s class was on relationship and trust – with God – Christ – apostles teaching and with our brothers and sisters. We tied that in to church finances and how we should trust one another and the ones that are keeping the finances and one keeping the finances should be responsible to all for record keeping. I used our wonderful deacon at Greenwood – Jeff Hendricks as an example of how to do the job. The worship service was very emotional – Mitch did a great job with a lesson about Peter and his transformation to a great apostle. Three young folks – around 15 to 15 came forward – one was Christian Asgill’s son. One young lady and two young men – all having ties with the congregation at Priscilla Street – bringing the total to 9 baptisms on this trip and all but one had ties (knew someone) at Priscilla Street – the one that did not is a jewel so far – Solomon who came because of the DVD’s. What a great experience – BUT God was not done showing us His power as of yet. First, Christian came and stated for the sake of the congregation at this time he was removing his name from being considered for the eldership – he no sooner than sit down than here came Theophilus with a statement centered on the song “Angry Words” and stated he loved the Lord and the congregation at Priscilla Street and was removing his name. They both stated that after a period of time they would like to study the subject again and move forward with appointing elders. About the time we were going to have prayer for their good hearts one of the young brothers who had made the objections against them came up front and stated he needed to make a confession of sin – he stated that he had gotten angry and caught up in the movement of not having elders and he had sinned and actually had no scriptural objections against either one of the men! He had tears flowing down his cheeks. We then prayed for all of them. This subject of elders will come back up in a more peaceful way in the future because of the teaching done on this trip about love and taking in the whole context of the scriptures and that an elder is not a perfect man and he may have been a sinner many years ago but was now a man who could meet the qualifications. WHAT A SERVICE! Unfortunately for the other three who are able to eat the Crown Bakery is closed today – we stopped by the store for more water AGAIN! Then to the hotel and they ate French fries and rice – then it was time to rest and all need rest – we have more days of long teaching ahead of us – tomorrow 15 older students from a school will be coming to our teaching at the hall. Also, more teaching the children and there is one young man – Daniel – age 10 that has won the hearts of all three of us – his parents are Baptist and yet he comes to all our services by himself and has questions – he is one of the smartest 10 year olds we have ever met – must stop on him as tears flow when I think what he will go through in his life. God is good! All the time! Today was outstanding!!!!