Saturday and Sunday updates

Please forgive the combining of these reports, but the reason for this will be made clear soon. Let me begin by saying it has been such a privilege for the three of us, John Smith, Jim Lee, and Jarrod Jacobs to be a part of this work of preaching the gospel in Sierra Leone. It has been a privilege afforded to us, and God's grace has truly seen us through these past several days. Saturday saw another morning session where the gospel was preached. The AM crowds are usually smaller than the PM, due to work schedules and the like in this country. However, this does not diminish the zeal and fervor these folks show for The Lord and for serving Him. What a blessing! Sunday saw a large crowd attend to worship God, and one more has been added to the Lord's kingdom this day! How wonderful to see #8 come and give his life to The Lord. In previous trips, there were more women than men be baptized, but this time the men are catching up, in that all 8 are young men. They are dedicated to growing in The Lord and serving Him in the days and years to come. What a blessing for us to witness how the gospel of Christ works in the hearts of folks still today when it is preached in its pure and simplest form (Rom. 1:16; Gal. 1:6-9). Now to the reason these updates are combined is because Jarrod's backpack was stolen yesterday. Someone came over and pulled it out of our vehicle when we were away from it yesterday afternoon. So, we had to spend most of Saturday afternoon and evening with the SL police, filling out forms, and explaining what happened and when. Many items were stolen, but the most pressing thing at the time is that Jarrod's passport was stolen. Thus, with our plane scheduled to leave on Monday (a holiday in SL) we are scrambling to do what is necessary to provide substitute identification (including a police report of the event). Thus, we ask you for prayers on his behalf that all can be remedied and Jarrod will be able to leave on the plane at the scheduled time. Brethren here say that this was an attack of satan because we have done such damage to his kingdom in these two weeks. we are so thankful that the God we serve is so much more powerful than Satan! Also, we ask for your prayers in general for a safe ride in the car to the boat, a safe boat trip to the airport, and a safe plane ride back to the States to our families and the brethren we love. In a way it is sad to leave our good brethren here that we have come to know, love, and respect in Freetown. However, we are excited for the return home. Please remember us as you pray.

Friday PM -- what a joy

Tonight saw a good crowd attending. Despite the Pentecostal's last couple nights attempt to drown out our preaching with their loud music and loud preaching, and their efforts to block Priscilla st from traffic, we have continued to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. Not sure why, but they were some quieter tonight. The road was still blocked when we tried to leave Priscilla st., though. Some of our questions last night and tonight reflected the fact that people had attended the Pentecostal event before seeing us. We were glad for their attendance, and glad to answer folks' questions from the Bible. This is something the Pentecostals could not do. New visitors were here tonight, and we pray they will return tomorrow morning and Sunday for more study. It is a privilege to be here, and it is an experience that we three will not forget. Please continue to pray for us in our work, and in the planned trip home very soon, by God's grace.

A seventh soul....

A seventh has now given his life to The Lord. In our AM classes, Willie Priddy surrendered to Jesus, believing on Him as the son of God, repenting of sin, confessing Christ before our number, and then was baptized for the remission of his sin (Jn 8:24; Lk. 13:3; Rom. 10:10; Mk. 16:16). How grateful we are to see yet another make this kind of commitment to the Lord. Please remember him in prayer as he now grows in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. How wonderful, that we were then able to sing together, "It was a glad day when I was born again." Just as the angels in Heaven rejoice, so we also rejoice on earth at the addition of a new brother in Christ. Please keep praying!! Pray also for those who are growing in The Lord. The questions asked before and after services are evident of searching and studying minds. Please remember this good group and their spiritual growth as you pray.

Thursday PM 3/28

We are so thankful for the grace of God that has given us this day to preach His Word. Tonight, there were no conversions as in the morning, but we did have visitors from the community (as this morning) who heard the truth of God. In fact, one man, Bass, who works at our motel, has attended twice with us since we have invited. He says he will come tomorrow PM after work again. He said that he was not used to going to church, but now he is getting used to it and likes it. What a thrill. We pray he will allow God's word to penetrate his will and he will obey the gospel soon. He seems like one who is very interested and he has asked us some good questions, both last night, and tonight on the way to services. Please continue to pray for Bass, Noah, and others who are not far from the kingdom. Pray for the speakers that we will have the heal, courage, and zeal to continue, and pray for the Priscilla st congregation that they will continue to stand firm as a beacon of God's light in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Another one won!!

Early today, we witnessed the birth of another precious soul into Christ. Brother Terrence Jones, who has been attending classes since we started, believed in Christ, repented of sins, confessed Christ before our number, and was baptized into Christ according to the New Testament pattern (Jn. 8:24; Lk. 13:3; Rom. 10:10; Mk. 16:16). We rejoice at this one who has left behind Catholicism to embrace the simplicity in Christ and just be a New Testament Christian. Please remember him, and the other new brethren in your prayers. How thankful I am to be a witness of the power of the gospel in the lives of the people of Sierra Leone (Rom. 1:16)!! Another session is coming up, please remember us in prayer as we travel and preach tonight.

Wednesday 3/27/2013

So thankful to God for another day upon planet earth, and another day to worship and teach the word of God to people. A bit of sad news in that our brother Jimmy got sick again tonight. He is better now, but his illness prevented him from preaching this evening at Priscilla st. This morning, all three men preached, though. There was good interest shown as folks asked questions before and after the sessions. Our new brother Jeromy continues to grow in The Lord and asks good questions. Another young man, Noah, visited with us in the early session and asked some good questions. Please remember him in prayer as he continues his search, and learns the truth. Pray he will return to our studies the rest of this week, Lord willing. Tonight, we were pleased that a man from the Kona Lodge, "Bass", agreed to our invitation and even rode with us from Kona to Priscilla st. On the ride home, Bass spoke of what he had learned tonight and asked several more Bible questions. About my favorite question was when he asked, "Why did Jesus have to die for sins when it was man who sinned?" We ask for your prayers on his behalf as we try to teach him the way of The Lord. Hope everyone is doing well. God bless you!

Tuesday 3/26

How thankful we are to God for another day to preach the gospel of Christ. In this morning's session, we answered questions at the beginning and at the end. 3 sermons were preached by John, Jimmy, and Jarrod, and then we came back this evening for more preaching. We are so thankful for God's providence and the opportunity to preach the truth (I Corinthians 3:6). We are also glad to be able to fulfill some of the brethren's requests for needed topics of study in Freetown. They are a blessing to be with. Good crowds have been in attendance, and what is impressive is to see the children who attend and who pay attention. Please continue to remember us and this work at Freetown in your daily prayers.

One more won!

It is with grateful hearts that we can announce one more added to the fold of God. We have a new brother Jeromy Kamara!! Jeromy visited some last week, and spoke with Jarrod about his interest in preaching the gospel. As they continued to talk, it was learned that he was a member of a denomination in Freetown. This was discussed together and they studied about the one true church, and the way one gets into the church (Acts 2:38). This evening, then, as services were concluding, Jeromy stepped up to make the good confession and be baptized for the remission of his sins. Let us praise and thank God for the power of the gospel (Rom. 1:16), and let us remember to pray for strength for our new brother Jeromy as he begins his life in the Lord.

2 more reasons to rejoice!!

Our AM session started on a great note, as 2 were baptized into Christ before the services began. Ibrahim and Kennet have been studying the truth for a few weeks and came this morning to be baptized into Christ for the remission of sins. Please pray for these young men as they begin their journey as Christians (I Peter 2:2; II Peter 3:18). Please continue to pray as we get ready for the PM services, and continue in the preaching of the gospel. Thank you for your support and caring.

Let us rejoice... 2 souls saved!!

The Priscilla st congregation met today to worship God (Jn. 4:24). During our services, 2 souls responded to the gospel message. Let us praise God and thank Him as these 2 yielded their lives and wills to the will of Christ. Please continue to pray for us as we continue to preach all this week, Lord willing.

Late Saturday Report

This day has been hard to get communication to the "outside". See, our internet was down until about 11 PM tonight. We are so thankful the Internet is back on and running. Jimmy was sick this AM, and that was unfortunate. Thanks be to God, though, he got better later in the day. While sick, he soldiered through and made it. We are having some good talks with some young boys who are showing an interest, but it is obvious that they need more training. We are so happy for the occasion to teach them. We left after only 2 speeches and about 45 min of Q&A (we have Q&A sessions after every session) because Jimmy was still feeling sick. Thankfully, he got better later. Lord willing, we will assemble with the saints at Priscilla street to worship God together. Please remember us in prayers. Also remember and obey John 4:24.

Friday in Sierra Leone

Today was an eventful day as we saw good crowds attend the AM classes. From small children, to the older folks, we sang praises to God, and studied from God's book. All 3 men, John, Jimmy, and Jarrod, participated in the preaching in the AM. We must have been tired, because when we returned to Kona Lodge after those services, all 3 men fell asleep and slept through the AC man repairing the AC in our room! We woke up to a cool room and no clue as to how or when it happened! The man who repaired it saw us downstairs and commented on that, too! we must have had a good sleep going! Many who attended in the AM stayed for the PM, and we learned 2 new songs in the evening service. Jarrod and Jimmy preached tonight and there was at least one Muslim who attended and heard the truth, as well as some others who are not Christians. We thank God for this opportunity, and pray they will return as they said that they would. Please continue to pray for us as we preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. Thank you for the prayers offered already.

Thursday's report.

Tonight was our first evening of studies. Brother John preached about evidences of Christ and brother Jimmy preached about being a worker for The Lord. The singing was very good and most heartfelt. It was amazing to see how though separated by miles, we really are united in Christ in mind, spirit, song, and practice. Afterward, questions and answers were submitted and then answered from the Bible by John, Jimmy, and Jarrod. Please continue to pray for us and for the furtherance of the gospel. Lord willing, tomorrow begins both day and night-time studies.

Many Thanks to the Sierra Leonean Brethren

John, Jimmy,and Jarrod were able to go into town today to get some water and other supplies for our room before preaching tonight. As we entered the city, we saw many large banners posted, and flyers on city walls, all advertising for the preaching that is to begin tonight. We wish to say thank you to those who worked hard to prepare for our arrival, and worked hard at inviting folks to this preaching. It is evident the brethren in Sierra Leone have worked, the Lord has brought us here safely, and now we must do our part (I Cor. 3:6). Please pray for us as we preach and for those who come, that they will have hearts ready to listen, learn, and obey.

Preaching Tonight ...

Come meet with us at 6:00pm for preaching from the book of God at Priscilla St.... Your prayers are most welcomed. John and Jimmy have gotten some rest now, and are ready to go! Jarrod is rested and will be carrying their water!! Thanks, and pray for us. (Jas. 5:6)

Over Air, Land, and Sea....

John, Jimmy, and Jarrod made it safely to the country of Sierra Leone about 8:00pm SL time. Have made it to the Kona Lodge and getting settled. Preaching begins tomorrow. Thanks to all for the prayers offered thus far. Please continue to pray for us as the work begins tomorrow.

Next Trip to Freetown Planned

Lord willing Jim Lee, Jarrod Jacobs and John Smith will leave March 19th for two weeks in Freetown, Sierra Leone. We will work with the Priscilla Street church of Christ holding a series of daytime classes and nightly services. An aggressive plan of work is planned and your prayers are needed. Please partner with Jim, Jarrod and John in this work by making this work a subject of prayer.