Before telling stories that I love, you should know that most of life here is routine, not much to write home about. So, don't think that this is how we spend all our time or that life is always exciting.
Today is Sabbath. It is the second week of my experiment to really accomplish something in church besides extending my church family's time spent sleeping. Before revealing the experiment, let me quote Ellen White.
"The people have had too much sermonizing; but have they been taught how to labor for those for whom Christ died? Has a line of labor been devised and placed before them in such a way that each has seen the necessity of taking part in the work?"--Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 431.
I heard this quote on my MP3 player while washing dishes lately; not that I listen too often. It is true, sermons are too soon forgotten and outreach is so important; both for the community and the members. Nobody learns a lesson better than the teacher. But to become a teacher requires a mentor.
The experiment: I, as 'pastor', am the mentor, training my church members to give bible studies. When they teach, they review the gospel and learn it better. The gospel is spread. Everyone feels useful and experiences the joy of working with God. Jesus understood this well. He sent the disciples out in pairs to 'the lost sheep of the house of Israel', those who would probably be most receptive. Also, the disciples would have the gospel implanted in their minds.
Last week's sermon was on the sending out of the disciples. Afterwards, friends were paired up. Each person was given a 20 lesson packet of bible studies. Each pair was asked to visit and offer a bible study to a friend or neighbor that would really enjoy having it. Excitement was high among the members and they left soon after services. "We" had about 4 or 5 bible studies that Sabbath afternoon last week. Carol and Nadia even shared a lesson with our next door neighbor, Evelyn. She is the wife of the chief of the Baptist Health Center of Lassin. She loved it.
Today, the 'sermon' was based solely on lesson 2 of the bible study series.
The sermon was used to familiarize each member with the lesson and topic.
Essentially, the members were being mentored on how to give this bible study later today. Members were all asked to look up the texts (now they can find the text). One would read it, and I would comment or elaborate minimally.
When we were finished, pairs were reestablished or new ones formed, and then sent out. Off we went like kids with money in our pockets being sent to the market for sweet yams (a local yummy 'fast' food).
I went with Roget and his new wife Blessing. We visited two of his cousins, Polycarp and Julius. They were happy to have a bible study with us. Roget asked me to lead out. I declined and said that I would support him. He led out in Nooni (local dialect) at first, then in English. (The easy way to speak in tongues is to have someone else speak). Opening and closing
prayers were given by Roget, then Polycarp. It was so exciting to think
that 4 bible studies were taking place simultaneously across town! Lunch
came last. After lunch, as I walked down the red dusty road to the church, I passed Carol, Evelyn, and Amygdaline sitting on low raphia stools on the red earth front porch of Evelyn's house having a bible study. The beaming smiles on each lady told the whole story. Passing the health center, I saw Emanuel. He smiled and we walked toward each other. He apologized for missing church today, but a medical emergency detained him. I asked him if he would like to teach the Sabbath school lesson from the quarterly within the next two weeks. He said that he had wanted to ask us if he could.
Again, the teacher will learn the most. Note: Emanuel speaks English well and has a quick mind. He is currently a Baptist. Our neighbor Divine gave him a shotgun bible study on the Sabbath, leaving him with many questions.
(3 point study: creation Sabbath, Exodus 20 Sabbath commandment, Jesus'
friends did not complete embalming Jesus on Friday, but kept the Sabbath according to the commandment, then went to the tomb on Sunday to complete their work). I decided to take a chance and show the Most Amazing Prophesy sermon on the Sabbath by Doug Bachelor to Emanuel. Note: Doug talks so fast that most people here have difficulty keeping up; no fault of Doug's. At the end of the sermon, after taking two pages of notes, Emanuel said, 'It answered all my questions.' Then he asked how he could share this discovery with his Baptist friends. Another note: last Sabbath, Emanuel teamed up with Divine and gave a bible study to two of their friends. (You are right, neither of them are members, but both of them have a wonderful love of bible study and the desire to spread the gospel in preparation for the soon coming of Jesus.)
Perhaps it is time to tell the story of my neighbor Divine. He operates a single counter convenience store across the street from our house. He sells soap, sugar, salt, cigarettes, 30 ml plastic packets of whisky, and other daily consumables. Between customers he steps out under his front porch to play killer cards with 2 to 10 fellows that hang out there most of the day and evening. Frankly, when we moved here, I did not care for the place. I had no idea who ran it, nor did I have interest. There was this one guy who tried to be friendly (nosey, I thought). He asked too many questions for my comfort. Many encounters later and none initiated by me, he told Carol that he wanted to ask me a question. The next day I responded. He said, "I hear that you go to people's homes and preach to them. Would you come to my home and preach to me?" He seemed genuinely interested and I agreed to meet him at his room / store that night at 8 PM. He asked me to show him the same sermons that I had been showing to others. So, once again, the It is Written, New Beginnings, 'metal man' study was shown again. He watched silently, eyes glued to the laptop screen. We sat behind the store counter, on his bed, laptop in front of us on his only chair. His small, single room of red mud brick was lit by the laptop screen and a kerosene lamp. In the dim light, I would periodically glance from the bible study to his never moving face; he kept all his questions until the end, not wanting to interrupt the presentation. Then the questions began coming one after another. "What if there was a guy who could not read, whose parents never told of him of Jesus. He lived his whole life and then died. Would he go to heaven?" Deep stuff, questions of eternal importance. The bible study had triggered his sense of the nearness of the return of Jesus and he wanted to be sure he was ready. 10 PM, 11. We had to call it enough for one day.
The next day he asked for a bible. I gave him one of the Bibles for Africa, and a 'Steps to Jesus'. He spent most of his days divided between playing cards and reading the bible. Note: I've seen his scores, he's good. He could not get enough of the bible though. We met about every other night for the New Beginnings series; usually ending about 10. It was clear that he needed more material to read during the day. I gave him the 20 lesson bible study set. Within a few days he announced that he had read it twice and was now beginning to fill in the questions. He has attended church with us for the last two weeks. It would have been 3, but he had to attend a funeral. He understands Sabbath pretty well. He does not appear to run his business; that's work. Now, after church he comes home and plays cards until his friends show up for the bible study. He missed the sermon on Sabbath observance. I need to provide a private lesson. Yes, I'll have him teaching the Sabbath school lesson before long.
Divine has arranged an empty room next door to his store. He invited me to host a private 'church' where we show New Beginnings 'films' at 1 PM on Sunday afternoons. The first week 6 showed up and 2 remained afterwards to ask questions; 'metal man' again. It's been about 2 guys plus Divine since then.
It's been about a month now since our first bible study. I have a real friend. He's a serious thinker and wants to be a pastor. He fits this
description: Acts 17:11 "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." God had to literally shove this guy in my face with a request for bible studies. I'm so glad He did.
What an incredible experience for both of us.
So., how are we doing otherwise? We're getting fat on pineapple, papaya, banana, and other great stuff; some of it sent by you! Thanks, but please no more packages, we'll be back to California before long; end of May. It took the last package two months to arrive, but oh how nice.
Thanks for your prayers. Each name in this note is worthy of your prayers- they are our family too.
Love, Steve & Carol
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