Praise the Lord for better health than yesterday. Our allergies sufferers feel much relieved and we are thankful. Susan felt well enough to brave coming with us today and praise God for that! (See Susie Q.'s post!) Leila and Emily continue with diligent daily preparations for VBS. And praise God that John Paul was able to set up our sound system.
VBS Today
Praise God for 100 children today! We have older children too (though 2 were problematic), and some mothers who also sit in on the program!! John Paul taught on John 4, with John 4:14 as the memory verse. Praise God for answered prayers! The bible study worked through the theologically dense material in such a way that the main points were not lost on the children... rather, it was simple, compassionate and paved the way for a gospel presentation (which we try to do every day). The children are so responsive. They continue to amaze us with their answers to the bible study questions. Susan and Emily led singing today. In addition to all the songs we have sung thus far, we taught a new song today: The B-I-B-L-E. Leila leads crafts everyday and led the children through the coloured beads gospel bracelet activity. Albert, John and John Paul led some hilarious games with the children outdoors.
After VBS
Unfortunately there were no homes to visit for this evening. The children have been asked to ask their parents for our permission to visit. It is wonderful that the children practically pull our arms from every angle to show us that they dearly want us to come visit them, but we stressed that we need parental permission and many of them ran off realizing they did not have permission.
So this afternoon, we took up the Director of the Cultural Center's offer to visit the Sevan Island/Peninsula, where there is a very old church on a very high hill that dates from about 700 AD. The water surrounding the peninsula (water on one side of the island receded forming the peninsula) is beautiful. The director, his wife, their son (Garen) and their young daughter toured us through this beautiful site. We climbed until we reached the church and beheld the beauty of it and the view before us. Then we descended to the beach. Some of us (John and myself) decided that we could not resist the lake even though we did not bring proper attire. =)
Then Susan and I and John, Leila, Garen and David - went out on paddle boats onto the lake while the rest of the team enjoyed the beach and apparently, some lively discussion. It was lovely.The ride home was filled with very edifying conversation. When we arrived home at the seminary we were very sad to say goodbye to our translator, dear friend and sister in Christ, Rose - who is leaving for home in a nearby country. God bless her.
Team Meeting
Today was a very challenging team meeting. In light of the fact that we have discovered that the local church leadership did not prepare the list of homes to visit as per the original plan, we are brainstorming and praying for ways to get into homes. Susan suggested that we send out an official note asking children to show it to their parents, with a short explanation of what we have been doing at VBS, why we are here - and opportunities to indicate convenient times for visit. We are going to make those and send them out tomorrow.
It has been very challenging, discussing and praying about the long term follow-up of this church plant, how best to reach whole families, what events we should hold. A lot of wisdom from God is required. We have prepared so hard, sacrificed and risked much with employers, jobs etc. to be here, and we are just trusting God with all of this.
We were told by Charley Warner, in effect, that they sent "the best team" to the most "problematic" church plant. So much grace, love and trust in the Lord have been needed in many ways. And yet we delight in what God is doing. We will praise the Lord!
Lastly, we practiced a skit for tomorrow, for my bible study on Zaccheus - Luke 19. I love the team skits. I think they are fun and visually aid the children. =)
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