This Past Week: from three to thirty. that was the story of the number of women attending this week’s lessons (and the men’s numbers weren’t much better). Between gardens, a vaccination campaign, and just general complacency attendance was so low that at the beginning of the week, we began doubting if anyone would come. Both Phil and I were very discouraged. We wondered to ourselves what we could be doing differently. Should we be visiting more? Should we be putting on more pressure? Should we pressing harder with our worldview questions? Etc. Etc. Then the Lord reminded both of us that it is HE that works and we are merely His instruments. Once again we found ourselves committing things anew to Him! Then miraculously, overnight, the women’s crowd in particular, went from three to thirty, just like that! Truly a “God” thing. We hadn’t done anything different than pray so it had nothing to do with us.
The lessons that comprised the transition from Old Testament to the New Testament were a bit challenging. They covered a lot of material and were difficult to make interesting. Lots of names and places had to be covered in short period of time. However, the main points were caught and the foundation further laid for the coming Redeemer!
Wednesday, was the first lessons introducing Jesus as God’s Son, the Deliverer! Since this is a controversial subject due to the prevailing religion in the area Phil spent extra time underlying the truths with examples and lots of explanation in order to convey the reality of who Christ is. Interestingly there was little outward controversy among those there. This is just the first introduction of these truths and they will be built upon over the next several weeks.
Thursday, John the Baptist made his appearance on the scene. A lot of time was spent going over what Zachariah says to John about the Redeemer/Deliverer and John’s job of going before and preparing the way. The fact that it was God speaking to Zachariah and not Zachariah voicing his own opinions helps to further solidify that this was/is GOD’S plan!
Pray that the truths that were taught this past week will continue to sink in and penetrate the darkness. Pray that God’s Spirit will continue to move in hearts and that people will be more faithful in coming to the teaching.
On a lighter note, the kids finished up their school year this past week. We are all happy for and ready for a short break before we dive into another year of studies! I (Elin) hope to use this month for language study. Lord willing my final language evaluation will be held in mid-July. Please pray that this time will be profitable for me and will provide good progress!
This next week the International Day of the Child is on Wednesday and it is a public holiday. It is the biggest holiday of the year in our area and we will not be teaching on that day. So, teaching will only be held 3 days this week covering the birth of Jesus and on through His younger years. This extra day off is convenient for Phil and Francois as on Thursday we will be having guests arrive for a couple of days of meetings related to the broader work that NTM is doing in South East Africa.
Pray for Phil and the others coming in for meetings. Pray that they will be able to accomplish much in a short period of time and that it won’t set the guys back too much in their preparations for teaching lessons.