Remember that Baptist we talked about two years ago? Not John the Baptist. Not a member of a Baptist convention. I mean the man named Baptist that was attacked in front of me for his faith in Christ. Pictures (from July 2009) are still on my blog.
In July, he and his family came to town for the first time for a customized week of study. I would have had a hard time taking a week “off” to host them, but I prayed and hoped that this would be a chance for my more advanced students to practice both teaching and hospitality.
My prayers were answered. Gabriel and Dorothy graciously kept them every night, even though they are not related at all. And a variety of our more mature Christians taught them. Here is the schedule:
Wednesday a.m.: Robert taught on Ephesians
Wednesday p.m.: Ephraim taught on how to study the Bible
Thursday a.m.: Wesley taught on the Great Commission
Thursday p.m.: Layne taught on Nehemiah, Joseph, and being made holy
Friday a.m.: Gabriel taught on discipline, Lord’s Supper
Friday p.m.: Susan taught women how to show love and I taught Baptist on covenants
Sunday a.m.: Joel taught on personal habits
Sunday p.m.: Chris taught on effective evangelism
Monday: Gabriel, Robert, and I did wrap up teachings.
Baptist’s wife Noris cried for joy a number of times during the week. Wendy, her sister, was baptized on Sunday. Baptist said he was greatly inspired, learning many new things, and feeling equipped for months of continued ministry. And those who taught them felt a new sense of how God could use them as a team for training other workers.
Other prayer requests follow:
- We are enjoying my parents’ visit! They’ll be flying out early next week.
- Marriages are still struggling, and with them their house churches: Robert and Dina, Henry and Gertrude, and others.
- Pray against discouragement in the churches.
- Pray for rapid multiplication of the kind of churches that God knows this region needs.
