Church was great today, really enjoyable. We still had a lot to do this morning before church started by way of preparation and setting up, but by 9.30 we were ready to go. We all started in the chapel with the lay preachers’ service, and then after the preliminaries of worship, notices, offering etc, the kids left for Sunday School. We came to the Manse. There were 7 children, with two of the moms present, and then Joyce, Maureen and me. I started off with prayer and then the story, relating to God’s love, and then Joyce did the craft. She had pre-made all the craft things at home, so all the kids had to do was write their names on it, which didn’t take up very much time. Then we sang a song, let them colour in for a while, and then served them juice and biscuits. Nick came at about 10.30 to say they had finished church, so we went back to the schoolroom for tea. Quite a bit of rushing around then although the ladies had gotten the tea served and organized. Before we knew it, it was 11 and time for the next service. Nick wanted to do something quite different with the worship, so we had the overhead projector with a big screen, and Nick played guitar, Steve the violin and I played the mandolin, like the Bible Study. It was really nice – Nick even got them clapping! I haven’t seen them so lively in church before. Then I shared my testimony, which Nick had asked me to do. I recounted two of the lessons I’ve learned – about honouring God, and about submission in all things - I told how I was always too scared to commit EVERYTHING to God, in case He did something horrible to me like sending me to a remote island to be a missionary!! Well, I think that went well because although they all looked blank while I was speaking, they applauded! Nick said it’s more than he gets J Then we sang another song, and then Nick and I did a duet – one of Nick’s original compositions, very good. Then another song, and finally into the message. Meanwhile the boys had just been sitting on their own in a pew, and were very good. Nick’s message was excellent, tying in with what he was trying to achieve with the two services and the lunch and tea – which is fellowship and love. He wants to foster a more loving spirit within the church. Although on the surface they are very loving and warm, that’s as far as it goes. People don’t get together for a meal, or socialize together. For most of them, the only time they mingle is at church!! It’s a very difficult mindset to change. The finger lunch was quite nice, I think, although people still didn’t get the right idea of sitting at the tables we had laid out yesterday and chatting to different people. But still, it was pleasant enough.
Yesterday was equally busy. While Nick was at prayer meeting, I took the boys to the docks to say good bye to our neighbours, who left on the ship yesterday. Embarkation was 8.30, but no one really seemed to be in a hurry to get on the ship. Well, we eventually saw them coming along, so bid them farewell. I really enjoyed the experience of having a neighbour who I could talk to! Then it was Good News Club, the first of the year. Straight after GNC, the girls came to our house because they wanted to see the necklaces I make, so they had all come prepared with money. I sold about £24 worth! Very pleased to have made some money, and perhaps word will spread. For a while the diningroom and lounge was swarming with little bodies, because they’re never really in a hurry to leave. We had arranged for Callum to stay after to play, and another little girl decided to play too, which we don’t mind. God has really provided many friends for the boys – it was a big concern a while back, that they wouldn’t have friends, being homeschooled. Now they are always seeing other kids! At about 12.30 we sent Riana home, as Callum had already left, and took a quick drive to the docks to see if perhaps Wilson had sent a box. We weren’t sure if he was sending one with this ship or the next one in February. That was closed though, so we are still none the wiser. During the afternoon we got the schoolroom ready, and Nick had sermon prep and I had Sunday School prep and testimony prep to finish. So really, this whole weekend has been in preparation for this morning! Last night we went to town again to see if we could find anything ready-made to eat, because the option for supper was scrambled eggs which we didn’t feel like. Spar didn’t have anything, so we went to Tinkers and bought frozen smackaroos, but then we saw that the burger stand was open, so supper was cheeseburgers, chips etc. Quite fun, just a bit ridiculous that it’s the only fast-food thing open on a Saturday night!
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