Coming up next...

We’re headed back to Malekula in just under a week, and I am really looking forward to being back there.  We sent a load of “stuff” (benches, tools, milk, rice, crackers, water containers, etc.) on the ship today, which means our departure is indeed imminent.  This is a rundown of all that we have planned for our next term in the village.  Lord willing...

The brethren have continually expressed their desire to receive more teaching from the Bible.  Looking back, I realize just how little in-depth teaching they’ve received over the past several months, ever since building/completing our house became our main priority.  That was a necessary distraction, but now that we are finished I look forward to teaching a lot more - it’s my favorite part of being a missionary.  It’s heartening to know that the brethren weren’t comfortable/complacent with the slowdown in teaching, and that they continue to be eager to learn. It was decided during our last visit that I would begin teaching each Sunday and Wednesday evening.  I will be teaching Bible Study Principles (context, commands, examples, necessary inferences, culture, keywords, expedients, etc.) on Sundays and Common Denominational Errors (the philosophy of denominationalism, Sabbath-keeping, unauthorized female leadership, instrumental music, organization issues, etc.) on Wednesdays.  We’ll be firing up the generator each night, which tends to attract several visitors.

We will continue conducting our Bible Club with the kids on Sunday mornings after worship, but will also be adding a Youth Bible Study on Fridays during lunch.  School is only in session a half day on Fridays, so this will be a good opportunity to get to know and study with these 9-16 year olds.  We expect to have 8-10 youth over to our house for lunch, followed by a period of Bible study (basic facts and principles) and Q&A.  Most of these teens will also be taking part in our regular studies as well, and so we hope that they will begin to build a strong biblical foundation in their lives.

As part of our evangelism focus for 2011, the congregation plans to host a “Gud Nius Miting” (good news meeting) June 9-12, in an effort to invite locals from three villages to consider the simplicity, uniqueness and importance of the Lord’s church.  In conjunction with the meeting, we have a group of teens coming from one of our supporting congregations (Perkins, OK).  They will be assisting the brethren with a concrete slab during the day, and will be assisting with the meeting in various ways in the evening.  We are really excited about this opportunity, as it will be the first group of its kind in Malekula.  We anticipate their visit to be a very productive one.

Though the date is still to be determined, we are planning a return to Rano Village (Northeast Malekula) sometime in May to preach publicly for a week, as requested during our initial visit back in early March.

Last, but certainly not least on our agenda, is a visit from “Mema and Papa.”  They will be spending a week with us in Malekula, and then three more in Vila.  It will be a joy to share “our new life” with them.  And of course the locals are very excited about the opportunity to meet “tufala olfala blong Shawnda.”

All said, I have 25 lessons to present, so April has been a busy month!  The opportunity to disciple and evangelize (Matthew 28:19-20) in Malekula is exciting.  Join us in praying that May and June will be great months for the Lord’s work there.  To Him be the glory!