You know, there are some days that will stick in your mind forever. Today is one of those days for me. It all began with Kandie, Jack, and me picking up Timothy at his house and traveling to Nalongni for services. Our biggest obstacle at the time was to travel an old road that was in the process of renovation that is actually a shorter way to the village. Timothy thought it was passable. Half way to the village we encountered a road that in places one would have to best describe as a logging road. There were a lot of ruts. At one place we traversed a water hole that was so deep the water level came up to the bottom of the front grill of the pickup and made waves; but we did make it without incident. The climax came after we closed at Nalongni to visit Binalado where Emmanuel, the evangelist lives. After turning off of the main road to go to Emmanuel’s house there is a swampy place over the bush road which we had to drive through. We made by the skin of our teeth using the 4 wheel drive on the way in. Then coming back I used the 4 wheel drive but managed to get over too far off the path and got stuck. The rear axle was high centered on the mud. All of us had to get out of the truck to push but nothing happened. There were some heavy equipment operators 300 yds. away working on the road that we were able to enlist to help us. Finally with everyone’s help pushing we finally freed the pickup to hard Tera firma. My good New Balance tennis shoes were soaked along with half of my pants legs. Kandie lost her slip-on shoes as soon as she stepped out of the truck. The rest of the time she was bare foot in the mud. I think Jack kinda got a kick out of the whole ordeal but I am getting older and prefer less excitement of this type in my life. He compared it to going mudding. I am like a cat in that I hate to get wet.
We met a good crowd of people meeting at Nalongni. The Church up the road at Sobibito was also invited for the service. The total number attending was 80. I used the lesson that I taught several weeks ago for the day seminar entitled” How we can spoil the Church”.
After services during the question and answer period a very young man asked the question about dirty clothes. Here is some history about this young man. He is the only member of the church in his family. Sunday is washing day for the Konkomba tribe of which he is from. His parents expect him to wash his school clothes on Sunday. He was trying to figure out a way to please God by attending services and his parents who might not allow him to come to services if he doesn’t get his chores done. How soon we forget that not all young people have it as easy as we do.
After the question and answer period we had the naming ceremony for Brother Samuel and his wife’s 2 month old baby girl. While I was holding the baby she started to smile at me and all the women took notice and started chattering about it. I gave the little girl the Christian name of Lois. Brother Samuel requested the meaning of name Lois. It means “Better”. Everyone thought it was a good name. All names have meanings here. The Konkomba name was also given to us. Her name is Nakoo; meaning a female born after a set of twins.
We are happy to announce that seven people were carried to water after services to be baptized. The brother who baptized them had never baptized before today. Timothy and I coached him for the first and second baptisms and he did fine after that. We want the congregations to be self sufficient. After we prayed for them we gave the church leaders some baptismal certificates for each person; we then bid them farewell.
After getting dug out of the mire we made it back to Yendi around 3pm. I talked with our friend Red and he told me his uncle, Pinto the TV repairman, had the TV repaired. Around 4:30 we met Red so he could show us the way to his uncle’s house. Sure enough, he had the DVD and the TV working. Boy did that ever save us some money!
Even with the truck episode we have lots to praise God today for the seven souls saved. We hope you have a good Lord’s Day as well. May God bless!
In his service,
Stephen and Kandie Taylor
Jack Reynolds
*P.S. HAVE A SAFE AND ENJOYABLE LABOR DAY WEEKEND!*
