Daniel played guitar and sang with the praise team in church this morning. He even led the congregation in one song. He is very gifted, and leads naturally.
I spoke for under three minutes (see…there are still miracles).
The people were even friendlier this week. Lots of conversations between the students and the believers.
The pastor did a great job on the sermon. Very exegetical. Luke 1. How to ask the right questions. A couple of team members thanked him personally for the sermon. One student told him that God had meant for that student to hear that question this morning. The pastor has only been here for six months, so I’m hoping and praying that our time here has been an encouragement to him and his wife. On Tuesday we’re meeting with the Campus Crusade staff at the university, and we’ve invited the pastor to come along. He was delighted. Then Ashley invited him and his wive for supper that evening. He was really delighted. I am looking forward to Tuesday.
One unique thing happened in church. The church needed to add another person to the Deacon Board. Two people volunteered, so the chairman of the elders put their names in two blank envelopes, and then called a random person from the congregation to come forward and choose one of the envelopes. The person whose name was in that envelope was chosen to become a deacon. They called it “casting lots.” It certainly avoids the politics of other systems. Phil and I liked their method.
Ate lunch at a Pakistani restaurant in the city. Neither Ashley nor Miranda (her sister) even knew the restaurant existed. We had to come all the say to Saskatoon to introduce them to their own cultural restaurant. Excellent food. Buffet…bad idea. Ate too much. The lamb ran out, but it was so good, that Daniel asked the proprietor if he, Daniel, could have some more. The proprietor made a special plate just for Daniel and didn’t charge him anything for it. He gave us a small discount because there were eight of us. Excellent food. Spicy…not a good idea. Excellent food (I’m justifying my actions).
Spent two hours in a bookstore after lunch. Initially, a bad idea ($), but we discovered that Ashley’s truck had a flat tire, which the team was able to fix while we were at the bookstore. Then they all sat around, exhausted, listening to the sample cds in the bookstore. I spent money.
More discussions among the team about the differences between the Reformed Church (Covenant Theology) and Moody (Dispensationalism). A healthy atmosphere of acceptance.
The team members are still laughing too much. I should have taped it. Leaving will be a little difficult.
Ashley’s parents return tomorrow (Monday, 11am). Everyone is cleaning up after themselves. Tomorrow will be a busy day: work on the farm, preparing their country presentations, shopping so Mom and Dad don’t have to the minute they return home.
Praying that the weather holds until Sunday. Heat wave of minus 20, but no wind and no snow. The people in church are really enjoying their “warm” winter. We may try to slide through Glacier National Park on Saturday. The team wants to squeeze every ouch of new experiences out of this trip possible.
