Delays, Changes & Delights

New beginnings and events are often messy and unpredictable. The SCEN library ceiling took too long to repair and certainly was messy with the painting and dusting. We finally reopened yesterday, much to the teachers and students' delight. But who thought it would take three weeks into the new term?

And a few students are still registering. Yesterday in my Doctrine of Salvation class was a bright new face asking for a syllibus. OK, I guess we should be grateful for every student who shows up, even if he is very late, right? And we are...

Then changes for the SCEN team going with me to the church plant in Sao Mateus, three hours down the road over Easter weekend. Gorete and her son were all lined up to go until the boy got sick. Found another student, Mazzoel, pleased to go instead to help Valter with home visits and children classes over Easter weekend. Valter preached Saturday PM and I gave a Bible lesson to a few youth both Sunday AM and PM in the meeting area in front of the pastor's home.






The pastor's family offered hospitality including hooks to hang our hammocks on and plenty of water in which to take our baths, bucket and dipper style. Our team was delighted that three children made professions of faith! Vivian stayed home for the weekend to work on the library and to teach her S. S. class of nine in our downtown church. Sure was good to see her again at midnight Sunday PM, driving up to our house!

News & Views

Maybe, just maybe, you've wondered why the Stoners haven't blogged lately. There are excuses and there are reasons why things don't get done; I'm not sure which applies here. My illness from last month has pretty well disappeared, our trip to Belem is over, the new SCEN term under way. But not without some problems, one being the collapse of part of the school library ceiling. The replacement project of the whole ceiling is nearly completed, just a coat of paint on the walls and hand cleaning of all the books yet to do.
There are over 20 first year students, more than I expected. Now if we can just get all returning students to resume their course before Mar. 17. Lack of funds is main reason, so if you'd like to help, just pray that they will have the courage and funds to return while there's still time. Could have a total of 90 some students.
Oh yes, our family is growing with the good news of another grandchild on the way. I won't tell you whose just yet. That will make five for us. And, today, the day after International Women's Day, I congratulate all you women out there who read this blog. Without you ladies, we men wouldn't be around. God had an interesting plan, arranging that the first woman be taken from the man. Ever since then, however, it's obvious that man comes from woman! This eternal balance is what Paul reminds us of in I Corinthians 11:12. Any comments? Have a great week!