May 20-21

May 20th
The LTUTP continued today. We determined that we needed a translator since the three dialects could understand English but we spoke rather fast and some things did not come across. SO, our talks needed to be condensed because the translator was translating into two of the three dialects. Plus, he described himself as a Zulu preacher – which having seen him in action meant a fired-up Pentecostal type preacher!

We did not have ministry time since we will be doing that during the WIST and LISS. Even without that we had to cut some talks BUT you know, God is SO GOOD. The people were engaged and sat for a long time, only taking stretch breaks, not our typical 15 minutes breaks. We did do the commissioning service. I had 6 teams because that’s all the oil we had (our luggage had still not arrived so we had a limited supply from those who carried theirs on!). Frank gave a brief teaching on anointing with oil and I (Peggi) directed the people up to a team to try and keep some order and not have them pressing into the teams too much. We then closed with a prayer or blessing tunnel at the back of the church and just blessed them as they left tonight.

Lynn Norman is staying at Dean Young’s home so Frank and I walked her home after dinner to check on Yatta. She is feeling better but still can’t sit without pain. She shared some wonderful stories of her life here in Liberia, stories of the school, needs of the students. To go to school here there’s a $25 registration fee then $12/credit for courses. That’s US money. In Liberian money the registration fee is approximately $1500 and a 3 credit course would be around $2160.

Yatta also shared with us that one of her District Superintendents (who translated for us) stopped by yesterday to tell her what this seminar meant to his pastors and how they were enjoying it. In the group there are 3 female pastors. There is still a problem with women pastors here even though they did everything when the men disappeared during the war or went into hiding. There were some strong woman pastors who had some very fruitful ministries during that time. That opened the door but there are still those who don’t think they should minister. Yatta feels her ministry is to young women so they can grow up knowing they can go into ministry. We’re grateful we have Rev. Maryanne Ditter on our team as an example of a Spirit-filled UM female pastor!

Since our time for teaching is now shortened we were all working on cutting down our WIST talks for tomorrow when our luggage arrived!!! It was like Christmas in the guest house (without the bills). We were so excited – we have clean clothes for tomorrow, toiletries we’ve done without and snacks, gifts, etc. that were packed to bring.

May 21st - we began the Worship in Spirit and Truth seminar today and so far it is going very well. Our translators have not been as "long winded" as the one yesterday as I think they're only translating into one dialect. Jonathan taught them all a song "O Give Thanks Unto the Lord"; Sue sang "Oh How He Loves you and Me". All was well received including the talks! Some participants said they missed the small group experiences we had in the LTUTP but times of stretching, singing (as a group and to one another) were worked in today. After I've posted this I will return late for the afternoon teachings. Tomorrow night we will have a night of worship at the church here on campus with some American worship style and some Liberian. It should be great!!

I am having difficulty uploading images to the blog and will try to determine another method I can use but it will most likely not be until Monday when the High School is open again that I can try!