Sun, Jan 6, 2013
I woke up this morning at about 4 am to the sound of a Buddhist monk praying over a loud speaker. I got up, used the bathroom, and then dug through my luggage to find my ear plugs. After I put them in, I was able to sleep for a couple of more hours. I think that we finally got up at around 6:30 am or so, cleaned up and went downstairs to the restaurant for breakfast. We were served two eggs, over easy, with two pieces of toast, some butter, jelly, and apple slices. There was no menu and no options. I asked for my eggs to be scrambled but the waiter did not understand. We did have a choice of drinks – coffee with sugar and milk or hot tea.
Lazarus picked us up for church at 9 am. When we arrived at the school, Lazarus' family and the students had formed a receiving line to welcome us. We spent several minutes meeting and greeting the students and looking around the campus, which is very, very small and crowded. The church service was great! They have a good number of very talented musicians and singers. They sang several praise and worship songs that we do in the US. Several students, both male and female, sang special songs and they had a chorus that also sang. The entire service, except for Craig's sermon, was organized and conducted by the students. Craig gave a very good sermon on "Making a difference".
After the service was over, we went into Lazarus' home where his wife Acha fixed us a great lunch. While we were waiting for the meal to be prepared, we watched several videos clips of some of the work they are doing in Myanmar. We also talked with Lazarus about the school and asked him how he became involved in his work. He told us that his father became a Christian through the Morris family who were longtime missionaries to Myanmar. Michelle's parents know the Morris' and had asked me if Lazarus had any involvement with them. At the time, I did not know but now can say that Lazarus' ministry is a result of the seeds that the Morris family planted many years ago. Lazarus' father passed away with TB when he was only 6 years old. His father made his mother promise that she would train Lazarus to become a minister
The Bible college now has a total of 52 students and seem to have about the same number of male and female students. The students do not pay any tuition and receive scholarships for their room and board. The funds for the scholarships are provided from churches in the US, like Broadway and others who support this ministry. They have a total of seven teachers. Most of the teachers do go into some type of ministry work after they graduate, such as, youth pastors, worship leaders, etc.
After lunch, we came back to the hotel and rested. In the evening, we walked a few blocks to a shopping center and ate dinner at their equivalent of a "food court". I had a fried chicken sandwich and a sprite. In the shopping center they have a grocery store, clothing stores, drug store, hair salons, and most things that you might find in a mall back in the US.
Tomorrow, I will begin teaching LLJ to the students from 9 am until noon. Craig will be teaching some of the local pastors about starting a small groups ministry. Darryl Nunnelly and Mike Toncray will be working on the project to build the sound/video booth. Should be a good day!
I am so impressed with the warm and friendly way that we have been received here. Everywhere we have been, from the school, to our hotel, restaurants, etc., all have been so friendly and helpful. We'll, I had better sign off. I will post again tomorrow to let you know how my first class went. Blessings!
Fred R. Waggoner Fred R. Waggoner4221 Forsythe DriveLexington, KY 40514Home: 859-223-7972Cell: 859-312-5334 Soli Deo Gloria - "For God's glory alone".
