Just wanted to share a bit of our joy
in visiting Naomi and the Thomasville congregation:
I don't think the trip could
have gone better!
Map-quest driving directions
were right-on! We made no 'U-turns'. At the last minute we were unable to stay
with the elder and his wife due to their neighbor's emergent need to use the
little cottage on the elder's property. We found a deal at Days Inn, with
breakfast. Scenery was beautiful. We were wowed by so many pecan, magnolia,
peach and pine trees, Spanish Moss, peanut farms, and level land.
We left at 6:30 a.m. Saturday
and arrived at 2:15 p.m. We unloaded at the motel and went to find the meeting
house. It was 2.3 miles from the motel. The preacher, Rick Kenyon, and
another brother and sister, Wilson, were at the building preparing for Sunday.
Sunday was the first day of a 3 day gospel meeting. We loved the congregation
(which Naomi calls 'her congregation'). They number between 55 and 65. Both
elders led the service and congregation throughout the day.
They have a precious young
preacher with wife and baby son; also a new outreach / home Bible study young
couple. I asked them to teach Naomi further. Recently the congregation
purchased the Jewel Miller video series that accompany the 5-part study booklet
that I've continued using with Naomi since she completed all WBS lessons.
Naomi's daughter, Akia, age 15, completed the WBS Children's series last week.
She's the first 'child' to do so. I have 2 other students working towards their
certificates and 2 more who stopped 2/3 of the way through. I actually think
the children's series is harder to follow than the adults' WBS.
We enjoyed testimonials of
individuals at the luncheon that helped to encourage Naomi not to give up on her
young son, Tyrice, who was baptized in February. Tyrice told Naomi that he
wanted to be a better person and enjoy the blessings of salvation; obviously he
doesn't understand his need for the congregation or the congregation's need for
him and his God-given talents and faith. Naomi is hurting badly over this
situation. Please pray for her. She's the only spiritual leader among 7
children, 5 of her own and 2 grandchildren. (Brittany age 20; Tyrice age 17;
Akia age 15; Jaydin age 9; Yasmin age 8; TS age 1 1/2; and TJ age 4 mos. I hope
to help Brittany turn her life around and not duplicate her mother's
situation at the age of 38 (Naomi's age).
I've never heard more or better
singing than Sunday's. Even the babies and young children were to be heard in
every song. The elder/song-leader, Bro. Garland Brasford, is without question
the voice I've never heard. He'd win any TV competition in voice. His age is
70ish but I cannot describe his voice or the quality of it.
Sister Laura, who's volunteered
to be Naomi's transportation (Naomi has no car) is from Florence, AL. As it
turns out her mother and sisters worship at Sherrod Avenue in Florence where our
dear friend and fellow-companion in India Missions oversees that work. We just
looked at each other and said, 'small world'. She has a precious heart to help
Naomi.
Various ones sent extra food
from the luncheon home with Naomi. The ladies helped Naomi's daughter,
Brittany, with baby clothes when the baby was born. Recently Naomi was blessed
to move into the best section of the housing project (duplex housing facing 2
church buildings and an open field with no neighbors to speak of); plus it
was an improvement from 3 bedrooms to 4. Her apartment was bare except for
essential needs but it was clean, odorless, and a very pleasing place to live.
The congregation helped Naomi move and they got mattresses up off the floor in
bedrooms. Naomi is checking into taking her GED. I'm going to be on the look
out for GED prep materials to either send her or the money to purchase such.
The Thomasville congregation's
gospel series is on 'advancing the home' that advances the family of God. It
was such a good and practical first lesson, yesterday, delivered by their
preacher, Rick Kenyon. The Sunday evening lesson was to be taught by the new
personal work director. Near-by preachers will preach Monday - Tuesday.
We had no car trouble though we
had a back, low tire as we were leaving. Don pumped it up and brought his
little device with us in case it went down on the trip but there was no further
concern. My brother said he could see us going down the road in a white cloud
of protection. He was so right. When we got home we dropped our heads in
prayer of thanksgiving for having experienced a bit of heaven on earth and such
a care-free trip.
There are 5 congregations in
Thomasville, a city of apx. 18,500 population. Three congregations are
predominantly white and 2 are black. They sound much like our own little
Fayetteville in that the Thomasville leadership / preachers were hoping to meet
with all the other area preachers/ leaders and see if they were all 'in
fellowship'. Thomasville is an inter-racial, integrated congregation though the
percentages are probably 80/20, wh/bl. Their facility had the feeling of a
'home', modest, well done, and so pleasingly, practical. The grounds
are perfectly level, 5 acres with fenced in, shaded play-ground for children,
basket-ball goal on concrete, ample baseball/basketball/soccer grounds or room
to expand the facility in time to come. I forgot to mention that they are
beginning their VBS today.
I think the trip did Don as
much good as it did me and I think Naomi was blessed. She called me 3 times on
the drive home to make certain we weren't caught in any of the heavy rains
coming our way. Don stayed about 1/2 mile ahead of blinding rain that only
caught up with us once, in So. AL, for about 10 minutes. The rest of the drive,
going and coming, was smooth sailing. We did get stopped in a 30-45 minutes
traffic jam due to work on I-65 near the Decatur / Huntsville exit, but other
than that, 'no sweat'.
I can't tell you how many times
we thought of all our family at Washington Street. Don made the observation
that you can drive miles from home but when you meet Christians you're back at
home. That's how we felt all along the way.
There are no words to thank all
who make the WBS work possible and expand the Kingdom borders from points here
in the USA and around the world. But I'll say it again, "Thank You."
Sharon
