When you live in the jungle, things never go “as you plan”, but you always have to be ready to expect the unexpected and enjoy what God gives you. Even though two of the villages did not show up, we have heard from them that they were so excited about how the conference went and what transpired there that they are now even more desiring of the Gospel. So that is exciting!
Having Fun & Enjoying Doughnuts
Seth was able to train four men to use the Foundational Bible Teaching material effectively and two other men are at a competent level. The results were amazing as Seth, along with the six other men team-taught every day. Each day they went through seven lessons and you saw those who have heard the teaching before and those who have never heard it attentive and wanting more.
Teaching the Group
Teaching the Group
The event was Monday morning through Friday Night. We had lessons from 7am until noon (with small breaks in between), we ate together, and then played soccer and volleyball together, we would then head to the church for a nightly service whether it was a skit night, or sermon, singing worship songs in Tiale or even testimony night. Seth and the men organized a Godly focused week. Nicole and two of the Pastor wives cooked pretty much every part of every meal (breakfast, snack-time, lunch, and dinner) daily, and made sure the people were full and couldn’t eat any more.
Baking Bread
We all stayed together on the Bible School property. Thanks to the facilities we were able to host about 40 people and we all slept comfortably (we want to make more facilities, so we can host more next time! Look at our Newsletter for more information). People did not want to leave, it was like a retreat, all of us here at the school property, fellowshipping early morning until late at night, talking about God’s Word, eating well, and having fun. It was truly a time of rejuvenation for everyone. All the pastors in training, current pastors, attendees, and all their families were so grateful for the event… they cannot wait until the next one! Here are some of the things they said about the conference:
The Attendees
Afternoon Sports
One pastor who has heard the teaching before, “every time I hear this teaching, I get something new, it is so refreshing; I feel refreshed”.
Another pastor said, “I cannot wait till the next phase of this teaching, I need this”.
Another pastor said, “It is good for me to hear this, I need to be reminded of the simple Truths of the Bible and how it leads us to God Himself”.
One attendee said, “I never heard the story of Adam and Eve, I never understood where sin came from”.
Another attendee said, “I have never heard anything like this, next year I want to come back and get trained to know God’s Word better”.
Another attendee said, “This is good for me, I need this”.
Another attendee told me that this helped their marriage, “The Gospel helped us and our marriage”.
Upon Completion of the Course
Thank you for all of your prayers! It was a lot of work, but God heard your prayers and blessed the event. Even though the event may not have “looked” how we wanted; we know that a full-Gospel was spread, teachers were trained, the curriculum in Bislama was checked, believers were strengthened and encouraged, a couple of people understood the Gospel more completely and are now taking steps to follow God more wholeheartedly, and many fires were stoked because of this event.
Your feet to the unreached, Seth and Nicole Stokes
Stoking The Fires 