Yesterday morning, we all headed out the door at bit before 7:00 to catch a taxi to the bus station. At the bus station we caught a bus headed to the countryside and rode about 2 hours, arriving at 9:30. It was an easy ride there with plenty of space (we all had a seat to ourselves), and the kids were gems. We planned to return to the group that David had “stumbled upon” a month or so ago. We let the brother we met with last time know that we were coming, but he was out of town during the national holiday here. We still went though, since the timing was good to go as a family (the kids are off school on holiday too).

We arrived to find about 13 members all in their 70’s or 80’s. There was also only 1 man. They sang, without music, and then a lady led them in reading or speaking. . . I’m not sure which.  I couldn’t understand much of what they were saying because they were speaking in their local dialect (and I was trying to keep 3 little Miles’ children fairly close to silent). It was sad though for lots of reasons: there was only 1 man; it was led by a woman; no one paid her any attention; there was definitely a lack of zeal and love for the Word; there was no evidence that after this generation that group would continue to meet.

Afterwards, we stayed and had lunch (veggie dish and chicken feet!) and then headed back home. That bus ride was not so pleasant since we were sitting on stools in the aisle, crammed in with quite a number of other travelers. Memory maker for sure.

Next time (now that we know the needs), we hope to go prepared with a message of encouragement and ways to serve the brothers and sisters there.

Colt went to town on the chicken feet!

Kylie did a great job eating too! Proud of them!

The sweet lady that fixed our lunch. She fed us last time we came when visited their home too.

Playing :)

The bus ride home – sitting on stools in the aisle for a couple hours :)