ILTI Module 2 Begins
ILTI Module 2 began this morning with a timely message from Daniel 1: 1-10, led by Dr. Funlola, of South Africa. When we read Daniel 1:4, "[Nebuchadnezzar] told Ashpenaz to teach these young men [Daniel and others] the language and writings of the Chaldeans."(EtRV) Harold Trujillo humorously suggested that Ashpenaz was the first international literacy teacher recorded in the Bible. We laughed. These young Jewish men were being trained in CSL - Chaldean as a Second Language. Yet it was no laughing matter, Funlola reminded us, how these young men took a stand and a risk to be faithful to our Lord. Daniel asked the guard, who was put in charge of him and his friends, to serve them only vegetables and water, challenging the king's command to feed them rich food. Because of Daniel's faithfulness, the Lord gave Daniel and his friends great favor with those who were in power over them. Funlola led us to compare the training Daniel and his friends received, to prepare them for service to an earthly king, to the training we should undertake to prepare us to serve our heavenly King. We need to learn the language and writings of God if we are to become faithful servants of the King of Heaven. Once again this lesson led us back to the importance of literacy and training, the reason why these amazing ILTI students have left their homelands to come to LEI for five intense weeks of literacy training.
The past weekend was bitter sweet as we said farewell to our Module I (only) friends Rosanne, Pat, Michelle, and Erin. Their chairs sat empty as we started Bible study this morning, and we missed their presence, the insights we knew they would have to share, and their sweet fellowship.
The past weekend had many adventures for the students. A great thank you goes out to the Buckmaster family who hosted the students in their home for dinner on Friday evening. Students also visited Oral Roberts University, the Jenks Aquarium, and had pizza at CiCi's on Saturday. A good time was had by all.
We are grateful to those from Tulsa Bible Church who prepared a lovely lunch for the students today. They have truly demonstrated Jesus' love in a very tasty and practical way.
Plans for this week include a Cross Cultural Check-up led by Jacinda Melson (LEI missionary and Short-term Team Coordinator) and instruction in how to lead an International Teacher Training Workshop, by LEI missionaries Tedd and Emily Lodes. Tedd, LEI South America Director, is leading this year's ILTI and Emily is LEI's talented graphics designer. You can follow Tedd and Emily's ministry blog by clicking here. To sign up for information regarding short-term team opportunities, please click here.
David gave his testimony today in chapel in English, though he usually speaks French or a tribal language in his home in Togo, West Africa. He shared how God took a very bad family situation and turned it to good - the salvation of David's entire, very large, family. David's father was a farmer who had an accident that made it impossible for him to do farm work any longer. Sadly, as a result, he lost his farm and the family's source of income. By the grace of God, he was hired as a security guard in the compound of the Assemblies of God missionaries. As a result of the missionaries' witness, David's whole family left their idols and became followers of Jesus Christ even before David was born.
One day, when David was a small boy, a Bible Society worker visited David's village. David confided in this worker, "One day, when I grow up, I would like to serve God in the Bible Society." When David became a man, he did not remember his comment to the Bible Society worker, but God had not forgotten. When David graduated from school he went seeking a job. After searching unsuccessfully for three years, he spent a week praying to the Lord for direction. At the end of the week of prayer, he was surprised to receive a letter in the mail that asked him to come to the Bible Society office and submit an application. He got the job! This became the door that God opened for David's life's work. David plans to continue the literacy work that his brother started in their village.
It is such an inspiration to hear these amazing stories in chapel each day, and it is an honor to pray for these fellow missionaries who serve the Lord so faithfully.
Romans 8:28 (EtRV) We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him.
posted by Christa
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