Lanton Meeting Concludes

We were again delayed from the scheduled beginning time of the lectures because out taxi did not show up, so we had to call another one. The end result was being 45 minutes late to leave the hotel. Since this taxi driver did not slow up as much on the rough roads, we managed to arrive and start only 30 minutes later than planned. If the theory behind reducing belts was true, I would have lost at least 15 pounds on the way.

Though we had been told that there was a scheduled brownout this morning until 11am, the power was on when we arrived at the building. (In fact, we never lost power all day, until we got back to the hotel tonight.) I took advantage of the power and began with the lesson on “Salvation & Saul.” Jonathan gave the summary on that subject. Given the need to go slower and for the summary to be detailed, the study of this subject took us to lunchtime.

In the afternoon, I started with a study of “Repentance,” noting its definition and use in the NT. Special stress was put on examining those things that come with repentance as shown in 2 Corinthians 7:10-11. We also looked at several of the Penitential Psalms that illustrate the repentance demanded by God. James Armada gave a detailed summary of that lesson. Jonathan followed with “Are We Saved by Faith Only apart from Any Works?” which covers much of the same ground as his lesson on “Faith, Grace & Obedience.” I gave the final lesson on “Counting the Cost” and James again summarized it into the dialect. The local preacher, Jolly Julom, then extended an invitation. I have no idea what he said because it was in the dialect, but it was delivered with obvious passion and concern. No one responded to that invitation to obey the gospel, but this is what we expected because almost all present were already Christians.

 

As most of those present were Christians, I should also add that several traveled a long distance to be with us. It was good to see several brethren that I had not seen in several years who came to the meeting despite much difficulty in getting here. One group came with Nardo in a tricycle – a journey that took about 5 hours to get here because of the need to stop and seek cover during the heavy rains that are a daily occurrence at this season in this part of the country. It was also good to see brothers and sisters of the Lanton congregation who have continued to work and grow as Jolly and his good wife faithfully labor with them in the cause of Christ.