Sunday 3/28
Palm Sunday was a big deal at Robert Bimba’s Church, Abide in the Vine. It was a normal morning service but there was another service immediately following in which two church choirs were coming to sing. His choir was going to receive robes in an extravagant ceremony and the choir leader was to be robed by me in a kind of ordination style ceremony. Oh and by the way, I was supposed to preach at both services and Isela and I were going to sing in both and she was to speak in the second service also. At this point were so committed whatever the Lord set before us that it would not have mattered what they asked, especially since the pastor had been up all night with his wife and new baby born at home! You may remember that Robert is the head of Communities of Hope, an agricultural ministry parallel to ours. Plus he was going to plant and care for the 5000 Moringa trees along with his father who was an agriculturalist and had 5000 acres in Lofa county. Dad was in both services and we did not even know who he was until we visited them later that evening and saw the new baby girl and the healthy, happy mom. The child was delivered by Robert’s mom who is a Swedish Trained midwife and now an advisory board member to Tree of Life. The church service was so powerful and our fellowship so sweet that we have committed to the Bimba family, and intend to involve the all of them in Tree of Life Liberia. It was an answer to prayer for both families. There was no way I could plant 5000 seeds on secured property and watch over them until we return. They were excited to become involved in something every member of the family could have an important role. Plus, the agreement is, they could keep the 5000 trees and I would get the seeds they produce to plant the farms. Pretty good for $40 bucks.
Actually, Priceless,
Fred and Isela