Last week turned into an extremely hectic week.  I (Hansel) prepared the salaries for around 30 teachers on Wednesday.  Thursday morning, I learned that our church pianist lost his son to a tragic death due to complications of epilepsy.  I spent Thursday organizing the all night wake and the funeral for the family.  I also spent some time with the family of the deceased, the Guerrionex family.  In the same day, I had to make time to organize the New Year's Eve watch night service for the Thomonde church. 

  Thursday evening found me at the Guerrionex home, giving the opening remarks and songs for the all night wake.  I stayed until 11 P.M., but many of our church people stayed all night.  The following morning, our entire Thomonde church experienced a tear jerking funeral.  Guerrionex, the father of the 17 year old boy who passed away, played two special songs on the piano for his boy.  There was hardly a dry eye in the place as he played, "Good Courage My Friends."  The Thomonde choir prepared to sing two songs, but they only made it through one, as one man in the choir rushed to his bench crying loudly.  Pastor Jean Robert gave a powerful funeral message, inviting the people to come to Jesus as the only true Hope.  Approximately 350 people turned out for the funeral, with perhaps 400-450 people walking to the cemetery afterward.  The mission Toyota Van was the hearse and I was the driver.  

  Saturday morning, we gathered at the Thomonde church at 5 A.M. for prayer meeting.  The day was spent making preparations for the arrival of our mission's director, Rev. Daniel Hardy Sr. and his family.  (They arrived this Tuesday.)  There was cleaning to do, making beds, starting the fridge, and other necessary jobs.  Thankfully, my father-in-law, Rev. Ed Overdorff, was able to give us a big boost with the cleaning.  

  Saturday evening, at 7:30 P.M. I hurried to pick up a group of people from the Marmont church who wished to attend our watchnight service at Thomonde.  Around 150-200 people attended the watchnight service.  There were plenty of good songs, a Bible drill and a quiz.  All the pastors and leaders, that were gathered for the service, sang a special song, "We're Marching To Zion."  The youth of the Thomonde church kept the people awake with a dramatized story about a pastor who won a criminal to the Lord.  We welcomed the New Year with a season of prayer.  The watchnight service lasted until about 12:30 A.M. 

  Sunday was once again a normal slate of services.  My father-in-law, who was with us over the holidays, preached a wonderful message on Entire Sanctification.  The altar was lined with seekers after the message.  Thank God!

  Wow!  What a sequence of events to bring in the New Year.  I won't forget this last week and weekend.  God was definitely working in this hectic time to win many souls to Himself.