Rhode Island April 28-29, 2012

We had a meeting in Johnston, RI, on Sunday,  so we left Friday and drove about seven hours to get there.  It was a pretty ride on some parts of I95; we have traveled this route numerous times in the past.   Most of the water towers we have seen before, but the sky was pretty in one part of the ride.

We arrived at the Great Rhode Island Baptist Temple in Johnston about 5:30 pm and were met by Pastor Crichton who founded the church 38 years ago.  His wife was in Florida visiting her elderly mom, so was not there to meet us.  We stayed in the Prophet's Chamber which is located behind the baptistry.  That means the chlorine was rather strong just outside the door.  Anyway, it was a beautiful room and we were very comfortable.    Pastor took us out to dinner at a place called Uno.  I ate a huge salad while the others had huge sandwiches and side dishes. 

Sunday morning we were awakened about 6:00 a.m. by the honking of a pair of Canadian geese, one whom perched on the awning just under our window.  Eventually they walked off together to the woods.

Sunday morning Henry taught the men and teen boys and I spoke to the women and teen girls.  My topic was basically a testimony from the time we became missionaries back in 1989.  My text was from Psalm 37:25 "I have been young and am now old, yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken nor His seed begging bread."  When we started out Henry quit his job and since I was a SAHM, we had NO income, yet all the needs were met.  We never missed a rent payment; had plenty of food and gas for the car and in the process of it all, had another child half-way through the two years we were on the road.  Some things I would have done differently, but it is always good to count your blessings  when you find yourself in a tough situation.  That way we can remember what God has done in the past and has promised what He will do in the future.  The best thing to do is keep a diary (as it was called when I I grew up) or a journal of the blessings God gives; then when the hard times come it will be easier to recall what God did do.

The people were great, very friendly and interested in our ministry.  The GRIBT has supported us since about 1990 and have been very faithful. 

Pastor preached the morning service, then took us out to lunch.  This time we went to the Yamato Japanese Steak House, a place he had not been.  We wanted to see how authentic it was.  Come to find out all the staff there are Chinese.  :-)   Sara had a chicken dish, I ordered a shrimp dish, Henry had a variety of items and he tried to get Pastor to taste, including gyoza--fried dumplings with a garlic flavored meat.  He was game.  It was actually quite good but the rice was more a long-grain than the short type in Japan, but good, nonetheless.

During the evening service Henry show our presentation and preached a familiar message.  Then we went out for ice cream after church.  Pastor Crichton told us about the oldest Baptist church in America that was nearby, so we decided to go there on Monday.