We were feeling happy and stimulated (maybe a little overstimulated) as we left Lower Brule today. We are greatly encouraged. Our encouragement is mingled with a realization that we have to make some adjustments to keep up with the progress. Some other children that were playing outside were wanting to come this Sunday, but they were still shy. I asked them if we could count on them next week, and they said that they will come next Sunday. We did not have all of our regular children today, and that would swell our numbers a little. We have some other children that we are wanting to encourage to come. I feel that some are waiting for a little 'push,' and they will attend Sunday School. Our little minivan was a little crowded this morning while we were picking up the children and when we took them home, and we realized that we will need to bring the old blue warrior van out next week so we can pick them all up. It operates on prayer most of the time, it seems like, but it is necessary to have room for everyone. 
Esther had her hands full this morning in the basement, as it is a challenge to have from 2-year-olds to 9-year-olds and keep all of their attention focused for 45 minutes to one hour. I have come down to help the last two weeks after she has told the story and the littlest children are finished with their coloring so that I can help entertain them while she finishes with the older ones. The children were very good this morning, but the little ones became restless. She commented on the way home today that she is really needing to split the group, and someone else is needed downstairs all during the time the children are there. Sometimes we are painfully aware of our limitations. However, these are wonderful problems. We well remember when it was hard to get two or three children to come to church in the morning. Now they are usually up and dressed for church and waiting for us to come pick them up. 
Ray had some of his regular group and a young man who was there for the first time since we were there. He is in his early teens, and he was attentive and respectful. He seemed like a promising young man. Please pray that he will come back and that he will give his life completely to the Lord.
Ray had some of his regular group and a young man who was there for the first time since we were there. He is in his early teens, and he was attentive and respectful. He seemed like a promising young man. Please pray that he will come back and that he will give his life completely to the Lord. We have been planning some renovation to the basement, and we hope to start on some of it in the next two weeks. We hope to paint the walls and tables bright colors, and we plan to make one of the tables into a chalkboard table for the little guys to entertain themselves and draw on after they are finished with their work and need something to do. It can also be used for a teaching aid for them. We feel that bright colors will brighten the dingy and dark basement.
We are thankful for the opportunity to work in Lower Brule, and we enjoy the work very much. I am working on obtaining employment in the schools in that area, and have been promised a job teaching English in the Lower Brule College next fall. Hopefully, we will be able to move that direction in the next year. Please pray that we will have wisdom, and that God's perfect will is worked out in relation to the Lower Brule church. Also, please pray that we can have help if God wills it, and that He will put it on that one's heart. We do not feel that we can "call" anyone to God's special work. Also, please pray about a van for the church. Thank you for your interest.
We appreciate the men who are coming to church so faithfully. They are leaders in their homes and they often carry a heavy responsibility. One of the gentlemen stayed for a long time after church to talk with Ray. He has been carrying an especially heavy load, as he has suffered the loss of his wife in the last year, and he has had some issues in his home since. Please pray for John and his family. 
Esther gave the lesson of Jesus' ascension today in Sunday School. She especially enjoys telling the Bible stories to these children, as the stories are usually new to them. They are so attentive and interested. If one of the younger ones starts to disturb, the older children often quiet them as they are interested and don't want to miss part of the story. We appreciate Esther's burden for the children.
Ray spoke to the men upstairs about the "neccesities of life." He began by telling what different specialists say is necessary to life, and he read from God's Word about what is necessary for our spiritual life. The men seemed very attentive.
We began our Easter morning by getting out of bed at 5:00 AM so that we could attend an Easter Sunrise service at Ravinia at 6:30 AM. It was a beautiful drive, and the service was very worshipful. They had a good attendance. Their lovely church was just remodeled by Scott. The pastor had prepared an awesome breakfast for everyone after church--biscuits and gravy and the fixins'.
From Ravinia we drove to Lower Brule to worship with our people there. Esther had a good group of children in the basement. They were quite lively this morning. Ray had a good message for those of us upstairs. We were happy to have a mother of some of the children come, also. She seemed so happy to be there. We pray for the lovely, friendly people of Lower Brule. 
We appreciate that the Pilgrim Holiness Church in Michigan sent money for the mission, and this money made these special services possible. We also bought some Easter flowers and distributed them to the families of those who attended the service this morning. They were so appreciative of the little gift. 
Thank you for your interest and your prayers for Lower Brule as we do what we can to help the church to meet the needs of the people of the community.