This morning we had agreed to meet at 07:00 so we would have time for a coffee and a pain aux raisins at the Brioche in town. The men arrived about twenty minutes late; we drove immediately to our usual breakfast spot on the main dusty drag in town, only to be told the coffee wasn't ready. It’s always instant coffee poured into hot milk, so the woman must have meant the milk hadn’t been heated yet. Here we were at 07:30 and no breakfast was ready. 

We drove back to the hotel and had coffee and a pain au chocolat before driving to the small, dark meeting room we have used in the past for seminars and the Passover service. Not everyone had arrived for the leadership training seminar when we arrived, and we were already late ourselves. But some were coming from afar and were walking part of the way. We finally began around 8:30, with an opening prayer.

I covered two prepared topics. The first was the first lesson of the new Christian Leadership Training Program. The first lesson is entitled: The heart of a godly servant. It is very well done and sets an excellent foundation. I made the presentation in an interactive way as intended, and the men joined in with enthusiasm. There were a few follow-up questions at the end, so this session lasted about 75 minutes, after which we took a 15-minute break. When we reconvened, I gave a presentation on the spirit in man which allowed me not only to discuss that topic, but also review the teaching of the Bible on what a soul is (we are souls, we don’t have immortal souls), and the importance of the decisions we make in the process of growing in character. This was very well received and with a lot of excitement because some of the understanding was new, even to the relatively old timers. Questions allowed us to review the difference between the breath of life, and the spirit in man. We again took a 15-minute break.

It was becoming hot by this time, so I gave some money so that bags of purified water could be purchased and distributed. The cheapest way to buy purified water is in little sealed plastic bags, rather like square water balloons. One simply tears open one corner with one’s teeth and sips the water. I pay a little more and get mine in a bottle.

For the last hour I took questions, many of which were inspired by my presentations:

• What happened to Enoch and Elijah?
• My answer: they were transported to another place on earth. The Bible says "in Adam all die" (1 Corinthians 15:22), there is no immortal soul, so even though God moved them (in Enoch’s case to save his life temporarily – Hebrews 11:5), they both died like everyone else and they’re waiting for the first resurrection.
  
• Someone asked for clarification about the three resurrections and who exactly is raised in each one. 
  
• My answer: the first resurrection is to eternal life and is for those who belong to Christ, that is, who were called, chosen and faithful during their lifetime. The second resurrection is for those who never had the chance to know God or become part of His plan during their lifetime. This is not a second chance as some claim we teach because if God doesn’t not draw a person to Christ, he cannot come (Jean 6:44), the way is not open. It is in fact their one and only chance for salvation. The third is for those who understand God's offer and who consciously reject it and rebel.
  
• What happens to a baby who dies (this is still sadly a very common experience in this part of the world)?
  
• My answer: Babies will come back to life in the second resurrection, in the vast majority of cases with their own mothers, who never had the chance to watch them grow up. Now they will have that chance during the period of the Great White Throne Judgement. It will be a very happy and joyous time!
  
• Another man asked for some pointers about how to answer Bible questions coming from people outside the church.
  
• My answer: I suggested they practice with each other on basic topics and that they strive to be clear, very positive and concise. Leave people wanting more, they can always ask more questions if they want, so don’t over-answer. We don’t condemn people (if God is working with them they’ll get to that point on their own), and always try to show why the message of the Bible is good news.
  
• How should men responsible for outlying Bible Studies handle unacceptable behavior by people attending?
  
• My answer: I explained the topic of Church discipline and the need to consult with and act in concert with established and ordained leaders. Any disciplinary action taken should be done gently and in the hope of restoring the person to full fellowship.
  
• What if a church member dies but his family wants to have a funeral in their church? Or what if a church member is buried without any other church member praying over his body?
  
• My answer: What happens at a funeral after anyone’s death will not change anything for the deceased; his fate is already decided by God. Our prayers or lack thereof will not change anything at that point.
  
• How does the Church handle funerals and burials?
  
• My answer: Since the dead are not conscious, we don’t talk to them. We speak to the survivors, remember the good things about the deceased, and try to give them comfort from the truths revealed in the Bible, especially the fact that the dead (even those who didn’t lead good lives) are not suffering, that all will be resurrected and that we will all see our loved ones again.  
  

There were of course other questions as well, and several wished to keep asking more questions even when we ran out of time.

I took some group photos, and we distributed transportation money to those who had come from too far to walk. I shook hands with everyone, encouraged them to keep the faith and said “until next time.”

Paul, Séussié and the men who live in Yapleu got in the vehicle with Karmoco and me, and we started the drive out to the village about an hour distant on dirt toads. One of our members there, fairly recently baptized has just died. Dinan, Bernard was baptized in January 2013. He had not been in very good health even then, but died recently rather suddenly. It is customary to visit the family in their mourning and give a small gift to help with the funeral expenses. This was a good chance to remember Bernard, and honor his memory by visiting his family on behalf of the church.

So we drove the hour out, half on blacktopped road and half on dirt road. We arrived in the village and drove straight to the Dina family’s complex of homes. We met brothers and sisters-in-law and greeted many of the church members that live in the village who came as well for the occasion.

As always in African village life there was formality. Formal greetings were exchanged and short speeches of welcome and thanks. A two liter bottle of Sprite and glasses were placed on the table for us. We hadn’t had time for lunch, so a glass of soda, in this case, was welcome.

Finally I was given the floor and briefly explained how loved and appreciated Bernard was, how we missed him, and how we shared the family’s grief. I told them I understood their customs about mourning and that we wanted to be associated with theirs so on behalf of the Church I presented the patriarch with 10,000 CFA about $14, a consequential sum here. This was not only the right thing to do, reason enough to act, but it will bring respect and appreciation to the little congregation meeting here. A small gift at the right time can bring much good will.

The family leader thanked us solemnly and said they were very touched by our gesture. It gave them courage, he said, to continue with their duties in life. I didn't think it was appropriate to take photos, so I have none to post.

After talking for a while with the family and with the church members present, we took our leave, shaking hands all around. We retraced our path to Man and back to my hotel. My three companions stuck with Ivorian dishes, while I tried the beef stroganoff which was pretty good. One of the men had ordered braised carp, and braising meat takes a long time. We waited an hour after ordering for the meal to be served!

After the meal I said goodnight and asked them to pick me up at 7:30 for our departure. Kramoco asked for 2000 francs (a little over three dollars) so he could wash the vehicle. They’ll take that out of my rental cost, but it shows how little cash most people live with in their everyday lives.

Tonight should be my last night in Africa for this trip. If all goes as planned tomorrow I will sleep on the Air France flight to Paris.