I slept pretty well until about 3:30 am. We have heavy rain storms rolling through, which caused the power to go off several times. The big generator is somewhere outside my room, because every time I can hear it fire up and then the power is restored.

When I woke up I laid in bed trying to go back to sleep, but my mind was already racing, and I knew I’d have to get up and write my thoughts down before I could rest, so I did. Finally got back to bed and slept a little more until time to get up and get ready for the Sabbath.

Mr. Horchak and I met downstairs for breakfast, then back to our rooms to finish preparing. Hakeem promised to be at the hotel by 10:30 to pick us up for 11 am services, and as usual, he was here on time.

The new church building is only about 10 minutes from the hotel, but I could never find it by myself! After turning off onto what looks like an alley (barely enough room for two cars to pass, or to get by one that is parked) we turn onto another alley and finally come to a set of large metal gates that have no particular marking on them. With a honk to alert the security man, the gates are opened and we pull into a small courtyard/parking area beside the building.

When we leased it, it had been office space. But it didn’t make much sense, because the ceiling of the offices were two stories tall – so a lot of wasted space. They had engineers come and look at it, and design how to put in a floor up above so there could be a second floor. Large I-beams were anchored to the concrete floor vertically to support equally large horizontal I-beams that would form the new ceiling for downstairs and floor for upstairs. Last time I saw it they were in the process of installing all of that.

By now the floor has been installed, the walls upstairs finished off and wiring for lights and three a/c units are all complete! It is a very nice hall that I believe could accommodate 70+ people if the chairs are arranged carefully. With the expertise in this congregation, they are now already webcasting services every Sabbath for those who are unable to make it in, or who live too far away!

In the congregation we have two PhD’s in chemistry, who also happen to be husband and wife (I teased that it makes them a pair-a-docs đŸ˜Š). He is a university professor and she consults with a company that does environmental impact studies. There is another adjunct university professor, a lawyer, and two IT specialists. It is a very capable, well-educated and yet humble and deeply converted congregation!

Due to the heavy rains, some were unable to make it to services today. Some side streets will be flooded, and at least one man started out, but had to turn around to change clothes when he became completely drenched – and there was not time enough for him to come again. But in spite of this, we still had 40 in attendance.

Mr. Horchak gave the first split sermon and I gave the second. After taking a congregational picture, we were surprised with some lunch! Some of the ladies had prepared a meal of fried rice, chicken and fish. We were told this is something they do with some regularity, and it certainly enhances the laughter and good fellowship – and we greatly appreciated it!

I had been told a gentleman from Abuja (about 8 hours away by bus) would like to come and meet with us and talk about the Church, which he did. We were introduced to a smiling Mr. Ezekiel Alimi!

Mr. Alimi, who is nearly 70, has a history with the Church of God that goes back to 1975 and the Worldwide Church of God in Nigeria. He knows our most senior members in Benin City like Mrs. Beatrice Iyamu and the now deceased Mrs. Esther Igdaliah very well. They all were called to the Church about the same time. Mr. Alimi still works as a taxi driver in Abuja.

He had several questions about our history and how we are connected to the WCG and Mr. Herbert Armstrong. Then asked more questions about our teaching and understanding on several points. Our conversation has continued for a little big more on the texting app WhatsApp with more questions. He seemed satisfied and is looking forward to the time when we can establish a congregation in Abuja.

That will be something Paul Carter will have to look at, but it now appears there is a nucleus of members who are coming together in and around Abuja such that it will be wise to look into establishing one there. It is always exciting to see God working like this, and watch as He develops an area.

We had quite a bit of time to talk with other members also. Many of the brethren there I have met before, but the congregation is growing fast enough that there were many I’d not met. They are all warm and friendly, and clearly very happy to have a spiritual home! One man even told me that because of all the stresses in his life his blood pressure had grown very high. But now with this congregation, and the peace and atmosphere of love he sees, even his blood pressure has dropped back to normal levels!

After a couple of hours of eating and fellowshipping, it was time for us to return to the hotel. Neither Mr. Horchak nor I felt like having a full dinner, so we went to our rooms to meet up again in the morning. Hakeem said he would be by at 9:30 to take us to the airport.

I actually took a short nap in my room (about 20 minutes) which is dangerous for me, because it might mean I won’t sleep that night. After sunset I repacked my bags to get ready for travel. With some of the things I received in Ghana, one suitcase alone would be overpacked and overweight. So I bought that large duffle bag. I packed the more fragile things (and a lot of dirty laundry) in my hard side case which Hakeem has agreed to hang onto for me until we return from Benin City. I’ll only take my duffle and backpack out to Benin. After weighing everything, they were all well under the weight limits, so I’m good.

Since services in Van Buren were going on then, I logged in to watch Randy Salyer begin his sermon. But after a few minutes the internet went down and I was unable to watch any more. That’s where the short nap came in! I finally did go down to order a little something to eat before going to bed. Tomorrow should be a longer day of travel, ILP classes and a Bible study with the Benin City congregation.