Bring Others Into the Sunshine of God's Good News by Linda L. Linn - HTML preview

Chapter 4

Jeremiah 33:3, Call to me and I will answer you, and show you

great and mighty things, which you do not know.

Ted would need to start a new choir after each group graduated. Each new choir would be only for senior girls on the ranch so they could learn as much as they would have time for and also prepare for their graduation / going-away party. Each year there would be a new group for him to work with and he was glad he had learned enough about the piano that he could play the melody line and later add the alto when the girls were ready to learn how to harmonize.

Then when it got closer to the party, the young men from the farm would come to practice with them so they could all sing the songs chosen for that particular party. It was always a highlight of the party, enjoyed by all who came. Another important part of the party was when everyone there sang the song, “May God Be With You Until We Meet Again.” It usually brought tears to many eyes, when they thought about the young people who would be leaving the farm or ranch soon.

Some years the choir was bigger than other years depending on the ages of the foster girls. The quadruplets still enjoyed listening to the older girls sing and they quietly followed along in their hymnals. They were especially grateful for the times in the evenings when they and their parents would sing together with Ted accompanying them on the guitar. They were not looking forward to their turn in the choir, because none of them wanted to leave the ranch and this wonderful family they loved.

Roy, Sherry, Hope and Joy Foster went on time to their appointment time and explained their idea to Pastor Don. He asked them a few questions, explained the process and how important this commitment would be. After agreeing that this would be a good ministry for them, he prayed for them that God would guide and bless their efforts. Then he told them where to get the training they would need and how to get a license.

When they arrived home Roy declared, “Now we’ve had two green lights along our way so far, and when we complete the training course and get our license, we can go ahead with the rest of the things on the list.”

“It is exciting,” Sherry stated, “and also a little bit scary. I’m so used to the way we’ve been living and this is all totally different for us as a family. But Jesus will help us do it, because he always gives the grace and strength needed to do his will.”

“I agree, Mom,” then Joy asked everyone, “Do you remember the saying about how to eat an elephant?”

“Of course!” Hope exclaimed. “You just take one bite at a time. So the list we have will help us get through this big change one thing at a time. If we only look at one thing at a time it won’t seem as scary.”

Roy added, “Precisely, and at least we know some of the people on the ranch already and we’ve been there often enough so we know our way around there.”

Joy tacked on, “Our friend Mindy will still be living on the ranch until the last two houses are completed.”

“Yes, and she’s such a good friend that she will be an extra blessing for us girls!” Hope declared.

“I agree, and furthermore,” continued Sherry, “I know we all are looking forward to riding those wonderful horses as often as we will have time to do it.”

Since there weren’t any other people who needed to take the training right then, the Fosters were able to take it at their own pace on the web. They knew but reviewed that conflicts and problems need to be solved by prayer, love, and caring, in such a way that everyone wins, and feels good about it. This will provide the girls with loving, happy homes where they will feel needed and can contribute to the family and to the ranch.

They read, studied and would be sure to use the best ideas to help restore the damaged, abused lives of the teens with gentleness. This would result in joy and peace in their home.

There was even a place for frequently asked questions. So they worked through all the training carefully, taking notes they could review later. When the training was finished, Roy and Sherry filled out the necessary paper work and got their license. So now they were really ready to go ahead with the rest of the list.

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Brad was assigned to the small group facilitated by Walt and Betty Evans after he moved back into Pine City. His membership brought the group up to 16 members, like many others in the city. Sometimes the group got together for a time of doing fun things together on the weekends when the children also joined in the fun. The group especially enjoyed picnics in the parks.

As soon as Brad joined the group, Tony and Maria talked to him about the booklets for small groups and ministry teams.

Brad told them, “I obtained both of those booklets from the church and I read through the one about small groups before I attended my first meeting of this small group. I was impressed!”

“It is a good booklet,” Tony agreed and then asked, “Brad would you like to join our couple’s ministry? We can answer any questions you have about the other booklet.”

When he said yes, Tony and Maria invited Brad to come to their house for supper one evening so they could all read and talk about the “I Can Do” booklet after eating and clean-up.

Maria explained, “The title for this booklet is taken from Philippians 4:13, which says, I can do all things though Christ who strengthens me.”

“It makes a good title from the first part of that verse,” Brad said and then commented, “I like the verse under the title also. It’s Colossians 1:10,… walk worthy of the Lord… being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God… And then he read the introduction. “The main reason for believers being on this earth is to do what Jesus said to do in Mark 16:15,16a,… Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every person. Those who believe and are baptized shall be saved…”

Tony continued reading, “In this booklet you’re going to learn about the ministry most of the small groups are doing. When new believers small groups are ready they will be taught about two by two ministries and go over the material in the “I Can Do” booklet. They have already learned about the gifts of the Holy Spirit and how to listen and follow his guidance. We build the foundation in new groups and then it's time for a new group to get started doing what Jesus told seventy of his followers to do in Luke 10:1,2. Jesus said for them to pray that the Lord of the harvest would send workers out into his harvest, and for them to go two by two. In verse 9, he told them to heal the sick and to say that the Kingdom of God is near. In a summary of Matthew 10:8, he added cleanse lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons, and to do it free of charge.”

Maria read next, “He said other things for them to do that don't relate to us. We probably won't encounter lepers either. These disciples were to go into cities before Jesus would come there, and this would get the people ready to hear him. Sometimes when you are doing this ministry together, a miracle of healing might take place and it could be a catalyst for the salvation of many people.”

“Exactly!” Brad exclaimed. “This is just what happened on the Mercy Valley Ranch while I was there. Two girls prayed for another girl whose leg was shorter than the other. Jesus made it grow to match the other one, and she, her three foster sisters and I, all accepted Jesus after the two girls explained the Good News to us!”

Tony exclaimed, “Praise the Lord! How wonderful for you! Now I’ll read some more. There's no way to know how many, or if any will be saved when we pray and then go out listening to what Jesus, by means of the Holy Spirit tells us to do, and then doing it. It is important to do what we are told to do immediately. Timing is of the essence. If a person waits too long, the opportunity might be gone. Now it’s your turn to read again, Brad.”

“OK.” said Brad, “This is new information for most of you and probably sounds intimidating. With practice, you'll learn. Moreover, you won't be alone. You'll go with someone who knows how, so you can learn by watching, like the disciples watched Jesus as it says in Acts 10:38,39a, God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power and he went around doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We disciples are witnesses of all the things he did…”

After reading that part Brad stated, “I’m grateful the two of you asked me to join your couple’s ministry so I can watch and learn.”

Maria responded, “We're glad we can help you. Now I’ll read some more. I especially like this verse that goes with this part of the booklet. It’s Romans 10:15b, How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! This is what we get to do together. The reason to go in groups of two or more is so we can agree in prayer. Also the other person or people need to be there to help answer questions and add credence to what has been said. But you won't always need two or more people to witness to others.”

“Like when?” Brad asked. “Can you give me an example?”

Tony answered, “Yes, like maybe you would talk to a friend about what happened to you at the ranch. He might ask questions and you could answer the questions and witness about Jesus to him.”

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“Oh now I understand,” then Brad continued reading. “Here are some more scriptures to help explain why we go to minister. 2 Corinthians 5:14,15 says, The love of Christ compels us, because we judge that if one died for all, then all were dead. He died for all so that those who live should not continue to live for themselves, but for him who died for them and rose again. John 4:35b says: Look at the fields. They are ready to harvest. Matthew 9:13b says: I came to call sinners to repentance. Colossians 3:24b reminds us that it is the Lord we serve.”

Maria explained, “These ministries and the ‘I Can Do’ booklet go very well with the vision the pastor of the Grace ‘n’ Faith church #1 has for all the churches with that same name but with a different number. His goal was to teach believers to desire to live for Jesus because they love him and are grateful for what he did for them, and because lost people need him. Then they go out in teams of two or more to tell others the Good News, answer their questions and invite them to accept Jesus."

“Exactly,” Tony agreed and then said, “Now I’ll read some more. Next, We must remind you that whenever you serve the Lord and do things to bring others to him for salvation, the devil will oppose you in numerous ways, but our victory is guaranteed. Read 1 John 5:4,5 aloud. Whoever is born of God overcomes the world, and faith is the victory that overcomes the world. Who overcomes the world? He who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. The devil is ruling the world right now, so we overcome him by our faith. If we are persecuted or even martyred, we know that for us to live is Christ, and to die is gain, as it says in Philippians 1:21.”

“It’s good to know those things ahead of time,” commented Brad, and then he read again. “Ephesians 6:10-12 says, Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, the rulers of darkness is this world, and against spiritual wickedness in high places. This part sounds rather alarming to me.”

“I used to think so also,” admitted Tony, “but verses 13-18 show us how to be prepared. I’ll read them. Therefore, take the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand in the evil day. … Stand therefore, having the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet covered with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, take the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, with perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”

Maria stated, “We need this armor on all day, every day, no matter what we're doing, but especially when we go out to do battle for the souls of people.”

Brad nodded and then exclaimed, “Oh look, they gave us some homework to do. Here it is on the next page. The directions say to draw a picture of a first century Roman soldier in his armor with each piece labeled, like it says in those verses. Then you can put it in one of those protective clear plastic holders to keep it clean and dry and hang it in your bathroom by the mirror. Then you can go through the list each morning as preparation for the day, and consciously put the armor on every day.”

“Maria and I have the picture we made in our bathroom,” remarked Tony. “And now I’ll read 1 John 4:4. We are of God … and have overcome … because greater is he that is in (us) than he that is in the world. And in John 16:33b, Jesus said, be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. At the end of Matthew 28:20b it says that Jesus would be with them always, even to the end of the world. He is the one who works through us to accomplish his will. Besides, we can claim God’s help. Ephesians 1:19,20, God’s power for us who believe is like his mighty power, which he used when he raised Christ from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in heaven.”

Maria nodded emphatically and then continued reading, “Plan to go at least one time each week into the world and as you go, ask Jesus by his Spirit in you to guide and tell you what to do. Go out in groups of two or more, for accountability and usually with at least one male in the group for the safety of the women. We suggest that the ladies walk ahead, with the men following to be sure they are safe, and for both pairs to look like they are conversing, but they are really praying for the people they see and asking the Holy Spirit to guide everything they say and do. Married couples go out together two by two, but any time another couple needs training, they should go with a couple who has experience. It is not a good idea for unmarried couples to go alone. They need to have at least one more male or female, preferably another couple to keep them accountable to each other.”

“Those are good ideas,” said Brad and then took another turn reading. “There are many and varied ministry possibilities like praying while walking around in a park or neighborhood, or down a street in the business part of the city, all the while being alert for any opportunities to begin a conversation with one or more people. Or possibly you could offer to help someone who is in some obvious need. It is usually best

 

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to try to develop rapport with the people before offering to help. But always follow the Holy Spirit's leading and do what he says to do.” He put the booklet down and observed, “It doesn’t sound too hard so far.”

Tony agreed and then took his turn reading. “If you see somebody in a wheel chair, there could be an opportunity to pray for their healing, but as stated before, you need to develop rapport with them before offering to pray. You could easily offend someone otherwise. Handicapped people usually like to think they're doing the best they can and want to feel confident of being as independent as possible. Many of them don't want sympathy, or even offers to be helped. It is best to treat them as much like normal people as you can.” He looked up at Maria and Brad and stated, “These are really positive and useful things to know. Many people would never realize them on their own.”

“I’m sure I wouldn’t,” said Brad nodding. “I’m very thankful for the booklets the church has on so many subjects. It is especially valuable to have all the information in print so we can review it later as needed. I could never remember all these things if I just heard a lecture or teaching on it.”

Maria nodded her agreement and remarked, “And here’s another exciting point in the booklet. When there has been an obvious healing, be sure that Jesus receives all the glory for it and try to lead the conversation to the gospel message and encourage them to let Jesus heal their souls and spirits as well. If there have been other people watching and listening, include them in the conversation. This is where and when the evangelism opportunity is the greatest.”

“It does sound exciting,” and then Brad read again. “Try to go out once a week, but stay alert when you’re out doing other things or errands. The idea is to be listening and looking for opportunities wherever you are, even if you’re alone inside a store doing some shopping. You might think of it as lifestyle ministry.”

“This is kind of what Jesus did when he was here on earth,” explained Tony, “now he works through believers who go out in teams of two or more to let Jesus lead them and work through them to do miracles and tell the Good News to people so they can repent, confess their sins, and believe in Jesus to forgive them and give them eternal life. Another good thing to remember is to not be pushy, because it could turn people away.”

"I get it," said Brad. “This makes good sense, and it isn't just a once in a while project, but something you're ready for all the time." Then he asked, "What do we need to bring with us? Oh, I see the answer in the next paragraph. It would be good to have a small Bible along with you in case they ask any questions you might need to look up. It is a good idea to be ready to explain the gospel and know how to lead a person to Christ for salvation. You might want to practice doing it before you go. Plus, you should always carry some of those little booklets and cards like Don gives out to new believers at church in case some of them do decide to believe.”

Then Tony read the closing paragraph, “Always remember to pray before you meet together and also when you are together. The reason is because we can use all the help we can get. After your ministry time, be sure to have a debriefing session about the ministry time and pray about anything that needs to have God’s help. Choose a day would be the best for everyone on your team to go.”

This ends the fifth booklet. The Idea List, which comes next in the associated book, is in the addendum of this book.

Brad commented, “This was kind of a long booklet to read aloud and talk about in one evening, but I’m glad we were able to complete it. Now I understand the process better.”

After some discussion, they decided that Sundays would be a good time for all three of them to go out and do this ministry together for Jesus. Since they all enjoyed bike riding, whenever the weather permitted, the three of them rode their bikes in the parks and were ready to minister to people they saw. Brad got so he was also good at listening for guidance and doing what Jesus said to do.

Matthew, Fiona, Johnny, Patrick, Faith, and Grace were walking in a city park. Suddenly Patrick jumped up and down and exclaimed, “I see Ben and Mindy!”

Fiona put a finger to her lips and cautioned, “If you can all stay quiet, we’ll go listen, but not talk until all the rest of the listeners leave.

Johnny asked, “May we sing along with them? I like Mindy's autoharp.”

“So do I,” and Matthew answered, “but not unless they invite us to sing with them. We don’t want to take attention off them, because right now, they’re doing their ministry time.”

“What’s a ministry time? Patrick asked.

Julie explained, “It’s a time when two or more people go to public places, like parks, and try to get people to listen to the Good News.”

Johnny realized, “You and Dad go do ministry times when our grandparents come to our house to take care of us while you’re gone.”

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Grace added, “We have fun with them at those times.”

Faith continued, “All of our grandparents are very nice.”

“Yes they are,” agreed Matthew and then he asked, “Will you all promise to stay quiet and just listen to them singing or talking, if we go over and join the ones who are already there?”

They all nodded in agreement, so the family went to listen. This time they were not invited to join in the singing, so they enjoyed listening and clapping for each song. Then they listened carefully to the scripture verses and the question and answer time, and rejoiced with the others when several people said ‘yes’ to the invitation to accept Jesus as their Savior. Then when all the other people had gone, they got to talk and visit with Ben and Mindy.

The downstairs of the third new house on the ranch was finished now, so Oscar and Vera informed the next people on the waiting list when they could move in and use the first two weeks to get settled before having two fifteen-year-old foster girls assigned one at a time with two weeks between. Then they would do the same with the two who would be fourteen. The couple was thrilled to be able to do this ministry.

Karen was waiting now for the upstairs house to be finished and a family to get established there before she started a Bible Study Group for the eight girls in those homes. This was the way she and the Yardleys had decided earlier would work well. It wouldn’t be very long before the upstairs would also be finished and Karen would have a new group of young teenage girls to teach about the Bible and Jesus.

Nathan was much busier with counseling now, as each new family was established. Therefore, it was helpful that only one family came at a time, and that each girl had two weeks to get settled and start counseling if she needed it, which she usually did. He was very glad he had prepared for this job while he was at the university so many years ago. This job along with his other jobs on the ranch kept him very busy. But since Esther and the girls helped with some of the ranch jobs, it wasn’t too much for him.

One of the jobs the girls helped their dad with, was recruiting and teaching the new girls how to be in the “Weed Brigade” they had started years ago to help him pull poisonous weeds so the horses could stay safe. They would show pictures of what milk weed, fox tail, and others looked like so the girls could find them. Then they taught them how to pull them and put them in the trash bags they would bring along to the hay fields.

The girls formed a long horizontal line and walked across the fields pulling weeds as they went. They were especially careful to not disturb any of the meadow larks nesting on the ground in the fields. They all enjoyed hearing their beautiful song and seeing them perched on fence posts as they sang. Since it was such a helpful task and would help keep the horses healthy, all the girls were glad they had agreed to help.

Tony and Maria like to visit Ted and Julie on the ranch or have them come visit at their house in the city. Since those four girls had learned Spanish from their foster parents, Tony and Maria could have conversations in Spanish with the quadruplets often.

It was fun for them to talk about the mountains they could see from either home, especially since all of them had memorized the names of the peaks that had names.

Other days on the ranch, they would declare it an all Spanish day and speak only Spanish all through the visit, especially while they were riding horses. They would describe the horse they were riding including it’s color, markings, and size. Then they would tell why they had picked that horse for the day’s ride.

Those four girls liked to talk to the Mendoza girls, who had also learned Spanish from their parents. And the Mendoza girls liked to converse with their Mendoza and Beckett grandparents in Spanish. Their grandparents were amazed and pleased with the progress the girls had made, and the fluency they were developing.

For these eight girls, the second language they had learned added an extra dimension to their lives, which they continued to develop and practice through the rest of their lives. They might even able to use this knowledge and ability in their ministry times as families.

Because Cory was determined to become an honorable man, he had shown his parents the two short books William Beckett had given to him. Then his parents had read the books. After they finished reading them, Cory had told them more about the books, “William told me these are for young men and young ladies and they were written by William Beckett, and Karen Spencer, and others. He explained to me that they had used recordings of their Bible classes on the farm and on the ranch, after they had gotten permission from their students to use what they had said during the classes.”

Oralie commented, “It sounds like a unique way to write a book.”

Cory nodded “Yes, and I think it will make the books more interesting.”

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Another day he asked, “Dad and Mom, do you think my little brothers are old enough now to to listen as you would take turns reading sections of those two books? And if so, would you start reading the first of the two books to my brothers and me?”

“We’ll be glad to, Cory,” answered Greg, his dad. “We’ve already read them once, silently, and they are both very good books. Your mom and I will take turns reading them to all five of you boys and you can all make comments or ask questions as we go.”

Cory added, “Thank you and perhaps it would be best if we don’t say I’m the one who got these books so I can just be one of the boys.”

“What a good idea!” Oralie declared. “We'll just tell them who the authors are and how they wrote the books.”

So for their next family Bible study time Greg and Oralie explained to the boys about the book called, “Become Honorable People.”

(Many of the scenes and ideas in this short book are copied with the author’s permission, from novels in the Sunshine Series, by Linda L. Linn. In that series, William Beckett and Karen Spencer and others wrote a book with teachings on how to grow up to be honorable men and women. Karen Spencer was the Bible teacher for the foster girls on the Mercy Valley Ranch, and William Beckett taught the foster boys on Mercy Valley Farm. This book includes scenes for boys and for girls in order to make it interesting to both groups.

The book they wrote in that series included many of the lessons they had taught on the farm and the

ranch. Most of the lessons also included the comments and questions of the students in the classes, because they used recordings of their Bible classes on the farm and on the ranch. First, they had gotten permission from their students to use what they had said during the classes. These lessons were brought into this book five of the Sunshine series. To do this, the author added comments to each lesson, made by a family on the farm who used them for devotional or Bible Study times. The family is Greg and Oralie Iverson and their own son, Cory, who moved to Mercy Valley Farm to raise four foster boys. Their names were Kevin, Daniel, Levi, and Max. So their comments are also included in this volume.

One of the prerequisites for becoming honorable man or woman is to believe in Jesus, the Son of God, and all he did when he lived on Earth so many years ago. Therefore some of the teachings were about the Good News.)

Greg told the boys that they planned to read a section of the book out loud to them from time to time. There would be time for comments and questions and answers at the end of the reading time. Then he let the boys choose the color they wanted for new notebooks and pens in all different colors, so each boy had his own matching colors to use during those times.

Greg explained, “Now you can write notes or comments about the lessons, and it will be easier to remember them later. We’ll also have the book as a PDF file so you can read it or parts of it again.”

First Oralie read the scripture that was under the title to them. It was Colossians 1:10,… walk worthy of the Lord… being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God…

Here is the first section Greg read to them.

On the farm William was teaching some of the foster boys about patience and how it contrasts with temper and anger. “Let’s read Proverbs 14:29 together, He that is slow to get angry has great understanding, but he that is hasty exalts folly.” Now find and read Proverbs 19:11, The discretion of a man defers his anger, and it is to his glory to overlook an offense.”

Hugo asked, “What is discretion?”

“Since the dictionary isn’t here today,” answered William, “I’ll tell you that I think it means carefulness or caution.”

Luis said, “So a careful or cautious person postpones his anger.”

“Yes,” William agreed, “Besides, many times when we delay our anger, it goes away without hurting anyone, which is what the rest of the verse indicates.”

Jose questioned, “So is it better to not show anger, but instead ignore the offense or wrong done to us?”

“Most of the time it is,” responded William. “If we can be slow to get angry or postpone it, we can think more clearly. Then if we need to talk to the person about the offense, like if it keeps happening, then we can get advice from our parents or a counselor who can help us know the best way to confront the person. On the other hand it might be best to not confront. There are times when might be better to not associate with that person any longer instead.”

Pedro shared, “In a case like that it would be best if that person never saw your anger. Some people just like to do things in order to see someone get angry.”

“Great point, Pedro,” stated William, “and it leads right into our next set of verses. Listen as I read Colossians 1:9b-12, We pray that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all wisdom and

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spiritual understanding, that you may walk worthy of the Lord, pleasing him and being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God, strengthened with all might according to his glorious power, unto all patience and endurance and joyfulness, giving thanks unto the Father who has made us able to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.”

“Those verses are amazing!” exclaimed Luis. “Who prayed that prayer?”

William replied, “Yes they are! Paul, the apostle, and Timothy who wrote this letter, prayed it for the believers in the church in Colosse. Read the verses again to yourselves and see how it might help you to have patience instead of anger.”

When they finished Jose shared, “Since I accepted Jesus, his Spirit is in my heart. We learned earlier that in Jesus are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, so when his Spirit is in us we have access to those treasures and he can help us.”

Luis continued, “The rest of the verses say if we have wisdom and knowledge we can be pleasing to God.”

“Plus,” exclaimed Pedro, “God will strengthen us with his power, resulting in patience!”

Then Hugo admitted, “I don’t know why I’ve waited so long to accept Jesus like you did, Jose. I’ve seen how much he’s helped you because you’re my roommate. Will you please help me pray the way you did that day?”

“I'd be very glad to,” said a joy filled Jose. “You don’t have to use the exact words I said, but what I prayed was: Jesus, I realize I'm a sinner and I’m sorry for my sins. Please forgive me for sinning. Please be my Savior. Thank you for loving me enough to die and pay the penalty for my sins. Help me to change the way I live so I can live for you instead. Amen.”

So Hugo bowed his head and prayed something very similar, but in his own words. When he opened his eyes he smiled the happiest, joy filled smile in his whole life, and exclaimed, “Thank you, Jesus for being my Savior!”

Pedro, Luis, and all the other boys in that age group took turns praying their version of the prayer and by the end of the class time, there were eleven new believers! The angels in heaven and Jose and William had a wonderful time rejoicing.

William closed the meeting by reading the Colossians verses again and saying, “Now that all of you are believers, Jesus will answer that prayer for your lives, like he has been doing for Jose.”

Then he found the song on the web, “It Is No Secret (What God Can Do),” sung by Jim Reeves and played it, while the boys followed along with the words on the monitor. They were nodding and smiling, and even sang along with the ending.

Hugo exclaimed, “This song is so true! God just did for us boys what he had already done for Jose!”

“That’s for sure!” agreed Luis.

And Pedro added, “Exactly! Thank you William for teaching us about the Bible and God and Jesus!”

The rest of them agreed as they left the room so the next group could come in for a lesson.

Greg mentioned, “This is the end of the first section.”

Kevin stated, “I liked hearing how those boys prayed to accept Jesus.”

“So did I,” agreed Daniel, “because each of us younger boys accepted Jesus right after that boy in the wheelchair was healed on the farm.”

Cory nodded and tacked on, “And I accepted Jesus the same day he healed my legs in the park when I was in second grade. Also in this lesson, I liked hearing about a good way to handle anger. It might come in handy some day.”

“For sure,” and Levi continued, “I think those verses in Colossians would be good ones to memorize.”

“Same here,” said Max, “but I think I’ll need some extra time since it’s so long.”

The whole family joined in on this project and the verses became a prayer each of them prayed often.

Brad enjoyed being in the city in his little studio apartment. One of his goals was to save as much money as he could, so he could buy a vehicle. Then he would be in a better position to ask a young lady out on a date, because he realized a bicycle would not ever be appropriate. Since he was already twenty years old he was ready to consider marriage, but only to the right young lady. She would have to be a believer!

But as he started looking for one, he had to admit that it would not be an easy search. The single ladies in his small group were all older than he was, so they were out of the question. The time before and after church was too short for visiting. Maybe he would have to wait until January and hope he would be put into a small group with one or two young ladies a little younger than he was.

“Oh well,” he thought to himself, “I’ll just have to be patient and think of some other things I can do while I’m waiting.” He thought for a couple days and had an idea of one thing he could do while he waited.

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So, a month after returning to Pine City, Brad went back to Mercy Valley Ranch to visit Oscar and Vera. One day when the girls went to clean their rooms he suggested, “Oscar and Vera, I would like to do something more as a way to thank you and the other families who helped me with the story I wrote about this ranch. I would like to teach writing skills like research, outlining, paragraphs, editing, and proofreading, to all the high school girls who would like to learn more about it. The girls could use this at school and it would help them later when they would write their opinions about issues that are important to discuss with a possible future husband. Some parents mentioned that their girls would do that.”

After a few moments of considering this, Oscar responded, “Your idea sounds like a useful, helpful thing to do for all these families.”

“I hope it will be,” Brad stated, “You and the other families were very helpful when I did interviews.

Vera remarked, “This would be a good way to thank the families.

“Yes,” Oscar agreed, “and the parents can tell their girls that because you are a journalist, you have good writing skills and that you desire to teach them as a way to repay the family for the time they spent answering questions to help you write your story about this ranch.”

“Your ideas sound very good, Oscar and Vera,” and Brad continued, “I already gave thank-you presents to your family, to Evan and Candy’s family, to Ted and Julie’s family, and to Ben and Mindy before I left the ranch to move back to Pine City.”

Vera declared, “Our family sure liked what you gave to us!”

“I’m glad you liked it,” responded Brad and then he went on, “So I would be teaching the high school girls, if they desire it. If any girls would rather not take this class on the weekends then they can choose to not come at all. I will also need a different parent to be a volunteer helper for the class each weekend in one of the game rooms in this big house. The other parents each weekend would get to have time to do something else they would like to do during the class time.”

Oscar remarked, “It sounds like you’ve put a lot of thought into this project and I hope it works well for you.”

“Thank you,” Brad responded, “I will talk with the parents first to get their permission to teach their girls. I’ll comment something like, ‘This might seem more like extra school work to your girls, but it could result in better grades on school assignments to write papers and be helpful if they ever want to write their opinions about their preferences on important issues to help in selecting a future husband.’ Then I’ll go from there.”

Several of the families on the ranch had invited Brad to come back to the ranch and go on horseback rides with them when he would have time. So he came at least two times a week for a while with different families who had girls of various ages. He would ride beside the parents and talk to them off and on. He usually came on Wednesday evenings and on one day of the weekend.

So while he was riding beside parents with high school girls, he would tell them about his plan to teach writing skills as a way to say thank you to those families. Also he would make a visit to other families so he could tell them about his plan. Each of the families agreed, so they would need to plan the best time for a class on the weekends.

Greg remarked, “As soon as we have all our chores done, we’ll go out and practice some more ball skills, and then when we come back inside I’ll read another segment of “Become Honorable People” for our evening devotional time.”

All the boys cheered, did a good job on their chores, and had fun outside. They came with their Bibles, notebooks and pens, and were ready to listen as Greg read to them.

William did a Bible Study about mercy especially for the boys who were twelve years old on the farm, since the ones who were ten and eleven had already accepted Jesus. They already had a different lesson on another day for new believers.

“All of you boys know that this is Mercy Valley Truck Farm. It’s called that for at least two reasons. First, it’s in the valley containing Mercy Stream, and second, it reminds us of God’s mercy. Find and read with me James 5:11b, The Lord is very compassionate and of tender mercy. Someone look up the first term and tell us what it means.”

One boy did and responded, “Compassionate means to feel or show sympathy and concern. A few synonyms are: caring, loving, understanding, merciful, and kind.”

“Thank you, said William. “In the Greek language of the New Testament, it means to suffer together and do something to relieve the other person’s suffering. Now hand the dictionary to the boy next to you so he can look up mercy.”

The other boy said, “Mercy is a noun and means forgiveness is given instead of punishment. It has synonyms like leniency, grace, compassion and pity.”

 

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“Yes,” agreed William. “So mercy is what makes it possible for God to give us forgiveness even though we don’t deserve it. Find Micah 7:18 and read aloud with me. Who is a God like you, who pardons iniquity? … and he does not remain angry forever because he delights in mercy.”

A boy mentioned, “I’ve heard awful stories about gods in ancient times having no mercy and doing horrid things.”

“Exactly,” William concurred, “and that’s why this verse is so meaningful to us today. But God’s compassion and mercy aren’t automatic. We have to do our part.”

Another boy asked, “What’s our part?”

William responded, “The next two verses we’ll read together have the answer. Proverbs 28:13, He who covers up his sins shall not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy. And Isaiah 55:7, Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Let him return to the LORD, and he will have

mercy on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Do you see the answer?”

The boy replied, “Yes, it’s just like you’ve told us before. We need to confess that we sin, be willing to not do those sins, and ask God to have mercy on us and forgive us.”

“You’re completely right,” responded William. “Both of those verses are from the Old Testament. Who remembers what God did in the New Testament to pay the penalty for all sins and be able to forgive all who do what?”

A different boy answered, “God sent his Son, Jesus who lived a perfect life and willingly died to pay the penalty, and what each person can do is to believe in Jesus, confess his sins, and ask Jesus to be his Savior.”

“I understand now!” exclaimed the other boy. “I'll do it right now!” He bowed his head, closed his eyes and sincerely prayed the sinners’ prayer including things he had just learned.

Each one of the other seven boys in the group took turns praying their own prayer and asked Jesus to be their Savior, followed by a time of thanksgiving and praise.

Karen did the same lesson for the girls who were eleven and twelve years old on the ranch. All eight of them were also saved!

“Wow!” Max declared, “This was a very powerful lesson and resulted in a lot of boys and girls being saved!”

Kevin agreed, “Yes, and I’m glad there are such good Bible teachers on the farm and the ranch.”

“Same here,” and Cory added, “especially since those who were older when they came to the farm and the ranch didn’t get to attend the church school.”

Daniel stated, “I’m glad we get to listen to some of the lessons, since we didn’t go to those classes.”

“So am I,” said Levi, “we could use some of those verses with kids in the public school when they’re willing to listen.”

The boys wrote Levi’s suggestion in their notebooks and later they practiced with each other.