From Zero to One

A view of the lake

Today was a very special day for us.  Today marked the first day of our “first group meeting.”  We have been looking forward to this day for a long time. 

Here is a little insight on how it all came about.  Since we have moved here, we have established many relationships.  J met Dew just a month after we moved here.  A short time later, we met his girlfriend, Aim.  Within the last two months, Aim introduced us to her friend, Puubap.

Dew…is a master’s student at a local university. He is currently working on his MBA.  He is in the final stages of his thesis.  Dew owns a shop, where he sells action figures.  In February, Dew began a new hobby of cycling, which is how J and Dew met.  Currently, J and Dew cycle every morning.    J and Dew are studying the Word together each week.  We are hoping he will soon see the hope it offers.

Aim…is a master’s student at a local university.  She is currently finishing her thesis for a degree in Economics.  Aim is also a ballet teacher.  She is Dew’s girlfriend.  L is studying the Word with her each week.  Aim is leading our music each week.  She is gifted in singing and enjoys sharing her talent.  Aim has a solid foundation of the Word.

Puubap…is working on her bachelor’s degree at a local university.  Aim and Puubap met in a ballet class as students.  Puubap has been participating each month is L’s scrapbooking class.  Puubap has been trying to find time to study with L during the week, but is having trouble finding free time.  We are uncertain about her understanding of the Word at this time.

Our new group

We spoke with Dew and Aim a couple of weeks ago about putting a group together, and they were so excited.  As soon as we mentioned it, they began brainstorming a place, time, and all the details.  They decided on the lake at the local university, and if it rained to meet at a nearby pavilion.  We will meet each Sunday morning at 10:30.  (This was the best day and time of the week for everyone in the group.)  After we meet, we hope to finish the day eating lunch together.

With today being the first time to meet, we of course had some kinks to work through.  The girls ran a little late, so we didn’t meet until 11:00.  Then once we got to the lake, we moved our meeting place a few times to avoid the hot sun.  Thankfully it is rainy season so it is not too hot and there was a great breeze this morning.  So I guess we officially started at 11:30.

We knew if the group was going to be successful it had to be done in the local language.  So, English was off limits!  We began by sharing our lives with each other about what is going on personally with each of us, and then we lifted it all up to the Father.  Aim then lead us in three songs that she had typed up in a mini-song book.  It included both the local language and English.  We each sang both languages.  First, in the local language, and then in English. 

J then taught the lesson only in the local language.  Dew had helped J translate it earlier in the week, so he was prepared.  If something came up that J couldn’t say, Dew helped translate.  We ended the group with making goals for the week of who to share the story with and then a section from the Book to memorize.  Yes, we will be memorizing it too!

We ended the group shortly before 1, so we didn’t have time to eat lunch together because they had other commitments to get to.  We know there are a few things we need to tweak, but it was a great morning and everyone had a great time and can’t wait until next week.  Dew, Aim, and Puubap can’t wait to see the group grow!

A group shot