The Sabbath services on February 23, 2019 began with a song service led by Cesia and Vanesse (juniors), accompanied by Jeremy Westcott on the piano. The opening song was “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”.
Rodney Herra welcomed everyone. Kelly Ann (freshman) had prayer, and read the scripture reading – Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.”
Brenda Herra told about their first mission trip as a married couple. They went to Belize by land and went to a resort in building. That night they all slept all in one big building, the girls on Brenda’s side and the boys on Rodney’s side.
Then there was the Guyana trip later on. They flew in and climbed aboard a huge truck, the tires of which were as tall as Brenda is. They prepared for a rough ride, but the driver picked up some bedding, which Brenda and another lady held down. She stayed by the truck while everyone else took the cargo to a place half a mile away. The Lord protected her since two groups had been fighting in the area. Then the group took a boat to the destination.
She went on mission trips with Rich Sutton to Mexico. On one trip, she packed light clothing in anticipation of warm climates. She pitched her tent outside a pavilion – and it rained.
She then called for the Laurelbrook Missions Offering, which was collected by Holden and Asher (sophomores) and which goes to support Laurelbrook mission trips.
Rodney Herra had the theme talk, had the closing prayer, and announced the classes. Clifton Brandt led the lesson study in the main sanctuary and Ruan Swanepoel “behind the glass” in the rear of the church sanctuary
Following are some notes on Rodney’s talk:
- He read “Somebody’s Mother”, a poem about a young lad who came to the rescue of a poor, old woman who needed help crossing a street.
- Joshua 2:12“Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father’s house, and give me a true token:” Rahab showed kindness and received kindness in return. She even appears in the genealogy of Jesus.
- This was the result of an act of kindness.
- The Herra boys opened gates for a nearby farmer. Then one Christmas their father didn’t have money for presents. They came home one night to find the family pickup full of presents. Acts of kindness do pay.
- FDR – “A nation does not have to be cruel to be tough.”
- Mark Twain – “Kindness is a language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”
- Kindness causes hostility to vanish. If you repay meanness with kindness, it will soften the heart.
- Every act of kindness creates a “ripple with no end”.
- “Where there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness.”
Personnel Other Than Students:
Clifton Brandt – deals with Laurelbrook’s water, sewer, and boiler systems
Jeremy Westcott – teaches some of the academy English classes
Rich Sutton – Laurelbrook president
Ruan Swanepoel – Laurelbrook farm manager