eddieandme: Friday, March 27, Leadership Conference

Fri, 27 March, Leaders Conference. Jim very sick; but took first shift & taught principles of leadership based on life of Joshua. Taught on this theme all week and always a good job. I took 2nd shift and continued series on Rev., this time on theme of the Altar. Mike and Dean used our teaching time to set up their demonstration of how to create a compost pile. Then during 3rd shift, they took the helm. Mike led at first; but as time went on Dean gave more input and became more involved. Afternoon rested while Jim and Dean shopped.

Kanchan Kumar, the "warden" of the Bible college students, led singing (see v

ideo) as people gathered. Typical of many societies, people gathered gradually through the first hour or so.

Jim was incredibly sick. But what a trooper! He hung in there and taught his session as scheduled. If you watch this video closely, you will see that he says something in English. Then while Subodh translates and writes on the whiteboard, Jim sits down to catch his breath. After he finished, he went to a back room and collapsed.

After a little break, it was my turn to teach/preach. It's hard to put a term on what our presentations were. It was kind of like teaching, because we were presenting information in a structured manner. But it was also like preaching, because

we were exhorting and encouraging and challenging these leaders. I developed the theme of the Altar in the Book of Revelation. It is introduced in 6:9-11. Then it reappears a number of times as the book progresses. Consistently, when it appears, God directs some kind of retribution on those who would persecute his people. It really is a very encouraging series of images. On Wednesday I had talked about this same theme with the students. And I primed them with the question: "What is under the Altar?" The answer: "The martyrs!" I prepared them that I would ask the same question on Friday at the Leadership Conference. And when I asked the question, I wanted them to

respond emphatically with the correct answer. In the picture, you can see me drawing on the whiteboard. Probably can't tell what I'm drawing; but it is supposed to be the Altar. Sure enough, when I asked my question, all the students jumped to their feet and shouted, "The Martyrs!"

Some of the group scenes and some of the individuals in attendance.

By the time lunch break came, we had people in the overflow room.

On a lighter note, how about a few shots of some of the attendees eating their lunch. It is a real art to eat with one's fing

ers like this. At first they seemed rather embarrassed that I would come around where they are eating. But when they realized that I was not bothered, they sometimes actually posed for these shots so that I could share them with you. :)