A Brief Report
(Editor’s Note: We will make a much fuller report to the congregation, including pictures and commentary by Dave, Trevor, and Fernando in the next couple of weeks, as scheduling allows us to prepare the material for presentation.)
The members of the Delta congregation send their love and appreciation to all the members of the church here at MidTown for your willingness to send encouragement and spiritual aid to them, and for the knowledge that saints they have never met nevertheless remember them in prayer.
Fernando and Béa Mesa, Trevor Parker and Dave Rogers arrived at the church building in Delta, Colorado about 7:30 PM on Wednesday. We were delayed for about 35 minutes by a stretch of road construction between Gunnison and Montrose (which made us late for the Wednesday evening service), but otherwise we encountered no difficulties en route. The brethren greeted us with joy, and we enjoyed a period of singing and prayer, followed by a brief, encouraging message by Fernando. Very generous accommodations were provided in the homes of the Traxel and Carr families. On Thursday, we spent the morning visiting with our host families, visiting the Chamber of Commerce for area maps and information, and otherwise getting our feet "on the ground." Although it wasn’t part of the initial plan, Trevor and Dave were able to work on the PA system in the church building, which resulted in a much clearer transmission of sound and much clearer recording quality for their tapes. Thursday evening brought an impromptu gathering at the church building for another period of singing and prayer, followed by an exhortation by Dave. Friday was given over partly to preparations for the Ladies’ Day and Gospel Meeting, and partly to visiting the Grand Mesa (details later). Friday evening brought a barbeque with the extended family of one of the elders, followed by a quick trip to the airport at Montrose to pick up Luann Rogers and her mother, Lee Stewart, for the ladies' day activities.
The ladies’ day was deemed a good success, with twenty-six in attendance and many kind words from the sisters there. While the ladies were occupied, our men shared breakfast with two of the elders. Sunday morning dawned bright and hot, and while Trevor began our meeting with an excellent, encouraging lesson to the adults, Fernando spoke to the (few) young people present. Fernando preached for both services on Sunday, and the congregation shared a congregational dinner after the morning worship hour. Attendance was excellent on Sunday morning (about 45) and still quite good Sunday evening (around 30-35). Monday morning saw the departures of both Fernando and Béa, and Luann and Lee due to unavoidable commitments at home. Trevor and Dave spent much of the day in conversation with Scott Morris (one of the Delta elders) and in securing supplies to advertise a bible correspondence course in the Delta area. Tuesday morning was spent in finding places to post advertisements for the BCC, while the
afternoon was occupied by door-knocking in a trailer park near the home of another elder, Virgil Page. Dave preached both Monday and Tuesday evenings.
On Wednesday, while Trevor finished up details for the BCC, Dave prepared samples of trifold flyers (similar to the one we use here at MidTown) for the elders. These can be reproduced at low cost, and can be distributed both by the Delta members and through the local chamber of commerce. Trevor concluded the meeting portion of our trip with an excellent and encouraging lesson on Wednesday evening, and we began the long journey homeward on Thursday morning.
