Dykstras' Stay in Singapore

Most of the time that we were in the U.S., Prof. and Mrs. Dykstra were in Singapore.  They have been here for extended stays a couple of times in the past, and the church here was very excited to host them again.  They arrived a couple days before we left and, apart from two weeks in Australia for a conference there, stayed in Singapore until the Monday after we arrived back here.

On the balcony outside our flat--They came to visit with our family

before we left, just as a Bible study was finishing at our place.

The annual CERC church camp was held the first week we were gone, with Prof. Dykstra as the speaker.  The topic was "God's Covenant in the Psalms."

This year's church camp photo (thanks to Daniel Tang)

While Prof. Dykstra was in Australia he was joined by Rev. Nathan Decker, who then came to Singapore on his way home to preach for one Sunday.  Rev. Decker also had a "Table Talk" with the youth--more about those later--and was able to join the congregation for a church outing.

Rev. Decker with some of the congregation on Sunday afternoon

When the Dykstras arrived back in Singapore, Prof. gave two speeches on Christian education, giving the principles of Christian education and the practical steps for beginning a school.  He also had a Table Talk with the youth on his last Sunday here, and we were able to attend that.  Table Talks are basically open question and answer sessions for any biblically-related question.  We covered whether it was okay for Jacob to show favoritism to Joseph and Benjamin, what our relationships will be like in heaven ("Will I know that that man was my husband?" etc.), how we can be thankful FOR everything, and a few other questions.

Prof. Dykstra looking at the questions, some of which are typed up beforehand; 

others may be asked from the floor during the Table Talk.

Following that, there was a dinner with the Dykstras, and then some singing and farewells.

Several of the youth lined up to say goodbye to Prof. Dykstra

One last picture I have to include--the congregation after the afternoon service on Prof. and Mrs. Dykstra's last Sunday here.

We are thankful for the work that was done by the Dykstras and by Rev. Decker while we were gone.  May the church here be blessed by their instruction, and may they be blessed as they pick up their work again in the U.S.