Hundreds come to hear President Jimmy Carter teach Sunday School

A visitor walks near a cutout of former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, at an antique mall in Carter’s hometown of Plains, Ga., Sunday, August 23, 2015.

His grandson said it was the 689th time he had taught classes there.

“He’s always done it the way he’s wanted to, that’s why he’s done so much”, Bobby Salter, the owner of Plain Peanuts on Main Street, explained.

As involved as they’re for his well being, a few of Carter’s associates worry one other enemy for him: boredom.

Among the things that Carter shared with those in attendance is the fact that he and former first lady Rosalynn never go to sleep without settling their differences. When Carter mentioned that going to Nepal would delay his final radiation treatment by five weeks, a chorus of “NO’s” rang out in Plains’ Buffalo Cafe, where a handful of his close friends had gathered to watch Thursday’s news conference on TV. Friends say they hope yard signs, well wishes and entertainment will keep the 90-year-old Carter’s spirits up.

Carter emphasized Thursday that his work with the Carter Center – a sprawling nonprofit that does everything from fight disease to help peace negotiations overseas – has been more personally satisfying to him than his four years as president, but admitted that he would’ve liked to serve another term.

He said when people were confronted by problems they should be ready to rely on their faith.

Carter explained that in May, he had gone to Guyana to monitor elections but fell ill with a bad cold and cut his trip short.

When former President Jimmy Carter announced earlier this week that cancer had spread to his brain, the overwhelming response was sad but supportive.

It’s not everyday there’s a line to get inside church, but on Sunday it was a crowded inside Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains. “Feel blessed for being here, for many are not here”, she said, referring to folks relegated to the schoolhouse.

“I’ll believe it when I see it”, said James Carter. “He already knows he has it. Let’s be positive”.

The lesson was familiar: When burdens grow heavy, ask God for strength.

Before the 11 o’clock worship service began, Carter excused himself to teach the lesson a second time in the building where he graduated from high school.

Carter, 90, gave one lesson to about 300 people filling the small Baptist church that he and his wife, Rosalynn, attend.