I Love Being Aware of God's Activity and Free Give Aways!

I spoke of helpful devotionals used with our trip to Kenya. Journaling is so helpful to recount God's activity in our lives. Our daughter, Kitty, has included another encouraging journal on her blog. You can also enter for a giveaway of one of her favorite journal formats! Click here to read the good news.

Tools for the Journey!

I am all about equipping people with the Scriptures to do their everyday tasks. As we needed to prepare for our mission trip I loved using the devotional published by Deeper Roots.

This particular little volume is two weeks worth of devotionals helping the short term missionary examine topics pertinent to being mentally and spiritually ready for the challenges of the forthcoming trip. The authors Howard and Bonnie Lisech have had over 30 years so they know what topics are important to work into people's lives to create a successful trip.

But during a trip there can be limited energy and time to really enjoy personal time with the Lord. So I was so glad when I noticed what Howard and Bonnie had to offer for use during a trip. But I was THRILLED they had a volume for posttrip reentry issues! These tools are ministry items that help strengthen the team spiritually so they can minister more effectively to those they serve.

If you are interested in these and other similar materials you can examine the offerings at http://www.deeperroots.com/.

Thoughts Related to 9/11/01

I trust this will provoke some thought. Would love to know what you think.
   

Recuperation and Pacing

Sometimes we just need to rest and recuperate. For me I have discovered the hard way that one can "Press On" and poop out. I have been obedient to do what I was asked to do to accomplish Mission:Kenya. I attempted to do it in the Lord's strength and not my own.

But I kept up the intense pace even after we returned in order to meet some deadlines so I could visit my elderly Mom who lives out of town. And then my body said, "Stop in the name of Love." The visit to see Mama will have to wait.

I am having to review some personal practices to prevent danger to my body, spirit, and emotions.

1. Enjoy time with the Lord.
2. If He tells me to do something I need to be obedient in the strength, wisdom, and love of the Holy Spirit.
3. When I have "good ideas" I need to ask the Lord if they are His, or distractions from what is best.
4. In the olden days when I would run, I would find a comfortable pace which would accomplish the task of winning. (In a particular race I went beyond the comfortable pace and thought I was going to die.) Currently I am evaluating my pace. Is it comfortable for the way I have been created and called? Am I going beyond what God is asking me to do? Why?
5. It is ok to play. (I think when Jesus walked on water He was playing.)
6. It is wonderful to be creative. When I am not being creative I have to ask myself have I lost the proper pace.

I would love to know what guidelines you use to know that you are in a comfortable pace as you accomplish what the Lord has called you to do.

Saturday’s Fun

VBS was over; bags were packed; last minute photos were being snapped.

I find myself with some anxiety, perhaps apprehension sounds nicer. Primarily it strikes when I am not sure what is going to happen when it really matters. I had emailed the van service of our desires to use our day of departure, Saturday, August 21^st, for souvenir shopping. We also needed to eat a decent lunch and exchange our money. Questions lurking in my mind included important issues such as safe food and not so important issue such as finding the right gifts for people at acceptable prices. (Did I tell you I hate bargaining?)

Our drivers, Peter and John, arrived at 7:30 am for a 9 am departure. Luggage of all shapes and sizes was crammed in to the back of the two vehicles. A little pandemonium I must say. They explained to me the route of the day. When I listened to the idea of a factory tour, I was a bit uncomfortable. After loading my body with all the breakfast I could handle, we said our goodbyes and hugged for one more time. Down the road we went.

Well the factory idea ended up being fabulous! The Kazuri company is a “fair wage” organization that was purposefully established to hire needy women and equip them with a trade that would lift them out of slum life. The handmade clay beads are transformed into gorgeous jewelry and sold at certain locations worldwide. The factory outlet offered set prices and I loved spending my money there. We all appreciated the clean bathrooms and onto our next stop we traveled.

Peter and John picked out a great place to eat and shop. This was outdoor dining in a very naturally beautiful setting, with a marvelous menu. After we ordered our food we slipped into the main building, the Utamaduni Craft Centre, (Friends of Africa, Limited) and spent the rest of our shillings. Little need to go to the exchange now!

After completing our shopping we delved into our meal. Jan ordered garlic bread and was still shopping. Not knowing it was her complete meal, some of the men ate it for her. So we ordered that meal again. From there we zipped to the airport.

Finishing Strong

Friday morning opened with a challenge: tons of kids. We counted 251, which included 80 in the preschool 20 foot by 20 foot tent. The very cozy quarters both in the tent and in the chapel made it tough for kids to keep their level of concentration high. Frankly it was hard for me to stay focused as well. I even forgot to open the morning with a couple of rounds of “Simon Says” to emphasize our topic of the morning – obedience.

My main concern was that the children understand:

1.      We obey the Lord because we love Him. John 14:21 “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." 

2.      The Holy Spirit will help us obey with reminders, John 14:26 “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” and conviction, John 16:7-9 “When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:”

3.      We can resist Satan and temptation. 1 Cor 10:13 “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

A huge clap of thunder happened at just the right time in the morning’s presentation to dramatize God speaking to us! And then the downpour cut loose. All that cut short the organized games but not the fun. Lunch was still served as an important portion of the day. Due to more impending rain we sent kids home rather than let them stay around and play after VBS.

Not knowing the exact fruit of our labors it was kind of Christine to inform us that parents of participants have called or greeted Christine in public with deliberate words of thanks for the VBS week.

Games with a Purpose!

Thursday’s VBS had two lessons. The topics were fellowship and witnessing. We discussed Acts 2:42-47 and the elements of good fellowship listed in the passage. Everyone loves testimonies so I shared how the family of God ministered to Kitty and Joel during the tense days of discovering Kitty’s tumor through the post-operative weeks as an example of fellowship in action. But the games/activities reinforced the lesson so well.

Relay races with potato sacks had individuals running to the finish line. We read the Biblical episode of a paralyzed man being carried by his four friends to Jesus for help. So the next race had the potato sacks as a mat with a small child on it being carried by four others holding the corners of the sacks!

The other activities used a parachute with which everyone worked together to do simple tasks, such as moving a tennis ball on the parachute round and round.

To clarify the message we would share when witnessing the kids made beaded bracelets using colored beads to represent the steps to salvation. They loved it!

A very difficult time was when we ran out of food with about thirty kids still needing to be fed. I was so proud of the IAA staff who managed to have more food prepared in about 30 minutes for the patient kiddos.

Dancing and singing praises is great way to fill time! This is the "choir" which came forward to help Christine lead worship.