Making Memories

Can I just say - WOW! God is amazing! And oh, so creative!!! Rob and I spent the few days we had off being utterly knocked to our knees by the awesomeness of God. It was zooapalooza and it was so much fun. We visited several zoos in the area - Woodland Park Zoo (twice), Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, Greater Vancouver Zoo, and the Vancouver Aquarium. We were entertained by squirrel monkeys, mesmerized by jelly fish, intrigued by a vulture, drawn to an anteater, purred at by a cheetah and so much more.

And to think I was a bit down in the dumps before our vacation. You see, I had been planning a road trip for me and Rob and when it didn't work out a little black rain cloud floated in and took residence over my head. But then my children reminded me of something important - very important. Big trips, fabulous destinations and money to spend do not make good vacations. Making memories is what counts - and memories are made in moments. So I set out to live in the moment, enjoy our time together and make memories. And make memories we did! We had so much fun enjoying God's creatures ... and being just a tad bit silly (fun photos, temporary tattoos, goofy hats, etc...).

So next time you feel a little black rain cloud headed your way - take a breath, enjoy the moment and make a memory...go to the zoo. God is amazing!

"How many are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number - living things both large and small." Psalm 104:24&25

Homeless

Homelessness is an issue that is dividing churches. Some people are very outspoken and encourage others to ignore people on street corners asking for help because they "will just buy alcohol," or because they "should get a job." Others believe we should help those in need and what they do with the help is in God's hand. And many more are somewhere in between.

This morning I was watching a small group study resource by Erwin McManus and the issue of homelessness was raised. The dvd clip that stood out to me actually had nothing to do with the topic of study - it was just a side note. The clip showed a driver at a stoplight with a man on the corner holding a sign asking for help. The clip went over thoughts the driver had about the man and then it ended with a verse - Matthew 25:40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

To be honest, that was the first time I had seen that verse used in that way. An my first thought was - it's about time. You see, I have been wrestling with this verse and the common usage for quite awhile. when talking about this verse most people equate 'the least of these' to poor African orphans or those living in Cite Soliel shanty town in Haiti - and we usually don't hear mutterings about the need for them to get jobs or about what they might do with the help given to them. But there are people in need everywhere - and rather than specify who 'the least of these' - or those in the most need - are, I believe Christ is telling us of the importance of helping people in need, especially other followers of Christ. When we do this, when we tangibly love those who are hurting, we are loving our King.

So what about the homeless man on the corner? Is he hurting? In need? Does he know Christ? Does he need Christ? Is he a con artist, an alcoholic or is he a man "...needing enough for one meal, to humble (himself) enough to beg - to suffer our staring, pitying, disgusted, ignoring, untrusting eyes?"

Did you know:

37% of homeless are families
25% of homeless are children

70% of homeless have NO alcohol or drug problems

"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:17&18

Great News...

Ok, I know you have been wondering about what is going on with Jerry in Lusaka so here it is....

He is getting married!!! We are so thrilled and excited for him. If you remember back in January we asked you to pray for Jerry and God's guidance in a new relationship he was forming with a young woman. And, well, prayers have been answered in a major way! We so wanted to be able to fly back and be a part of Jerry's special day but we are unable to do that. So instead, please join us in praying for Jerry and his bride-to-be. May their life together be filled with a bounty of blessings!

Vacation

Hi All - just wanted to let you know we are taking the week off so I won't be posting for a few days. But check back next week because I have some news about Jerry from Lusaka that you won't want to miss!

More Nshima!

Hey - guess what! I did it. It took a year but I found a recipe for nshima and I made it for dinner last Monday night. It was yummy and filling. And, yes, we ate with our fingers. The texture was not quite like what we had in Zambia - it was much smoother there. Although, if I made it every day of my life and if I actually used mealie then I think mine could be smooth, too. Maybe. But considering it was my first try.... it was pretty good.

On a side note:

Monday was Botswana day at our home. The children made maps and flags of Botswana, drew pictures on the window of animals found there and we ate traditional food from there. The corn meal mush is found through out southern Africa - in Zambia it is called nshima, in Botswana it is called begobep. So, technically, for dinner Monday we had begobep (nshima), morogo (cooked spinach relish) and diphaphata (stove-top muffins ). I'm not sure what the morogo or diphaphata were supposed to taste like but they were pretty good, too!

the Lord's Army

Many, many years ago in Sunday school I learned a fun song with motions. As I sang the song I was declaring that I was in the Lord's army - even though I will not be serving in our armed forces I am enlisted in fighting in a war on the side of the King of kings.

What does it mean to be in a war? To be part of an army?

An army is made up of a very diverse group of people - and each person has a specific job. No job is better that another as all jobs are needed in order for the army to be successful. It is also important that each member of the army be trained. But not only does a person enlisted in an army need to be trained, have a specific job and perform that job, the person must have access to resources such as weapons. (It is not enough to know how to use a weapon, one must have access to it.) And, most importantly, a person must be willing to fight - to engage the enemy - to die for the cause.

God has given each member of His army a special job and He has equipped us with armor and weapons - it is up to us to get the training needed to use them properly. In Ephesians 6 we read about the armor and are reminded about the importance of putting on the FULL armor of God. In 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 Paul tells us, "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds." So, you see, we have the job and the resources but the question is - are we willing to fight??

Sometimes I think we forget that if we are followers of Christ then we are in His army. We tent to play church - it is safe and doesn't really cost us anything. But as Ron Luce wrote in his book Battle Cry for a Generation, "Jesus didn't give His life to start a social club; His church was meant to be an army."

The battle cry has been heard - the war is raging. May we not only embrace our position, get trained, put on the full armor and wield our weapons... May we fight!

Trusting God with the Unknowns

As Hayley finishes her associate degree and Riley begins his college studies we are filled with much excitement - and worry. Where will they study? What will they study? How in the world can we/they afford to further their education? What if we can't? How will they respond to the world's pull on them? Will their faith and witness weaken or strengthen? Will they find joy in their studies and future careers? Will they put Jesus first, everyday even if they don't understand - no matter what? You get the idea.

We want the best for our children - as most parents do - and this is where trust comes in. We believe God has a plan for them and we are encouraging them to follow Him no matter what - to seek Him first and not worry about the rest. Granted, planning and preparing are needed activities but worry, not so much.

Providentially, I was reading in Matthew 6 today - and verses 25-34 talk about worry. We are reminded that God cares about us and will take care of us. Verse 34 is pretty straight forward, too - "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself..." Why are we worrying about college? We will be strong and courageous because God is with us.

So whatever you are worrying about - stop. I know - it's not that easy. But be strong and courageous with us and hard as it may be, when we put our worries in the hands of our Father amazing things happen. Try it and see!

"Worry never empties tomorrow of its sorrow, but it does empty it of its strength. Don't let anyone rob you of your confidence in God. Know His word. Hold on to His hand. He will make your impossible mission possible and your life so much more than bearable." Barbara Johnson.