Top 10 highlites of Furlough 2014

Time flies and a picture is worth a thousand words !  This is how I feel about Furlough 2014.  Long awaited.........much anticipated.  And now the time has run out and it's time to get home....the memories and photos will be held dear for a long time to come. So what were my 10 top highlights?

10.   SIDEWALKS and summer evening walks

9.    The LIBRARY

8.    CHIPS and SALSA - Mexican food

7.    Our luxurious MINI VAN life and the smooth roads we drove it on

6.  1ST WORLD resources - from health and education to new shoes !

5.  Visits with SO MANY FRIENDS from so many walks of life........love you all!

4.  Family WEDDINGS  - blessings and hilarious fun !

 

3. A BREAK from reality - a moment to relax !

2. My SISTERS and BROTHERS

10.  Time with GRANDMA and MOM !

 

It's been wonderful .....

Children of the Heavenly Father

Early this year my Dad passed away from this earth into Eternity with his Lord and Savior.  It happened unexpectedly.  I miss his reassuring way and his quiet nuggets of wisdom and his strong faith as my lifelong example.  I've been feeling a little lost without Dad around to rely on for these things as I have the past 40 some years.
However, soon after I'd heard that he had died I had a moment where I imagined how he was being welcomed into Heaven.  This stunned me and even made me smile with reassurance.  Dad had received the ultimate gift and he was Home forever.  Why? Because he is a child of God.  We all are.  It find it fascinating that as Christians we can rejoice in death - even while we cry.
At Dad's funeral we sang one of his favorite hymns.

 

Children of the Heavenly Father

Safetly in his bosom gather; nestling bird or star in heaven

Such a refuge ne'er was given (vs.1)

 

Neither life nor death shall ever

From the Lord his children sever; Unto them his grace he showeth,

And their sorrows all he knoweth. (vs.3)

 



 

Children need nurturing.  Here in Malawi I am presently enjoying the gift of sharing spiritual nourishment with our VBS Team to so many Malawian children. 

 

Some tug at your heart more than others...

And I also have the joy of watching my own 3 children grow in serving Him !

 

 

This Holy Week my thoughts are focused on our lives as children of God.  Of Dad who for 77 years both attended and led worship services every season of Lent, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday and who this year and for eternity will worship the true Redeemer in Heaven ! And in 3 days we'll join him, though still on earth, and sing the Victory of the Risen Savior from sin!

And then....

Some day we'll all be safetly gathered - all of His Children with our Heavenly Father forever in Heaven.  I look forward to it.

 

(This photo was taken of Dad pointing the way to Jesus just a few days before he himself was taken to Heaven !)

 

 

 



Priceless Treasure

Fruits and Veggies are enjoyed by season here.  Only rarely are there the imported ones found shriveling on the grocery store shelf for an extravagant price.  Otherwise, in every yard and along the streets there is an abundant blessing of mangoes, pineapple, guava, granadilla, tomatoes etc. all in their own seasonal turn.  Pumpkins, for example, are not available in November to those Americans wishing to celebrate Thanksgiving, however, now in April they are beginning to show up.  Greenish on the outside with a surprising bright orange flesh inside.  I have learned to bake now and remember to freeze some for later.  Mangoes come for Christmas and presently we are enjoying avocadoes KWAMBIRI ( so many !!)
Yesterday I went for a walk around our yard, as I like to do before the sun goes down, and found this priceless treasure left lying on the ground!

In my efforts to focus on this Lenten Season using God's imagery around me in Malawi the words of this well known hymn came to mind:

Jesus, Priceless Treasure vs. 4

 "Hence, all earthly treasure! Jesus is my pleasure;

Jesus is my choice. Hence, all empty glory!

Naught to me thy story, Told with tempting voice.

Pain or loss or shame or cross,

Shall not from my Savior move me

Since he deigns to love me"

 

This hymn text was first written in the later 1600's. Hence such words which naught do I grow tired from even in the year 2014.  Beautifully written.  Knowing that similar struggles and temptations inspired someone to pen these words of praise for a much realized Savior then -  are comfort to me now as I type up my blog to share via internet.

Looking at those avocadoes left rotting below the tree I think about the difficulty I am having to know so many people who have let the free gift of God's Grace fall around them.  Some even walking over it to dig it further from their hearts and minds.  Those who held it in hand only to drop it and move on.  Even myself who is aware of it's goodness and so easily sets it aside in favor of less healthier choices.

 

Thankful for the benefit of knowing what God offers - for free - I am compelled to pick up His Word and be assured again and again of His priceless gift just as I am grateful for the treasure of healthy goodness provided me in Malawi by picking up those avocadoes off the ground!  Guess what's on our menu tonight?

 





Built on the ROCK

 I've been keeping an eye on this rock whenever I walk past this scene near our house here in Malawi.  One can't help but marvel at it's size or that it was here all along unknown until unearthed.

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.  Psalm 62: 1-2

Still, I find myself shaken often enough.  There seems to be a myriad of reasons to feel concern...worry....disappointment and confusion.  If it isn't myself then someone I know has been shaken by some upset nearly all the time.  And the world goes on.  Day after day.  It gets overwhelming .  So when I see this rock I think of this bible verse from Psalm 62  -- " My soul finds rest in God alone..........He alone is my ROCK" I'd like to just sit down upon this rock and pray.  I'm thankful it's there.  "I will never be shaken". 

All around the rock I am aware of extreme poverty here in Malawi.  Someone is digging out that rock ever so slowly and chipping away the stones as a means to his living.  Still, children wearing tattered clothes are walking along behind me - giggling.  An elderly man on a long journey home greets me " Good evening, Ma'am". The women selling "Thobwa" ( a fermented maize drink) smile at me. I pray for the Kingdom Work here in Malawi and praise God that I am privileged to be here for now. Humbled that I have as much to learn about Him in this place as I have come to share. Looking out from beyond the rock - there was the sun shining out of the darkened sky. His Grace blanketing us in a sin darkened world.  My heart rejoices!

  "Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation....Psalm 95:1 

Be still, my soul

Without the opportunity of Lenten services I seek to find a way to ponder and reflect during this somber time of the church year.  The extent of my own sins at the forefront I hit the rain dampened roads to walk and pray.  Concentrating today on the words of this hymn.  ( In part thanks to Koine' for their beautiful recording of it and to my husband who bought me an ipod !)

"Be still, my soul; The Lord is on your side;  Bear patiently the cross of grief and pain;
Leave to your God to order and provide; In every change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; your best, your heavenly friend.  Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end."

The imagery provided here in Malawi becomes an unexpected blessing.  In particular this worn down section littered with trash along my way strikes me as I ponder my own path in life.

 

 

 So often the way is not smooth or clear and I slip and this unsteadiness causes me to fall.  The litter seems so disgusting but reminds me of this sin sick world.  And my own sins.  Why can't we clean it up?  Lord - help us all along the way.

"Be still, my soul; your God will undertake.  To guide the future as he has the past. 
Your hope, your confidence, let nothing shake; All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know.  His voice who ruled them while he lived below."

Just ahead of this difficult road I see the foundation of a home - not yet completed.  I think, " Lord, you aren't finished with us yet....You aren't finished with me yet."  And further in the distance a glorious mountain view - oh how I would love the energy to run and run until I reach the top with its fresh air and feel of Victory!

 

 I pick up the pace and trust in HIM.  Nothing is impossible with God and nothing can take me away from Christ Jesus my Saviour from sin. There are reminders all around us.  My feet are steady now and I continue down the path.