My Joys are Like the Everlasting Hills

When I am with God 

my fear is gone;

in the great quiet of God

my troubles are as 

pebbles on the road,

my joys are like

the everlasting hills.

Walter Rauschenbusch

Encouragement comes in many forms and places. I've needed encouragement lately; it's been half a year since I was last in a place I'm really comfortable and feel known by friends (WA State). Since then I've lived in two towns for 3 months each... I'm settling in this place, but I don't have strong heart connections with people yet, naturally. So, when worries arise or the enemy sends lies that make me feel condemned, I don't have as many places to go. There have been some lonely and dark days.

I want to say that in these times I find all the comfort I need in God's Word and prayer... I feel like that's the "right way," the truly spiritual way. But, I think that God works in many ways. His Word does bring hope and truth that lightens my path, but sometimes it's hard to metabolize it on my own and sometimes praying by myself feels lonely.

Humorously, one of the lights of hope I saw this week was in a new friend's bathroom; she decorates with pretty cards and quotes. I copied the quote, which you see above, and later illustrated it. Drawing and coloring in connection to prayer and reflection has been another joy lately. And, I am most thankful for meaningful time with people here (unity in the Body of Christ): I was able to share some of my struggles and pray with a couple ladies at Bible study. One of them invited me to hang out soon. I went walking with two ladies the next day and over to one of their houses for ice cream and a movie the next day. God works in many ways.

Haiku @ 2:30 am

I was teaching about haiku the next day anyway, so I figured I'd write a few since I was up... The first shows why I was up... then there's one about our new shelf, one about the cool boulders on Lake Victoria, and one more... A poetic glimpse into my life of late.

Please don't bite me. Mister,                             Tall and full of nooks.       
you are not kind. I can't sleep.                           Now we have a place to put
My elbow itches.                                              all our bowls and plates.

Boulders like hundreds                                     Floating, restoring,
of ice cream scoops piled on                            oblivion of sleep is 
the edge of our lake.                                        where I want to be.

Zinza Celebration of Luke

Just a second, I thought of something even better. This is a video put together by our team leader and his wife. It shows the recent dedication of the gospel of Luke in the Zinza language which happened right before my arrival. It's a neat video. You'll see boxes of Luke carried in, the pastor speaking about the momentous event, and celebratory singing and dancing... Check out the missionaries trying out some new moves!

Beauty in a Basket

I'm a bit wiped-out right now, after a busy week... so maybe that's why I can't think of anything but a fruit basket to blog about. Or, maybe it's because simple blessings are a joy, be the day exhausting or energizing. Either way, I think a home needs a fruit basket to be complete... a dangling display of God's juicy sweet creations, within easy reach. It's almost like having a tree growing in one's kitchen, that bears three kinds of fruit, not to mention the garlic and onions.

Skyperific

On a dark and stormy night, with a 57 mph gale pummeling the windows of the beach cabin, my family was snuggled inside, garbed in flannel PJs and a rainbow of fuzzy socks. I, on the opposite side of the world, a bit chilled in 80 degree weather, received a call from that cozy cabin. We chatted, joked, and toured my house. Even our inanimate objects had a chance to chat (my giraffe and their sunflower are fast friends). Skype is a lovely thing.

Happy Valentine's Day!

On Valentine's Day I was on an unexpected adventure in Nairobi, Kenya. The adventure ended sweetly, with this bowl of Planet Yogurt and roses given to all customers at Nakumat (similar to Walmart) that day.
The adventure began when I arrived in Musoma. Sleep was a struggle from the start, due to mosquitoes and dogs. Then a few weeks ago I started feeling feverish and dizzy. It wasn't an awful illness, but it must have worn on me until one evening I felt tightness in the chest and palpitations.
The medical situation in Musoma is sparse and murky; there isn't much to have faith in as far as diagnosis or treatment. However, that evening I was surrounded with help from a nurse friend in Canada via Skype, her doctor friend in Dar via phone, and multiple friends in prayer via email and in person. God provides. I was less worried, but my symptoms continued. God provided again, in the person of a nurse here who made a prescription that got me back on a good sleeping schedule, a friend who covered my classes for me, and friends who prayed. Then I started feeling better.
I was urged to go to Nairobi for tests anyway, since my heart was involved in the symptoms. The doctor there was very thorough; I was amazed at how many tests could be run in a couple hours. He declared my heart healthy and said that tightness and palpitations are common when under physical or emotional stress. That was Valentine's day, an appropriate day for heart doctors... and a perfect day for frozen yogurt.

Adventures in Housekeeping

These photos are from a little earlier on, when Crystal and I had some thief problems. We had to beef up our fence, hence the photo of me tying up grass mats. And since our dog is a puppy some friends kindly lent their experienced dog, to give our dog guard lessons. I'm thankful we've been safe, for help from the body of Christ here, and getting to know my house-mate better!