Well Done

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;
and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying,
neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Revelation 21:4

This morning my friend in Kericho, Kenya died. She was 26 years old and her name was Bornest. I met her when I was in Kenya a few years ago now. She was a vibrant young woman. Full of smiles and laughter and life. I had no idea then that she was very sick and had been for most of her life.

Recently, I helped her get to a hospital for care and treatment. A friend of mine named Thomas helped to admit her to hospital and we have been praying for her recovery. She succumbed this morning as a result of failing organs. Word of her passing reached me by text message within the hour.

I cried and shed some tears. My emotions are a bit raw. Bornest's family just had a funeral within the last few months as a brother died of AIDs. I feel the loss of a friend. Someone who had no large income and for whom life was very hard. Yet, someone who could still smile and laugh and fight valiantly to live.

Bornest has now lost her physical battle but her spiritual battle has been won. I am confident that I will see her again some day in Heaven. I am confident that even now the Lord is telling her "Well done, my good and faithful servant. Enter now into thy rest".


Bornest, my friend and esteemed daughter of God, I will not soon forget you but I know someday I shall see you again. Wait for your friends with smiles and praises unto His name. God bless.

Boats Afar

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
And God saw the light, that it was good:

Genesis 1: 3, 4

I love that I can capture scenes like this from my window. I simply love the pure beauty of the tiny sailboats on the horizon as they are basking in the sun.

I turned it into black and white so you could see how brilliantly the sun is illuminating the waters below where the two sailboats are lazily making their way.

So spectacular. Creation is beautiful!

Friends & Clutter

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Matthew 6:21

Yesterday I met a friend I haven't seen in a very long time for lunch. It took us three, almost four weeks of telephone tag to organize a luncheon date. Normally, I would give up after two phone calls due to low energy levels. But this time my friend was good at her own follow up, so we managed to get together.

I tried an organic green and beef salad with blue cheese. This is the second time I've tried it. The first time was absolutely pleasing to the eye and delicious to the palate. This second time was not nearly as aesthetically pleasing. Can one use the word "aesthetic" when it comes to food presentation? I'm not sure. But oh well, I just did! The salad plate was missing the eye catching red grape tomatoes I'd had the first time around. Sadly too, the organic spring greens mix looked as if they were wilted by the hot sun we've been having.

I did request, and receive, some grape tomatoes which made the salad look more appealing and I found that the taste wasn't too far off the mark. My friend had a veggie and cheese omelet with multi-grain toast. She didn't complain or comment so I guess it was fine. I didn't get photos because we were both a little hungry by the time lunch was ready.

Besides eating, it was simply nice to see my old friend again. As always when we haven't gotten together for awhile, we have a lot to catch up. But our luncheon and conversation did not seem rushed which was nice. She had to come downtown today for an appointment not too far from where I am staying. She was taking some kind of course for diabetics at the hospital in the neighbourhood so it was easy to schedule a get together once we finally did connect by phone. She later reported that her regimen of diet seems to be keeping the diabetes in check and that was wonderful news!

It seems that she and I are both at the stage of down-sizing and decluttering for potential moves. In her case, she needs to start thinking about the long term future as a senior citizen and is looking for a place with medical care on site and an elevator rather than stairs. In my case, I simply want to simplify for two reasons. Firstly, to make any future moves easier. Secondly, I just have too much accumulated in my small apartment, especially books and clothing.

My involvement with Kenyan missions made me realize how much "stuff" I have accumulated and how much I used to spend weekly or even daily; most of which was totally unnecessary. What I spend on one meal out can be translated to a set of bedding sheets or a mattress for a villager or school supplies for an orphan child, even medicine for a sick child or widow.

[Victor receives school supplies]

[Mercy, another child who needs your help]

I'm learning to be more frugal, do with less and send more to the mission field. I'm not feeling guilty about it. I've just come to realize that material things and accumulating more of them, holds little value in the big scheme of life. I've always realized this, but these past few years I have a much deeper appreciation for what this really means.

By consuming less, I save more of the green stuff. Both green money to send to Kenya and the green earth which we inhabit. Involvement in Kenyan missions has prompted me to examine my spending habits very carefully and make some adjustments. What I learned in the process about the kind of steward I am was quite eye opening.

I've always tried to be a good steward but I think there is always room for improvement. For the last two and a half years, I've been embarked on a continuous quest for improvement in this area. May I challenge you to look at your own spending and see if you can do more to help the Kenyans? There are really so many more needs at several missions. Much more than I can meet on my own. If you want to do something and see the results first hand, let me know.

Calling on Gardeners

25 But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away.26 When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew.
27 "The farmer's workers went to him and said, 'Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?'
28 "'An enemy has done this!' the farmer exclaimed.
"'Should we pull out the weeds?' they asked.
29 "'No,' he replied, 'you'll uproot the wheat if you do.30 Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.'"

Matthew 13:24-29 (NLV)

Do any of you know what kind of weed this is or whether it is even a weed? It came up in the part of the garden where I planted vegetables last year. I don't recognize it so I think it is a weed. But it looks awfully robust and large to be a weed so I thought I'd better check with someone who might know more. It has pointed edges around the leaves.

Now here is another question. I've always heard that you should pull the weeds from the garden while the plants/crops are growing. The scripture passage above seems to suggest otherwise? Any thoughts on this?

Thanks in advance for your help. I'll check back later for comment replies. God bless your day.

The Role of the Artist

"It seems to me that the world is in little need of another message of confusion or chaos....The role of the artist in society, among all the "sound and fury" of life, is to stand patiently aside with quiet confidence, waiting, knowing that when all the noise and activities subside, someone will need a moment to pause, to reflect, to remember, to be filled with wonder or touched with emotion."

Scott Stearman, Christian artist

When I returned to my empty condo yesterday, I passed by some public art in a busy intersection and back alleys that fit this description for me of the role of an artist.



I don't know who painted these large murals on the outside walls of very old buildings in the neighbourhood. But they bring beauty in a decrepit part of the street and add colour, life and love.

I took these photos from a very busy and main thoroughfare but the noise seemed to "still" and calm came to me as I took a few moments to take these photos.

I hope you enjoy these wall murals as much as I do.

A Simple Bar of Soap

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praises to your name, O Most High

Psalm 92:1

Most people don't really think about what a luxury it is to be able to have a bar of soap.

In Kenya, many of the villagers are unable to even buy bar soap or other things like toilet paper; things that we consider the daily necessities of life. This is one of many reasons why I am passionate about helping the Missions of Hope.

Today before I take my bath, I am grateful that I have a bar of soap. One that smells nice and has a rich later to soothe my dry skin. What will make you give thanks today?

As the sun sets...

...the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Nehemiah 8:10

As the sun sets over Vancouver



I enjoy reading a book that I've been wanting to read for the past several years.

I'm relaxing, enjoying a nap and a refreshment, watching a bit of tv, but mostly just relaxing and reading a chapter here and a chapter there.



It's been a good day as I gave myself permission yesterday to just relax and stay away from "have tos".

I hope you had a good day too.

Tomorrow, I "have to" go for my mammogram, long overdue and take care of some business. Have a good week.

Rest

Sunday.

I am going to put my feet up and rest. Or take a walk, or meditate in the garden, or simply relax. I hope you enjoy your day with friends, family or simply yourself and God. For God tells us to rest.

Psalm 23

1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

I cannot recall the precise words of a sermon once given my current pastor but it was the first time I'd heard it put this way. He said in addition to assembling together as the body on the Sabbath Day, we ought to do things that bring us closer to God. So whether that be doing a favourite hobby, spending time outdoors or with family,or something else, in all things we can use it as an opportunity to enjoy the life that God has given us and reflect on what God has done for us.

I think it is hard for most people to rest, including me. We always feel we need to be doing something gainful. But out of necessity, I am having to rest more and more as time goes by and in so doing, learn that it is okay.

I am not wasting my time by being idle. On the contrary. I am using my time as a form of worship in doing things which give me joy and quiet. At the same time they bring me into deeper communion with God and restore the body that God gave me.

I pray you also have a rest.

The Path of Life

Enter ye in at the strait gate, says the Lord, for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Matthew 7:13-14

This verse has been a powerful verse of scripture and positive influence in my life.

Majestic Lions of Kenya

There are three things that are stately in their stride,
four that move with stately bearing:
a lion, mighty among beasts, who retreats before nothing...

Proverbs 30:29,30

I love Africa and Kenya in particular. Moreover, I love the majestic lion. I watched it up close in the Nakuru National Park and on the plains of the Maasai Mara. What power and majesty in this animal.

Most of us think of lions in a dry plain but the lion in this photo is from Nakuru National Park. As you can see, he has a lot of foliage in which to live. It gave me joy to watch it and my friend snapped these photos for me. I hope you enjoy them too. Just looking at them again makes me want to visit again soon.

...See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, ... has triumphed.

Revelation 5:5

A Challenging Week

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2

I feel as if I've been through the wringer this week. So much has been happening in my life. Or more specifically, to the people that I know and love. It has been challenging trying to keep up with their needs and to keep them all in prayer. At the same time, I have much to be thankful for this week.

My mom had blood in her urine late last week and an unexplainable pain in her abdomen. We prayed about it and her blood stopped passing. She also had expanding wounds on her leg from a bout with cellulitus over a year ago now. Yesterday, my brother took her to the hospital for tests.

It seems she has a bladder infection but the doctor thinks the blood in the urine and the pain in her abdomen is caused by a small internal puncture that occurred when her catheter was inserted. As for the leg, nurses will attend at her home today to cleanse and swab it for further evaluation. They were supposed to do this over a month ago and didn't. That is one of the reasons mom ended up going to the hospital instead. Today when they visit, the nurses were to give her a prescribed course of antibiotics for both the leg and the bladder problem.

In Kenya, I have a friend Bornest, a young orphaned woman who has been very sick for some months now. She had to be admitted to hospital on Tuesday due to so much pain that she was literally crying. Yesterday, other friends reported that Bornest had a headache and stomach pain and she was vomiting. Today she seems a bit better but I think she will have to stay in hospital for awhile.

Here is a photo of Bornest (left) . I sent funds for about a week of hospital care. She needs more help for the hospital bills so I would appreciate any prayers or help you could offer.


In another crisis, a young orphan girl named Chelangat was sent home from school due to lack of funds to pay second term which is well underway. After I sent out a request to friends, one kind soul stepped forward to pay for second terms fees. A christian brother in Chelangat's village spoke to the principal today and got her re-enrolled. Chelangat is so grateful as she has hope that her future may be brighter and that she might just get an education after all. I post a picture of Chelangat below. I would ask you to pray for her and if you can help her financially, please get in touch with me.


So it has been a challenging week and this is only the half of it! I am so grateful for having the strength to get through it, for having the peace of God and caring friends who are helping me bare these burdens.