A Visitor

We had the priviledge of having Pastor Yohana Nzelu, the Headmaster of Mwadui Lutheran Secondary School in Tanzania, Africa visit with us over the weekend.  He is the same pastor my husband met and spent time working with when he was in Africa this past May. 

What an incredible visit it was!  Pastor was our special guest for our mission Sunday and he preached which was a real treat for us.  He needed some coaxing from Hubs, though, because he was afraid his native accent would be too hard for us to understand.  I'm so glad Pastor Nzelu agreed to it.  Later that afternoon, he presented some information about the Lutheran school in Mwadui and its current needs.  There are many!  They live so simply over there, it makes my attempts at living simply look much too complicated and cluttered yet.  But even with their simple lifestyle, they lack some of the basics.  The school is a boarding school because many of the students come from up to 100 miles away.  The public school system is lacking, to say the least, so when there is an opportunity for families to send their children to a private school they will do it.

So, the boys need a new dormitory.  Right now, all of the boys (over 100) are divided into two classrooms.  Their beds are lined up head to toe, and wall to wall.  The school is in need of a new kitchen and a multipurpose room.  The multi purpose room will be used as a dining hall, a chapel, and as a meeting place for various groups.  Right now the children eat outside under the trees which is fine for half the year.  But during the rainy season, it is not so comfortable.  Chapel services, prayer services and the like are held in classrooms and hallways - where ever they might be able to fit the children.  So a multipurpose room would be so beneficial!  They are in need of fencing around the entire school.  Some of the children are orphans and are in need of sponsorship.  This is a need that really hit home with me.  Hubs and I will be looking into this further, praying about it, and hopefully will be able to sponsor one of the orphaned children so that he/she can continue to receive an education, along with special love and letters from the United States. 

By the grace of God, we were able to send Pastor home with a generous check from our congregation.  He also received gifts from my in-laws' church in Tennessee.  It was just so amazing to see God at work in these three congregations which, geographically, are so far apart from one another.  It is such a blessing to know such generous people who are willing to help see the Lord's work is done.  What a weekend!

A Reflection on 1 Thess. 5:16-18

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

I find joy in a garden walk with my mother.  We talk about what she has planted.  We share our gardening hopes and dreams.  She teaches me what she knows.  I benefit from her wisdom.

I find joy in observing my sons.  JoJo teaches Mouse how to hold a baseball bat properly.  He shows him how to "squish the bug" when his back foot rotates.  Bud finds new patience with JoJo and even makes him laugh. The three of them run into the house with shouts of, "That was fun!  Let's play it tomorrow!"

I find joy in a stolen moment of quiet on my back patio where I read in secret.

I pray the Lord's Prayer several times daily; it has become habit now and I welcome that. 

I pray for my family.  For my boys that they may grow in their faith and knowledge of God; for my husband that he may continue to serve the Lord faithfully and rightly.  For myself that I may continue to learn God's will for my life and know the contentment that brings.

I pray for the Spirit to intervene for me during those times I know I should pray, but just can't bring myself to do it.  For whatever reason.  And for those time the words won't come.

I give thanks for my love of cooking and baking, even when I complain about having to do it, for I am providing my family with something good.  And they are thankful for that!

I give thanks for the times Hubby is gone so much, for this makes us cherish the times our family IS together.

I give thanks for an unbearably hot summer, for this makes me relish the long awaited cool morning that brings relief and joy.

I know a bit more about God's will in Christ Jesus for me.  All things are in His control, and held gently in His hands.  I am among those things.  Through the challenges and disappointments this sinful world holds in store for us, God works good.  I learn to trust Him, because He is faithful and He will see me through to the end just as He has done so many times before.  He makes no mistakes and this includes where He has put me.  Staying at home to raise my boys, sending them to school,  bringing them to church, making our home a haven for all who live and enter here, being a helpmeet to my husband...this is where He has put me.  And it is good and pleasing to Him.  As I reflect on these things, I find myself excited and  hopeful about what else He has in store for me; for us.  My anxiety wanes.  I am at peace.

Rejoice!

Ordination of a Godly man

Ten years ago Hubs was ordained into the Holy Ministry.  God's continued blessings on you and on His work you do, my love.

Annoint them prophets, men who are intent

To be Your witnesses in word and deed,

Their hearts aflame, their lips made eloquent,

Their eyes awake to every human need.

Anoint them priests, strong intercessors they,

For pardon and for love and hope and peace,

That, through their pleading, guilty sinners may

Find Jesus' mercy and from sin release.

Anoint them kings, yes, kingly kings, O Lord.

Anoint them with the Spirit of Your Son.

Theirs not a jeweled crown, a blood-stained sword;

Theirs, by sweet love, for Christ a kingdom won.

Make them apostles, heralds of Your cross;

Forth let them go to tell the world of grace.

Inspired by You, may they count all but loss

And stand at last with joy before Your face.

LSB 682

Palm Sunday

Was this really what it looked like on that first Palm Sunday?  People standing shoulder to shoulder under a sea of green palms.  No room for a passerby to pass on by.  But why would he want to?  His curiosity would be piqued. 

"What is this all about?  Who are we expecting?  Who are we praising?  Shall I join in the hymn as well?  Why not!"

I imagine the excitement was contagious.  The anticipation overwhelming.  The pure joy at finally seeing Christ as He made his way through that throng was unstoppable.  The shouting that followed was as much an involuntary reaction as one's heart pounding inside one's chest.

Hosanna!  Hosanna to the Son of David!

What my mind inevitably moves toward is another crowd that will gather five days from now.  My wonder and my joy turn to heartache and confusion.  What fickle people we are.  How easily we are caught up in the ebb and flow of the crowd.  Lord, have mercy. 

Hosanna, hosanna to the Son of David.

What I did today...

I took a nap.  It is one of my very favorite things to do on a Sunday afternoon.  I curl up on the tiny couch with a blanket pulled up around my ears and I doze off.  Doesn't matter if the TV is on, or if the boys are playing.  In fact, somehow, that makes it better.  I know my loved ones are near and safe and off I go, into dreamland. Here are some more naps.

The "I'm exhausted and I can't go on" nap.

The "searching for the right position" nap.

The "I have to pull over NOW!" nap.

The "I'm so comfy, I don't care how I look" nap.

The "I feel safe" nap.

Renewal

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from Thy presence,

And take not thy Holy Spirit from me.

Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation;

And uphold me with Thy free spirit.  

Amen.