Grateful for memories of Trinidad...

230. Maracas Bay Beach

Trinidad, WI 8/4/08

231. view from top of mountain overlooking Maracas Bay, Trinidad, WI

232.Palms at Manzanilla Beach, Trinidad, WI - 8/4/08

233. Fun with friends

8/3/08 Manzanilla Beach, Trinidad, WI

234. "Jamie the Sandman"

8/4/08 - Maracas Bay, Trinidad, WI

235. a child praying at VBS

7/31/08 - Trinidad, WI

236. the Team at Montrose Church of God

7/29/08 thru 8/6/08 - Trinidad, WI

237. Savannah-Jane shares the love of Jesus at VBS

7/29/08 - Trinidad, WI

238. Guy greeting young girl at VBS

7/29/08 - Trinidad, WI 239. Taylor with group of teen boys he taught at VBS

7/29/06 - Trinidad, WI

240. Heliconia flower near Manzanilla Beach
8/4/08 - Trinidad, WI

241. Dominica helping out with 6 year old boys' class at VBS

8/1/08 - Trinidad, WI

He's more...

'Outrigger Island' VBS Friday night service

8/2/08 -Trinidad, West Indies

For He’s more wonderful

than my mind can concieve

He’s more wonderful than my heart can believe

He goes beyond my highest hopes and fondest dreams.

He’s everything that my soul ever longed for

Everything He’s promised and so much more

More than amazing, more than marvelous

More than miraculous could ever be

He’s more than wonderful,

that’s what Jesus is to me.

God does great things beyond our understanding...

Listening to a sister in Christ share from her heart - 7/29/08 - Trinidad, WI

The Almighty is beyond our reach

and exalted in power.

Job 37:5b and 23a

This past year has been trying, to say the least. At times it would be easy to lay down and just wallow in the hurt, the disappointments, and the pain. There has been ongoing stress, sickness, death, and trauma that took me by surprise. I am rediscovering again and again that I am not in control and that God is able to do great things beyond my comprehension.

I listened to the testimonies of so many Christians while in Trinidad whose faith and trust in God strengthened me in my walk. With few earthly possessions and living in a country with an endless list of serious social problems, they live with a purpose that is clear and undiluted. Trusting Jesus completely.

As a family we were collectively convicted that we are too comfortable. Spoiled, really.

One lady I met shared, with a glow on her face, about the joy of knowing Jesus. She told about losing a child, struggling financially, and still finding that indescribable joy in her life.

She said, "He loves me and He has a plan for my life," and with gratitude she exclaimed, "I have a job now!" I can help buy food for my family. I am so blessed!"

I heard this quote once...

A "God" perspective may not change my situation, but it will change me.

I love the hymn..."Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace."

Lord, forgive me for looking at my situation and not at YOU. Even after the miracles you have performed in my life, even after the provision of your grace and mercy, I confess that I have doubted and allowed the present circumstances to overwhelm me. I believe that YOU will accomplish great things beyond my understanding. Amen.

I will bless the LORD at all times...

his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Psalm 34:1

227. homemade meatloaf for lunch

228. a dinner date with my husband

229. my parents

Peace

ferns and greenery on drive to Maracas Bay, Trinidad, W.I.

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace ...
1 Corinthians 14:33

Call it fatigue, a hormone fluctuation, or whatever, but I have been out of whack since we returned from Trinidad. So many things call for my attention and I am feeling distracted, interrupted, and not my usual semi-normal self. Now that is scary!

When a multitude of voices clamors for our attention, how can we hear God's voice? Satan uses the things of this world to deceive us. But God's voice is always clear. His words speak comfort, not confusion.

Father, You are not the author of confusion, but the author of peace. Help me to rest in You and find peace among the many distractions. In You I find comfort. Cause me to listen to Your voice of truth and find rest. Amen.

Gifts...

222. Malli's sweet smile

223. ginger lilies from a friend in Trinidad

224. the prayers of believers in Trindad

225. the return of Taylor's good health

226. home sweet home

It makes a difference to this one.....

With an even greater appreciation for the comfort of home, we all collapsed into our beds around 1:00 am this morning. It was a long day for us as we travelled home from Trinidad, West Indies. Up at 4:00 am to prepare for an 8:00 am flight out of Port of Spain, arriving in New York City at 1:00 pm, going through customs, catching a flight to Atlanta, then driving home. What a day! What a trip!
VBS at Montrose Church of God in Trinidad was a huge success despite the fact that one of our team members (son Taylor) became seriously ill with food poisoning after eating out at a restaurant and had to miss four days. Thankfully, after a visit to a doctor (a story in and of itself) and a prescription of antibiotics, he recovered and was able to participate in the closing VBS service. Attendance ranged form 138 to 178 throughout the week. We are thankful for the time we had with the children...sharing God's unshakable truth... laughing, singing, learning, and doing crafts together.

Saturday, I presented two workshops at Faith Academy for parents and teachers of special needs students. It is shocking to think that the Trinidadian government schools actually charge parents of special needs children for their schooling! (can you say discrimination?)

Faith Academy, however, operates at no cost to the parents and at the same time is making unprecedented progress with the children. So much so that the government has recognized their achievement and desires to come along side them and assist in building a modern facility. Hmm...

At the teacher workshop I met seven of the most dedicated, compassionate teachers ever to cross my path. They have many needs and lack modern resources, but the love they have for the children abounds! At the parent workshop, many of the parents wept openly as they shared their struggles and their pain. You can imagine how difficult it was for me to remain composed. It truly broke my heart and humbled me.

Tonight I thought back over the past twelve days, thankful for the opporunity we had to go to Trinidad but at the same time admittedly discouraged about all the serious problems in the country ... corruption in the government, skyrocketing AIDS statistics, brutal murders, kidnappings, extreme poverty, gang activity, drug trafficking, etc.
Incredible, overwhelming darkness. It makes me feel so disheartened.

Then I remembered something. At the end of each workshop I had shared the inspirational "starfish story" with the parents and teachers. My incredibly talented big sister, Kathy had lovingly made beautiful bookmarks with the story to give each of them. The story goes something like this...

There was a young man walking down a deserted beach just before dawn. In the distance he saw a frail old man. As he approached the old man, he saw him picking up stranded starfish and throwing them back into the sea.
The young man gazed in wonder as the old man again and again threw the small starfish from the sand to the water. He asked, "Old man, why do you spend so much energy doing what seems to be a waste of time."
The old man explained that the stranded starfish would die if left in the morning sun. "But there must be thousands of beaches and millions of starfish!" exclaimed the young man. "How can you make any difference?"
The old man looked at the small starfish in his hand and as he threw it to the safety of the sea, he said, "It makes a difference to this one!"

I read the starfish story again tonight and it reminded me that I can't do everything --- but I can do more than I think I can. And God will take what I do and bless it, multiply it --- just like He did with a little boy's lunch beside the sea of Galilee. I just have to pick up a starfish and throw it. That's all God wants me to do. He'll do the rest! He often takes the ordinary things of our lives and transforms them for His honor.
I sincerely pray that something I offered in Trinidad ... a nation with so many needs ... will be multiplied and make an eternal difference. I pray the same as I serve God in my home, my town, my state, and my nation.

All for His glory!