It's that time again. The UPS man rang the doorbell yesterday and delivered the "big suitcase" with medical supplies in it. Must be time to start packing.
Daniel and a pretty large medical team will be heading to the Philippines this month. It will be a long trip with some inter-country flying. There are a lot of logistical issues that need to be prayed for. And it will be HOT! I may be wrong, but I think I read something about 110 degrees in some communication we got. Hmmm...
Well, time to pray! He will be gone almost two weeks and I shall be taking my first 2 exams during the time he is away. (Yes, the timing... seems things always happen like that... something to do with wrestling against spiritual stuff... look it up! ;o)
Have a blessed Easter season and I will try and post some pictures when he gets back!
Hugs and prayers...
Friday, April 3, 2009
Oh, be careful little ears what you hear....
I'm going to give you some medical education today. O.K. so not exactly, but I will tell you an interesting fact about medical education. Do you know how they teach doctors-to-be to tell if an inner ear is infected or normal? They do something very interesting. They have them look at "normal" [inner]ears.... lot's of them... for quite a while actually.... over and over... until they know what "normal" looks like. So when they finally look at an abnormal (or infected) ear, they may not know what is wrong with it... but they certainly know that something isn't "right".
Many times I have thought about this fact when contemplating discussions with others on various topics. How do we "know" that something is "wrong"? or "not good for us"? or goes against a biblical principle? Sometimes things we do or say or experience seem, well, "harmless". I can't tell you how many times I have heard some person say "Oh, it won't hurt anything." or "What's wrong with that?" or... "[fill in your blank here]. The problem is, deep down... we wonder....
I tell you today's media [tv, ipods, computer, movies, websites, books, cds, radio... we are just overwhelmed with media aren't we?] is perfectly willing to share what they think is "normal". Many times they insert in just enough truth/facts in there and then mix it with emotionalism and opinions and even false doctrines. Daniel and I are becoming more aware everyday that the "teaching" that is given to us each day in just our regular daily routines is just inundating us with anti-biblical messages (some subtle; some very blatant).
So, how do we "know" what is right and good in the mist of being blasted by so many messages continually? Well, just like the teaching of what a "normal" inner ear looks like; we need to be so well versed in what is "right" [insert time with God and Bible reading daily here]... that when "wrong" comes along... we may not know why it is wrong (or even exactly what about it bothers us)... but we certainly know that it isn't "right". We have to be so exposed to the truth of God's Word every day in our lives that it becomes our standard for living. [I tell you... in this day and age... that is not an easy task.]
Anybody remember that little song from preschool days?
"Oh, be careful little ears what you hear.....
........for the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh, be careful little ears what you hear."
Last night Daniel and I were discussing this little song after renting a movie (PG and very mild by today's standards) that we fast forwarded through parts and were very disappointed in where the makers of that series had taken it. Then we talked about good movies that we had seen that were worth the time and how far and few they were produced now. [Hmm... think we'll just cancel our membership to the local movie rental place and join a club that mails only wholesome Christian movies.]
Many times I have thought about this fact when contemplating discussions with others on various topics. How do we "know" that something is "wrong"? or "not good for us"? or goes against a biblical principle? Sometimes things we do or say or experience seem, well, "harmless". I can't tell you how many times I have heard some person say "Oh, it won't hurt anything." or "What's wrong with that?" or... "[fill in your blank here]. The problem is, deep down... we wonder....
I tell you today's media [tv, ipods, computer, movies, websites, books, cds, radio... we are just overwhelmed with media aren't we?] is perfectly willing to share what they think is "normal". Many times they insert in just enough truth/facts in there and then mix it with emotionalism and opinions and even false doctrines. Daniel and I are becoming more aware everyday that the "teaching" that is given to us each day in just our regular daily routines is just inundating us with anti-biblical messages (some subtle; some very blatant).
So, how do we "know" what is right and good in the mist of being blasted by so many messages continually? Well, just like the teaching of what a "normal" inner ear looks like; we need to be so well versed in what is "right" [insert time with God and Bible reading daily here]... that when "wrong" comes along... we may not know why it is wrong (or even exactly what about it bothers us)... but we certainly know that it isn't "right". We have to be so exposed to the truth of God's Word every day in our lives that it becomes our standard for living. [I tell you... in this day and age... that is not an easy task.]
Anybody remember that little song from preschool days?
"Oh, be careful little ears what you hear.....
........for the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh, be careful little ears what you hear."
Last night Daniel and I were discussing this little song after renting a movie (PG and very mild by today's standards) that we fast forwarded through parts and were very disappointed in where the makers of that series had taken it. Then we talked about good movies that we had seen that were worth the time and how far and few they were produced now. [Hmm... think we'll just cancel our membership to the local movie rental place and join a club that mails only wholesome Christian movies.]
Deuteronomy 4:5-7 (New International Version)
5 See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the LORD my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. 6 Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people." 7 What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him?
Christ the Wisdom and Power of God
I Corinthians 1
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:
"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."[c] 20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.
26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."[d]
James 1:5 (New International Version)
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Spring Updates
So many things in the works....
Daniel is set for three upcoming trips. Lots-o-logistics going on right now. Details coming in the near future.
You can start praying for the medical student team heading to Asia. Also, for the works going on in Africa. [so many events happening there that affect so many aspects of life]
We will be keeping you posted as news can "officially" be released.
We are slowly working on cleaning out the house and "de-junking" for the impending move. Continue to pray for timing and the right living quarters.
Hugs and prayers to all!
P.S. Pray for Teri as she starts taking some classes to work towards a possible nursing or PA license.
Daniel is set for three upcoming trips. Lots-o-logistics going on right now. Details coming in the near future.
You can start praying for the medical student team heading to Asia. Also, for the works going on in Africa. [so many events happening there that affect so many aspects of life]
We will be keeping you posted as news can "officially" be released.
We are slowly working on cleaning out the house and "de-junking" for the impending move. Continue to pray for timing and the right living quarters.
Hugs and prayers to all!
P.S. Pray for Teri as she starts taking some classes to work towards a possible nursing or PA license.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Races and Rain Dancing
(I've had this on my mind for a while, but taking the time to stop and put it down seems to allude me lately. I hope it blesses you as much as it blessed me.)
RACES:
I have a friend who is the same age as I [we shall not disclose that one]. She and I both had this crazy desire to run in a marathon of some sort. (Well I'd be happy to crawl across the finish line of a 5K... she is so much more focused and ambitious.) She told me she had signed up for a half-marathon a few months back! I thought that she must have been in a lot better shape than myself! She just said, "You had better pray!"
A couple of weeks ago she called to remind me that she was running/walking the half-marathon that weekend "do or die trying." She also told me she was calling friends to get their favorite number and scripture to pray for them on that specific mile. [can you say "wow!" I'd be thinking about praying for breathing... and she wants to pray for me!] I, of course, told her that whatever number was that last mile... 'cuz I wanted to be with her crossing that finished line! Then I asked her if she was ready. She said, "No, but my goal is just to finish... and do it in 3 hours."
That Saturday after enough time had passed that I was sure the race was over [and I couldn't stand waiting any longer], I phoned her to see how it went. What she told me had me in tears....
You see this had been a journey for her. I can't share here what has been going on in her life... but let's just say that I admire more every day her courage and trust in God and hope I could be so steadfast facing some of what she has faced. She described to me that she had picked this race because it was "coming home" for her. It was where she had grown up and lived through many great memories in her life. But it was also bittersweet for her... she was coming home, but running a race with not a soul or friend she knew there to run with her and cheer her on. [well except one... that comes later in the story] It was a race she had to run one step at a time... one foot right in front of the other... one breath after another... sometimes running, sometimes barely walking up the hills.... but completely by herself. She said every turn and mile marker was a reminder of some part of her life; and another opportunity for the satan to "mess with her mind".
She said that so many thoughts went through her head: quitting, how silly it was to be there, all of her friends were elsewhere, she was tired, she was too weak and out of shape to do this... She pulled out her MP3 player to listen to songs of overcoming and victory that some friends had put there for her. She listened to sermons. She pulled out her little scraps of paper each mile to pray for friends and read the scripture they had given to her. [almost in tears at how appropriate the scriptures were at each part of the race]
Somewhere around the middle of the race she text messaged her Dad to tell him that it was just too hard and she really wanted to quit and go home. Her dad texted her back to encourage her to keep going. He told her he knew she could do it and to look how far she had come. She kept going. She even had to slowly walk up a "very curvy up-hill path" past a chapel on the trail. By then, she knew that she would be a part of the last group of folks to finish the race. [Winners had certainly finished an hour plus before.] She was just ready to get to the end. The funny thing was that myself and one of her other friends had requested she pray for us on "mile 13" because we both wanted to "be there" crossing the finish line with her. I had given her a scripture about God directing ours paths, but her other friend had jokingly given her the scripture John 11:35.
And then there it was... she could see the finish line ahead... not much cheering going on for the end of the pack of runners. She actually was feeling quite down that there she was and no one she knew was even there to see it.... well, that was until she saw him....
...her Dad. He doesn't walk too fast these days, but somehow he had managed to hike the distance from the parking area way across the campus and and work his way through a packed crowd to stand at the finish line and cheer his daughter home. He yelled out for her, "You've done it!!! You made it!!! Come on and finish it!!!" She cried.... nope, more like....she bawled her eye-balls out [you know, those honkin'- snotty-nosed-from-the-heart cries]. She said all she could think of is, "That's my Daddy and he's waving me home!"
[O.K. So at this point of the phone conversation I'm crying with her. How precious can you get.] She went on to tell me that after she got over bawling her eyes out at the finish line she asked him how in the world he was able to find her in the humongous crowd of people. He said that he had done "recon" in the military and certainly knew he could find her. Then she asked him about the walk. His response... "I was one determined man!" [yea... smile all you daddies and daughters out there... I know you're sniffling too.] Then he went on to tell her that not only had she made the finish line but she had finished in exactly 3 hours!
All I could say to her at this point was.... do you know what a picture you have painted??? It is like the whole race was one big "object lesson" of your life! I can just see Christ standing at the finish line screaming at the top of his lungs in sheer joy at his children [worn out and wondering if we would ever make it... fighting all the negative lies from satan that the race wasn't worth it] ... "You did it!!! You made it!!! Come on home!!!"
Yes, she got it. On so many levels.
God is so into the little details of our lives. Sometimes it is hard to remember that. Sometimes we just want to think that everything we do is not important or worth the effort or "why try?". God has a funny way of reminding us that everything is important.
Oh... the scripture verse from her other friend for "mile 13"/the finish line.... the one that was supposed to be a "funny".... John 11:35 "Jesus wept." [yea and God has a sense of humor too!]
RAIN DANCING:
From the email of yet another friend...
*Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...
It's about learning to dance in the rain.*
My addition: just put on your goulashes when it gets deep...
Addendum:
Of course, I sit down to type this blog entry and the classic Phillips, Craig and Dean song on the CD playing blared away....
"Sometimes I still feel so lost
So far from where I should be
He gently calls to my heart
Just to remind me....
Mercy came running
Like a prisoner set free
Passed all my failures to the point of my need
The sin that I carried was all I could see
And when I could not reach mercy
Mercy came a runnin' to me."
O.K. so maybe God is not just standing at the finish line... maybe He has already ran out there [doing "recon"] and is pushing you across that line.... whatever works! I'm o.k. with that!
RACES:
I have a friend who is the same age as I [we shall not disclose that one]. She and I both had this crazy desire to run in a marathon of some sort. (Well I'd be happy to crawl across the finish line of a 5K... she is so much more focused and ambitious.) She told me she had signed up for a half-marathon a few months back! I thought that she must have been in a lot better shape than myself! She just said, "You had better pray!"
A couple of weeks ago she called to remind me that she was running/walking the half-marathon that weekend "do or die trying." She also told me she was calling friends to get their favorite number and scripture to pray for them on that specific mile. [can you say "wow!" I'd be thinking about praying for breathing... and she wants to pray for me!] I, of course, told her that whatever number was that last mile... 'cuz I wanted to be with her crossing that finished line! Then I asked her if she was ready. She said, "No, but my goal is just to finish... and do it in 3 hours."
That Saturday after enough time had passed that I was sure the race was over [and I couldn't stand waiting any longer], I phoned her to see how it went. What she told me had me in tears....
You see this had been a journey for her. I can't share here what has been going on in her life... but let's just say that I admire more every day her courage and trust in God and hope I could be so steadfast facing some of what she has faced. She described to me that she had picked this race because it was "coming home" for her. It was where she had grown up and lived through many great memories in her life. But it was also bittersweet for her... she was coming home, but running a race with not a soul or friend she knew there to run with her and cheer her on. [well except one... that comes later in the story] It was a race she had to run one step at a time... one foot right in front of the other... one breath after another... sometimes running, sometimes barely walking up the hills.... but completely by herself. She said every turn and mile marker was a reminder of some part of her life; and another opportunity for the satan to "mess with her mind".
She said that so many thoughts went through her head: quitting, how silly it was to be there, all of her friends were elsewhere, she was tired, she was too weak and out of shape to do this... She pulled out her MP3 player to listen to songs of overcoming and victory that some friends had put there for her. She listened to sermons. She pulled out her little scraps of paper each mile to pray for friends and read the scripture they had given to her. [almost in tears at how appropriate the scriptures were at each part of the race]
Somewhere around the middle of the race she text messaged her Dad to tell him that it was just too hard and she really wanted to quit and go home. Her dad texted her back to encourage her to keep going. He told her he knew she could do it and to look how far she had come. She kept going. She even had to slowly walk up a "very curvy up-hill path" past a chapel on the trail. By then, she knew that she would be a part of the last group of folks to finish the race. [Winners had certainly finished an hour plus before.] She was just ready to get to the end. The funny thing was that myself and one of her other friends had requested she pray for us on "mile 13" because we both wanted to "be there" crossing the finish line with her. I had given her a scripture about God directing ours paths, but her other friend had jokingly given her the scripture John 11:35.
And then there it was... she could see the finish line ahead... not much cheering going on for the end of the pack of runners. She actually was feeling quite down that there she was and no one she knew was even there to see it.... well, that was until she saw him....
...her Dad. He doesn't walk too fast these days, but somehow he had managed to hike the distance from the parking area way across the campus and and work his way through a packed crowd to stand at the finish line and cheer his daughter home. He yelled out for her, "You've done it!!! You made it!!! Come on and finish it!!!" She cried.... nope, more like....she bawled her eye-balls out [you know, those honkin'- snotty-nosed-from-the-heart cries]. She said all she could think of is, "That's my Daddy and he's waving me home!"
[O.K. So at this point of the phone conversation I'm crying with her. How precious can you get.] She went on to tell me that after she got over bawling her eyes out at the finish line she asked him how in the world he was able to find her in the humongous crowd of people. He said that he had done "recon" in the military and certainly knew he could find her. Then she asked him about the walk. His response... "I was one determined man!" [yea... smile all you daddies and daughters out there... I know you're sniffling too.] Then he went on to tell her that not only had she made the finish line but she had finished in exactly 3 hours!
All I could say to her at this point was.... do you know what a picture you have painted??? It is like the whole race was one big "object lesson" of your life! I can just see Christ standing at the finish line screaming at the top of his lungs in sheer joy at his children [worn out and wondering if we would ever make it... fighting all the negative lies from satan that the race wasn't worth it] ... "You did it!!! You made it!!! Come on home!!!"
Yes, she got it. On so many levels.
God is so into the little details of our lives. Sometimes it is hard to remember that. Sometimes we just want to think that everything we do is not important or worth the effort or "why try?". God has a funny way of reminding us that everything is important.
Oh... the scripture verse from her other friend for "mile 13"/the finish line.... the one that was supposed to be a "funny".... John 11:35 "Jesus wept." [yea and God has a sense of humor too!]
RAIN DANCING:
From the email of yet another friend...
*Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...
It's about learning to dance in the rain.*
My addition: just put on your goulashes when it gets deep...
Addendum:
Of course, I sit down to type this blog entry and the classic Phillips, Craig and Dean song on the CD playing blared away....
"Sometimes I still feel so lost
So far from where I should be
He gently calls to my heart
Just to remind me....
Mercy came running
Like a prisoner set free
Passed all my failures to the point of my need
The sin that I carried was all I could see
And when I could not reach mercy
Mercy came a runnin' to me."
O.K. so maybe God is not just standing at the finish line... maybe He has already ran out there [doing "recon"] and is pushing you across that line.... whatever works! I'm o.k. with that!
Galations 5: 6-8
6b The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
7You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? 8That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.
2 Timothy 4:6-8
7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Romans 8: 26-28
26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Valentines and Visits
Do you have a place you call "home"? You know, when you go there you feel like... this is "my stomping grounds".
Well, we had the priviledge to head "home" for the weekend to our home Church stomping grounds and give a brief talk about what we do. We also were able to spend some time with the new Director of HCM (Deb) and her husband (such a nice "Guy"). She was also able to present to the Church some of the trips scheduled for this year and what wonderful things are happening in the medical/humanitarian aid world. [saving for a future blog!]
(Like the shirts?)
I am continuously amazed by the spirit of generousity and the encouragement of the people at our home church. Everyone from the Pastor to the "behind the scenes" friends have always said, "Go! Go!" and been supportive in any way they can. Such a special annointed spirit of God on that church.
We got to meet new faces too! Nurses, students, PA's... all with a passion to give back their talents to God. It was a fast, furious and fun weekend.
What does all of this have to do with Valentines Day? Well... that's where we spent ours... sort of a different kind of "Day of Love".
(My son's Lego Version of a Valentine. He's so creative!)
Love stuff... from the Good Book!
Romans 12:9-11 (New International Version)
9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
John 15:12-14 (New International Version)
12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command.
Hebrews 13:1-3 (New International Version)
Hebrews 13
1Keep on loving each other as brothers. 2Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. 3Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
Well, we had the priviledge to head "home" for the weekend to our home Church stomping grounds and give a brief talk about what we do. We also were able to spend some time with the new Director of HCM (Deb) and her husband (such a nice "Guy"). She was also able to present to the Church some of the trips scheduled for this year and what wonderful things are happening in the medical/humanitarian aid world. [saving for a future blog!]
(Like the shirts?)
I am continuously amazed by the spirit of generousity and the encouragement of the people at our home church. Everyone from the Pastor to the "behind the scenes" friends have always said, "Go! Go!" and been supportive in any way they can. Such a special annointed spirit of God on that church.
We got to meet new faces too! Nurses, students, PA's... all with a passion to give back their talents to God. It was a fast, furious and fun weekend.
What does all of this have to do with Valentines Day? Well... that's where we spent ours... sort of a different kind of "Day of Love".
(My son's Lego Version of a Valentine. He's so creative!)
Love stuff... from the Good Book!
Romans 12:9-11 (New International Version)
9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
John 15:12-14 (New International Version)
12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command.
Hebrews 13:1-3 (New International Version)
Hebrews 13
1Keep on loving each other as brothers. 2Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. 3Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
The News...
.... well... are you ready???
It's official. We are moving to Headquarters! We will continue doing what we are doing now, but be able to help out at the HCM office also. Mostly, in the pharmcacy and packing for trips department.
At this point, it looks like a summer move... but if anything changes... we'll let ya' know. So if you are a feeling up to packing some boxes... feel free to pay us a visit!
Or, hey! We will be about an hour away from a really nice family vacation area... so, there again, feel free to visit after the move, help unpack boxes, and then do a little vacationing.
It's official. We are moving to Headquarters! We will continue doing what we are doing now, but be able to help out at the HCM office also. Mostly, in the pharmcacy and packing for trips department.
At this point, it looks like a summer move... but if anything changes... we'll let ya' know. So if you are a feeling up to packing some boxes... feel free to pay us a visit!
Or, hey! We will be about an hour away from a really nice family vacation area... so, there again, feel free to visit after the move, help unpack boxes, and then do a little vacationing.
HCM Vision Casting
It is amazing how much of "life" can happen in a short month. Two thousand and nine has come in like a bang here. So we'll just start with January stuff...
HCM had it's annual Vision Casting meeting in January. Missionaries and Associates from all over the States joined to share testimonies and events from last year and get "the big picture" for the coming year. They also had some team leader training and other health education to round things out. Oh... and let's not forget... eating out and catching up times with each other..
Yes.... it was C-O-L-D!!! And they did de-ice the plane!
Outside the HCM office....
I think he was aiming for Rick... hmmm..
HCM had it's annual Vision Casting meeting in January. Missionaries and Associates from all over the States joined to share testimonies and events from last year and get "the big picture" for the coming year. They also had some team leader training and other health education to round things out. Oh... and let's not forget... eating out and catching up times with each other..
Yes.... it was C-O-L-D!!! And they did de-ice the plane!
Outside the HCM office....
I think he was aiming for Rick... hmmm..
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