inner sweetness

Kenyan street vendor selling fresh sugar cane

How sweet are your words to my taste, 

sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Psalm 119:103

The Bible is not an end in itself, 

but a means to bring men to an intimate and satisfying knowledge of God, 

that they may enter into Him, 

that they may delight in His Presence, 

may taste and know the inner sweetness of the very God Himself 

in the core and center of their hearts.

A. W. Tozer

the other side of the world

As I write this, Mark is getting ready to wake up and begin his day in Nairobi, Kenya.

He's been in Africa almost two weeks now

at a translation conference. 

In his Skype message to me this morning, he wrote: 

What a great group of guys. It's such a privilege to be doing this work, 

and to be serving with men like this.

I've loved some of the photos he's shared with us, and thought you might enjoy them, too...

Of course, Mark is exploring this new surroundings on his morning runs, 

and he came across this sign one morning.

It's a little different than the signs in our neighborhood.

 Mark's enjoyed how friendly the children are, and how surprised to see him running by their homes!

 Yes, he's really on the other side of the world...

 ...and the personalized Coke bottles look a little different than the ones at Kroger.

 Mark wondered if the chickens were part of the payment,

or part of the cure?

 

 Thanks for your prayers for Mark, and for the others he's working with during this conference.

We'll share more in the near future about the trip!

"Reading the scripture in another language is like eating a banana with the skin on. 

Now the scripture in my language is satisfying . . . 

like a sweet banana. I can't get enough of it!"

-recipient of a newly-translated NT...

unexpected harvest

One day our family took a boat ride out on a day's excursion to a tiny island in S.E. Asia.
It was Mark's birthday, and by his request we went hiking through the wilds of the island. 
The things we will do for one another in this family to celebrate milestones!  

 

 As we rounded a corner, I was surprised by the sight of this man, 

harvesting basket loads and boat loads

not of fish, 

but of fresh seaweed from the sea.

This boy's job was to sort and clean the seaweed

We never really know, do we, what kind of harvest God will bring from fields where we serve? 

In my limited perspective, my expectations of how He will work 

are far too confined for our amazing God. 

I expect fish every time, but there are other things He's harvesting.

If I would just stop and notice the good things He's growing,

right here and now,

I might not overlook the seaweed in expectation of the fish.

How many times do I pray for His hand to work in a situation,

but then neglect to see how He's doing good things, 

because I'm so focused in anticipation of the end result I desire?  

Or waiting for the solution that I expect?

His ways are not my ways.

His thoughts are not my thoughts.

But He holds back no good thing from those who fear Him.

...it is faith he is looking for, a quiet confidence that whatever it is he is up to,

it will be a wonderful thing,

never mind whether it is what we have been asking for.   

- Elisabeth Elliot

What good thing is He growing in and around you today?

crossing paths

Our trip across the country included a stop in Dallas

for meetings at our organization's headquarters.

In addition, we had the added delight of a short reunion with co-workers

whom we had learned to know and love in Davao

but who we hadn't seen for the past year.

 It was a very sweet time to catch up with these brothers and sisters of ours,

to reminisce, and to hear how God is leading in each family.

 The kids picked right up where they'd left off...

all ages enjoying being part of that familiar missionary community again.

As is so typical of my friend Leanne,

she opened her home to us, even though her husband was out of town,

and she suggested a time of prayer for us girls in the back room.

 Yes, I took a selfie to capture the moment.

Veronica, you may have never TAKEN a selfie, but you're in one now!

:grin:

The time was bitter sweet, as we all went our ways, 

not knowing when our paths may cross again.

But we know Who guides our paths,

and we thank Him for allowing us to walk alongside these precious people

at least for a little while.

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26

hard rock

The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock, 

and exalted be my God, the rock of my salvation...

2 Samuel 22:47

When Mark suggested a stop at the Carlsbad Caverns in NM,

I was delighted.

It's always seemed to me a beckoning, mysterious sort of place.

Mark, Amy, Elise and Michael enter at the Natural Entrance

...from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. 

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I...

Psalm 61:2

Mysterious, yes.

Other-worldly, worship-inspiring.

Almost everyone inside spoke in whispers, and I'm not convinced that it was just out of obedience to the park ranger at the entrance who encouraged us to talk softly. 

 The sheer magnitude of this subterranean world is truly awesome.

Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

Isaiah 26:4

No lens could do it justice.

Even in our God-less age,

His handiwork is still reminding people everywhere of His eternal might and glory!

I won't be down in those caverns again...

at least not anytime soon.

But  His handiwork is all around me,

every day,

if I'll only notice.

declaring His praise

"Behold, I am doing a new thing;

now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

The wild beasts will honor Me,

the jackals 

and the ostriches,
 

for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert,

to give drink to my chosen people,

the people whom I formed for Myself

that they might declare my praise."
Isaiah 43:19-21 

Declaring His praise as we see the wonders of His hand across our nation,
and as we wait to see the new things He will do...

All photos above from Joshua Tree State Park, CA, and the Desert Museum of Tucson, AZ

(btw: yes, I do realize that those are NOT jackals and ostriches!  but they're close enough!)

on the road

We finished up our time in Seattle with more good byes,

thankful for the opportunity to spend time with so many we love.

Then on July 31st we began our journey south.

We experienced just a little bit of adventure in northern California

as our alternator gave up the ghost on a barren stretch,

but with the help of a good Samaritan

and a convenient garage, we were quickly on the road again.

 Near Sacramento we attended a baseball game for the college team of Barbara's nephew.

It was a perfect slice of Americana...an high scoring game with amazing fireworks at the end.

Proud of you, B!

We also spent a night with Barbara's eldest brother who taught us how to eat artichokes.

 We had so much fun looking at old photos, we totally forgot to take any new ones with you guys!

But we left with great memories...thank you, C and D!

Then we trekked on further south where we spent the fourth of July weekend

with more family, more fireworks, and more great memories.

For pictures of some of the crazy fireworks Barbara's brother helped Michael to set off in his driveway on the 4th, check out Elise's newest photos here.

THANKS, S, B and W, for a great time with you guys!

We also had some special fellowship with a local supporting church here in town yesterday; 

we are encouraged by such love among the people of God.

Today we turn eastward, continuing our cross-country journey,

looking forward to how God will continue to lead in the days ahead...