"A little child...."

Today a friend and I had lunch in a local restaurant. As a confirmed "people watcher'" I enjoyed the scene at the next table, obviously a family get-together. A young couple with their first baby, their parents, possibly a brother and his wife, and their grandparents. Four generations around the same table and all with eyes only for the new arrival. The little girl was passed from hand to hand, a proud dad pointing out all the important things "Look at her smile...her hair...her little hands...." A grandfather was constantly videoing at every angle and the great grandparents simly smiled and nodded, delighted at the "next generation." It was a circle of family, all focused on one tiny baby. I couldn't help but think of the African quote that "it takes a vilage to raise a child" and that reminded me of speaking at a baby dedication service many years ago. The verse that I used is the one Isaiah uses speaking of the birth of Jesus, the Messiah. "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given." Christians understand that this verse speaks of Jesus' earthly birth, as a child, AND his status as deity - a son - the son of God - is given." Jesus, both man and God. But I saw this verse as having some application to all births. Every child is given by God to their parents as an earthly child, but their potential is to become a son or daughter of God, and parents need all the help they can get. If you, like me, belong to a Christian community or church, take a look at all your young families with their earthly children....and remember you can be role model and a godly influence in helping these little ones reach their spiritual potential. Keep an eye out for single parents in particular - they may love a spare set of grandparents to be in the life of their child.

Happy Birthday Sarah!

Sarah and her family celebrating
21 great years. Love the smile.....

Pic on right: The cousins. Four great young adults (well, Sarah IS 21 and Jon and Tom are not far behind...Oh and Jaymie is 7 going on 8....) These young people give me great joy - they make time for me - I love 'hanging out' with them. (Actually I am the ONLYone with anything hanging out!) I enjoy listening to their world...uni....dreams and aspirations....and most of all what God is doing in their lives. Congrats Sarah - you are a true Princess and God's love shines through you. [Loved the dvd's too...and the cake.....and the laughs....and your friends are awesome. Go girl!

World Impact Week - CityLife Church

World Impact is the missions arm of CityLife. What a tremendous vision they have to plant churches world wide. To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the church some 42 missions workers were flown in from their fields in S.E. Asia, Eastern Europe, India, Russia, Indonesia, Africa, the Middle East and Australia. How impacting it was for us to meet together, to renew old friendships and forge new ones, to see a bigger picture of God working in the world. We were both ministered to in many ways - practical, spiritual, social.

It was a great week of refreshing and a fitting finish to Sue's marathon three months of ministry in Cambodia, Malaysia and several states of Australia. She flew home May 1 to minister at a Women's Retreat, spend time with family in Boise and prepare for the summer ministry time in the US.

Pic #1 is the group photo of all our workers (blurred intentionally)

Pic #2 Sue and I at our info table for International Night.

CONGRATULATIONS SUE!

Twenty years ago this month, Sue took a 'leap of faith' and stepped out of a secure position on church staff in her home town of Boise, Idaho. She moved to Seattle and launched an ininerant ministry working with churches in reaching children and training and equipping children's workers. The early years were a test of faith but as Sue puts it: "The safest place for you to be is in the centre of God's will for your life". And over the years this has proven true. CCM (Carpenter's Cross Ministries) has travelled to many countries including India, Indonesia, Cambodia, Czech Republic, China and more, training national workers and inspiring people everywhere with passion for kids. Congrats Sue - seen here cutting her cake and talking to Larry (AKA Carolyn). Coincidentally Larry chalks up 10 years and Carolyn 15 as part of the CCM team.

Watery thoughts!

There is something about water - the ocean, a bay, river, even a small splashing stream - that refreshes the weary and smooths away the stresses of daily life. We were able to snatch four days away a week or so ago in the midst of an incredibly busy schedule and head to a little spot near the start of the Great Ocean Road in southern Victoria. Airey's Inlet is marked by a lighthouse, a few stores and not much else - but it is rich in atmosphere, peace, tranquility and a sense of time standing still. Which was just what we needed to regroup and prepare for the rest of Sue's time in Australia. The wonder of God's creation never leaves me - rockpools, anenomes, shells, the wheeling gulls and the endless rolling of the waves. I can never get enough of that. Which makes me wonder - does God feel the same about His final creation....about us? I suspect He does especially when we respond to His love or His correction or simply His presence. It's His presence that we need daily - spiritual water - whether in worship or prayer or as we open His Word and invite Him to speak to us.

How Far Would You Go For a Krispy Kreme????

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all our Irish friends (and who isn't?) It seems that Sue and I have Irish ancestry in common - on her mother's side but on both my parent's sides (along with a good mix of Scottish and English and whatever else). SO what did we do when we found ourselves down at Knox City Mall today? The Irish Pub was in full swing (emphasis on "full") with green beer and Irish dancers. But it was at Krisy Kreme we found our true Irish roots. We stopped to look at the GREEN donuts....and then read the fine-print. "Show us your best Irish jig and receive one FREE Irish donut". Now who could resist? I launched into a great jig, hands steadfastly to the sides...to the amazement of the barely-out-of-school lads behind the counter. I am sure they had NEVER seen an overweight woman of my age do anything this crazy before. Then it was Sue's turn - although she had looked a bit surprised at my spontaneous performance - and she too launched into a frenzy of fancy footwork and turns! We both exited munching our freebies...green and all!

T-Shirt Truths

Cambodia always impacts us - the kids, the passion of the workers, the transformed lives of the local church members - it's a great place to stop and takc stock of the important things in life. One of the young men was wearing a tshirt with the slogan: "You'll never know Jesus is all you need 'till all you have IS Jesus". Thoughtprovoking? We thought so. Many of the people here have so little - get past the western style facade that Phom Penh is hastily erecting and you find yourself in villages that have changed little. Subsistence farming, poor water supply (if any), shacks of palm leaves and bamboo, malnutrition in the children, disease and the still present danger of land mines. In some of the larger towns there is progress and many NGO's (Non Government Organisations) are doing valuable work improving living standards, equipping schools, building infrastructure. So what make the difference? How can the kids' pastor Vimean (pictured) look so happy? His office is under the corrugated iron roof of the church building - in the consistently hot climate of Cambodia the heat regularly 'melts' the computer systems in the church. But he doesn't complain. His smile says it all "I have Jesus and if I can introduce him to the kids in my city...my province...my nation I will give them the source of ALL they need." It's a challenge to me - I look at what I think I need......and all those things start to fade. As the old song says: "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his glorious face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his goodness and grace."

By the way: Sue and I support Children in Crisis in Cambodia by selling woven cotton bracelets which come complete with photo card and brief history of kids being helped through this program. Each bracelet sells for US1 or $2 Australian. Let us know if you want some.