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Well, it's hard to believe but we have made it to another year! 2005 is here, nearly here! I think 2004 was a very full year many things happened both good and the not so good! This time of the year is always such an interesting time of the year for me. Part of me thinks back over the previous year all the things I was able to do, all the places I was able to go, and all the relationships formed- and my heart is filled with thanks and a smile comes to my face! Part of me also thinks back to the things I failed to do, the places still not gotten to, and the relationships I have failed in or neglected to start... and I could frown on that- but then I remember 2004 is over and 2005 is here and there is a deep hope that comes with 2005 a hope that is grounded in Jesus! This hope is Jesus with me for every choice, for every move, for every country visited, and the hope of Jesus being at the very core of every relationship! It's a new start a fresh beginning- with the past to help guide me but my gaze is forward into this next year!
Some people this time of the year set for themselves New Years Resolutions maybe that is good for some people and if you have made them- by all means good luck with it! But this year I was thinking about a resolution of a different sort. I have been thinking very much about a verse in the Bible: Luke 1:33 an old Moravian version says this... "HIS KINGDOM SHALL HAVE NO FRONTIER." What an amazing version! This just screams resolution (a firm decision to do something, firmness of mind or purpose) on God's part! And so I find myself wanting this more and more myself! That His kingdom really will have no frontier- there will be no boarder left uncrossed, whether that is a boarder on a map, or a boarder in a relationship... that there will be no place that we could still call "Frontier" at the end of this year! Is that a big goal? is that a huge resolution? You better believe it! Is it only for some to take part in? Never! I really believe this is a resolution that we as the Church must take as our own- right from God's hand and make it our own! And resolve in our hearts that His Kingdom SHALL have no frontier! And if we fail in 2005 then we just hope for a 2006 to roll around so we can keep at it! His Kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven and may it have NO frontier!!! Happy New Year- celebrate hard and long and far! There is something or should I say someone worth celebrating!
Merry Christmas
It's Christmas! Today Czechs celebrate Christmas! So in just a little bit we will head down to the square for a celebration- a concert and we will pass out hot drinks! And one special thing that I really enjoy here is that in the main cathedral they have a candle that has been lit from a light from Bethlehem and people go and light their candles there and carry them home! It is a neat way to remember where celebrating Christmas got it's start! Even in this very secular nation some how there are still reminders of Jesus! And my thoughts are there at the beginning this year. I find myself kneeling a little lower with the shepherds and the animals and I find I am staring a bit longer at the face of my King! And I am truly thankful for Him and the way that He came to ME exactly where I am at today! May we all realize He is with us just where we are today! Merry Christmas!
The Journey
If you have gone a little way ahead of me, call back-
It will cheer my heart and help my feet along the stony track;
And if, perhaps, Faith's light is dim, because oil is low,
Your call will guid my lagging course as wearily I go.
Call back, and tell me that He went with you into the storm;
Call back and say He kept you when forest's roots were torn;
That, when the heavens thunder and the earthquake shook the hill.
He bore you up and held where the lofty air was still.
O friend, call back, and tell me for I cannot see your face;
They say it glows with triumph, and your feet sprint the race;
But there are mists between us and my spirit eyes are dim,
And I cannot see the glory, though I long for word of Him.
But if you'll say He heard you when your prayer was but a cry,
And if you'll say He saw you through the night's sin-darkened sky-
If you have gone a little way ahead, O friend, call back-
It will cheer my heart and help my feet along the stony track.
-L.B. Cowman
It will cheer my heart and help my feet along the stony track;
And if, perhaps, Faith's light is dim, because oil is low,
Your call will guid my lagging course as wearily I go.
Call back, and tell me that He went with you into the storm;
Call back and say He kept you when forest's roots were torn;
That, when the heavens thunder and the earthquake shook the hill.
He bore you up and held where the lofty air was still.
O friend, call back, and tell me for I cannot see your face;
They say it glows with triumph, and your feet sprint the race;
But there are mists between us and my spirit eyes are dim,
And I cannot see the glory, though I long for word of Him.
But if you'll say He heard you when your prayer was but a cry,
And if you'll say He saw you through the night's sin-darkened sky-
If you have gone a little way ahead, O friend, call back-
It will cheer my heart and help my feet along the stony track.
-L.B. Cowman
White Christmas at the Refugee Camp
Last night I watched the movie "White Christmas" one of my all-time favorite Christmas movies! Here in Plzen we have had either rainy days, or just plain cold days but not much snow. I was thinking last night, while watching the movie, that it would be nice to have a white Christmas this year... well today my dream came true! I know Christmas is still a week away, but today we were able to take Christmas to the refugee camp! And because the camp is out in the middle of nowhere- north of Plzen, we had a white Christmas today- they had snow on the ground and all the trees were blanketed! It was beautiful driving into the camp! And what was even more beautiful was that we were able to go and take so many gifts to the children of the camp! The joy on their faces was amazing! They were so excited! And the parents were genuinly grateful! We threw a party- coffee, tea, a band had a concert, and we passed out gifts to all of the kids there! What a blessing- and what a more true picture of Christmas... sharing Christ's love with those that feel forgotten and misplaced! Hope Christ's love is also at the very core of your Christmas season!
Street Boy
We were able to visit a street boys center and this is just one of the many boys from there! It is a place where the boys can go and find love, and rest from begging on the streets! Also they can take showers and eat. They were fun to hang out with!
Door
It was amazing... we would look out over the landscape of Mauritania and see sand and dry ground and mud or stone built houses and tents- pretty much all the same color! But there would be a splash of color- blue- doors sometimes even more brightly painted this would stand out from among the sand/ brown color dominance! It was beautiful!
Ocean
It was such a wonderful moment when I could stick my toes in the waters of this side of the Atlantic Ocean! I looked out and I knew that somewhere over there was America! The Sun set was amazing over the water! And the sound of the waves... it was a great early Christmas gift from God!
Desert
This was taken from the land rover window on our way out to the interior of Mauritania. It was a long trip, but was the first time I saw a land rover being used for the purpose that they were created! The beauty can never be captured in a photo of what we saw out there in the sand!
Man in the Market
I baught a big wooden bowl from this man- I didn't want a big wooden bowl! But look at him- I couldn't resist!
Back From Africa
I have fallen in love again! My first love is and will always be Czech, but out of all the countries I have been to since first coming to Czech in 1996- this is the first country that has totally caputured my heart! I am so grateful for the opportunity that I had to go and see Mauritania and meet the people of the beautiful land! I would write so much about it all- and I hope to put up some more details during Christmas vacation! I really want to share more, but for now I will just upload some pictures for you to see while you await more text! (more of my ramblings!)
Thanks for your prayers and concern! I still need them!
Hope you have a Merry Christmas where ever you find yourself this season! Remember Jesus found the Shepeherds out on the hill and led them to a very familiar place, and He caught the attention of the wise men with the new star that they followed through palaces and to the feet of their King... and Jesus finds us right where we are today and doesn't ask us to change- but after meeting with Jesus there is no way that we can be left unchanged! Enjoy His grace, truth, peace, joy, hope, and love this holiday season!
Thanks for your prayers and concern! I still need them!
Hope you have a Merry Christmas where ever you find yourself this season! Remember Jesus found the Shepeherds out on the hill and led them to a very familiar place, and He caught the attention of the wise men with the new star that they followed through palaces and to the feet of their King... and Jesus finds us right where we are today and doesn't ask us to change- but after meeting with Jesus there is no way that we can be left unchanged! Enjoy His grace, truth, peace, joy, hope, and love this holiday season!
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