Good eyes are such a wonderful blessing, a gift I sometimes take for granted. Though it should not be the case because I have had a number of eye problems in my life. But today I thank God for my eyes. They have been and are a huge blessing.
Last Saturday here in Tanzania started well. My friend Lazaro and I got up early to burn some brush that had been cleared near the house. It had rained a little during the night so we knew it might be too wet. We were correct. The piles of brush and grass were difficult to light and only a few of them burned to quickly fizzle out.
We ask this question about many things in life. Is it worth my time, effort or money?
I ask it on several levels about a ministry we are emphasizing this coming Sunday. Is Celebrate Recovery worth it? People in Celebrate Recovery (CR) leadership at Singing Oaks work hard and give a lot of time and energy (physical and emotional). I am so thankful for them and others with them who labor diligently. I think all have asked themselves the question, is this ministry worth it?
I am not a very grateful person. I want to be and try to be but usually fall short. Others showing gratitude inspire me. I was in the nearby city of Tanga a few days ago and saw my friend (I will call him Shukrani) who is very poor. He begs outside the grocery store where rich people like me shop. He walks with a cane and cannot see very well. He also wears worn out flip flops, size 10 blue. As I was waiting for Michele, I saw someone befriending him. They showed interest and gave him their time, not just a coin like some others do. They also saw his feet. After a while they went together to a nearby shop and the stranger purchased a new pair of red slippers for him. The shop owner even reduced the price from 1500 to 1000 shillings (70 cents) because I think he knew the slippers were being purchased for a poor man. Shukrani was standing behind anxiously waiting for his new red shoes, and upon receiving them in a small clear plastic bag he seemed to hold them like a new born baby. His face was full of gratitude along with words of thanksgiving that were repeatedly expressed to the stranger. I want to be more shukrani (thankful in Swahili). I want to glow with gratitude over the small things as well as the big ones.
May it be especially so this time of year.
Recently Michele, Judy (the lady who envisioned the medical clinic), and I were in Tanga working on a seemingly endless list of things to do. Almost finished with our list and later in the day than we usually leave, someone pointed at my tire and said those dreaded words I’ve heard so many times, “puncha puncha.” It took a while but I finally found someone to fix the flat tire, and off we went in the dark, something we don’t like to do on rural African roads.
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| Directions & Worship Schedule | |||
| McKinney at Cardinal | 940.387.4355 | ||
Sunday8:30 am - Worship 9:45 am - Classes 11:00 am - Worship Wednesday 6:00 pm - Dinner (Menu) 7:00 pm - Classes |
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