simply grateful

The story: We had just returned from a game drive at a nearby game reserve where we saw plenty of animals.  As we finished I was tipping the driver and Heather was walking with Karissa (our youngest) as the other two kids ran ahead to a nearby playground.  As I turned around I saw Makayla and Elijah already on the swings and a monkey trotting (do monkeys trot?) towards Makayla.  Initially I thought the monkey thought she had food and was going to beg for some.  However, when I saw it was going for her I was about 50 feet away and yelled "HEY, HEY!" to the monkey trying to distract it to no avail.  It ran up, grabbed her arm and bit her on the upper portion of her arm.  The bite punctured the skin in two places and could later clearly see a red imprint from where the monkey bit down.  The monkey, seeing me coming on fast, took off and I put myself between the monkey and the kids as Heather got them all away.  We yelled for some of the workers an...

I can imagine how he felt… Having just received news that he didn’t really understand..or like. Disappointed… Confused… Lonely even though he was with a dear Friend… Maybe even angry… Longing for different news… Sitting there…looking in His eyes…wondering why… I have always been intrigued by the story of Jesus restoring his relationship with Peter. Peter had failed Jesus by denying him three times. Jesus was on the shore seeking to reinstate one of his closest followers. He asked Peter three times if he loved him(Jesus). Of course, Peter responded in the affirmative. Peter may have failed the Lord, but it is clear through reading the gospels that Peter truly loved Jesus. Jesus told Peter to feed his sheep. Then, Jesus went on to basically tell Peter that things are not going to end well for him. Peter responded by looking around and seeing another disciple named John. After hearing the foreshadowing to his own life, he asked Jesus, “What about him?” And Jesus responde...

How about an animal skin for the new year?  I’m not big on New Years Resolutions, but I do like to take the end of each year and evaluate where I am at, what I need to change or start doing, and make some goals for the coming year.   One of my goals for this year is to read through the Bible again.   Being day number 1, I started off with the first three chapters of Genesis.  You are probably already aware that those chapters deal with the creation of the world and everything in it.  How appropriate that on the first day of the new year, I read of the first day ever!  I read of the creation account, including man and woman.  Of course, you are probably also aware that the first 3 chapters include what we call “The Fall of Man”, or the first sin.   Eve, seeing  “...that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise...” took its fruit and ate and gave some to her husban...

“You ever cut corners in your job?”  That was the question the nurse asked me when I was about to donate plasma a number of years ago.  It was late, she was tired and obviously ready to process the last client of the day.  I shook my head no.  After a nervous laugh and a sly smile, she said I could proceed to the next station without answering the long list of questions she was supposed to ask.  I silently got up and walked out of her office.  I can’t blame her, I’ve been there too.   Monotony.  Do you remember the movie “Groundhog Day”?  It’s a movie where the lead actor is forced to live the same day over and over.  I’ve had times in my life it felt like that.  Day after day, same old thing.  Have you ever been there?  Where staring at a wall seems more exciting than going to work.  Days that the only thing you dread more than driving to your job is arriving there.  I’ve actually sat in my car for minutes tryin...

So sorry it has been so long since our last post.  Since arriving in Africa our internet access has been very limited. (And probably will be for quite a while).  After spending 5 days in South Africa we drove 5 hours up to Botswana where I (David) am being mentored by a Church planter while we wait for a ruling on our work permits for Namibia.   Everything has gone well so far.  Here are a few pics to show you our life here in Botswana. (I believe if you click on them you can view them in a larger format) A picture of our house: A picture of our car (with trailer) as we left South Africa to head to Botswana: Heather is home schooling the Kids: The kids are adjusting well to their new surroundings: Thanks for your continued prayers!

“I love you.”  “You’re fired.”  “Will you marry me?”  “I want a divorce.”  Isn’t it funny how sometimes just a few words can be heavy with impact?  This morning during my devotional time with God I came across one of those phrases that packed a powerful punch.  The beginning of Psalm 97:10 says, “You who love the Lord, hate evil!”   BAM!  Hate evil... ok, wait, back up just one second.  The first thing is this is directed at those who love the Lord.  Is that me?  (Is that you?)  Do I really love the Lord?  Really?  What evidence is there to show it?  I attend church.  I serve on a committee.  I volunteer at the soup kitchen.  What about internally?  Is my heart bent on Him?  On His glory?  Do I desire time with Him?  To know Him more?  What evidence, that only you know, is there that you love the Lord? Hate evil...  Oh, how we hate evil and how we are more than willing...