Traveling from Reno to blackfoot, Idaho. Bev and I made reservations for a room in Wells, Nv. Good thinking by the idiot for a change. As we drive through Elko the highway sign says "Next gas 112 miles". Since Wells is only 51 miles away I naturally think that this must be a devious plan by the unscrupulous petrol dealers in Elko to get travelers to buy their gas rather than gas up in Wells.
I asked Bev if she needed to stop and she said a restroom would be appreciated. Being ever vigilant to score easy husband points with the little woman (restroom points are much easier to get than other points like shopping points-you must initiate the shopping event yourself to receive husband points and the shopping event cannot take place anywhere that has the word TOOL, HARDWARE, BARN or JOE'S in it's name, so JOE'S HARDWARE AND TOOL BARN does not qualify.) She told me that was very considerate and she needed to stop so we got gas as well.
Checking into the motel in Wells we find out that the town's electricity has been off all day and it would not return until tomorrow. That's why there is no gasoline. Having prepaid for the room we stayed anyway. It was just like being back in Jinja. Sitting in a dark hotel room with no place to go and nothing to do. So we went to bed early and woke up at three a.m. when the power came back on and so did every light in the room. Now it is 4:00 a.m. and I'm blogging because my eyes were badly exposed with the return of the power. This however has cost me some valuable husband points since Bev now blames me for her being awake. Ahh it's good to be home! Now to score more points. "Look Honey, there is a Tool World right across the street!"
Monday, August 23, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Living with the Giants
Living with the Giants. Warren Wiersbe wrote a book by that name. The book is filled with short biographies of spiritual giants of the Christian faith. It is an interesting read. Men who have had an impact on the world around them by their preaching. But it causes to think about my life and the giants in it.
On this trip to America I have been blessed to spend time with some of my personal giants. These are men who have mentored or taught or encouraged me in my walk with Jesus. It seems that most of my early mentors live in Denver now so my first days back were incredible as I got to get together with them and be refreshed.
Now I'm in Leadville and God again has me among giants. Guys that I personally answer to. Next week Bev and I will be going to Albuquerque. More giants! I have been so blessed to have all these men, some pastors and some not, who have taken their time and encouraged me to press on toward the goal to which God has called me.
I share all this realizing that at the same time my giants are helping me, I should and must be doing the same for others. We all should. While we may not feel like giants of the faith we can have that kind of impact on friends, family, believers and the world. The hall of fame of faith in Hebrews 11 is filled with regular people who became giants to the nation of Israel just by being obedient to God. You may never know in whose eyes you may be a giant but people are watching us. Following our example, needing our advice, our guidance and our love. It is a gigantic task God asks of small average people. But if we live lives bigger than ourselves (our imperfections, our pettyness, our jealousies, our self doubts and all those other things we wish weren't there) which show the enormous power and size of God whom we serve and follow, our Father will be glorified.
If we live with the giants let us live like giants. Ever notice that a true giant is humble not proud, serves without demanding to be served. Honors without seeking honors. When the young man David faced what others thought to be a giant, Goliath who was proud and self reliant, he showed the others that to be a true giant you just have to trust God for His glory.
The seeds of the Ponderosa pine, the largest variety of pine tree, don't open until a fire burns the forest and the old growth is gone. From the ashes new Ponderosa pines grow to become giants of the forest. A new generation of giants. Those former giants that Wiersbe wrote about need to be replaced. Will you be a new giant for those around you and for the next generation?
On this trip to America I have been blessed to spend time with some of my personal giants. These are men who have mentored or taught or encouraged me in my walk with Jesus. It seems that most of my early mentors live in Denver now so my first days back were incredible as I got to get together with them and be refreshed.
Now I'm in Leadville and God again has me among giants. Guys that I personally answer to. Next week Bev and I will be going to Albuquerque. More giants! I have been so blessed to have all these men, some pastors and some not, who have taken their time and encouraged me to press on toward the goal to which God has called me.
I share all this realizing that at the same time my giants are helping me, I should and must be doing the same for others. We all should. While we may not feel like giants of the faith we can have that kind of impact on friends, family, believers and the world. The hall of fame of faith in Hebrews 11 is filled with regular people who became giants to the nation of Israel just by being obedient to God. You may never know in whose eyes you may be a giant but people are watching us. Following our example, needing our advice, our guidance and our love. It is a gigantic task God asks of small average people. But if we live lives bigger than ourselves (our imperfections, our pettyness, our jealousies, our self doubts and all those other things we wish weren't there) which show the enormous power and size of God whom we serve and follow, our Father will be glorified.
If we live with the giants let us live like giants. Ever notice that a true giant is humble not proud, serves without demanding to be served. Honors without seeking honors. When the young man David faced what others thought to be a giant, Goliath who was proud and self reliant, he showed the others that to be a true giant you just have to trust God for His glory.
The seeds of the Ponderosa pine, the largest variety of pine tree, don't open until a fire burns the forest and the old growth is gone. From the ashes new Ponderosa pines grow to become giants of the forest. A new generation of giants. Those former giants that Wiersbe wrote about need to be replaced. Will you be a new giant for those around you and for the next generation?
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Shopping till they give
Bev and I went shopping with some dear friends in Denver yesterday. I am still trying to figure it out. Bev and I are hunters. We go kill the item, bag it then move on. Our friends on the other hand are shooooooppers. They study, analyse then reap. They were amazing!
I needed to get some new running shoes so we went to a department store that has a good selection and after looking at shoes and not making sense of which shoe had which advantages and which were for serious runners and which were not, I asked my friend Tom* for some help.
Tom is one of those people who knows someone everywhere. Turns out that he knows the manager of the shoe department. So Manager Don* takes me on a step by step run down on running shoes. After trying on several pairs and taking them on extended test runs through the store I finally select a pair. I had been test running for the previous hour and it was nice to finally sit down and make a choice. The shoes were good and the price was great(33% off) but then Tom's wife Louise* speaks up.
She is one of the sweetest people I know but when it comes to deal making she takes no prisoners. She told me to have the store hold the shoes until Wednesday. "Why?" I naively asked. "Because Wednesdays I get 30% off whatever I buy!" she replies. Sounds good to me so we have the store hold them. We then go to the checkout line for Tom to pay for a pair of pants but he doesn't pay anything because Louise has coupons. She somehow gets the trousers for free.
Next day they come back over with the shoes and it turns out she had coupons that got them for free as well. She then said that she thought I should get a second pair of shoes since I can't get them in Uganda and the first pair will likely wear out before we come home again. Sounds good to me so back we went. This time she has a combination of coupons that are so powerful that the store actually pays her $4.00 to take the shoes. I believe they also offered her a cash register and two sales associates if she left before the consumer price index fell any further.
I still don't know how she did it but apparently I have a lot to learn about shooooooopping!
* Names have been changed to protect the thrifty...
I needed to get some new running shoes so we went to a department store that has a good selection and after looking at shoes and not making sense of which shoe had which advantages and which were for serious runners and which were not, I asked my friend Tom* for some help.
Tom is one of those people who knows someone everywhere. Turns out that he knows the manager of the shoe department. So Manager Don* takes me on a step by step run down on running shoes. After trying on several pairs and taking them on extended test runs through the store I finally select a pair. I had been test running for the previous hour and it was nice to finally sit down and make a choice. The shoes were good and the price was great(33% off) but then Tom's wife Louise* speaks up.
She is one of the sweetest people I know but when it comes to deal making she takes no prisoners. She told me to have the store hold the shoes until Wednesday. "Why?" I naively asked. "Because Wednesdays I get 30% off whatever I buy!" she replies. Sounds good to me so we have the store hold them. We then go to the checkout line for Tom to pay for a pair of pants but he doesn't pay anything because Louise has coupons. She somehow gets the trousers for free.
Next day they come back over with the shoes and it turns out she had coupons that got them for free as well. She then said that she thought I should get a second pair of shoes since I can't get them in Uganda and the first pair will likely wear out before we come home again. Sounds good to me so back we went. This time she has a combination of coupons that are so powerful that the store actually pays her $4.00 to take the shoes. I believe they also offered her a cash register and two sales associates if she left before the consumer price index fell any further.
I still don't know how she did it but apparently I have a lot to learn about shooooooopping!
* Names have been changed to protect the thrifty...
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Back in the USA
Furlough. For most missionaries it is a dreaded word. It means being back home where you don't fit anymore. It means speaking all the time about what God has you doing rather than doing what God has you do. It means trying to find time to see everyone you hold dear but never get to see or talk to except for a short window of time every couple of years. It means leaving the family you have built in your new country and trying to reconnect with your true family back home. Then doing the reverse when you go back. It is also a time to reconnect with your best friend, Jesus, who too often gets lost in the shuffle of the mission work.
One of the major frustrations of furlough is not being on the field when major events happen. The bombings in Kampala on Sunday make me want to get on a plane and race back to be sure everyone is safe. But I can't do that. This furlough God is busy reminding me that all things are in His hand not mine. Even me!
Bev is doing well with it all. She has such a quiet, solid faith. She takes it all in and holds tight to the Lord. Nothing seems to shake her.
Me, I'm just trying to hear what God is saying to my heart in regards to the future. I hope I have the time and take the time to listen. As long as a furlough seems to last it is also over in a short time. I hope God lets us make the most of it.
One of the major frustrations of furlough is not being on the field when major events happen. The bombings in Kampala on Sunday make me want to get on a plane and race back to be sure everyone is safe. But I can't do that. This furlough God is busy reminding me that all things are in His hand not mine. Even me!
Bev is doing well with it all. She has such a quiet, solid faith. She takes it all in and holds tight to the Lord. Nothing seems to shake her.
Me, I'm just trying to hear what God is saying to my heart in regards to the future. I hope I have the time and take the time to listen. As long as a furlough seems to last it is also over in a short time. I hope God lets us make the most of it.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
It Only Takes a Moment
Yesterday we had Ryan's "Goodbye, Party". Kelli had planned the whole thing and put together a fabulous video on Ryan's ministry and life here in Jinja over the last nine years. She did an incredible amount of work over the past week and all day yesterday but then when the party ended every sign of her labor and the effort put into the celebration was gone in 15 minutes. It only takes a moment. But the love she has shown will be felt for a lifetime.
Yesterday Bev and Priscilla went to Kampala early in the morning to get some needed things. In Mabira forest was a huge accident involving six lorries. At least one body was dead on the road. In DR Congo a petrol tanker overturned and killed at least 230 people, burning down an entire village. It only takes a moment. The end can come so suddenly. Did the people who died in the accidents know they were loved by their family and friends? If not, they should have. It only takes a moment.
Ryan's nine years of ministry here in Jinja has changed the lives of countless youth and now it is finishing. For eight years and 278 days he has labored with the team here in Jinja to share the love of Jesus with the entire community. I watched him grow from a nervous unsure young man, in way over his head, to a mature ministry leader who handles today's problems with the grace that only God gives. Yesterday we ordained Ryan T. McCabe as a pastor, a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It only took a moment. But I hope he serves a lifetime.
I hope he knows how much joy he has given me and the lessons he has taught me about loving people and serving people and following Jesus. The ordination was difficult for me since it marks a major change in the ministry of Calvary Chapel Jinja. How long does it take for nine years to elapse? It only takes a moment.
How long will it take for me to post this blog? It only takes a mo
Yesterday Bev and Priscilla went to Kampala early in the morning to get some needed things. In Mabira forest was a huge accident involving six lorries. At least one body was dead on the road. In DR Congo a petrol tanker overturned and killed at least 230 people, burning down an entire village. It only takes a moment. The end can come so suddenly. Did the people who died in the accidents know they were loved by their family and friends? If not, they should have. It only takes a moment.
Ryan's nine years of ministry here in Jinja has changed the lives of countless youth and now it is finishing. For eight years and 278 days he has labored with the team here in Jinja to share the love of Jesus with the entire community. I watched him grow from a nervous unsure young man, in way over his head, to a mature ministry leader who handles today's problems with the grace that only God gives. Yesterday we ordained Ryan T. McCabe as a pastor, a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It only took a moment. But I hope he serves a lifetime.
I hope he knows how much joy he has given me and the lessons he has taught me about loving people and serving people and following Jesus. The ordination was difficult for me since it marks a major change in the ministry of Calvary Chapel Jinja. How long does it take for nine years to elapse? It only takes a moment.
How long will it take for me to post this blog? It only takes a mo
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Team Building African style
So there I am in a dark 20 foot storage container trying to enlarge an 8mm hole on a piece of steel plate with a round rat tail file. It's 11:00 ast night, my hand hurts from the incision I made while cutting the sidewall out a used truck tire to mount bull horns on an old landrover. That's when Dr. Jean starts to tell me how we're the intelligent ones on this crew. The humor of it all gets us to laughing and soon the entire team is cutting up and it is just another gorgeous full moon night in Africa.
Dr. Jean and her hubby Tom are setting out on Sunday, the next morning, along with Ryan to scope out their new ministry location in Karamoja. As a precaution we are mounting Ankole cattle horns on the front of the landrover to assure the people of the area that this is the vet who can heal their cattle. That explains the bull horns. The filing is to enlarge the hole on the steel mounting plate that supports the horns. As hard headed as the bull's skull may be it seems that when you drill into it, it may wander a bit, the hole not the bull. Although the bull would probably wonder what you're doing. Anyway the filing works and we get the bolts in place.
Now comes the rubber from the tire. I had sliced my hand about 2 inches long and 3/16 inch deep cutting the sidewall to make a mounting cushion for the horns. I must admit that this was the sharpest I had ever gotten a knife blade to be and when I sliced it I felt no pain. Kelli started to worry about the amount of blood seeping out of the wound and went and got a rag from Bev to wipe up the spill before someone slipped on the slick spot. However Bev picked up on the implications of Kelli's question and asked "How badly did my husband cut himself?" That's when Bev came outside to join Ryan, Jean, Tom, Kelli and I in this team building moonlight adventure. We had already decided to use the soles of Ryan's sandals instead of the tire rubber since the smell of the shoes might be greater than the smell of the bull horns, so I had cut myself for nothing but it still was funny.
Anyway we finally finished about midnight and the horns look great! Not very loud but they do make a statement.
It is hard for all of us to think about Ryan not being here in Jinja full time but God has opened a great door of opportunity for the team to minister in an unreached area. The mood is a bit somber at the thought of Ryan, Tom and Jean leaving but we are resilient in Christ and He makes changes as He sees fit. The travelers will be back for Ryan's farewell party on Saturday the 3rd.
Lord give us strength to rejoice in what You will accomplish through our friends even though we will miss them so much.
And thanks Lord for healing my hand.
Dr. Jean and her hubby Tom are setting out on Sunday, the next morning, along with Ryan to scope out their new ministry location in Karamoja. As a precaution we are mounting Ankole cattle horns on the front of the landrover to assure the people of the area that this is the vet who can heal their cattle. That explains the bull horns. The filing is to enlarge the hole on the steel mounting plate that supports the horns. As hard headed as the bull's skull may be it seems that when you drill into it, it may wander a bit, the hole not the bull. Although the bull would probably wonder what you're doing. Anyway the filing works and we get the bolts in place.
Now comes the rubber from the tire. I had sliced my hand about 2 inches long and 3/16 inch deep cutting the sidewall to make a mounting cushion for the horns. I must admit that this was the sharpest I had ever gotten a knife blade to be and when I sliced it I felt no pain. Kelli started to worry about the amount of blood seeping out of the wound and went and got a rag from Bev to wipe up the spill before someone slipped on the slick spot. However Bev picked up on the implications of Kelli's question and asked "How badly did my husband cut himself?" That's when Bev came outside to join Ryan, Jean, Tom, Kelli and I in this team building moonlight adventure. We had already decided to use the soles of Ryan's sandals instead of the tire rubber since the smell of the shoes might be greater than the smell of the bull horns, so I had cut myself for nothing but it still was funny.
Anyway we finally finished about midnight and the horns look great! Not very loud but they do make a statement.
It is hard for all of us to think about Ryan not being here in Jinja full time but God has opened a great door of opportunity for the team to minister in an unreached area. The mood is a bit somber at the thought of Ryan, Tom and Jean leaving but we are resilient in Christ and He makes changes as He sees fit. The travelers will be back for Ryan's farewell party on Saturday the 3rd.
Lord give us strength to rejoice in what You will accomplish through our friends even though we will miss them so much.
And thanks Lord for healing my hand.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Tearing down and building up
What an awesome difficult week it has been! The Lord has had alot to say to us here in Jinja. Neil Ortiz, Sandy Dunn, Mark and Deanna Pilcher and James and Priscilla Clovis arrived last Friday and Saturday to serve here for three weeks. They have been a real blessing.
Monday was the start of a three day Pastor's Conference and it was painful. As Neil and the others shared, the Lord convicted me, and I hope others, that there are still many areas where I need His touch to change me. I feel like the clay in the potter's hand in Jeremiah 18:4, that was formed yet was marred so the potter reformed it, shaping it as it seemed best to him. That reforming is uncomfortable but necessary so that we grow in Jesus and not become set in our ways. Then we can continue serving our Lord.
Sandy's presentation of the Gospel is truly unique. He is a drummer who takes cast off items and beats out the rhythm of messages from God's word. Anger, worry, being broken and being used in a new way with others in the body of Christ. Truly amazing inspired messages.
So that is how the conference went. God using one message to tear us down and then using the next to build us up. Painful blessings! It is one of those things that only God can do which is good as that kind of power left in the hands of man could be very dangerous and debilitating. But in God's hand it is humbling and exhilarating. Every message was impacting, convicting and life changing. Neil, JB, James, Mark, Doug Calhoon (senior pastor CC Fort Portal) all brought the word with great power and authority.
It was truly painful but it has reminded us to never settle for anything less than Jesus. Let Him be the potter tearing down what was marred and building us up in Him.
Monday was the start of a three day Pastor's Conference and it was painful. As Neil and the others shared, the Lord convicted me, and I hope others, that there are still many areas where I need His touch to change me. I feel like the clay in the potter's hand in Jeremiah 18:4, that was formed yet was marred so the potter reformed it, shaping it as it seemed best to him. That reforming is uncomfortable but necessary so that we grow in Jesus and not become set in our ways. Then we can continue serving our Lord.
Sandy's presentation of the Gospel is truly unique. He is a drummer who takes cast off items and beats out the rhythm of messages from God's word. Anger, worry, being broken and being used in a new way with others in the body of Christ. Truly amazing inspired messages.
So that is how the conference went. God using one message to tear us down and then using the next to build us up. Painful blessings! It is one of those things that only God can do which is good as that kind of power left in the hands of man could be very dangerous and debilitating. But in God's hand it is humbling and exhilarating. Every message was impacting, convicting and life changing. Neil, JB, James, Mark, Doug Calhoon (senior pastor CC Fort Portal) all brought the word with great power and authority.
It was truly painful but it has reminded us to never settle for anything less than Jesus. Let Him be the potter tearing down what was marred and building us up in Him.
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