awaiting storm

clouds slip in

soundless, quick

light muffled 

as all movement

stops, static pricks 

tense skin

thirsty ground

and hungry hearts

hold breath for the first

drop to nourish, refresh

hands, leaves, petals

reaching wide

for what sun's return denies

back at the bar, hanging with the poets

 

Only one, but one

I blog for Compassion.  My husband and I sponsor a child in Uganda.  We sponsor a family of Canadian missionaries in Kenya. We have hopes, dreams and prayers to one day soon devote our lives to serve with Operation Mobilization wherever God sends us.  Through social networking I promote the ministries and mission trips of others, envious at times, I must confess.

Hunger and brokenness abound in places near and far.  The scope of needs can overwhelm, freeze my thoughts and leave me feeling totally impotent.  Sometimes I seethe, angry.  More often, my eyes fill with tears, my heart broken at my inability to "fix things".

I may be a single drop in the ocean, but I must not allow that truth to stop that drop from watering the seed God designed it for.

If, like me, you find yourself feeling like nothing you can do could possibly be enough, I encourage you to remember these words spoken by Helen Keller:

I am only one, but still I am one. 

I cannot do everything, but still I can do something;

and because I cannot do everything, 

I will not refuse to do something that I can do. 

May our drops spill out, one by one.  Living water to quench a thirsty world.


 

End the waiting

I have never known many things you know
what its like to go to school
or hold a book in my hand
how it would feel
to not have constant hunger
gnawing away inside
or wonder if today is the day that I will die

I have spent all of my days in poverty.
But God loves His children
so He sent Compassion to a church near my home

There are so many benefits Compassion provides:

educational opportunities
health care and health-related instruction
good nutrition
and life-skills training
all this wrapped up in the love of Jesus
and the chance to hear the Good News of His Kingdom.

My parents took me to this church.
They asked lots of questions about me and my family, they even took my picture.
Then they told me I was officially registered.

That was an exciting day, not only would I get to receive all of these blessings
but they told me I would be connected to a special person
a sponsor from far away who has so much love in their heart
that they would want to share it with someone like me.

I was registered, but I had to wait for someone to sponsor me.

So I waited
and I waited
and I waited...
wondering if there is something wrong with me
no sponsor has chosen me yet
so I wait still...

When you see a heart in the lower left-hand corner of a sponsor child's picture, it means that particular child has been waiting for a sponsor for nearly six months - at least 180 days.

You can be the answer to the questions of worthiness that haunt a child like the one I wrote about above.



Compassion International offers you the opportunity to sponsor a child who has been waiting for six months or longer. 
Visit Compassion's website by clicking here to explore this chance to share your heart and your help.

Sponsor a child today and receive a free Compassion scrapbook. This scrapbook will be a great way to organize all the letters and photos you receive from your sponsored child. Just make your first payment today with your credit or debit card to receive this free gift. This offer is only available to citizens of the United States.

But the greatest gift is what you will receive in return, the joy of knowing the impact you have made in the life of a hurting and waiting child.


 

Tired body - hungry soul

I am still a bit feverish and congested.  Coughing makes everything hurt and leaves me exhausted.  Making the bed in the morning feels like a major accomplishment.

My body is tired, my soul is hungry.  Where I would usually feast on the Word I haven't had the powers of concentration to read.  I am blessed that I have cultivated the practice of being quiet in His presence.  Today, sitting in the recliner that I call my "Jesus chair" memories of a time seeking His comfort flooded my mind:

In late 2007 Rick and I went to Kampala, Uganda to be part of a Global build team for Watoto Childcare Ministries. Neither of us had ever travelled such a distance. After an 8 hour overnight flight from Toronto to London and a 12 hour wait, we were on our final leg, another 8 hour overnight flight, from London to Entebbe. I had not slept since leaving home, and restlessly envied Rick's ability to sleep.

I was feeling quite sick and tired but still unable to sleep. I was turned a bit sideways and leaned into the seat, trying to imagine myself finding God’s chest for comfort. I sensed He wanted me to stretch myself full out upon Him, for I was very small compared to His greatness, so I turned again, leaning straight back into my seat.

The word He gave to me was:

I will hold you and I will heal you. As you lay upon my chest, in My arms you will find rest

What I felt and pictured was His arms around me - one hand washing me and the other anointing wounds with oil. I wanted to know what I was being anointed for but instead surrendered and said:

"I don't need to know, as long as You know."

The word and vision carried me through the ordeal of jet lag and illness, teaching me that rest, true rest, is found only in Him.

Today I choose to let His presence carry me again.



Jamming with Bonnie about feeding a hungry soul

and joining Emily and other imperfect but loved

September Saturday

Image via Wikipedia

After two mornings of frost on the ground and car windows the temperature reportedly has moderated a bit, but to me, the last two days have felt even cooler, the chill crawling deep into my bones.

My thoughts are as scattered as the leaves tossed on the ground.  I decide it is best to give up control and allow them to wander.  Perhaps God has a reason for this drifting.

While the swirling continues I choose the task of bread baking.  There is the magic of creating something more than its various parts. There is a grounding in the yeasty aroma, the mixing. the warm sticky yielding under my palms.  The dough will not be rushed.  There is the making of a sponge that rises for two hours.  Then the mixing in of whatever additional nuts, seeds and grains might be close at hand, and flour, more flour kneaded in.  Another rise, at least an hour, while I read email, write this blog post, tend to other household tasks, before I can shape loaves that will require a rising of their own.  Then the baking, the cooling, the waiting for the first taste. 

I am thankful that my Lord does not require of me the same patient restraint before I dig into the daily bread that He Is.  Instead He delights to see me come in a rush, starving for a taste of Him, all thought of hiding my hunger cast aside.

Wait and listen, everyone who is thirsty! Come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Yes, come, buy [priceless, spiritual] wine and milk without money and without price [simply for the self-surrender that accepts the blessing]. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your earnings for what does not satisfy? Hearken diligently to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness [the profuseness of spiritual joy].  Isaiah 55:1-2 Amplified

Here is the recipe I am using today, one Rick found many years before we met.  It is now a favourite of ours.

Ocean's Bombs of Love Bread

1 c. lukewarm water
1 pk. yeast
1/4 c. maple syrup
2 cups water
1/4 c. oil
2 t. salt
Nuts, seeds, cereals, spices, dried fruits, etc. of choice
7 cups whole wheat flour

Make a sponge: Combine lukewarm water, yeast and 1 Tbsp syrup. Let stand about 10 minutes until creamy. Add remaining maple syrup, water, oil and salt. Mix well. Stir in 4 c flour 1 c at a time then stir vigorously in one direction until thick and smooth. Scrape down sides of bowl, cover with damp towel and rise until doubled and tiny holes appear on surface (approx 2 hours)

Make the dough: Add the optional nuts, spices, cereals, fruits, etc. to sponge. Add remaining 3 c flour mixing with a spoon, then with your hands, then turn out on a floured surface knead until smooth and elastic adding flour as needed.  Shape into ball and place in an oiled bowl, turn once to coat. Cover with damp cloth. Let rise until doubled (approx 1 hour) Punch down 10-15 times. Turn out onto floured surface. Divide in half. Knead each half for 5 minutes then shape into loaves. Push dough gently into corners of pans. Preheat oven to 350F. Cover with damp cloth and let rise until dough is just above sides of pans (about 30 min)

Bake 40 - 50 minutes. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to cool completely.

Enjoy with a heart of gratitude!

 

Seeing the plenty

This week we have enjoyed the first beets, cucumbers and potatoes from our garden.  This afternoon I pulled up a few carrots and one small ripe roma tomato.

We fell very, very short of our usual harvest of peas, but it looks like there will be more than enough beans.

It isn't possible to say how well the corn will come in, some looks good, some not.

Each time I lean toward grumbling and complaining or feeling sad about all the plants that have died without giving up their normal abundance...  something catches in that back of my throat, tears fill my eyes.

Image by United Nations Photo via Flickr

I think of those who are leaving some of their children on the side of the road to die of hunger and thirst so that they might save the others.

While I see the plenty that surrounds me, I thank God for all that He has provided for us and ask "Why me, Lord?  Why have I been so blessed?"

I find myself praying that He would show us what He would have us do.  A cup of cold water is needed.  My heart can't seem to turn away.