How Great is our God

This morning, we received an email from Ethiopia stating that we have the green light to return to Ethiopia.  This song describes how GREAT our God is.  We praise Him.   Our prayer is that the Gumuz people will also be able to proclaim His greatness too!  Thank you for the huge part you have had as you prayed with us.

"How Great Is Our God"

The splendor of a King, clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice

He wraps himself in Light, and darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice
Trembles at His voice

How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God

Age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end
Beginning and the end

The Godhead Three in One
Father Spirit Son
The Lion and the Lamb
The Lion and the Lamb

Name above all names
Worthy of our praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God

How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God

All is Well

We have sung this worship song several times in church this past month.  It sums up both our desire to follow Him whatever His way is and to trust Him more fully.  We are not in control of our present circumstances nor our future, but He is.  Praise Him! 

Robin Mark - All Is Well Lyrics

He lowers us to raise us
So we can sing His praises
Whatever is His way all is well

He makes us rich and poor
That we might trust Him more
Whatever is His way all is well

All my changes come from Him He who never changes
I'm held firm in the grasp of the Rock of all the ages

All is well with my soul
He is God in control
I know not all His plans
But I know I'm in His hands

He clothes us now then strips us
Yet with His Word equips us
Whatever is His way all is well
And though our seasons change
We still exalt His name
Whatever is His way all is well

A time for Everything....a time to wait

Recently I have had to remind myself that God created a 24 hour day with atleast some part of that day for rest.  If there is not enough time in a day to do all that needs to be done and still rest, then my expectations are too high.  Certainly the Lord has graciously given us enough time - not too much and not too little.  (This reflection took place as I lay down to rest at midnight knowing I would be up at night for Sonia and up early in the morning.)

We feel this also applies as we wait for our work permit.  "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:"   Presently we are in a time to prepare, to embrace, to keep, to wait.  Soon it will be a time to throw away, give away, weep and go.  So while we wait, we treasure all our time and attempt to be good stewards of each day.

Created for His glory

"Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."  Isaiah 43:7

In the midst of all the suffering and destruction in the world, I am reminded that we are created for His glory.  It is beautiful to hear my children asking Jesus to show himself to the people in Japan and the people in the US who have lost their homes.  "Let them not be too sad.  Let them know you love them Jesus."  I sang Kum Ba Yah to the children last night.  "Somebody's crying Lord, Kum By Ya (come by here)"  Yes Lord.  Reveal yourself to those who have lost everything but their lives. 

We have attempted to create security for ourselves though this can only be found in our future heavenly home.  May we remember that we were created for His glory and may we seek to be esteemed by our Lord.   "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word."  Isaiah 66:2

Reminders of Rural Ethiopia....a Dead Rat

A few days ago, I was standing at my kitchen sink just before breakfast, when I was startled by a rap at the window.  It was my dear husband.  He motioned for me to remain quiet and then he lifted up a shovel in which lay a very large and very dead rat.  Oh my!  I would have taken a picture but realized that most of you would not have appreciated it....especially those living in my vicinity.

A week or so ago, an old building was destroyed and burned.  That same day, Rolf caught sight of this very large and very alive rat, running along our deck.   He mentioned it and I was not impressed.  In Sherkole, Ethiopia, sighting rats was very common and usually within the walls of our house.   I never fully got used to it but I convinced myself that they were bush creatures not dirty rodents.

Seeing this rat (out of context) brought some anxiety but I trust that I will once again be able to accept these bush creatures and maybe even see good in them.  (After all they are a good source of protein.)   :)