Moving

"You will never find Jesus so precious as when the world is one vast howling wilderness. Then He is like a rose blooming in the midst of the desolation, a rock rising above the storm."

- Robert Murray McCheyne

We are moving out. The house is jumbled and emptier by the hour. This picture was taken yesterday as we packed up all the kitchen stuff.

The above thought from Robert Murray McCheyne, has come to mind many times over these past days, and I sing, "Oh, Jesus is a rock in a weary land... a shelter in the time of storm."

In a few hours, Lord-willing, the first installment of our family will be leaving to stay somewhere else until we fly on Friday. Strange days, tired days, busy days are just more days to take refuge in Jesus - the rock in a weary land, the shelter in the time of storm, the One who is the same yesterday, today and forever.

"The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint."

- Isaiah 40:28:31 ESV

Let Me Hide Myself in Thee

Monday, November 13, 2006

Today we went on a trip to the beach. (By the way, don't picture some absolutely gorgeous tropical beach. Guyana beaches are mostly clayey brown sand and silty brown water, and garbage :-( But they do have some vestiges of beauty.) We had a quiet, relaxing time and traveled toward home in the glow of a brilliant mass of sunset clouds, silhouetting myriads of coconut trees. Driving on in the deepening dusk, we were all singing, "Rock of Ages" the last verse:

"While I draw this fleeting breath
When my eyes shall close in death
When I soar to worlds unknown
See thee on thy judgment throne"

- Augustus M. Toplady

There was something ahead of us. Daddy slowed to a stop as we saw a motorcycle laying on its side in the middle of the road and people gathered at the scene.

"Talk about 'soaring to world's unknown' I said, and pondered the helmet and stray motorcycle parts clustered by the road's edge.

As we passed by with a hymn and an accident stirring our hearts, we were sobered by the reality of life and death. "While I draw this fleeting breath," Daddy murmured. It's probable that the rider survived, but how quickly life can end if God wills to cut it short. How easily we forget that our life is brief, and our footsteps are ever treading the crumbling brink of eternity.

We never did finish the song; there were two more lines, and I thought about them as we traveled on.

"...When I soar to world's unknown
See Thee on Thy judgment throne
Rock of ages, cleft for me
Let me hide myself in Thee."

Let me hide myself in Him! Jesus, the atoning sacrifice for my sins. Jesus, my righteousness in the sight of God. Jesus, the everlasting rock of my salvation.

"Nothing in my hand I bring
Simply to Thy cross I cling."

Jesus has borne my judgment, and in the day of judgment I shall be hid in Him. There is no wrath awaiting me at the edge of eternity, but only infinite love and infinite glory and entrance into the infinite joy of the Lord - because of Jesus. Thanks be to Him!

"To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." - Revelation 1:5b-6 ESV

Yesterday afternoon.

A picture of me with most of the kids who come to my Bible club, hanging out by the river. (Please excuse Jason) :o)

All these children live in Glasgow and none of them come from good homes. They like to come and play on the sandy strip (see right of picture) near our house by the river and have almost become like family. It's hard to think of leaving them in just a few weeks. But for the grace of God, they will continue in the footsteps of their ungodly parents.

But for the grace of God -and that grace is a mighty grace. God can use the Bible verses I have taught them, to bring them to saving faith in Jesus, despite their poor upbringing and life circumstances. The sovereign grace of God which I entrust my soul to, I can also trust for their souls. There is a sweet place to rest.

~ ~ ~

"...and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." - 2 Tim. 3:15 ESV

A skirt!

I had fun making this skirt out of odds and ends. The denim part of the skirt was already partially together. The pockets are stenciled with acrylic paint (I have, unfortunately, found it does not wash out of fabric - but that's good in this case) :o)

Mexican Cornbread

This is my version of a recipe found in Country Magazine. It's delicious, hearty and high in protein, so it's almost a meal in itself!

1 cup yellow cornmeal
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

1 cup buttermilk, sour milk or milk soured with vinegar
1 egg, beaten
1 can (8.75 oz.) cream-style corn
Dash hot pepper sauce
1/4 cup oil, or bacon drippings
1/4 cup minced green onion
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Combine first five ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Make a well in center; set aside. In another bowl, combine milk and egg; add corn and remaining ingredients. Add to dry ingredients and stir just until blended. Do not over-mix. Pour batter into greased 8x8" baking pan. Bake at 400 F for 35 minutes, or till browned at edges and springy in the middle. Cool 5 minutes; cut into 9 squares.

"How Sweet and Awesome is This Place" by Isaac Watts

This is an old hymn, but rather new to me. I found it in my "new" hymnal (I've had it for 11 months now) When I started playing it and reading the words, I loved it immediately. Here it is:

How sweet and awesome is this place
With Christ within the doors,
While everlasting love displays
The choicest of her stores!

While all our hearts and all our songs
Join to admire the feast,
Each of us cry, with thankful tongues,
“Lord, why was I a guest?

“Why was I made to hear Thy voice,
And enter while there’s room,
When thousands make a wretched choice,
And rather starve than come?”

’Twas the same love that spread the feast
That sweetly drew us in;
Else we had still refused to taste,
And perished in our sin.

Pity the nations, O our God!
Constrain the earth to come;
Send Thy victorious Word abroad,
And bring the strangers home.

We long to see Thy churches full,
That all the chosen race
May with one voice, and heart and soul,
Sing Thy redeeming grace.

Get the tune at CyberHymnal

We recently returned from a family trip to Kwakwani to visit fellow missionaries and the church where they minister.

First we had to get to Georgetown, the capital - an approximately 2 hour trip, which can stretch much longer with a prolonged wait at the ferry crossing.

A man selling water coconuts (my favorite beverage!)

A cute little Muslim girl waiting at the ferry crossing

After we got to Georgetown, "Uncle" Scott took us into Kwakwani - a 3-5 hour journey, most of it along the Kwakwani trail.


Christopher had us stop quite often so he could look at birds. Stopping along the way was a nice chance to look at some of the neat aspects of God's creation...

These little stacks (about 2-3 inches high) are all along the road. I think they form when rain falls on the very soft dirt, washing it away, but not hitting the dirt that happens to be underneath a rock. Aren't they marvelous!

We enjoyed our time with the "Uncle" Scott and "Aunt" Faith and their three kids

Benjamin, Christopher, Micah and Katie Adams

Katie played her flute for us.

We had fun helping in the kitchen.

Drying dishes is a blast with Elizabeth!

Missionary wives need lots of time to talk. :o)

Kwakwani is in the interior. It's beautiful and jungly (It has lots of snakes too; thankfully we didn't see any this time!) On Saturday morning, a guy, who attends the church there, took our family on a boat ride down the river.


It was quite hot, but we saw some beautiful scenery.

"O that men would Jehovah praise
For all his kindness shown,
And for his works so wonderful
Which he to men makes known!"
- from Psalm 107 Trinity Hymnal #83

We had a good service at Kwakwani Bible Church. Daddy preached from Titus 3:1-2, on how believers in Christ treat Authorities, the Needy, Enemies and Everyone (see it on the chalkboard?) I got out the camera after the service...

Elizabeth with a friend

Lots of ladies


A girl with her -cute!- baby brother

We are thankful for the blessed time together God gave us and for His protection in our travels. It's good to be home again.

But for me it is good to be near God;

I have made the Lord God my refuge,
that I may tell of all your works.
Psalm 73:28 ESV