My cousin Krysta (who is hearing impaired) informed me that her interpreter at school had told her all about the story of Jonah being eaten by a fish. The conversation continued on like this...
Krysta: Do you think it was a whale that ate him?
Me: Well, the Bible just tells us it was a 'big fish'.
Krysta: Oh, well, I'm pretty sure it was a whale, because whales don't have taste buds and they eat anything...
I got a kick out of that, and now I'm wondering... Do whales have tastebuds? I think I'm going to go google it. Good night.
PS.... thought you might be interested to see my research results...
"Whales do not have many taste buds, and those present have atrophied or degenerated. They have not been well studied."
There you have your little bit of Whale Ed for the day. I wonder if this is enough to build a theological premise for what it was that specifically swallowed Jonah. Fascinating.
This journey of life is our own in that we are responsible before the Lord and no one else. Mine is His, though, in that its by Him and through Him that I have the grace to live.
THIS JOURNEY- sung by Sara Groves
When I stand before the Lord, I'll be
standing alone. This journey is my own.
Still I want man's advice, and I need
man's approval, but this journey is my own
Why would I want to live for man and pay
the highest price? What would it mean to
gain the world, only to lose my life?
So much of what I do is to make a good
impression. This journey is my own.
So much of what I say is to make myself
look better. This journey is my own
I have never felt relief like I feel it
right now. This journey is my own. 'Cause
trying to please the world it was breaking
me down, it was breaking me down
Now I live and I breathe for an audience
of one, now I live and I breath for an
audience of one. Now I live and I breathe
for an audience of one, 'cause I
know this journey is my own
You can live for someone else, and it
will only bring you pain. I can't even
judge myself. Only the Lord can say, "Well done."
This blog has seen better days.
I find it wonderful, that though I could honestly say I felt "satisfied completely" when I posted last, I'm completer that I was then. Hard to explain. I just can't reach the depths of His love. I can't describe the peace and blessing found in Him.
Training is going well. Time is passing so quickly. Homesickness has been nursed by wonderful letters, care packages, and "random" meetings with people who share my friends from back home.
I wish I had time tonight to sit down and write letters to those who've written and sent me love in a box. 'Til then, thanks peeps. And for the prayers too. Never realized how obviously God answers prayer. He's met my every physical need and is fulfilling my spiritual ones as well.
I'm pressing on the upward way,
New heights I'm gaining every day;
Still praying as I'm onward bound,
"Lord, plant my feet on higher ground."
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven's table land,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
My heart has no desire to stayWhere doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where those abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.
I want to live above the world,
Though Satan's darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I'll pray till Heav'n I've found, "Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
Complete in Your presence.Secure in Your love,
You make me who I am
Because of Who You are.
I'm satisfied completely.
Contented just to be by Your side.
How could I ever ask for more
than what you give me Lord?
I find it all in You
Yes I find it all in You. [sung by Meredith Andrews]
I mentioned in the last post that many of the kids on the street whom we share the Gospel with give us challenges in the form of questions. The most frequent is... "Can I smoke weed if I'm a Christian?" or "Well didn't God make all plants?" or "Does it say any where in the Bible that you can't smoke weed?"
Several of you wondered what our response is, so I thought I would give you a sample of a conversation I had with a girl named Mocha.
Mocha: So since you've read the whole entire Bible, does it say anywhere in there that you can't smoke weed?
Me: No. [I had not claimed to have read the entire Bible, but I have so I answered with confidence.]
Mocha: So do you smoke weed?
Me: No.
Mocha: Why not?
Me: Because the Bible says that all believers are temples of God. If God is dwelling in me I want to take good care of the body that He has given me and is now dwelling inside of.
Now I'm curious. What would you say?
I have so much to say I'm not sure why I started out with that intro except for the fact that I don't know where to else to start.
I was reminded that this weekend is Valentines day. I don't know what to think abut that. I feel rather ba-humby about this holiday this year, when its rare for me to even acknowledge its existance. I don't particularly like chocolate--not that I have an aversion to it. Flowers rate pretty high, and it doesn't even always have to be the thought that counts when it comes down to roses. I would probably accept flowers from my worst enemy. (not that I have one at the moment) Though they do smell nicer when coming from a friend. This is really of little importance, because valentine's day is supposed to be about romantic love. There's many who call it National Single's Awareness Day. I feel like thats a rather discontented attempt for "fairness" in the world, but I understand what they may be feeling. So. Mind if I ride the fence on this one?
There are kids that hang out on the streets of this city, every day. The same ones every day. I've met a lot of them now. Jesse and his sisters Autumn and Billy. Mocha and her boyfriend Robbie. China, Dillon, Echo and so many others. Their most common response to the gospel is "Can I still smoke weed if I'm a Christian?" We thank God for any question they ask, and pray for wisdom to answer it. He has been gracious. Friends are being made and not on shallow pretenses. One day we bought them all starbucks, but it wasn't to bribe them to listen. They already had. We're hoping our small efforts to share with them, will bear eternal fruit.
Did you know there is a difference between 'having the Holy Spirit in you' and 'being filled with the Holy Spirit' ? That's one of the first things that was made clear in my mind, when I first started classes here. Its fascinating really, and crucial to comprehending how Christ works in us.
My mom flew into the area last night, but I haven't seen her yet. She's still several hours away spending some time with extended family. I'll probably get to see her this weekend sometime.
The snowflakes are getting bigger. I just saw a lady walk by in capris and snow boots. This town has a very odd sense of fashion. Following right behind her was a lady in capris and flip-flops. Made the snow boot look seem the lesser of two evils. Did I mention its snowing? I'm not sure why I'm ending with this, but otherwise I just don't know when to stop. There's more to tell... but my thoughts are scattered. Often when an experience is over, its hard to summarize in words. Suffice it to say, that God is giving evidence of His existence and tender loving care for me.
More to come, but who knows when. If you would like to be added to my update mailing list email me @ kaylenelise@yahoo.com I've sent one update out since I've been here, if you got it, you're already on the list.
I'm sick of being sick. Everything but my ears is dripping. But today, I'm actually feeling SO much better than I have since Friday. So praise the Lord for that.
Thanks, thanks, THANKS for the feedback on the last post/poll. I actually haven't fully decided yet, but I'm leaning towards sticking with Face Value. It was almost 50/50 as far the poll went. Plus I got some thoughtful feedback through other avenues and your thoughts definitely played into swaying me one direction or another. If only all of life's quandaries where this insignificant . I don't know, maybe I should post a poll next time I'm wondering where to move next.
Back before I came up here for the training, I wasn't just busy packing. I was helping a friend who lives in Malawi, Africa (though at the time was with family for Christmas, in my neck of the woods). We were setting up a web site for the very reason that he is in Malawi right now. His boss, James Nyondo, a Christian man, is running for president of Malawi. He needed a campaign web site. Silly me was pretty eager to use her computer savvy for a bigger cause than her own, and wanted to learn more about the process of web building anyways. So I dived in. We dived in. Only to discover I knew nothing of what I was doing. Through time, sweat, desperate pleas for help--Thanks Kaysie, Josh, Tobin, cousin Jesse, and others!!!-- and many an answered prayer, it actually came together and it. was. fun! Why am I finally getting around to telling you this? Well it was launched this last week, and just thought I'd put a little plug here for www.jamesnyondo09.com in case you planned on voting in the Malawian elections this year, OR if you just wanted to check out the website and be in prayer for him and my friend. Please pray that God would have His will done concerning the campaign and that if its His will for Mr. Nyondo to go "all the way" that He would miraculously provide the funds needed. Pray also that whatever place in leadership Mr. Nyondo serves in, that he would never miss an opportunity to share the gospel and that God would give him boldness in that.
Did you know there is music at the bottom of this page? Yeppers. But you have to tell it to play, because if you're like me, sometimes those automatic players mess with what you're already listening to. Just thought I'd let you know that its there.
Ok, next post will be more update-ish than this one.
Good bye.
PS... Last night I was watching the movie"Out of Africa" while chatting with the friend who is "in Africa". What? why am I the only one who thinks this is funny? I was also chatting with a friend who is wanting to go to the very place in Africa that the movie was about, this summer. Ironic right? Well I thought it was interesting. ;-) If nothing else, I hope you realize how significant it was that I was chatting with two people and watching a movie.
