May 15, 2013

Good Morning (afternoon, evening...) all :),

So much has taken place these past 2 weeks:

• James has gone and returned from Gabon, Africa.

• I had a WONDERFUL Mother's Day with our kids (we have not all been together on Mother's Day since 1998!)

• Bethany (our youngest), is currently in Accra Ghana, for the next 5 weeks (business). This is her view from her hotel room.

Time just continues to march on, and it seems like a whirlwind right now. May 15th has crept up on me...

My verse for today:

Proverbs 17:22

"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones"

ESV

This verse has always been tucked in the back of my thoughts. I really want to 'marinate' on it these next few weeks.

I have known a few people who have a crushed spirit...and it has literally dried up their bones; both physically and spiritually. (Sometimes) they are not that pleasant to be around...

...and,

I have known others who are joyful, they experience the same challenges as others, but have made the choice to look upward and not downward. Their joyful spirit has been their good medicine.

This is a good challenge for me.

What about you?
What are you 'marinating' on for these next 2 weeks?

May 1, 2013 Verse and James.

May 1!

...It is true, as we 'mature' time does goes by faster...

I read this verse earlier this week, and decided that it was a good one to memorize:

Isaiah 33:6

"He is your constant source of stability; He abundantly provides safety and great wisdom, he gives all this to those who fear Him"

NET

The first part of the verse caught my attention. He is my constant source of stability...He abundantly provides safety and great wisdom...all this...

Such assurance.

Right now James is at Bongolo Hospital in Lebamba Gabon installing some new software and training the PAACS (Pan Africa Academy of Christian Surgeons) residents on this software. I have been praying this verse over him/them, as he trains: that the Lord will abundantly provide great wisdom to all, and safety as James travels in-country via road, bush planes and commercial flights. He is doing well, and enjoys his travels. This trip he has run into 'friends of freinds' of ours from Niger, and they have had some great fellowship time together.

Here are a couple of pictures that he was able to send early this morning.

 a panoramic view of Bongolo Hospital



Inside the room where James is doing his training.

Thank you for your continued prayers...!