Puppet team at a local church conference

There were over 1000 people attended this conference.  I am thankful for this opportunity for the puppet team to share songs and Bible stories with children and adults who were in attendance.
The next time the puppet team will be sharing at VBS for children from the villages surrounding Ukarumpa.  Please pray that we focus on the Lord,and it will draw children close to the Lord.

The Vine and the Branches

“I am the true vine” -John 15:1a”

One of the stress avoidance factors of vine is its ability to absorb water by making the roots grow deeper, toward the groundwater when the weather is hot and dry.  The roots can also store moisture during wet season.  If we are the branches, we can trust in Jesus to quench our thirst, especially in time of trials.  The Lord is the only one who can ultimately satisfy our thirst.

“I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in me and I in Him, he will bear much fruit...”-John 15:5

The branches, leaves, and fruits depend on the vine for water and nutrients, which reminds me of the importance of abiding in the Lord, and trust Him for the provision for our daily life and the spiritual journey.  Furthermore, the roots of the vine are able to care and provide for all the branches, leaves and fruits, regardless if the branches are closed to the stem, or the higher order axis that are smaller and farther away from the stem.  The Lord uses the vine and the branches to show how much he cares for us and desires to be with us.  He is the one who is in control, and able to guide us always.

A little thank-you note from the Grade 6 class of the last school year :)

What if there is not Scripture in your mother tongue?http://blog.theseedcompany.org/bible-translation-2/francis-chan-gods-word-2/

Omnipresent God

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged”- Deuteronomy 31:8

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name, you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, the flames will not set you ablaze.”- Isaiah 42:1b-2

Father, thank you for reminding me of your presence, guidance and care that you show all the time.  Thank you for being the one who I can always rely on, the one who is the same anytime and anywhere. Thank you for walking alongside with me through trials and triumphs.

This is particularly encouraging to know when settling to a new place and adjusting to new community can get a little overwhelming.  I am glad to know that I can find stability in the Lord who is always available and His faithfulness is unchanging.  I am also grateful for knowing that God is journeying with me through the highs and lows, and in Him I can overcome with the victory that can be found in Him.

“Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today...The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still”- Exodus 14:13-14

Seder Dinner

This is the first time I had Seder dinner.  I was invited to join in with a family for it to begin the Easter weekend.  Passover is traditionally a Jewish holiday, but some Gentiles are discovering the significance of this and tying it to Easter.In the Passover Seder meal, one plate has 7 specific items...bitter herbs, an egg, kharoset (an apple/nut mixture), parsley springs, bowl of salt water, a lamb bone, and onion or horseradish root. And, at each place setting, a glass of wine (grape koolaid) helps in the ceremony, too. 
Meanings of the 7 specific items that all tasted: When in Egypt around 1500 B.C., the Jews were suffering slaves (bitter herbs and onion/horseradish root) that had to make bricks with mortar (kharoset). This time in Jewish history was hard and full of tears (parsley sprigs dipped in salt water).  The lamb bone signifies that blood from a lamb was put on the doorposts.
This blood told the angel of death to "Passover" that household. Only those that believed (by marking the doorposts) were saved. Then, the Jews were let go by the Egyptians to start a new life (egg).
Of course, the blood of the Lamb saved the Jews then.  Jesus, the Lamb of
God, saves those today that believe He is God and that he died to save us.
His death paid for our sins.  Alleluia, He is risen indeed!

First day of teaching

I completed the first day of teaching 2 days ago, I enter the school with a mix of excitement and a sense of uncertainty.  It was exciting to begin since I had waited for this for a while, but feeling slightly uncertain as I wonder how the class would work out. Before going to the class, I asked the Lord to guide me, let the class be pleasing to Him.  The Lord led me to the verse from 2 Corinthians 12:9, which said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  I was also reminded of Psalm 27 that was read during staff meeting the day before, it spoke to me about trusting in the Lord and find confident in Him.  Overall, I definitely experience God’s grace and guidance throughout this process, it was a blessing when God put a special moment through a kid who said, “thank you for teaching me” after the first time teaching that class.