Something's Missing

 Blog March 22, 2014

 Something’s Missing

Last night when the generator came on, I went to the light switch to turn on the lights.  The light in the living room and kitchen worked just fine.  I flipped the switch and, without any effort on my part, the room was filled with light.   But, when I tried the same thing with the bathroom light, there was a faint flicker of light and then, nothing but darkness.  My analysis of the situation was that the bulb was burned out.  So, I called on Emmanuel to see if he would get a ladder and change the bulb. That sounded like a simple, routine task.  Emmanuel, climbed the ladder, changed the bulb and said, “Flip the switch,” which I did.  But nothing happened. So, out came the new bulb and out came a flashlight to scrutinize the light socket.  What Emmanuel discovered was that a small piece in the socket had broken loose.  Until the socket could be repaired, no matter how good the bulb, that bulb would not give off light from that socket – even if the switch is ‘on’.  The generator was working just fine, putting out the right amount of current.  The electricity was working fine everywhere else in the apartment.  The power was there, but because of one tiny missing piece, a good bulb was rendered useless.  Of course, the bulb isn’t really useless.  Once the repair is made, the bulb secured back in the socket and the switch is turned on, the power will flow to bring light to the room.

There are times when a similar thing happens in my walk with Christ.  Power for living in Christ is readily available.  The flow of power into my life is always available, 24-7.  But here’s what can happen. 

I’m pretty sure I am ‘full of light’ and busy as a beaver on behalf of God and His Kingdom but not shining at all for Him because there’s something interfering with the connection – with the Source of Power.  It could be I’ve been too busy to pray and spend quiet time with God and His Word.   I don’t suppose that’s ever happened with you.  But, for me, it’s far too easy to get wrapped up with good works so much that I look like the energizer bunny – all charged up and spinning in a flurry of activity -  but accomplishing nothing of eternal consequences, because of one teensy (okay, not really teensy in the light of eternity) little old misdemeanor – bad attitude, careless in keeping the heart and mind cleansed and focused on Him rather than ‘works’ or situation, or trusting in my own abilities and earthly resources. You get the picture. Flip the switch.  Nothing happens.  But, I’m too preoccupied to even notice that I’ve short circuited my connection with my Heavenly Father.  I may think my light is shining, but how can anyone benefit from a non-lit bulb?  If there is a glow factor, it’s probably not a positive one.

What short circuits your Source of Power? 

Grumbling, gossip, or compromise of values.   It amounts to neglecting to keep the connection in good repair, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

Jesus says in John 15:4 “Remain in me (if it’s broken, fix it), and I will remain in you.”  In 1 John 1:7, we are reminded, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”

In John 8:12, Jesus said to the people, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

  

Some exciting events:

February 24-28         Pointmen Leadership Institute – in partnership with REAP, led a week long seminar for leaders in public and private sectors on principle and ethics- based leadership training.

             March 1^st        Second Annual REAP (Restoration of Educational Advancement Program) Awareness Day at the William R. Tolbert Center for Youth in Bentol City.  REAP has been operating in Liberia since 2004. So far, REAP’s presence and impact cut across the 15 counties of Liberia. With the vision to bring help, hope and opportunities to war affected Liberian youth and young adults, REAP seeks to explore, design and implement relevant programs and initiatives that will result in total recovery and restoration of lost values and dignity among Liberian youth and young adults.

 

March 15^th                 Bentol City Home Coming and Induction Ceremony for Mayor Christine Tolbert Norman.  The Salvation Army Band provided music for the induction ceremony which was attended by many Liberian Government officials and friends, including being honored with the presence of Her Excellency Madam President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

March 20 and 21      The first Liberian Circle Association conference, held at the Norman Guest Home Conference Center with 40 in attendance. The mission of Liberian Circle Association is to provide to Christian ministries serving the people of Liberia with opportunities for communication and networking that promotes vision, planning, and collaboration of resources, efforts, and services for relief, development, and advancement of sustainable improvements that bring growth in discipleship, reconciliation, justice, and righteousness in order to renew all relationships and culture to be under the authority of Jesus Christ

March 28                    Joined The Salvation Army medical team in Mt. Coffee.  We took along Laurie and Breanna Kelly (Feed Hungry Children foundation) and Pastor Don Coffeen (God’s Kids) and Franklin (a 16 yr old Liberian who grew up in Calvary Orphanage, graduated from high school and now taking a computer class and wants to be a doctor).  Pastor Don spent hours praying with people who had come to the clinic. Breanna gave out more than 80 packets of rice with nutrients especially designed for malnourished children.  Franklin helped with registration.  Laurie and Breanna worked with the medical team assembling packets of medicine for distribution to patients.  I took pictures, visited with people, and did story/singing/scripture memory time with the children.

March 30                    Preached at Christ Mission Ablaze Church for Youth Sunday. J

 Prayer Focus

Praise God for answered prayer in so many ways.

People are coming to Christ.  Churches/Corps are paying attention to discipling believers.

God has provided resources for nutritional rice packets to feed malnourished children in the interior, day care kids and orphanages.  

Thanks be to God for CM (crazy missionaries) who is helping to provide for some basis needs (stove, frig, a/c, drinking water, generator, etc)  I am blessed beyond measure.  To all of you who are part of my support, I thank you.

Pray for an end to the Ebola outbreak in some areas in Liberia and for protection from disease.

Pray for our daily ministry and interactions that God would grant wisdom in all matters to His honor and glory.

Blessings to all.

My son, Bill, is handling my finances.  If anyone would like to help in any way, please send to:

Crazy Missionaries

Dave Bearchell

1884 Wilson Wynd Way

Lawrenceville, GA 30043

or 

Bill McKee

3967 Acorn Hill Dr

Canandaigua, NY 14424

Pamm

Updates:  March 8, 2014
Hi everyone
Sorry this has taken so long to get posted. So many challenges with accessing the internet - along with changes in schedules have taken place in the past few weeks.

I am doing well and will post another blog (much sooner, I hope, giving you more updates about events taking place in an around my life here in Liberia.

One interesting thing lately has been the drives from Monrovia to Bentol City (about an hour drive).  The road between the two communities is being paved and the work is coming along well but, in the meantime, the dust is unbelievable.  The thought occurred to me on a ride back to Monrovia last week that is 'might' be compared to driving in a blizzard - only this was a dust blizzard and not a snow blizzard.  So, while you may be experiencing the cold and snow (and all that goes with it), we have the air filled with dust!  It was difficult to see the vehicle in front of you and the driver was using his windshield wipers to try to manage his way through the area.  A big blessing for us is that this particular vehicle has air conditioning so we can at least keep the windows up.  I've ridden in transport vehicles on this road (with no A/C) and people packed in like sardines in a tin can.  We cover ourselves with scarves/cloth/hankies/eyewear whatever might help protect us and keep the dust out of our eyes and lungs.  But, by the time we get to our destination and get out of the transport vehicle, we are all a site to behold!  Water trucks pass over the road at time during the day spraying water to try to minimize the dust.  But it's all in the name of progress!.

That makes me think about progress in the Christian life.  When we are involved in the work of God here on earth, we are sure to encounter blizzards - whether from the snow or sand or dust doesn't matter so much.  What matters is that we are spiritually prepared for the journey, taking the necessary precautions, and trusting God to use us and teach us in these situations.  And when that stage of the journey is ended, making time for spiritual cleanings and renewing, allowing His Spirit to wash us once again, His Word to refresh and teach us, fellowship with the community of faith, and go forth cleansed and refreshed for the next encounter.
Psalm 51:2 (NIV) Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
Psalm 51:6-13 (NIV)
Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.

It's not a matter of shutting ourselves away from the blizzards of life, but knowing that God is with us as we pass through them and is waiting to cleanse, renew, heal and refresh, teaching us important lessons on each leg of the journey and preparing us for the next step.
God bless you all.
Pamm

Blog  Feb 24 2014

Some recent events

Feb 23^rd – Baby Dedication – Destiny Paye

Destiny is the youngest daughter of Captains James and Viola Paye.  The Paye’s are the Corps Officers of the Sinkor Corps and James also is appointed to the Finance Department at CHQ.  Their son, Robert Dixon, was born while they were in training and their daughter, Theophelia was born in 2008 when they were Corps Officers in Cottontree.  I dedicated Theo in 2008. 

Feb 11^th

I attended the 16^th birthday celebration for Ruth Davis.  It was a beautiful celebration with more than 50 people in attendance.  Ruth is the eldest child of Barromi and Garmai Davis.  The celebration included singing her favorite hymn, young people performing dance and singing, scripture reading, an exhortation on the joy of growing up in Christ and a recommitment of Ruth’s life to God.  After the program, there was food, dancing and music.  

At one point I asked her father, Barromi, if he remembered his 16^th birthday and he did not.  When I was training principal here, there was a time that I had an Everybody’s birthday party for the cadets, instructors and board members.  One of the reasons for the party was that people were always reminding me when it was close to their birthday and they expected something from me.  I decided to have one party to cover it all!  I remember Barromi being at that party and his words at the end of party.  He said, “This is my first birthday party ever.”  He and Garmai are making special memories for his children.

Band Retreat

The Command was gracious enough to allow the band to have a retreat day on Feb 11, a national holiday in Liberia.  The band met at Chapel Corps for a time of devotion and prayer led by Lt. E. Snogba, Command Youth Secretary.  He talked about the importance of music as an expression of worship and encouraged the young people to be diligent in practice and in allowing music to minister to their own lives as well as reach into the lives of those who listen and join in worship through music.  The day ended with games to help them get to know each other and a time of fellowship and refreshments.  Several in the group are in the beginner band and doing extremely well.  It was a good experience of bringing the beginners and regular band members together.