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
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 23rd – 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 11th
I attended the 16th 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 16th 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. 
No comments:
Post a Comment