Where would I be without You?

Post Password Protected; email blogger at catlion.cc@gmail.com to ask for password

Lessons from the Book

Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage so that I could gain Christ and become one with Him. I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things.... But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. 

Philippians 3:8,12-14

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honour beside God's throne. Think of all the hostility He endured from sinful people, then you won't become weary and give up. 

Hebrews 12:1-3

So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up.

Galatians 6:9

How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! "Violence is everywhere!" I cry, but you do not come to save. Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight. The law has become paralysed, and there is no justice in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, so that justice has become perverted. The Lord replied, "Look around at the nations; look and be amazed! For I am doing something new in your own day, something you wouldn't believe even if someone told you about it. Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren, even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. 

Habakkuk 3:2-5,17-19

Christmas Bells...

This past year here has definitely had its fair share of mountaintop-highs and valley-lows, but through it all He has been faithful.
The struggles started the very next day after I arrived here (back in January), with political unrest that resulted in strikes and travel blockades that made it very difficult to get out and travel to begin meeting Deaf. We really struggled to find and meet Deaf women, and when we did finally begin meeting them, we struggled connecting and building relationships with them. Natural disasters occurred, like flooding during monsoon season and 2 big earthquakes that hit neighbouring countries sending tremors and aftershocks that were felt here. Conflicts arose from unexpected places, we struggled with sickness, and are ending the year with heightened security travel advisors from the US Embassy because of the attacks in Paris and threats against foreigners travelling and living overseas.
All the struggles were beginning to weigh on me and discourage me. Especially looking at the attacks in Paris, and the threats of more attacks, it seemed the world was so full of hate.
Then I attended a Christmas service here, and the pastor used the song "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" in his message. This song was originally written as a poem during the Civil War, and its words really spoke to me and seemed very applicable to this time.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

I heard the bells on Christmas day

their old familiar carols play

and wild and sweet their songs repeat

of peace on earth, goodwill to men

And the bells are ringing (peace on earth)

like a choir they're singing (peace on earth)

in my heart I hear them

peace on earth, goodwill to men

And in despair I bowed my head

there is no peace on earth I said

for hate is strong and mocks the song

of peace on earth, goodwill to men

But the bells are ringing (peace on earth)

like a choir they're singing (peace on earth)

does anybody hear them?

peace on earth, goodwill to men

Then rang the bells more loud and deep

God is not dead, nor doth He sleep (peace on earth, peace on earth)

the wrong shall fail, the right prevail

with peace on earth, goodwill to men

Then ringing singing on its way

the world revolved from night to day

a voice, a chime, a chant sublime

of peace on earth, goodwill to men

And the bells are ringing (peace on earth)

like a choir they're singing (peace on earth)

and with our hearts we'll hear them 

peace on earth, goodwill to men

Do you hear the bells they're ringing (peace on earth)?

They're like the angels singing (peace on earth)

open up your heart and hear them (peace on earth)

peace on earth, goodwill to men

peace on earth, peace on earth

peace on earth, goodwill to men

(Casting Crowns lyrics, words originally written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)

The message and this song really encouraged me again, and reminded me that God is still in control, no matter how dark the world may seem. And I looked back over the year remembering the good times in the midst of the struggles: After the strikes and political unrest finally ended here in March, we did stay busy engaging Deaf until the end of September. During that time period, God really opened lots of doors with Deaf, including Deaf women, we built lots of relationships, we began to be invited into their homes, and developed a good reputation with the Deaf community here. I was also able to visit my family for two weeks for an early Christmas, and even though we all thought it was just a high hope, I was able to be there for my nephew's birth! 

God is not dead, nor doth He sleep. The wrong shall fail and the right prevail with peace on earth goodwill to men! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZtNlZmnEMU)  

My Nephew!