A good report

I have received a good report from the first few ministry opportunities in Belize. Sue said that the team has been great. They work hard and function well together. They will be doing their own cooking and clean up so they will get lots of chances to function well together.
She reports that the accommodation's have improved from the last time we were there. So they are not roughing it. Yesterday they ministered with an Anglican church, doing puppets and drama in the main service. This is great because puppets can say things that people might shy away from. Like having an alter call at an Anglican church. They rested in th afternoon and were having a private worship time in the evening to pray and prepare their hearts for this busy week.

Pray for them!

Shalom

They are gone!

After a long day and night of last minute prep, the outreach team boarded their plane bound for Belize.
Their flight was supposed to leave at 6:00AM from Seattle. This involved a midnight departure from the college. You know, I thought the students looked sleepy during class. That is nothing compared to what they look like at 3:00 in the morning! The trip to the airport was without incident but then the fun began.
The plane was late leaving Alaska, pushing it's arrival time two hours. This of course squeezed the layover time in Huston causing them to run from plane to plane. Once seated they were told that due to weather the take off would be delayed. So now they sat on the plane.
They did take off and made it to Belize city just a bit late. I got an e-mail this morning from the host, assuring me all was well.
I miss um already, well I miss Sue. Pray for them, pray for the ministry, pray for the families!

What a great day!

It is Finished



After all the work and organization it is nice to see an event be successful. Mrs B and her team did a great job with decorations and the food was good. We had a larger then expected crowd. I think it may have been the largest ever for a commencement. The speaker was Pastor Paul from Cariboo Road Christian Fellowship. Paul was one the first graduates we had, finishing in 1992. His message was inspiring and re-enforced the call of God on the lives of the grads and the rest of too.

The walk across the platform included the degree recipients kneeling down and having their hood placed on their shoulders. It made for an emotional time and they rose from their knees with their new hood draped across their shoulders. Honor and high honor awards followed for many of them.

The very first Degree recipient

We also gave away several Awards and Grants for the first time this year. The recipients did not know till their name was called. Fun time!!

As the news continue to break

It will go down in the history books as one of the worst mass killings in the US history. It has been confirmed that a permanent resident from South Korea is responsible for both shootings. Headlines under one picture of the aftermath just asked the question, "Why?" No one will ever know. All that is left now is the question of how will we react and who will get the blame. Already there are calls for the President of the University and the police chief to be fired for the handling of it. Soon the shooter will be excused because of "minority oppression" or some other politically correct diagnosis.
In the final analysis the hurt of the survivors will fester until some one reaches out and touches them with true love. Love that does not explain, excuse or justify. Love that holds and comforts and listens. Love that sounds like Jesus.

Many stories will come from this but for me this one stands out.

Okay I admit it!

I sometimes cry when I listen to the radio. I know, that shatters some of the mystic that I had with one or two of you but it true. Some songs just hit me. I remember the first time I heard "Butterfly kisses" it just shook me.

Well I heard another one today. It is called "Swingsets in Heaven" and is sung by Roger Allen McGill. I have searched for it but have been successful in finding out much about him or the song lyrics. But boy oh boy did it make me puddle up!

The smell of fear is in the Hallways

Well maybe that is too dramatic. It is the second full day of final exams and many of you can remember that feeling all too well.

Even though class time is delayed till 8:45, the line was outside the gate when Sue and I arrived to unlock it before eight. Last minute cramming and the nervous laughter that always marks this season is ringing in our ears combined with the sheer joy in the eyes of the instructors. One last torture session and the trial is over for another year.

Grad is this Saturday for those in the area. It starts at 1:00 Pm and is followed by a stand up reception. Join us!

Chicken Poop for the Soul

Now this looks interesting! Anybody ever hear of it?
CHEC on this: Chicken Poop for the Soul

Last teaching day!

I wore one of my Hawaiian shirts today. When I was asked why I replied that it was my last day of school for the term! I have all my assignments graded all that is left is the exams. It is a good feeling to be done. The year has been good. The chapels and Tuesday night services were uplifting both during the worship but also during the lectures. God spoke through the men and women that joined us during our Tuesday evening service this year.
The commencement ceremony complete with the hooding of our first degree recipients takes place on Saturday, April 21st. If you are local please join us. We will have a time of refreshment after.

What a beautiful day!

Angelic Chef?

Is this a halo on the head of this chef?

After we ate the creation that he was preparing we certainly thought so!



And then this was the desert!




It was Easter at the home of #1 son and his wife. We were joined by the rest of the family; daughter, son and daughter-in-law. BJ's sister also made the journey south from the Great White North to share in the random sunshine of Seattle. Three dogs rounded out the grouping and it was family time at its best.

!!!Resurrection Morning!!!

As the world wakes up on this "normal day" and goes about it's business, I wonder how many Christians pause to think about what the day actually means. This year of all years, the presenters of the messages in the pulpits of the church should be stressing the bodily resurrection of Jesus. The miracle of the Easter morning is not that the stone was rolled away. Or that an angel spoke to Mary, or that the tomb was empty. The miracle was the risen Christ. Jesus left His place at the side of the Father to obediently come to earth to live among mankind. Though sinless, He suffered death for our sakes and a cruel death it was. The romans who were experts at death, pronouced him dead and he was hastily wrapped and spiced.
But praise God the story does not end there. Jesus Christ rose from that tomb, walked, talked, taught, teased and even ate with His followers. As the first born from the dead, Jesus makes a way for us. Jesus is alive! and because He lives I shall live too!

And Now a Word From Our Sponser

Well not really but if you look at the side bar you will see a new partner has been added. Ezra and Tamara Okoti (alumni) have launched a new website promoting their photography business. The website, http://www.beyondexposure.ca has all the information about them and showcases some of the pictures they have taken. We use Beyond Exposure for our school pictures and the product is great. If you have a special event coming up and want to record it in film give them a visit.

Now we return to our normal bloviating.

Looking towards the cross.

Passion Week is here and at the end stands the Cross. During our lifetime, if we are lucky, we will experience many for these weeks. But the Cross should be a once and for all time experience. You find yourself at the cross, kneeling in spirit, asking for the Lord to forgive you of your sins and failings. He does and we stand forgiven. The rest of our life should be spent in the shadow of the cross, remembering what He did for us and how we should then live our life.

Unfortunately many times we, myself included, have needed to return to the cross, seeking forgiveness and a restoration of relationship. Rather then victorious we have been defeated by our own weaknesses. We spiral down until we feel separated from Christ. Fortunately God is there, still holding out His hands to us. The price has already been paid and we experience that release again. Each time we pledge to live better.

Wouldn't our life be better is we could just hold on to that position? Instead of spirally down, just circle and look to Christ as soon as the "failing" has taken place. Keep a short list with God. Come daily to Him and confess. His faithfulness is secure and He will restore. Why spend time away from Him?

During this Easter season see the Cross, but more importantly see the Saviour who daily meets our needs.