With a heart of Thanksgiving

 

This was the scene in Colorado Springs last night as afternoon gusts of wind drove the Waldo Canyon Fire past the primary and secondary fire line and into the city.   It is unknown how many homes have been lost at this point but the fire continues to spread currently covering 15,324 acres of the part of Colorado where I grew up.

Last night as I watched coverage of the fires from Nicaragua thankful that my family and friends were able to get out I was overcome with tears at the thought of so much devastation.   In the midst of heartache we turn to God our Father who is so eagerly awaiting cry to  Him.   It is easy to be consumed by worry about lost homes, displaced residents, no end in sight.    I'm reminded of a sermon I heard few weeks ago that seems so appropriate to share now.  

Philippians 4:4-7

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be know to everyone.  The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be know to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Skipping to the middle part first   we see the Lord is at hand; do not be anxious.   Most of the time the work of the lord does not put us in places where we are comfortable and when our trust is in Him who is able to work it all out we don't need to worry.    I was struck by the contrast of anxiousness and thanksgiving.   When there is thanksgiving there is no room for fear.    You could say that is where the rejoicing in the Lord always comes in.   


So Lord please give me and all those affected by the fires the strength to see all that we can be thankful for in the midst of tragedy.   Thank you that there has been no loss of life.  Thank you that with all of this new technology friends and family can stay connected and informed.   Thank you that new life will grow from the ashes with time.  Thank you for all of the wonderful memories I have of family time at the Flying W Ranch, camping near Rampart Range Resevior, and hiking in Queen's Canyon.


Lord please continue to protect those in harm's way.   May this event be a turning point for many  to look to You the giver of every good (not by our earthly definition but by Your heavenly one) gift.


You can fallow life coverage of the fire here

Poco a Poco (Little by Little)

I just got back from two days in Matagalpa.  It was a very productive trip.

Here's a quick update!  Construction continues in Matagalpa.  We finally received all of our permits for construction and approval to build on the land.  Now we  can officially submit our school plan to the Ministry of Education.   We have have had the first of several meetings with a potential director for the school.   I will be moving North to Matagalpa in August.

The Front Entrance

Here are a few pictures of the construction progress.   They hope to put the roof on this week and next.  Please continue to pray for the future director of the school. 

The Future Soccer/Sports field

The provisional office  for phase 1

Materials ready to go

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Books, Books, Books!

The Policemen Read

Books are an essential part of learning.   In Nicaragua there are very few books children are allowed to hold, look at and most importantly read.    Part of my job in preparation for opening the new school in Matagalpa is to help the model school Nejapa start a lending library at the school.   Nejapa has been blessed with donations of books over the past few years.   Sadly, the books are not being used because they are not allowed to leave the room they are currently stored in.

Three people from a small barrio learning about libraries too and Jane and Kenya

Jane is the director of the first lending library in San Juan Del Sur.   She has helped many people around the country open libraries for children and families.    Kenya, the administrative assistant and "librarian" for Nejapa and I had the opportunity to visit Jane and learn from her experience with Nicaraguan Libraries. 

Choosing our 100 books

Kenya and I spent two full days at the library learning and taking copious notes.   It was so fun to see Kenya coming up with all kinds of ideas for the library at Nejapa.   The opportunity to see a real lending library in action was a first for her.   We were able to purchase the start up kit to get things started.   As a part of the kit we got to pick out 100 books.    It was like letting kids loose in the candy store.

Carey, Kenya and Jane