Due to problems with my blogging website I am unable to publish pictures. However because I am of the computer using, time wasting generation I have been able to publish my pictures on a different webiste. So just click on the picture and it will take you to my pictures.
Rob
Monday, November 26, 2007
Be Someone's Shoulder
"Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep." - Romans 12:15
Whilst reading my devotions yesterday morning, I was praying about what to write on my blog this week. I always get an idea and then try and see if there have been any examples of it during my work at Rehoboth in the past week. As I flicked to my page in my devotions, I stumbled across the Bible passage from Romans and things began to slot into place, the rabbit working the controls in my head started turning the cogs and my ideas started flowing. Happy Reading.
I remember reading a story from America not so long ago about a minister who had to tell the parents of a twelve year old boy that he had drowned at a church outing. Some while later the parents told about the moment he told of their son's fate.
"Rev. Allen didn't preach to us or tell us to be brave. He broke into tears and wept with us. We will always love him for that." This was the spirit Paul captured when he admonished believers to "rejoice with them that rejoice and weep with them that weep."
We live in a world today where so many of us are afraid to show sentiment. We hold back from the comforting arm around the shoulder as we are bothered about what people will think. We would rather be the priest who walks past on the other side of the road than the samaritan that stops and cares. Maybe it's our stiff upper lip, "we'll fight them on the beaches" british reservation to show empathy. Maybe it's down to our upbringing, our schooling, our surroundings or maybe it's our self image. We'd rather stand back and let someone cry alone, than swallow our pride and be the reassuring hand.
Yet if we look at the Bible there are countless occurences of great men being moved to tears. David is the most vivid example, and even Christ wept over the city of Jerusalem. We say we live by the example of Jesus but yet we do not live by his caring example.
I had this problem. I used to put self image before the betterment of others. At work I would see people obviously distressed and carry on, not willing to take the time to see their situation and what their problem is. If you note, I used the word 'had' this problem because being here, you simply can't live with that attitude. By coming here you volunteer to be like an extra body part to these children. You go through what they go through. You laugh when they laugh. You cry when they cry. Blow the reservations or the self image.
A perfect example of this was last wednesday. Some of the children were booked in for check-ups at the hospital. A lot of the children suffer from ear problems, so we went to the hospital with 7 children to let the doctor see them. The youngest boy there, was a 2 year old, that I had in my arms. This was a boy that lived in the hospital the first six months of his life. He has been to the hospital more times than anyone cares to remember. The doctor saw the other children first then called for the 2 year old. As soon as I moved to stand up, he gripped my shirt and buried his face in my chest. The fear of this child was so evident it was scary. We went into the booth and he sat on my lap as the doctor started checking his ears. At first he was ok, but then started the whimpers. I looked in the reflective glass in front of us and saw his eyes fill up as his bottom lip quivered. Almost instantly, I felt my throat tighten up and my lip started to shake. The doctor carried on despite the whimpers and completed the check-up. I sat there, tears beading down my face, as this little 2 year old boy sat sobbing on my lap.
It was wednesday night after cell and I sat in my room thinking about what had happened that day. I turned to my Bible and the marker in was in at Psalm 126:5,6.
"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."
This is why I am challenging us all to resolve to show our sentiment today, as the oppurtunity arises. With those who have been most fortunate and are basking in the joy of recent accomplishments or blessings may we sincerely rejoice and thank God. With those whose hearts have been broken may we share their grief, feeling deeply for them and reaching out ot them in love.
Have a great week,
Rob
I would like to take this oppurtunity to offer my condolences to the Taylor family who lost their Granma this week.
James 4:8 - "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you."
Whilst reading my devotions yesterday morning, I was praying about what to write on my blog this week. I always get an idea and then try and see if there have been any examples of it during my work at Rehoboth in the past week. As I flicked to my page in my devotions, I stumbled across the Bible passage from Romans and things began to slot into place, the rabbit working the controls in my head started turning the cogs and my ideas started flowing. Happy Reading.
I remember reading a story from America not so long ago about a minister who had to tell the parents of a twelve year old boy that he had drowned at a church outing. Some while later the parents told about the moment he told of their son's fate.
"Rev. Allen didn't preach to us or tell us to be brave. He broke into tears and wept with us. We will always love him for that." This was the spirit Paul captured when he admonished believers to "rejoice with them that rejoice and weep with them that weep."
We live in a world today where so many of us are afraid to show sentiment. We hold back from the comforting arm around the shoulder as we are bothered about what people will think. We would rather be the priest who walks past on the other side of the road than the samaritan that stops and cares. Maybe it's our stiff upper lip, "we'll fight them on the beaches" british reservation to show empathy. Maybe it's down to our upbringing, our schooling, our surroundings or maybe it's our self image. We'd rather stand back and let someone cry alone, than swallow our pride and be the reassuring hand.
Yet if we look at the Bible there are countless occurences of great men being moved to tears. David is the most vivid example, and even Christ wept over the city of Jerusalem. We say we live by the example of Jesus but yet we do not live by his caring example.
I had this problem. I used to put self image before the betterment of others. At work I would see people obviously distressed and carry on, not willing to take the time to see their situation and what their problem is. If you note, I used the word 'had' this problem because being here, you simply can't live with that attitude. By coming here you volunteer to be like an extra body part to these children. You go through what they go through. You laugh when they laugh. You cry when they cry. Blow the reservations or the self image.
A perfect example of this was last wednesday. Some of the children were booked in for check-ups at the hospital. A lot of the children suffer from ear problems, so we went to the hospital with 7 children to let the doctor see them. The youngest boy there, was a 2 year old, that I had in my arms. This was a boy that lived in the hospital the first six months of his life. He has been to the hospital more times than anyone cares to remember. The doctor saw the other children first then called for the 2 year old. As soon as I moved to stand up, he gripped my shirt and buried his face in my chest. The fear of this child was so evident it was scary. We went into the booth and he sat on my lap as the doctor started checking his ears. At first he was ok, but then started the whimpers. I looked in the reflective glass in front of us and saw his eyes fill up as his bottom lip quivered. Almost instantly, I felt my throat tighten up and my lip started to shake. The doctor carried on despite the whimpers and completed the check-up. I sat there, tears beading down my face, as this little 2 year old boy sat sobbing on my lap.
It was wednesday night after cell and I sat in my room thinking about what had happened that day. I turned to my Bible and the marker in was in at Psalm 126:5,6.
"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."
This is why I am challenging us all to resolve to show our sentiment today, as the oppurtunity arises. With those who have been most fortunate and are basking in the joy of recent accomplishments or blessings may we sincerely rejoice and thank God. With those whose hearts have been broken may we share their grief, feeling deeply for them and reaching out ot them in love.
Have a great week,
Rob
I would like to take this oppurtunity to offer my condolences to the Taylor family who lost their Granma this week.
James 4:8 - "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you."
Monday, November 19, 2007
Start Acting Up
"Preach the gospel to the whole World and if necessary use words" - St. Francis of Assisi
I think too much emphasis is put on the importance of words. Words have the ability to destroy things, break-up relationships or lead people in the wrong direction. So why do we use words if they have such a destructive nature? Of course, words can also be good an bring about happiness, joy and smiles, but a person's wrong words are remembered more than a persons right words.
For Example. Michael Fish can give a thousand weather reports and people will still remember when he said there wouldn't be a hurricane. And I'm sure the Newcastle fans will remember Kevin Keegan uttering those famous words, " I would love it..." with those exaggerated ear phones and typical eighties hairstyle, Or an emotionally charged boom town rat telling the world what to do with their money at Live Aid in 1985. It's our human nature to remember the wrong things people have said or done. Whether it be Tony Blair's 45 minute Armageddon countdown or Donald Rumsfeld not knowing what hes saying about known unknowns and unknown unknowns.
Proverbs 10:19 "When words are many, sin is not absent, be he who holds his tongue is wise."
That is why I prefer to place importance in actions. During my stay here at Rehoboth, there have been so many examples of things I've seen that words can't do justice. Like a possibly destructive, angry, irritable young boy taking his 2 year old "brother" in his arms and rocking him to sleep. The words don't do it any justice. Or seeing a little 3 year old boy standing on a box and giving his aunty a hand with the dishes.
The actions of the children here prove the point I'm trying to make. They acted and their actions made someones day. It's about time we moved away from just words and started acting. Actions are the things that are going to change things. Politicians that sit and squabble all day don't change the world, it's the 3 year olds washing dishes and the angry boy that cares that do it.
That is why my challenge to you this week is to act rather than speak. In the words of a Nike advertisement, Just do it. Help one another, show that you love someone rather than telling them.
Let people know that you are of God by the actions they see you do.
Until Next Week
God Bless, Rob
P.s. Jesus came into this world, with a heart full of love for each and every one of us and died out of love for each and every one of us. We know Jesus' love by his actions. Not once did Jesus say "I Love You". He rather let his actions do the talking, a lesson that we can all learn from.
I think too much emphasis is put on the importance of words. Words have the ability to destroy things, break-up relationships or lead people in the wrong direction. So why do we use words if they have such a destructive nature? Of course, words can also be good an bring about happiness, joy and smiles, but a person's wrong words are remembered more than a persons right words.
For Example. Michael Fish can give a thousand weather reports and people will still remember when he said there wouldn't be a hurricane. And I'm sure the Newcastle fans will remember Kevin Keegan uttering those famous words, " I would love it..." with those exaggerated ear phones and typical eighties hairstyle, Or an emotionally charged boom town rat telling the world what to do with their money at Live Aid in 1985. It's our human nature to remember the wrong things people have said or done. Whether it be Tony Blair's 45 minute Armageddon countdown or Donald Rumsfeld not knowing what hes saying about known unknowns and unknown unknowns.
Proverbs 10:19 "When words are many, sin is not absent, be he who holds his tongue is wise."
That is why I prefer to place importance in actions. During my stay here at Rehoboth, there have been so many examples of things I've seen that words can't do justice. Like a possibly destructive, angry, irritable young boy taking his 2 year old "brother" in his arms and rocking him to sleep. The words don't do it any justice. Or seeing a little 3 year old boy standing on a box and giving his aunty a hand with the dishes.
The actions of the children here prove the point I'm trying to make. They acted and their actions made someones day. It's about time we moved away from just words and started acting. Actions are the things that are going to change things. Politicians that sit and squabble all day don't change the world, it's the 3 year olds washing dishes and the angry boy that cares that do it.
That is why my challenge to you this week is to act rather than speak. In the words of a Nike advertisement, Just do it. Help one another, show that you love someone rather than telling them.
Let people know that you are of God by the actions they see you do.
Until Next Week
God Bless, Rob
P.s. Jesus came into this world, with a heart full of love for each and every one of us and died out of love for each and every one of us. We know Jesus' love by his actions. Not once did Jesus say "I Love You". He rather let his actions do the talking, a lesson that we can all learn from.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Progression at a Standstill!
This week was very much one of progress and standing still perfectly balanced, all in one week.
In terms of progress, things came along brilliantly. The Sandpit got finished. 12 tonnes of sand sieved, planks nailed in place, plastic laid down and finally all 12 tonnes of sand mixed with 450 kg of salt = one very nice sandpit. Progress was made in baby creche with certain children saying first words, others realising shapes and recognising colours. However for the others, my face still resembled a jungle gym and my nose a punch bag, however I've become used to it now. I guess that's why God made me thick skulled...I mean skinned.
On the other side of the coin, however, the thoughtful state of standing still was very apparent in me. Usually my brain works at a mile a minute. Granted, that alot of the stuff that whirls in my head is rubbish but I at least there's something there, something to think about, ponder or work out. Even if it is only ideas like printing newspapers on sugar paper to reduce pollution and littering.
But this week I just took the time to stand back and marvel at what can happen through faith. It's said that with the faith of a mustard seed you can move mountains and it's true. Just looking back over pictures of 3/4 years ago, it's amazing to see what God has done at Rehoboth. He's moved everything, And I guess that's why I was in this intellectual limbo all week. I was meant to just look at what had been achieved and look at what was still to be achieved.
With so much talk of a 2nd Rehoboth being built hopefully, I assumed that everything here was finished and done, but then it struck me like a 3 year old's foot in the nose. After all the building is finished and everything is looking nice, there is still the massive responsilbilty of looking after these kids. It's something that goes on under the surface. Everyone sees the aesthetic things like the buildings and the brilliant hand made, perfectly constructed fences, but it's the care these kids receive that is paramount here. Throughout this week of making these aesthetic things, that fact has hit home that little bit more. Especially when a child in baby creche, usually so full of beans, lively and so awake and alert began to droop, become weary and look so distant all the time. And it hit me like a two year old's finger in the eye. The materialistic things here count for nothing. Sure, they look nice and make the place a nice place to be, but the kids come first every time. Which is the way it should be. That is why I had my mental block this week. To ensure that I never forgot that fact.
James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this; to look after orphans in distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
In terms of progress, things came along brilliantly. The Sandpit got finished. 12 tonnes of sand sieved, planks nailed in place, plastic laid down and finally all 12 tonnes of sand mixed with 450 kg of salt = one very nice sandpit. Progress was made in baby creche with certain children saying first words, others realising shapes and recognising colours. However for the others, my face still resembled a jungle gym and my nose a punch bag, however I've become used to it now. I guess that's why God made me thick skulled...I mean skinned.
On the other side of the coin, however, the thoughtful state of standing still was very apparent in me. Usually my brain works at a mile a minute. Granted, that alot of the stuff that whirls in my head is rubbish but I at least there's something there, something to think about, ponder or work out. Even if it is only ideas like printing newspapers on sugar paper to reduce pollution and littering.
But this week I just took the time to stand back and marvel at what can happen through faith. It's said that with the faith of a mustard seed you can move mountains and it's true. Just looking back over pictures of 3/4 years ago, it's amazing to see what God has done at Rehoboth. He's moved everything, And I guess that's why I was in this intellectual limbo all week. I was meant to just look at what had been achieved and look at what was still to be achieved.
With so much talk of a 2nd Rehoboth being built hopefully, I assumed that everything here was finished and done, but then it struck me like a 3 year old's foot in the nose. After all the building is finished and everything is looking nice, there is still the massive responsilbilty of looking after these kids. It's something that goes on under the surface. Everyone sees the aesthetic things like the buildings and the brilliant hand made, perfectly constructed fences, but it's the care these kids receive that is paramount here. Throughout this week of making these aesthetic things, that fact has hit home that little bit more. Especially when a child in baby creche, usually so full of beans, lively and so awake and alert began to droop, become weary and look so distant all the time. And it hit me like a two year old's finger in the eye. The materialistic things here count for nothing. Sure, they look nice and make the place a nice place to be, but the kids come first every time. Which is the way it should be. That is why I had my mental block this week. To ensure that I never forgot that fact.
James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this; to look after orphans in distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
Sunday, November 4, 2007
A Perspective of Power
Firstly I would like to express my deep sense of gratitude to everyone who took part in the Geordie Night on Wednesday. From all accounts it was a fantastic evening. I would like to thank all those who attended and gave money. As Francis of Assisi said, "for it is in givng that we receive".
Thanks a lot.
Oscar Wilde once wrote, "In this world there are only two tragedies. One is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it." This is evident if you look at the story of Solomon. In 1 Kings 8:23, Solomon prays a prayer of complete dedication to God, but after getting every materialistic thing he wanted, he started to depend less on God and more on the props around him.
This week we had a massive power cut. It happened on Monday night and we didn't regain power until wednesday night. In that time, everything went down. Phones, laptops, ovens, lights and T.V's. And all the time I sat there by torchlight praying that the power would come back. Everytime I prayed, it didn't come back, time and time again, it stayed dark. Then wednesday night came and the lights came back on.
At first I thought it was brilliant, but then with the lights came everything else. For that brief spell of 2 nights without power, I read my bible more, I prayed, I had time with God to think and work out what I needed to do, and it was brilliant. With no films or programmes to distract me, God became my number 1 choice again instead of Bad Boys 2 or The Matrix. It was in this quiet time that I read the story of Solomon and it felt like a mirror image. Obviously I'm not a king and I don't have hoards of cedar and pine and gold like he did, but I had begun to put material things ahead of God and began to depend on them. Comfort came before commitment.
During the time of the power cut, the kids aswell as myself had a lot of time to read, play with one another and play outside, something that in the long run I believe is more beneficial for them than watching videos in creche or at home.
Work was hard without the power with alot of the hard yards being done by hand rather than by machine, again possibly a blessing in disguise? God blessed the land with rainfall again, not only in the storm that caused the power cut but also regularly in the evenings, maybe just a reminder to us all of who is in charge and who calls the shots around here. This week we also had a visit from an American team, who are friends of Robin Nash the Creche teacher. There were 7 of them and they worked so hard sifting sand for sand pits and painting planks. To me it seemed that, they, like the power cut were a blessing. We couldn't do any machine work so God provided us with enough man power to get the job done nevertheless.
As I mentioned the power returned in time for work on thursday and friday, however the rain did not cease meaning that the work done this week had been kept to a minimum. Was this just purely a coincidence or was it a sign? Could God have meant for the power cut, to bring us out of our ways of materialistic dependency? Was the rain a way of God demonstrating who we should put at the centre of everything? When the Lord appeared to Solomon he said that because "they have embraced other gods...the Lord brought all this disaster on them." Let us not put other things before God. If the power dies, so what? We have the main power source with us all the time. If my laptop runs out of battery, so what? It allows me to spend more time with God.
To answer a question I posed before, "Could God have meant for the power cut, to bring us out of our ways of materialistic dependency?" I have reason to believe the answer to be "yes". Having asked on Wednesday night how all the farms surrounding Rehoboth would cope without power, I was told that everyone else had electricity. The lightning had struck only Rehoboth's circuit box, meaning we were the only ones without power. To me this is more than coinicidence. However I will let you draw your own conclusions.
Until Next Week.
Rob.
Thanks a lot.
Oscar Wilde once wrote, "In this world there are only two tragedies. One is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it." This is evident if you look at the story of Solomon. In 1 Kings 8:23, Solomon prays a prayer of complete dedication to God, but after getting every materialistic thing he wanted, he started to depend less on God and more on the props around him.
This week we had a massive power cut. It happened on Monday night and we didn't regain power until wednesday night. In that time, everything went down. Phones, laptops, ovens, lights and T.V's. And all the time I sat there by torchlight praying that the power would come back. Everytime I prayed, it didn't come back, time and time again, it stayed dark. Then wednesday night came and the lights came back on.
At first I thought it was brilliant, but then with the lights came everything else. For that brief spell of 2 nights without power, I read my bible more, I prayed, I had time with God to think and work out what I needed to do, and it was brilliant. With no films or programmes to distract me, God became my number 1 choice again instead of Bad Boys 2 or The Matrix. It was in this quiet time that I read the story of Solomon and it felt like a mirror image. Obviously I'm not a king and I don't have hoards of cedar and pine and gold like he did, but I had begun to put material things ahead of God and began to depend on them. Comfort came before commitment.
During the time of the power cut, the kids aswell as myself had a lot of time to read, play with one another and play outside, something that in the long run I believe is more beneficial for them than watching videos in creche or at home.
Work was hard without the power with alot of the hard yards being done by hand rather than by machine, again possibly a blessing in disguise? God blessed the land with rainfall again, not only in the storm that caused the power cut but also regularly in the evenings, maybe just a reminder to us all of who is in charge and who calls the shots around here. This week we also had a visit from an American team, who are friends of Robin Nash the Creche teacher. There were 7 of them and they worked so hard sifting sand for sand pits and painting planks. To me it seemed that, they, like the power cut were a blessing. We couldn't do any machine work so God provided us with enough man power to get the job done nevertheless.
As I mentioned the power returned in time for work on thursday and friday, however the rain did not cease meaning that the work done this week had been kept to a minimum. Was this just purely a coincidence or was it a sign? Could God have meant for the power cut, to bring us out of our ways of materialistic dependency? Was the rain a way of God demonstrating who we should put at the centre of everything? When the Lord appeared to Solomon he said that because "they have embraced other gods...the Lord brought all this disaster on them." Let us not put other things before God. If the power dies, so what? We have the main power source with us all the time. If my laptop runs out of battery, so what? It allows me to spend more time with God.
To answer a question I posed before, "Could God have meant for the power cut, to bring us out of our ways of materialistic dependency?" I have reason to believe the answer to be "yes". Having asked on Wednesday night how all the farms surrounding Rehoboth would cope without power, I was told that everyone else had electricity. The lightning had struck only Rehoboth's circuit box, meaning we were the only ones without power. To me this is more than coinicidence. However I will let you draw your own conclusions.
Until Next Week.
Rob.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
