bullfrog's Xanga

Sunday, November 28, 2004

Sun, 28 Nov 2004 10:41:33 GMT

it has been almost a year since i put an entry on this site. i wonder if anyone reads or even looks at this site anymore?

hello from africa those who are still around! i have some rare time to be on the internet here and thought i would catch up on reading some xanga posts to see how "home" is doing. it's so awesome to see your posts and read about what has been going on.

life here has been great, as well as tough. i miss home alot more than i thought i would, but the kids at the children's home where i am staying are so cool. whenever i feel down or homesick i just go out to their play area and all of a sudden tens of kids come running to greet me and play. one of my favourite activities is to have tire races with the little boys. they are so good at running and rolling old tires it puts me to shame!

school life has wrapped up for the term and i have most of december off to rest up for next year. i had been teaching math, science, and christian religious education...so likely i will continue the same next term. i'm very excited to have the time to play, work, and just hang out with the kids during this holiday time. God has blessed my time with the kids so much and i can even remember all their names (73) and little nuances...they are all such little individuals! of course i'm also super excited about having my "special visitor" come from home to see what my life is like here in Kenya. can't wait!

the Lord has been teaching me so much here. one thing that has been really sticking out in my mind and that i have been mulling over is something i heard from a fellow missionary.

"I can teach what know, but I reproduce what I am."

it is such a good reminder to me that what i do in my life, how i act and react to situations is often so much more important than what i say. a challenge for me (and hopefully all of us) that Christ's character and values would shine through in my daily life.

well hope everyone is doing well at home. sorry again that my emails and updates are so infrequent, but internet and email access are limited.

Tuesday, December 09, 2003

Tue, 09 Dec 2003 20:25:47 GMT

KIDS SAY THE FUNNIEST THINGS:

Strolling back to work with my Oyakudon in hand I witnessed a little kid exclaim to his mom, "Mommy, mommy look over there. Santa is in wheel chair!"

As I glanced in the direction of the pointing hand I saw a man decked out in a hospital gown rolling down the street in a wheelchair. His plume of white hair blowing in the wind and his beard puffed out as he strained at pushing himself down the street.

Moments later a bunch of hospital security came and rolled him back to the hospital...escapee patients don't usually get too far. Guess there won't be too many presents for kiddies around the world this year!

Tuesday, December 02, 2003

Tue, 02 Dec 2003 22:39:52 GMT

Makes me smile:

Free bag of "unclaimed" Skittles when i reached down to pick up my bag of chips from the vending machine.

Monday, October 27, 2003

Mon, 27 Oct 2003 22:46:33 GMT

It's interesting what one can whip up with the "dregs" in one's refrigerator.

Anyone for a fancy ham and cheese and green pepper omelette?...wait make that just a cheese omelette since i don't have any ham or pepper.

Frozen food is the saviour of my bachelorhood....mmmmm Taquitos are good (and so easy to make).

Thanks guys for being so laid back and easy about the food...we'll try for something a bit more fancy next time

Tuesday, October 21, 2003

Tue, 21 Oct 2003 22:35:48 GMT

"It is ingrained in us that we have to do exceptional things for God,but we do not. We have to be exceptional in the ordinary things of life, and holy on the ordinary streets, among ordinary people. And this is not learned in five minutes."

From "My utmost for His highest"- Oswald Chambers

Wednesday, September 03, 2003

Wed, 03 Sep 2003 02:14:30 GMT

QUESTION: What's worse than a paper cut?

ANSWER: Having split the piece of "flesh" that connects your tongue to the bottom of your mouth!

Wednesday, August 27, 2003

Wed, 27 Aug 2003 02:48:00 GMT

Currently in Boston right now.

Got to see a really good baseball game between the Red Sox and the Blue Jays. Unfortunately I had to ensure i hid my delight in Toronto's good play so as to avoid being pummeled by the multitude of Red Sox fans jeering at the opposition.

Final result: Toronto 12 Boston 9 (whooohoo!)

Tuesday, August 05, 2003

Tue, 05 Aug 2003 03:55:43 GMT

Just had 6 days with no work...will be difficult to drag my bum in tomorrow. Will try my best as I know God wants me there for a purpose.

Monday, July 28, 2003

Mon, 28 Jul 2003 22:12:16 GMT

A devotional I read that really impacted my thinking during this time in my life.

God’s Purpose or Mine?

“He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side…” Mark 6:45

We tend to think that if Jesus Christ compels us to do something and we are obedient to Him, He will lead us to great success. We should never have the thought that our dreams of success are God’s purpose for us. In fact, His purpose may be exactly the opposite. We have the idea that God is leading us toward a particular end or desired goal, but He is not. The question of whether or not we arrive at a particular goal is of little importance, and reaching it becomes merely an episode along the way. What we see as only the process of reaching a particular end, God sees as the goal itself.

What is my vision of God’s purpose for me? Whatever it may be, His purpose is for me to depend on Him and on His power now. If I can stay calm, faithful, and unconfused while in the middle of the turmoil of life, the goal of the purpose of God is being accomplished in me. God is not working toward a particular finish—His purpose is the process itself. What He desires for me is that I see “Him walking on the sea” with no shore, no success, nor goal in sight, but simply having the absolute certainty that everything is all right because I see “Him walking on the sea” (Mark 6:49). It is the process, not the outcome, that is glorifying to God.

God’s training is for now, not later. His purpose is for this very minute, not for sometime in the future. We have nothing to do with what will follow our obedience, and we are wrong to concern ourselves with it. What people call preparation, God sees as the goal itself.

God’s purpose is to enable me to see that He can walk on the storms of my life right now. If we have a further goal in mind, we are not paying enough attention to the present time. However, if we realize that moment-by-moment obedience is the goal, then each moment as it comes is precious.

Oswald Chambers—“My Utmost For His Highest

Saturday, July 26, 2003

Sat, 26 Jul 2003 20:40:50 GMT

thank you Gr. 12 girls for the "appreciation"....much appreciated on my part. It's so encouraging to see your servant hearts and your thoughtfulness in so many situations. can't wait to see where God leads each one of you in your adventures with Him. mmmmmm, the candles smell so nice (i almost took a bite out of it...hahahaha) and i can always use another cup! (whooohoo)