Risk-taking adventures in 2011

This first week of 2011 brings thoughts of a fresh start, a new beginning. What will unfold this year? Will there be happiness, sadness, challenge or adventure? For many of us, there will be a combination of all four.

Recently a friend sent me this thought, based on Ephesians 3:20.

Set out each day believing in your dreams. Know without a doubt that you were made for amazing things.

Memories of January 2009 came immediately to mind. Let me share one of our first adventures of that year.

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Picacho Peak came into view as we drove on Interstate #10 two hours southeast of Phoenix, Arizona. With an elevation of over 3500 feet, it's a hiker's delight. I had readily agreed to climb that mountain while sitting comfortably in my brother-in-law's home. It sounded like an adventure I didn't want to miss during our winter holiday this year.

But as the beauty of the blue sky, the rugged mountain and desert stared back at us, so did the height of the Peak. Bare rocks showing off their steep vertical stood ready to challenge every fibre of my being. Did I really agree to this?

After parking the car, Don, Dee, Bob and I got out. Loaded with water bottles and a light lunch, we started the two mile hike to the top. At first, just a few small rocks covered the trail, but soon large boulders took their place, making each step an effort.

My walking routine back home hadn't prepared me for this cardio workout. Are we almost there? A look below showed we had made progress, the distance to the bottom evoking chills down my spine and all the way to my toes. Can I make it? Another glance convinced me it was insurmountable.

A few feet ahead I spotted the cables, erected to provide climbers leverage to conquer the steep incline. Netting hung loosely near the precipice for those who lost their footing. Thankful for borrowed gloves, I grabbed the cable and pulled, now questioning my upper body strength.

"Look over here, I want a picture." I turned my head slowly to see Don snap a memory, proof that we were still going up. Fresh thoughts of children and grandchildren at home, how high and how foolish we were, sent fear deep into the pit of my stomach. Suddenly retreat seemed the most favourable option.

"It's our choice," says Chuck Swindoll, "We can allow fear to make us victims or we can challenge fear to work for us by driving us to a deeper dependence on God." I opted for the latter.

Looking back at the rock, I discovered something. Focusing on the rock ahead and just putting one foot in front of the other, my confidence grew. Two hours later, cheers arose as we stepped on to the top. What a view awaited us! Those sandwiches tasted good until another frightening thought—the only way down is the way we came up.

Cautiously beginning the descent, I looked for solid, less steep footholds. I began to slide... straight down. The easy looking step turned out to be slippery shale. Near the bottom, Bob looked at me and commented, "I kept thinking of the song, On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand." Together we experienced the reality of walking on the Rock.

I marvelled that more than a month before, God gave me a verse for 2009, Habakkuk 3:19. "The sovereign Lord is my strength. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer. He enables me to go on the heights." (NIV)

God made us for climbing mountains. But, as Steven Curtis Chapman states in his book The Great Adventure, "Once we start factoring in reason, and understanding, and safety, and comfortable living, we miss so much of the adventure we're really called to live, which is a life of faith."

Sound simple? I like it that way. And it appears Jesus had a passion for simplicity, stating that even children have the qualifications to enter the kingdom. They clasp faith as easily as taking the hand of a child next to them in a game of Ring Around The Rosy.

Perhaps that's what trusting is all about—taking Jesus' hand, knowing He will guide my steps. After all, He had first-hand experience climbing the mountain.

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Have a wonderful 2011 and remember to 'live' every day!

Enjoying the adventure

Ruth

The Translator

A hundred women, beautifully dressed in multi-coloured sari arrived, chatting noisily while picking up a cup of hot masala tea. After several minutes of enjoying friendly greetings, each one found her place to sit on a red plastic chair in the Calcutta India Bible Society office, situated on the second floor of a two hundred year old heritage building. The meeting began.

Then Sahana pulled the extra fabric of the crisp white and royal blue sari scarf over her bowed head and prayed out loud in Bengali. Although I did not understand the language, her powerful voice, clear delivery and sincere approach drew me into God's presence. I looked forward to her interpreting for the day's event, and especially for my message.

In spite of the excessive heat sending rivulets of perspiration along my hairline and beyond, chills rippled down my spine as she translated the recited scripture and message on a woman's value. As I turned, she did also. At my slightest hand movement, hers followed. Words barely left my mouth before she grabbed them and threw them out to the audience. Volume, voice and inflection copied perfectly, challenging me to focus on my words. Although we both had different coloured skin and looked nothing alike, I watched in amazement as I saw myself in Sahana. She became me for that day. Not only were words interpreted but so was I. In doing so, she powerfully communicated God's word, His love, plan and purpose for women to enjoy their divinely designed role. In a male dominated society, they were timely words.

Sahana Adhikary, born into the highest Hindu caste order, Brahman, excitedly shared the meaning of her name with me. "Sahana means voice, Adhikary means king so I am the 'voice of the King'". Accepting Christ as her saviour necessitated leaving her cultural heritage behind. With a bold determination to speak about her newfound faith, she lived out her name.

Meanwhile, out on the streets of Calcutta, festival preparations were under way for the Durga Pujit, one of the biggest annual Hindu celebrations. Ten days of feasts, partying and sacrificing to honour the goddess of all creation. The eight- armed, three- eyed idol is believed to wipe away the miseries and suffering of her devotees. In a culture where caste position still exists, it wasn’t difficult to see that this idol held them in bondage, each dwelling making an effort to display their own shrine or altar, whether simple or elaborate. Daily displays of flowers, incense and food marked every few feet along the sidewalk or road in an attempt to gain Durga's favour. All were oblivious to the fact that no more sacrifices are needed to enjoy an abundant life.

During our time together, I enjoyed Sahana's companionship, watching her brown eyes flash understanding as she passed on my words and thoughts. Without her, there was no message of hope that day.

I can't help but wonder if God felt like that when Jesus became His translator. Language wasn't the barrier, sin was. When Jesus appeared, He translated the words of the Father, communicating to us the greatest story of love.

The streets were busy the day He arrived on earth too. Many were not aware that the Prince of Peace had arrived. But to those who listened, they heard a voice say, "Behold the virgin shall be with child, and shall bear a Son and they shall call His name Immanuel, which translated means, 'God with us.'" Matthew 1:23 NAS

"The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighbourhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son." John 1:14 The Message

There is power in being an image-bearer. For that reason, here is my Christmas prayer for this year: May the image of God, the Son, be reflected in everything I say and do, so that I may translate who He is to others.

Ruth in Action- Krivoy Rog, Ukraine

Memories of our time in the Ukraine linger, creating a longing to return. While Bob worked on the rehab centre, Margaret and I spoke, taught and gleaned many treasures of wisdom from women and men in that area.

Church of Praise- Pastors Conference- November 24- 25

Margaret Gibb and Brian Egert- keynote speakers

At the beginning of each session, I shared my love for memorizing and a few tips that I have found helpful.

Below: Anya, my translator interprets my recitation of Psalm 8.

Giving instruction to the conference participants. The goal: to collectively recite the nine verses of the Psalm using their own creative ideas.

A bag of oranges provides an illustration. Ask me "what?"

The second day at the Pastors conference. Rejoicing filled the room as all joined in to recite, "Oh Lord, our Lord, How majestic is your name in all the earth." Joy erupts on each face as the task is completed.

The above picture was taken before renovations began. Over one hundred twenty-two churches have birthed from this mother church.

I have been extremely blessed with this privilege of encouraging the 'hiding of God's word in one's heart'. The response from Ukrainians is overwhelming.

Check out this group of women practicing the Psalm. Let me know your thoughts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzJpTql_JcM

Enjoying the journey!

Ruth

Stop by again very soon for more action in Ukraine!

Christmas List: Tonights Radio Show

Thank you to four Canadian authors featured tonight, December 2, at 9:00 PM on Words To Inspire by Seasoned With Salt. You can learn more about their work, and make any recommended Christmas purchases on their sites. Check them out!

• Donna Mann
(also check out Donna's work on meadowlane.homestead.com)

• Brian Austin

• Glynis Belec

• Denise Rumble
(check out her work on The Word Guild or Canadian Christian Writers)

If you missed this Christmas list show with book ideas for the whole family, listen online or subscribe to our audiocast HERE or listen on iTunes HERE

Don't forget to listen live at 94.3 FaithFM Kitchener every thursday at 9pm www.faithfm.org

Little Opportunities

While in Krivoy Rog and on our day off, Ed Dickson took us to Sunshine Orphanage.

What beautiful children live in this special home. We noticed the pride of this young teacher working here with a group of little girls.

Creativity is encouraged. This blind student made the paper designer dress and when the teacher asked us to take one, I chose his.

Marg with the youngest in this facility. Adorable!

So happy and carefree; little girls and giggles. Contagious!

Here were are with a teacher, Marg, Ed Dickson, the director and Ruth. All the staff stop when Ed arrives. Named 'the year round Santa,' he spends much of his time looking after the needs of twenty-four orphanages. From Leamington, Ontario, Ed felt a call to leave Canada and move here. Not only has he made a tremendous contribution to this society for fourteen years, he married a gorgeous Ukrainian and has three beautiful children.

These 'givers' have made a huge difference in the lives of so many children. What an honour to have spent this time with them.

Who's Plans are they anyway?

Paraphrase of Proverbs 16:1 "I make my plans but it is God who has the final word."

After spending last night regrouping, repacking and visiting with newly-found friends, we three, Marg, Bob and I nodded off for a few winks. Our driver arrived at 3:00 am to take us to the airport for our homeward flight.

Dragging all our luggage (somewhat heavy due to Roshen and a parcel going back to a Ukrainian family in TO), we endeavored to leave this place quietly, down the three floors and on to Ed's van.

Most of our travel these past two weeks has been by subway and taxi. How grateful we are that Ed willingly stayed up all night to give us the ride to catch our flight.

Even more grateful that he stayed with us to check-in and discover why our flight was cancelled.

None of us can speak the language yet!

A major snow storm in Britain caused many closures. At 5:00 am, we turned around to make the trip back to 'our home here in Kiev', not so quietly!

The exciting part in all this is that we get to do it all over again tomorrow at 3:00. This morning must have been the practice run. Poor Ed!

One simple thing: the storms continue. Maybe, more opportunity awaits!

Calls made to our 'rides' from TO airport are both available Wednesday. Wonderful!

Thursday Dec 2, about a hundred women will gather in Elora Central Pentecostal Church for a Christmas celebration to end this semester of Bible study. The speaker? None other than Marg Gibb. However, she is now repacking and re-planning this week's agenda. Plan B is now in effect for Ruth Maclean and her committee there.

Many of you have made this life-changing discovery: To be part of this kind of travel, Gumby is a 'key word.' (Remember the flexible toy of the 70's?)

Stop by soon for 'Little Opportunities'

Bob's assignment in Krivoy Rog

So much was accomplished while in Ukraine. One of Bob's completed assignments is shown above.

Just look what it looked like before they started the 10X10 room in the Boys rehab centre.

The above picture shows the re-bar welded around the room, which needed to be removed with a grinder before starting the renovations. In Canada the project should take about a week. Here in the Ukraine, with neither proper tools or materials, it took a week with a bit more to be completed by locals.

Bob really enjoyed working with Dima, his Ukrainian translator and 'son in the faith.' He learned a lot from Bob's inductive Bible study on Titus.

More to come. Stop by again!