Sunshine On My Shoulders

Shepherds On My Mind

 
Surely it is the Christmas season prompting this, but it seems that everywhere I turn lately, I hear or see something reminding me of sheep... and shepherds.

Initially, my interest was stirred when my son told me to watch a documentary from Netflix called Sweetgrass. Perhaps it was not the best made of films, but so much about it set me pondering. Sweetgrass traces a family of Montana shepherds as they drive their flock down a treacherous mountain range. The shepherds were a coarse bunch who used crude language, but carefully cared for their huge flocks despite numerous dangers and hardships. (Hopefully, you can view this film with Clear Play, to filter the language.) I kept thinking of the shepherds in the Judaean hills, "abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night," and the similarities there must have been during the time of Christ's birth.

Then soon afterward, I began to search my gift shelf to find something for a friend who is enduring a lengthy and  discouraging stay at a rehab hospital. As soon as I spotted the large print copy of A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, by W. Phillip Keller, I knew it was perfect! During my visit, my friend and I read through Psalm 23, discussing how the mighty King David recognized himself as a lowly and stupid sheep in need of a Great Shepherd. When I left, my friend could not wait to dig into the book... and I could not wait to go home and review it! (Lessons From a Sheep Dog is another interesting and insightful read by the same author.)

As my husband and I have begun the project of reading through the Bible... aloud to each other... we keep getting hung up by too much discussion and questions! Needless to say, we are not progressing rapidly. The other day we were reading in Genesis 48, where Jacob is blessing Joseph and his sons. In verse 15 of the KJV it reads, "And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day." Well... if you go digging with the original language, Jacob was meaning "the God who has been my shepherd." This shepherd-man, Jacob, understood the care of the Good Shepherd!

So now you see why I have shepherds... on the brain. I hear them in the Christmas carols. I see them in the nativities... the Christmas cards... the plays and movies. 

Even as I write, I'm thinking of this question for you, actually the title of a  song, "Do You Hear What I Hear?" See what I told you? SHEPHERDS ARE EVERYWHERE!

"Tex-Czech" Fun at the Kolache Festival

Last weekend Dave and I drove the hour and a half to Caldwell, Texas, for their annual "Kolache Festival." Now... if you are from Caldwell, you pronounce them, not ko-la-chees... but rather, drop the "chees," and pronounce them ko-laches, with the accent on the "ko." Sounded Texan to me, rather than Czech. Maybe it is Tex-Czech!

That is exactly what the festival represented. A blend of Czech heritage with Texan culture.

Like this cute little Texas gal, "Miss Kolache Festival," wearing her Czech outfit.

And the "good-old Texas boys," playing their oom-pa-pa music.

And the ga-zillion trays of scrumptious, "best you ever ate" kolaches, with Texas bakeries vying for the "Best of Show."

The contest for eating the most kolaches was hilarious. The past record, with a team of 3 eaters, is 1 1/2 minutes, with the team consuming 12 kolaches each. AMAZING! This teenager led his team to victory. Note how he dipped his kolache in water to make it go down easier!

There was a petting zoo...horsie rides... bungee rides... and even a train for the children to enjoy.

 My husband reveled in the antique tractor show....

AND... the antique car show.

 

There were streets and streets of arts and craft booths (that's where I spent my time), tempting food booths and lemonade stands, and lots of Tex-Czech demonstrations... like the sauerkraut booth, where we sampled homemade sauerkraut... with jalapenos!

What a fun way to spend a Saturday morning. We came away with a greater appreciation for the Czech heritage in our great state! "Tex-Czech." Try to say that quickly, 3 times in a row!

A Refreshing Escape to the Eiffel Tower

As Houston is experiencing 3-digit HOT and humid temperatures... I am going to treat myself to another mini-respite to review a past vacation highlight.

Today I am reflecting on... the EIFFEL TOWER... where:

• World Cup '07 was in full steam.
• We made some really cool athlete friends.
• I was sure, if it was possible to fall from the different vantage points of the tower... Dave would be the one to do it!
• (This is my FAVORITE tower memory!) We stayed in the French Officer's Quarters (thanks to Gabe and his wonderful connections!), and much to my delight, when we opened our bedroom drapes... there was the Eiffel Tower. It would intermittently light up the night sky with bright World Cup colors. I slept with my head at the foot of the bed, so I could watch the magic throughout the night. Never did I ever imagine such an occurrence, and I wanted to savor each moment.

Well, what about that? Escaping the heat with a refreshing vacation memory! 

Sunset at Waikiki, just because I need it

Perhaps it's this Houston heat wave with consistent upper 90's temperatures.

Or maybe it's because a young friend just moved to Hawaii, plastering her gorgeous photos all over Facebook.

I can't blame it on stress of kids being home for the summer. (I am an empty-nester, you know!)

It must be the vacuuming and mopping and e-mail answering and toilet bowl cleaning and dishwasher loading and washing and drying and folding. And...vacuuming and mopping and e-mail answering and toilet bowl cleaning and dishwasher loading and washing and drying and folding. And so forth.

SO...I am treating myself to a mini-respite...to reflect on that evening in 2009 right on Waikiki Beach, one of our memorable sunset memories with friends Gabe and Jeanie.

Ah-hhh...I needed that!

A 3-Hour Tour

"Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip."

Well, not exactly a Gilligan's Island kind of cruise, but memorable nonetheless! My husband had to do a lot of navigating to surprise me for our 38th wedding anniversary. When we arrived for dinner at The Aquarium Restaurant in Kemah, I was shocked to see family and friends assembled, grinning from ear to ear. It took a bit for it to sink in...why was friend Al there?...AHHH...he was there as "Skipper." Al has a "tiny ship," a 38-foot sailboat, and our "tropic port" was just outside the restaurant there in Kemah.

After indulging in a scrumptious seafood meal, we set off for our "3-hour tour," a spectacular sunset cruise. Instead of the fateful 5, there were 8 of us. And it was delightful for all...except Gabe...who discovered why he was an Air Force man instead of a Navy guy. The big tough guy was green around the gills the whole time. Helping with the sails and steering was quite an adventure.

My daughter set one of her signature, lovely tables below deck, complete with gifts, snacks, her homemade Lemon Meringue Cupcakes, fresh flowers...and bottles of our favorite iced teas.

The anniversary years keep sailing on...and #38 will be happily remembered as our "3-Hour Tour" year, another of our spectacular sunset memories...thanks to the efforts of a "Skipper brave and sure," and his loving crew.

Pockets Full of Posies

Pleasant happenings involving posies have occurred in my small world these last few days. I decided to list just a few of them.

POSY HAPPENINGS:

• My new "find"...a vintage, hand painted, Jersey Pottery squat vase...from Scotland. I love it! My husband bought some posies for me to try out an arrangement. I adore fresh flowers. I've included them in my food budget for years...as food for the soul! 

 

• Another "find"...Martha's Bloomers, in Navasota. It is actually recognized as one of Southern Living's top 50 shops. HOW HAVE I MISSED IT ALL THESE YEARS? This  place contains a myriad of gift shops, a huge home and garden area with meandering garden paths, antiques galore, and, drum roll please...one of the finest, delectable tea rooms I have ever experienced. I give it Cindy's 5***** rating! The food was delicious and the presentation marvelous, such as edible posies atop my chicken salad. Also memorable were the complimentary cups of delicate, orange spiced tea and either blueberry or raspberry,white chocolate scones. I noticed people walking out with boxes full of these scones...they are that good. I'm told their dessert menu is well worth the indulging!

• After enjoying our lunch in Navasota, our family delighted in some gorgeous bluebonnet backroading. My granddaughter...the innocent little posy picker...did not know she was breaking a Texas law. I jokingly said we photographed her firsts...first time in the bluebonnets, and first time to break the law!

POSIES + FAMILY = PRAISING. A nice equation, don't you think?

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." ~JAMES 1:17

Fishing for Men

Hereafter, whenever I think of Christ's command, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men," I will recall my day at a fishing village in INDIA, and the two who regularly "fish for men" by their ministry to children and families along these Bay of Bengal shores.

I observed them serve Christ...without pretense...as naturally as breathing is to life, motivated by love of their Saviour. And, as happens to me so often during my trips to INDIA, these encounters with sincere believers "provoke" me to "love and good works." (Hebrews 10:24)

Supriya, with the green scarf, and her co-worker, dressed in the yellow and purple sari, hold regular Bible Clubs in numerous slum areas of their city. They have earned the children's love and trust.

After holding our Bible Club that day in the fishing village, my friends moved with ease among the fishermen families along the shore, sharing the Gospel...offering hope.

Children listened, responding to these loving ladies.

The joy of Jesus shone brightly that day. 

And then Supriya translated as I tried to explain to a man about the fishermen in the New Testament who left their nets to follow THE WAY, THE TRUTH, and THE LIFE. He was intently listening...until distracted by his buddies.

These scoffing men bodily pulled him away...to join them in a game of poker. I am reminded of words from an old hymn, "Throw Out the Lifeline." 

This is the lifeline, oh, tempest-tossed men,
Baffled by waves of temptation and sin;
Wild winds of passion, your strength cannot brave,
But Jesus is mighty, and Jesus can save.

Jesus is able! To you who are driv’n
Farther and farther from God and from Heav’n,
Helpless and hopeless, o’erwhelmed by the wave,
We throw out the lifeline—’tis, “Jesus can save.”

 
  
These two girls were full of spiritual questions, which were carefully and lovingly answered. My friends will follow-up on them, of that I am sure.

Fishing...among INDIA's fishermen...what a blessed way to spend a day!  

"The Goodness of the LORD" Within INDIA's Slums

Walking through the fishing village slum along the Bay of Bengal, mothers or relatives began holding their children up for me to take their photo. If you take out your camera in INDIA...watch out! You will draw a crowd.

 

As my desire was to make friends, I did not mind snapping shot after shot.

 

I began to notice that so many of my photos were of little boys. Boys are treasured among India's poor...so they are pushed proudly forward.

This old fisherman was intent that I not miss his grandson.

 
Unfortunately, among the poorest of INDIA's peoples, very often a girl child will not be cared for properly, or worse yet, turned out on the streets...or sold.

 
Conditions are heartbreaking in this slum. The day we visited, a mother begged us, through our interpreter, to take her baby girl home with us...to keep. It may not have been, we hoped, that she wanted to rid herself of this child, but rather she loved her, and wanted her delivered from this life.

The children of this area, especially the girls, have many health and safety risks. But the local Christians are not complacent...they continually reach out all they can. These Christians are GIANTS of the faith, in my book!

From this very slum fishing village, little girls were rescued, and placed in a local Christian operated Children's Home, where 49 girls are tenderly cared for...given medical attention, schooled, loved, and taught the Gospel.

I was thrilled to find out that several of these girls from that Children's Home, thanks to a generous donor, are attending the wonderful school where I have been teaching each time I visit INDIA. Discovering I had already made friends with them in my classroom, I asked them to sing for me.

Here they are, in a video clip, singing, "There's No-one Like Jesus."

"I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living." ~Psalms 27:13
 

Glimpses...Inside the Slums of an INDIA Fishing Village

 
Along this beach on the Bay of Bengal in India lies an extremely poor fishing village. I was struck by the contrast...beautiful shoreline with dozens of picturesque boats dotting the horizon, waves gently splashing...and a bit farther back on the beach, an incredible amount of filth and trash. 

Pigs run wild throughout the garbage. Water buffalo are allowed to "graze" in the filth, and I'm told they still give rich milk which is "good for the health." I had no desire to put that to the test.

 

A slum area (one of several hundred slums in this area of India) has grown up on this beach, which gives shelter to the impoverished fishermen and their families. It consists of a tightly compacted group of thatched huts, with just a few tiny homes constructed from concrete with sheets of corrugated metal for roofs. Most of the day-to-day living takes place outside.

 



The fishermen stay busy along the seashore.

 

And they work hard, fishing from their ships. (Indians call even a small boat, a ship.)

 

It was to this village that Crystal (my team partner), and I, along with two others, came to hold a Bible Club for the children. My friend and hostess, Supriya, had worked hard to get established in this area, and I could tell that the people loved and trusted her, as well as her co-worker, a lady from her church.

Word spread quickly that we had arrived, and children, as well as many mothers, began lining up to watch us enter their village.

I was delighted to be here...feeling a strong desire to show love and play with the children...overwhelmed with gratefulness for the opportunity to speak with them about Jesus.

In coming posts, I will tell you more about our day in the fishing village slum of India, the memorable Bible Club held there, and the special people who work so diligently to bring the Gospel to this area. 

Andrah's ALOHA Adventure

This is my granddaughter Andrah's ALOHA Hawaii picture. She recently experienced several firsts in her young life.

Her first:

• Airplane Ride
• Time in Hawaii
• Time Sleeping in a "Suitcase" Bed 
• Swim in the Ocean
• Time to Feed the Fish with Grandma Drumsta
• Tsunami!!!

The tsunami scare, with the sirens blaring, the move to higher ground, the severe warning from local TV stations, etc. was exhausting for Andrah and her family, but thankfully was only a scare. No major tidal waves hit these islands.

Beforehand, they were able to see the wildlife reacting...sensing the approaching danger. The whales "put on a show," jumping and flipping their tails. The dogs and the birds make a ruckus. And they watched as boats were taken out to sea, where there would be no danger from tsunami waves.

I was reminded of the question the disciples asked one another, after Jesus had "rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still." They asked, "What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"

Andrah will have quite an adventure recorded in her first year's baby book!

Sunrise...Sunset

 

During my recent India trip, I placed a phone call to my husband. It was evening for me...morning for him...as there is a 12 1/2 hour time difference. He told me that he had just finished his morning prayer walk outside, and I related to him how we had just come back from a ministry time at the Children's Home.

Upon reflection of our conversation, this verse came to my mind, found in Psalms 113:3, "From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name is to be praised."

That verse held such meaning for me the entire trip, and I shared it with others whenever possible.

Observing a magnificent sun appearing on the horizon early one morning as I walked on a rooftop, I dashed for my camera to try and capture some of the splendor.

There it was, "From the rising of the sun...". And I did indeed praise God.
  

AND...while I photographed that beautiful India sunrise...my husband was in Texas, at Big Bend National Park.

Where he reverently witnessed "the going down of the same."

In all parts of the world "...the LORD'S name is to be praised."

Singing Praise to the GOD of Gods

A VBS during my recent INDIA trip was memorable in many ways, but I think what stayed with me the most was the incredible singing.  Especially this one song, sung In the Telugu language, with motions which helped tell the story, showing that only God gives the victory. (Culturally, this is important...the motions and movements to help convey the message.) The song refers to Joshua's victory...and that only the true JEHOVAH GOD can break the chain of sin, etc. The children LOVED singing this. And I loved the truth it taught! Singing TRUTH...they will never forget it!

This video shows 500 village children learning to sing "The Victory Song." Many, if not most of these children, have been taught to worship gods and idols. Significantly, this VBS was held during the height of India's national Hindu festival.

This verse kept coming to my heart, "I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee." ~Psalm 138:1

The children were doing just that, singing praise...and jumping with arms raised in victory...to the GOD of all gods...the KING of kings and LORD of lords.

Thirsting for GOD in a Dry Land

Nothing thrills me more than to witness spiritual hunger and thirst among God's people...in any land. The following incidents involving two precious boys occurred recently after a church service in an extremely poor village of INDIA...and became encouraging "touch-points" in my life.

This young man is about 10 years old, one of the children who mischievously played with me during the long evening church service in the village. Although his spoken English was very limited, he tried so hard to speak with me, first, to thank me for teaching him the previous week in VBS, and next, to tell me what he had remembered.

I was so impressed, and searched to find a small reward for him. Not realizing I would be among children that night, I had almost nothing with me. However, in my bag I found one of my Texas quarters, and so I offered it to him, with an explanation about my state. He beamed. 

And then I met JONATHAN, who wanted to also share what he remembered from VBS. He proceeded to relate all of the "C's" from my teaching...CREATION, CORRUPTION, CATASTROPHE, CONFUSION, CHRIST, CROSS, & CONSUMMATION...with pertinent facts about each one. Amazing.

I wanted to reward him as well...but had no more prizes. Inside my bag I carried a little New Testament with Psalms & Proverbs, a nice leather, soul winner's edition. I took it and inscribed in the front, "TO JONATHAN, AN EXCELLENT VBS STUDENT. LOVE IN CHRIST, CINDY MESSICK, 10-19-2010."

As I presented it to him, his eyes spoke volumes to me. This boy, the son of a very poor village pastor, had a depth of soul, an anointing from God like few I've ever met. I challenged him to use his Bible to know God more...and to lead many to the Saviour.

I sensed that perhaps I would never see this lad again...in this life...and so I asked him, "Jonathan, one day when we are in HEAVEN, will you find me? And will you tell me how you were able to use this Bible?'

He looked directly at me, the eyes of his soul touching mine, and answered in all seriousness, "I will not forget."

 
A small gift in our eyes...this tiny Bible which he held reverently in his hands...but a treasure to this precious boy.

As I learned a bit about his family, I discovered his humble, pastor-father, after learning about the life of Jonathan Edwards, was so impressed that he named his son for him. And JERUSHA, the name of Edward's daughter, became the name of his daughter as well.

Psalm 63:1 reads, "O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is."

These two young boys in INDIA are thirsting after God in their dry land. And their thirst touches me, stimulating me to a "thirst to be made more thisty still." (A. W. Tozer)

Shall We Dance?

One evening during my recent India trip, we found ourselves un-expectantly arriving at a late-night village church service, where, unknown to us we would again be the guests of honor. I braced myself, wondering if I would be called upon to "preach." I laugh now at the incident when we were called to the front.

I heard the pastor say, "Now the ladies from America will come and dance for us."

I was in shock as I advanced to the front of the crowded church. I had yielded to numerous requests while in India...but...dancing?  That...I JUST COULD NOT DO!

"How am I going to get out of this one?", I lamented to myself.

Turning to an English speaking Indian friend sitting on the platform with me, I asked, "Are we really supposed to dance?"

His expression was first one of incredulity...which turned to hilarity...as he began to attempt to suppress his laughter. Uncontrollably, he shook as sounds of belly-laughing escaped his lips. He told me later he understood why I thought the pastor had said that, because the words he had spoken, in Telugu, sounded much like what I thought I had heard.

Well...there we sat...and sat...all through the long evening. It gets to be a challenge to stay focused...and to stay awake... when you do not understand a word of what is being said. Making eye contact with the children sitting in the front, we smiled at each other, and began to play secret little "code" games. I held up my thumb...they discreetly held up theirs. I winked...they mischievously winked back. On and on we played during the long service.

After the service, we joined in the delightful late-night "dinner on the floor."

 

And then my children friends began to flock around me. OH...those kind of visits always make me so happy! Two boys in particular stand out vividly in my mind. I thank God for allowing me to make contact with them. In my next post, I will introduce them to you!

While in India, my desire was to serve...to be "all things to all men, that I might by all means save some." (1 Corinthians 9:22) But let me tell you...I was so releived that part of the "all things"...did not include dancing!

"To London, to London, to See the Queen"

Okay...we did not get to see the Queen during our one day in London. But we did see where she dwells, as well as many other special sights, thanks to our friend and tour guide Laura Bangs, who lives in the Cambridge area.

Our day began with breakfast at McDonald's. And on the menu...hearty British-style breakfast sausage sandwiches with hot tea...naturally.

Then we hopped on the subway train. Our ticket entitled us on and off throughout London all day.

Crystal was enthusiastic about the train, as she loves subways.

Our first glimpses of downtown London made us excited.

This guy is not a statue, but a living, breathing man. Although I don't see how he can breathe under all that gold paint.

 It was a chilly, blustery day, and we had to do a lot of walking, but that did not dampen our spirits one bit. Onward through the fog...to...THE TOWER OF LONDON.

This guy overheard me quip, "Oh...he's just too cute. I must stop and take his photo." He grinned and said (with that charming British accent), "I bet you say that to all the BEEFEATERS!" (You must know your British history, folks. Look it up!)

   

  

  

Umm...even castles need "necessaries."

   

So much of our Tower touring could not be photographed, such as "The Crown Jewels." So I will resort to Google images to show you a bit of what dazzled us.

Rachel was quite taken with the jewels. She would have stayed there all day, I think.

While observing all this richness, I could not help but think of Heaven...and all that awaits us there. Not to be compared!

Buckingham Palace was a fun stop as well.

  
We traipsed through numerous "greens," or parks. They were lovely. Even the barren trees had a lovely charm.

Architectural delights were countless.

Shopping and eating was memorable that day as well. Like the delightful picnic...on the subway. But honestly, we were so tired of taking pictures, we just did not pull out our cameras.

Speaking of being tired...I was that...tired...and run down. However, I was thrilled to be in London, and was pleased that I was able to physically keep up with the taxing pace of the day. That is...until "The 193 Steps." (Not to be confused with Alfred Hitchcock's "The 39 Steps," please.)

"The 193 Steps" episode was designed by Crystal, I speculated, to do me in! She had chosen our path to the top of the subway station, not wanting to wait at the elevator line. (Whoops. When in England you would say "the lift queue.") I TRUSTED HER! As we were about halfway up, my knees simply gave out, painfully.

"How much farther, Crystal? Can you see the top?', I breathlessly inquired. 

Then co-conspirator, Rachel, comments, "Maybe that's why that sign back there said, WARNING: 193 STEPS."

WHAT??? NOW you tell me!!! Well...it was too late to turn back. I threatened to have Crystal haul me up on her back. So step, by painful step, I climbed.

"I think I can...I think I can," I heard myself say.

How humbling, or should I say humiliating? BUT I MADE IT TO THE TOP!!! And I let Crystal know she owed me...big time.

In all fairness Crystal felt badly...and did buy me a sweet little gift for penance...and so I would stop holding it over her head.

We spent weeks in INDIA serving together, with some trials along the way. And we came through...as friends. The family of God...how sweet.

And we enjoyed London together...immensely. Many thanks to Laura. And please...give our compliments to the Queen, will you?