More Zimbabwe News

Just got another message from Fiona in Zimbabwe. The "new owners" of their land (those who just moved onto it) have stolen their tractors, put new signs up on the property, dividing it into three. Thirty squatters were on their land, threatening with axes. Fiona's father in law was able to get one policeman to come out, but he was powerless against such a show of force. Under duress her husband agreed to let them plough up 10 hectares, even though he is protected by a court order against the squatters. This will have to go to court again, which could cost them up to 3 thousand dollars US funds. Court costs are going to eat up all the profit from the crop they just planted. Inflation is crazy there. $1 USD = 642,371,437,695,221,000 Zimbabwean Dollars - it's the worst currency in the world.

They are hoping for no more drama this week.

Months ago when they saw this coming they wanted to get travel documents so that they had the option to leave the country, but the government stopped issuing them, leaving them without that option.

So far . . .

. . . Fiona and her family continue to be safe. She appreciates prayer - her words:

"Please pray for us , we know and believe all your prayers not just lift us up but they really help ."

They are getting very little sleep. Legally they have title to their land, but the police will not be coming to help them.

Inflation in Zimbabwe is unbelievable - people are mostly using foreign currencies now or just trading goods. If they get Zimbabwe money they have to spend it quickly before it loses value. I cannot imagine.

Urgent Prayer Request

For the past year or so I have been in contact with a homeschooling mom from Zimbabwe. We met through a Yahoo homeschool group we both were members of. Anyway - the situation is dire there, and my Zimbabwe friend fears for the lives of her family. They farm, and there have been people coming onto their property, demanding their land and threatening them. Yesterday a group of seven youth came and moved into a vacant house on their property, said they were going to kill her husband and deal with her and the kids in the morning. Her husband raced into town to contact the police. She's under immense stress and is asking for prayer. So please pray for Fiona and Hannes and their children. Pray for Zimbabwe. You can check out the Zimbabwe news at:

www.zimbabwesituation.com

Psalm 138

I will praise Thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto Thee.

I will worship toward Thy holy temple, and praise Thy name for Thy lovingkindness and for Thy truth; for Thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy name.

In the day when I cried Thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.

All the kings of the earth shall praise Thee, O Lord, when they hear the words of Thy mouth.

Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord: for great is the glory of the Lord.

Though the Lord be high, yet hath He respect unto the lowly: but the proud He knoweth afar off.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me: Thou shalt stretch forth Thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and Thy right hand shall save me.

The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of Thine Own hands.

Memories of Morning Star Camp - 2004

I know this is going a LONG way back, but I thought it might be neat to post some pics of our much-enjoyed trip to Bright and Morning Star Camp in Wyoming in 2004. This will be very picture-laden! But everyone likes pictures, right? J has had the opportunity to go back a few times since then, but the rest of us have not been back since. We had a wonderful time - it was a grueling drive (UGH!) but well worth it.

It was a spiritually refreshing trip, and we met a lot of people we had not known before. The kids loved it. The scenery was beautiful. The question and answer times were interesting and helpful. Mr. P's outlines and related discussion were thought provoking. The sings were special. The trail ride, raft trip, side trips, etc. were fun. The visiting with those of like precious faith was encouraging. The food was AMAZING. The fire was warm. The tent, however, was NOT. Nights were very cold, which was bearable in the teepees where they had a fire. We brought our own tent, which is basically a screen octagon with a fly over the top that let the cold breeze whistle through all night - we've never done camping in anything but the summer heat, so didn't even think of the fact that this tent is not for cool temps since you can only zip up some of the screen. Everyone else in the family seemed to be able to be sleep well, but I kept waking up, wondering if the kids were warm enough and making sure they were still covered. I didn't want my pumpkins to freeze! A very kind lady offered us some extra blankets that she had, which really helped. We slept in our winter jackets, long underwear under pj's, toques, and 2-3 pairs of socks. If we go again, we will be even more prepared for the cold nights! It was the only downside. Sorry if I'm stressing the cold so much, but it's a large part of what I remember. Truly - the days more than made up for the nights! I loved it.

On to the photos . . .

This pic is taken somewhere on the drive there. The kids have grown a lot in 4 years!



Camp:



Caterers and family on the left, host family in middle, bus driver in back, A LaB's dog in front (I think), us on right:



K, just hanging around:



J spent a lot of time playing volleyball with the young people and discovered her hidden talent for serving.



C, being attacked by little boys - he loved it. And another dog.



Lots of people brought their dogs, which K thought was great. She made friends with someone's great dane.



One of the sings:



Yours truly before our trail ride. It was great - brought back some of my fondest memories from childhood - of trail rides while on camping trips.



A Rare Sight Indeed - this is A:



K got to help prepare pineapple upside-down cake one day - she felt like such a big girl for helping.



Group pic of some who had taken a side trip one day. This waterfall was on the way, and we couldn't resist stopping to take a closer look.



C (in red jacket) and some new buds - he really did have a great time.



Mr. LaB was our alarm clock each morning - he walked around serenading everyone with his "It's time to get up, it's time to get up, the sun is over the ho-ri-i-zon" yodeling song. Wish I had a recording. :o) Some mornings he was like the pied piper, with kids and dogs following him around - it was neat. C always wanted to go with him but never managed to wake up all the way in enough time to join him.



We took a side trip to a thermal pool one day - it was nice and warm. But A and a few other guys decided to take a dip in this very cold mountain stream - the temp was 35 F or something.



Chow time:



J just relaxing at the door of our tent. You can see the doll carrier that K brought along:



K and a new-found friend. I found them more then once at this spot, having wandered off by themselves. In prime grizzly territory. We had a talk.



Pearly Gates raft. Don'tcha love the name? We did not do the white water trip, but did the scenic trip. It was beautiful. And plenty exciting enough for me. :o)



The view from our lunch stop during our scenic raft trip. I never got tired of looking at those beautiful mountains. Sigh . . .



J & K at the raft launch site near the dam. More gorgeous mountains.



We left our mark on a teepee, according to custom. If we ever go back (which, Lord willing and if He tarries, we will) we'll be looking for it.

No, I don't have a Halloween template up ...

. . . just be patient and the black and orange will go away! For some reason it's taking a few extra moments for my new template to load. Or maybe it's only happening on my computer.

By the way - I love the templates at "The Cutest Blog on the Block". If you're interested, click on the little blue box at the top left of my blog. They have LOTS of free blog templates and it's really not that difficult to use them on Blogger - after all, I was able to figure it out! I like to 'rearrange the furniture' now and then.

In Heavenly Love Abiding

In heavenly love abiding, no change my heart shall fear,
And safe in such confiding, for nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me, my heart may low be laid,
But God is round about me, and can I be dismayed?

Wherever He may guide me, no want shall turn me back;
My Shepherd is beside me, and nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever waketh, His sight is never dim,
He knows the way He taketh, and I will walk with Him.

Green pastures are before me, which yet I have not seen,
Bright skies will soon be o'er me where the dark clouds had been.
My hope I cannot measure, my path to life is free,
My Saviour has my treasure, and He will walk with me.

Ere yet another morning my spirit may be free,
As absent from the body, at home, O Lord, with Thee.
O sleep, O rest, how precious! As, guarded by Thy care,
I'm waiting for Thy promise to meet Thee in the air!

The Lord Himself, e'en Jesus, amid the ransomed throng,
Its glory, joy, and beauty, its never-ending song.
O day of wondrous promise, the Bridegroom and the bride
Are seen in glory ever; forever satisfied!