Cama CR Feeds the Homeless

We were happy this Thanksgiving day, that over 30 people showed up for a hot meal.  Thanks to the Cama employees, volunteers, and supporters who make this possible!

Happy Thanksgiving

American Thanksgiving often falls on November 26, which is also a holiday in Mongolia.

National Proclamation Day is celebrated today to remember Mongolia becoming their own nation in 1924, after beginning to fight for it in 1921.  It previously was a national holiday where people didn't have to work.  But this year they observed Genghis Khan's birthday instead on the 12th of November.  I guess this would be like our President's Day.

I've always seen the two holidays as very similar.  Our Thanksgiving is unique in the world.  Canada is the only other nation we know of that has a special day for giving thanks.  But this Mongolian holiday has overtones of our American thanksgiving.

We remember not only the 'blessings of heaven', that the sun shone and the rain fell in the right balance to produce crops, that decorate our tables.   We remember the pilgrim's plight through their first winter in New England, helped by the Native Americans.  

Mongolians were helped by the Red Man as well.  Though they consider themselves the ancestors of our American 'Indians', and there is cultural evidence to support that, it was the Red Russians that helped them win freedom from oppressive occupying Chinese.

So Mongolians, like Americans, have a lot to be thankful for today.  I hope you enjoy yours and are able to lift a mug of hot tasty beverage or a turkey leg to celebrate.

I am your representative in Mongolia.  A festive drink was just carried into my office, left over from our feeding of the homeless program.  I will lift this lukewarm mug of salty, milk-based rice-filled-with-chips-of-sheep-fat-floating-in-it tea on your behalf. 

I wonder if the pilgrims at Plymouth Rock imbibed anything this festive in 1620.  As hungry as they were, I'm sure something like it seemed tasty no matter how unfamiliar.

Happy Thanksgiving.  Let us be grateful for God and country today especially.

Back Inside

Today we went back inside our local prison to serve and offer hope through Jesus.  This was the first time since the summer break, and changes in the Mongolian penal system.

Last week's post was about an act of grace letting people out of prison.  I'm pleased to report about Boya, the prisoner who came to Cama last week.  He got some help here with various needs, came to CR on Friday night, was in church on Sunday, and has been here both days so far this week!  He's looking for work and is following leads.

Rebuilding your life from nothing is not easy, materially or psychologically.  The look of fear in his face sometimes is enough to break you.  It makes you understand how some prisoners don't make it long before they end up back inside.  Pray for him.

The good news is that we were back in the prison today with CR and Boya was not there.  In fact, he came into my office after we had gotten back and asked me how many prisoners were there, and did I know any of them?  Not many, only about 4 of 5 did I recognize.  I'm hoping that some who have heard the gospel of Christ, and followed some of the CR steps are finding freedom outside like Boya.  May God grant many the grace to follow Him, and discover how deeply they are loved and valued by their Creator.

Today many prisoners took the first step to rebuilding their lives, by giving them to Jesus.  Our pastor friend led about 30 prisoners to pray to receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life from Jesus Christ.  May God begin to grow them inside, so that they become strong enough to prosper and someday rebuild their lives on outside of prison walls.              

Pray they won't have to ever go back inside prison again.  Unless, God willing, they one day wish to join our team of prison ministers and go 'Back Inside' to set others free.

Act of Grace

Yesterday we heard word that the stores had cleared out all their alcohol of their shelves.

This morning I came into work to hear that 40 local prisoners were granted their freedom over the weekend.  As I was writing this, I got an email that nationwide, over 2000 prisoners have been set free from prison by a special act of grace from the president.

We were excited to hear from one guy who was a Celebrate Recovery participant at meetings at our local Darhan prison.  Then a little later a guy walked into the project center speaking English.  I sort of recognized him, but didn't know from where.   When he took off hit hat, I could recognize him easier with his shaven head.  It was Boya, a 20 year old I had in my CR support circles at the local prison.  CR Teacher Togsoo discovered a need for some clothes to wear, though Boya does luckily to have a place to stay.

We are wondering and wanting to pray for how this Act of Grace in these prisoners lives can be used to further our work as "Hands to a hurting world".  Wouldn't it be great to be able to see some of these lives set free to find Forever Freedom?  It starts with meeting immediate needs like food, clothes, shelter.  Pray we are enabled to meet the challenge.

Oh, why was the alcohol cleared off the shelves in the stores?  It was ordered to coincide with this presidential clemency.  They wanted to give the prisoners the best possible chance at a new life.  I heard that last time many of the repeat offenders first wrong move was taking a drink.  Let's hope Cama services and CR can help keep some off that road.

Hope for Homeless Week #2

Area Mongolians hear a message of hope as they are served tea while waiting for a meal.  Celebrate Recovery volunteers and workers lead this effort at our Cama Project Center.

CR Leader's Greeting - Take 2 Video Posting

Celebrate Recovery Leaders' Greeting

First time posting a video to the blog.  Will it work?

Feeding the Homeless

Our Celebrate Recovery Center started a weekly feeding of area homeless the last week of October.  This is a picture of the first turn out.  Fifteen folks showed up.  Week two, we had 17 people come.  They get not only something for to nourish their bodies, but a little bit of hope for their souls, through a short lesson based on one the 12 steps.

Our Reason for Being Here

Why are we here?  On Earth, the Universe, at this time in history?

I've been thinking and talking with our staff lately about purpose as we've been reading through The Purpose Driven Life together. It's translated and published in Mongolian.

Every Monday morning we're reading through one day of the 40 day plan.  Its going to take more than a 'month of Sundays' to get through.  But its worth it.

Its a little like having a mega-pastor show up to your morning staff meeting to share a message not once, but 40 times in a row!  Perfectly planned, published and respected throughout the Christian world, that Rick's not here in person makes crowd control easier.

So we're giving each person a chance to ask the questions at the end of the chapters, and to take turns sharing a personal purpose statement.  What's yours?

My newly minted mission might qualify as rhythmic poetry, if not iambic pentameter:
     
          "Man on a mission from God for what’s good and right, 
          through dark nights with the warmth and speed of light."

The Holy Spirit is the only one who can power and fire the light.  I am just a vessel, the bulb, and without Him, a little dim.  Renee may attest to the speed of light part, except perhaps when I'm holding down the couch!  I mainly include my mission statement here to help you think about yours.  And to see if anyone still reads this blog.  Let me know if you do, and whether I was right about iambic pentameter if you know.

What is your purpose?

The purpose of the project center I manage is, as part of CAMA Services International Mongolian NGO, "a Christian NGO that exists to equip and enable Mongolians to organize communities that will improve their quality of living, transform and develop society. To fulfill this purpose, we will work closely with and partner with Government Agencies, Faith Communities, and other NGOs."

Our vision is to see poverty eliminated in Mongolia.  Through our Wealth Development Project we organize people into saving groups and train them how to handle finances.

Our vision is to improve life quality.  Through our Family Counseling services, we offer healing to families who are considering divorce or battling other relationship problems.

Our vision is for a healthy Mongolia.  We offer health teaching and Celebrate Recovery to address people's chemical addiction and healing for all other 'hurts, habits, and hangups'.

What are we doing here?  We were put on earth to bring Glory to our Creator, and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  By receiving His grace and freedom from sin, he puts in us the desire to serve him and help others understand that there is hope.  When trapped people find that freedom, "the angels rejoice in heaven", God is pleased and so are we.

In the words of Esther, one of the greatest hero books of the Bible.  A princess, she was brought to a position of privilege and influence for a purpose of saving her people.

"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"

Out of Gas

Josiah and I were on the way out to the ranch.  A car was stopped in the middle of the road.  We followed the line of cars around it until we saw the driver motioning for help.

He looked like a bit of a shady character when he ran up and asked if we had a tow-line.  I did, and told him I'd give him a tow.  Once we got the line hooked up he asked if we could stop at that store about 200 meters ahead.  "Just for a minute", he said.

I thought that was where he wanted to go, or maybe he would try to get some gas there.  He came running out with a glass bottle of clear liquid considerably higher in alcohol content than gasoline.  It was about nine o'clock in the morning.

We evidently weren't where he needed to go, so he got back in the car and honked for us to keep towing him along.  Soon he honked again, got out and motioned for us to get off the blacktop road and take a dirt road to the right.  He assured me the place was 'close'.

About 600 meters down this bumpy dusty road he honked again, got out and showed me a gap in the fence I should drive through to park his car directly behind his felt tent home.

I was relieved there was another gap in the fence on the other side where we could drive ahead out of his yard and back the way we came.

The man's name was "Turuu". He was very grateful, and asked me my name, and shook my hand.  He wondered if Josiah was my son.  Then he asked what I did.  This was my big chance to let him know I had something that could help him more than a tow.

Fortunately I had something with me to explain this without sounding preachy.  I gave him a card, which explains what Celebrate Recovery is, and where we meet.  This seemed to satisfy him without looking very close at it.

The last thing he said is that his Mongolian countrymen wouldn't stop to help him.  'They're bad', he said.  Then he corrected himself, 'well some of them'.

I'm sure if we hadn't have stopped some Mongolian would have eventually stopped or towed him.  Or maybe he would have had to walk a couple miles back to the gas station.

But would they have stopped at the store for vodka?  God only knows.

Trip to Eastern Provinces Hentii, Suxbaatar, Dordod

Summary:
Three provincial capitals in 4 nights and 5 days over about 2,000 km, we connected with 4 churches, and 4 organizations. Our services and seminars were offered at 3 churches and 3 organizations. We were well received by all, barring one incident where an immigration officer came to find out who we were and what we were doing. For that in the future we need a letter and itinerary with official letterhead and stamp to show to local officials. Jeremy’s visa was fine.

Narrative:

COMBO Team, consisting of Dawaadorj and Baynaa, Togsoo, Bathoyag, and Jeremy, left Darhan around 7:30 am on Monday August 17th. A brother named Bayarcaixan from Berx, Hentii came with us as a guide and believer who attends CR in Darhan. We got through the city of UB by the airport and Zaisan bypasses, but still encountered significant traffic, especially in the former and finally stopped for lunch in a town named Bayannuur in the Central Province close to the Hentii border about 1:30.

We got into Underhaan, the capital of Hentii, about 5 o’clock pm Monday. We went to a church named Family of Jesus, which also housed an organization called Help International from Germany. We presented our services that evening at 7pm in a huge 20m diameter wooden framed Ger, with a concrete exterior. We were offered lodging in one of Help’s log cabins. The next morning from 11-2, another group of nearly 20 people gathered to hear our services again.
We left for Suxbaatar province from there and stopped in the first town called Monxhaan, where one of our contacts, ChuluunBurged lives and leads a small church. He served us a meal and showed us his church facility, then accompanied us on the rest of our trip. We were 7.

The road into Suxbaatar province was excellent, and we got into town well before the 7 o’clock start to our teaching time. The name of the church is Monxiin Gegee (Eternal Light). They first fed us food, then gathered about 20 or more people for an evening of teaching. I believe it concluded around 10pm. We slept at their church property, most in the meeting ger.
The next day we toured and prayed for the city from the central statue park, and began another session of teaching about 10 am. We concluded by 12 and left town soon after.

The road to Dornon was 200 km over dirt, but pretty decent quality. We could go 30 or 40 mph most of the way. The pasture lands there were green and pretty lush with new rain. We got into Choibalsan about 4:30, and found immediately our contact, Batbold. His welcomed us to his apartment and said we would sleep there. His church named River of Life was very familiar with CR because they already run it. They gathered to hear about it, and family and financial counseling in the third floor room of a local hotel. The next morning we went back there for morning prayer. All of the churches we visited practiced morning group prayer at 7 or 8 am.

We had a 2 pm appointment with a local hospital to hear about family health, so we rested a bit this Thursday morning after prayer meeting, and looked over and prayed for the city from a park or with statues overlooking the city, and also visited a similar Soviet War Memorial. We were treated to a nice lunch at Dawaadorj’s relatives home close by Batbold’s. One of their family is a new believer. Another appears to be connected with a Baptist Church in UB.
The seminar at the hospital on family health had a lot about marriage and relationships in it, and was well presented and well received. We left Dornod directly from that hospital.

The road to Hentii from there was not as nice as the one to Suxbaatar. Portions were new and well done, but others were completely gone or under repair. The dirt portions were wet and bumpy so a lot slower going than the road from Suxbaatar to Dornod. We got held up in Hentii because there was no electricity. So when we pulled into a gas station at 6pm, we were told we wouldn’t be able to get gas until 9pm. So we set off to a closer town on the way to Berx. We made it to the town of Bayan Ovoo about 8pm. They still didn’t have electricity, so we couldn’t get gas. Just after 9pm, we waited for the electric to come, filled up and got underway to Berx, where Bayaraa Ax said we could get something to eat and stay the night. We got there after 11pm, and they sat down to eat mutton about midnight.

The next morning about 7 we stopped by the church there to see and greet them in morning prayer at Shin Exlel Church in Berx. We left town about 7:30am and made it to Hentii by nine for an appointed teaching time at the area prison. Togsoo taught about 40 minutes on CR and the benefits of inner healing for all of us. Jeremy challenged the prison workers to consider passing on the teaching to the prisoners, that they will also find healing in doing so. The local pastor Oggie from Help International attended and promised to help facilitate any support they need to start CR there. The prison guard guy was pleased and possibly in immediate need of CR since it was suspected he had been drinking that morning already.

We were able to depart Hentii then about 11am Friday August 21st. We made it back to Bayanuur again about 1:30 for lunch. We got though UB faster this time, by the same bypass, but still got into Darhan only after 7pm, getting home closer to 7:30pm

Conclusion:
We agreed we need to be less aggressive in our distance and scope of services. There were complaints that our itinerary and teaching time was too hurried. Going forward, the goal is not for us to promise to return every year or so often, but for these organizations to reach our to or return the visit to learn more how they can benefit from our services. Churches and organizations alike indicated intent to do that very thing. There were internal benefits to traveling together, giving each other feedback about presentations as well. Taking outsiders along from that region with us gives local credence, but has a few drawbacks.
Praise the Lord, the car and gas, and food money all held up, getting us safely back to our own homes and families.

Next time, we hope to head for Arhanghia and Hovsgol provinces, with more focus on our own Alliance Holboo churches as the hosts and recipients. We hope that Lxavga coming with us will enable us to offer Education Center information as well as Financial, Family Counseling and CR ministries on that trip. We will only plan to stop by to greet and encourage Erdenet churches on the way there or home. 

Blessed Mongolia National Church Sports Tournament

Jeremy was asked to prepare and coach a basketball team from Darhan for this inaugural tournament.  Teams from churches across Mongolia entered teams in 5 sports from 27 provinces and districts.  Our Darhan team went undefeated until the final.  We were awarded the silver medal at the end of this three day tournament.

Celebrate Recovery Summer Camp

June 11-13 several of our CR volunteers attended camp organized by the Mongolia CR Network.  Testimonies and talks were given on the nuts and bolts and heart issues faced in this intense Christian 12-step ministry.  About 130 volunteers attended from all over Mongolia.  One of the farthest came about 1000 miles by public transportation on mostly dirt roads.  

It was cool during the days mostly and cold at night.  I slept in a ger with some other leaders.  We had to start a fire in the stove both nights.  The food was good and so was the fellowship.  Hiking the nature of the beautiful Tuul River valley was a highlight for me.

Josiah Turns Three

June 8th was worth the wait for the big 3.  Here's some views of the party to mark the occasion...

 Our little buckaroo led the cowboy clothes relay race, which the girls enjoyed too...

Josiah's Birthday Bike

Happy 3rd Birthday to Josiah!

Children's Day

One of the great things about Mongolia is the predictability of the yearly school calendar.

The first day of school is always September 1st.  The last is always June 1st.  They like to end the school year by celebrating the children.  Today is Children's Day.

Johanna and Lydia will participate in a concert arranged by their piano and horse-head fiddle teachers today at three.  Their classmates and parents will be in attendance.

Then usually the whole town of parents and kids and grandkids will flood the children's park, where there will be rides, and fun, balloons and such.  It's a pretty great day to be a kid in Mongolia.  Happy Children's Day!

Port Charlotte First Alliance Celebrate Recovery Team

Jeremy picked up the team about midnight on Thursday, April 30th.  But it was really already in the wee hours of May 1st we got to “Zaya" Hostel in Ulan Bator.

The team seemed very complimentary of the accommodation.  We prayed to thank God for safe arrival before going to bed after 1:30 am.  The hotel keeper lady J*v*a* even prayed with us!  Surprisingly we found out she was a believer and said she attends a big CR church in UB.

The next morning our host made us breakfast and coffee starting about 7.  We showered, packed and left the hostel a little after 9 am.  We drove a short way over to the CAMA Services Office on the 15th floor of the Golomt Tower. There the team went through Orientation with the Field Director.  He showed slides and talked about Mongolia and the history of the church and Alliance here.  The team changed money and paid their per diem fee before leaving the office after 11 am.

We arrived at Ubean, our field business as mission coffee shop, before lunch and met the owner and operator.  Upstairs on the third floor at the Grain of Wheat Center, we visited the Counseling Center and had lunch with our CR Coworker, a IW colleague and his two Mongolian CR Coworkers. 

We left UB about 2:30 needing to get to Darhan about 5:00 pm for CR at the CAMA Services Center.  We showed up about 5:45, in plenty of time for Dan to share his testimony to the group which followed a lesson taught by Dawaajargal.  Togsoo led our support group time and a homeless man with the shakes was in our group.  The team prayed for him and several others after we dinner of fried mutton pancakes.

We got home to the Darhan guesthouse about 8:30 pm, and the team was tired said they slept good Friday night.  

Saturday morning May 2nd, we went to the Seminar that the Darhan Pastors had organized.  That evening the CR Team hosted the Darhan Pastor’s association leaders to a dinner and Pastor Scott shared his testimony with them and fielded questions about CR.

Sunday morning, Pastor Scott spoke at Nik Dovnihon, the first Alliance Church planted in Mongolia.  Pastor Bob spoke at Living Word in New Darhan at 11am, then again at 2pm in Old Darhan’s “Fellowship” Church.  We all enjoyed a quick bite of Chinese food between services.  

Sunday evening at 4:30 began our first CR Seminar at the HOST hall, the same place where our Alliance and the “Fellowship” churches meet.  We estimate about 180 people attended.  After Dan gave his testimony, Pastor Scott gave a talk on the 7 features of CR.  Then Steve gave his testimony, and the big church divided into small groups. The pastors were all invited to sit with Pastors Scott and Bob.  Dan, Steve and Jeremy were all in the same support group with the translator, Baggie Pastor.

Monday morning was a rest time.  Jeremy picked up the team from the guest house at about noon.  The team toured the International Worker Kid’s school inside the Host building and had lunch with the Host (Kingdom Leaders Training School) Staff.  They spent the afternoon with Mark Wood, Host Director, and bought some souvenir art pieces before they left. Monday night, Dan and Steve shared at Living Word Church’s CR at 6pm.  Pastor Bob also attended. Jeremy translated in the men’s support group time.  The local AA leader sat in our group and said he hasn’t quite believed in Jesus yet, but is learning to appreciate Him.

Tuesday morning the team helped with our CR Center duties at the local sober tank and prison.  Steve’s testimony at the latter was really effective and reaped souls.  God even provided an inmate to translate for him.  His funniest comment was that translating the prayer to receive Christ was hard, because he himself wasn’t’ a believer!

We came back to CAMA Services to a lunch served in the CR Center, especially designed for volunteers serving in CR at their churches.  Once again the team funds for daily meals helped to cover the cost of these Mongolian’s lunch and provided an encouragement to them.  The question and answer period then was meaningful, but cut a little short because the local people didn’t all come on time.  Then the team visited and learned about the financial freedom and family counseling projects at the CAMA Center.

Tuesday evening at 5 our second CR Seminar started.  Pastor Bob told his testimony, took a break, then gave a talk on the 7 Pillars of CR.  Pastor Scott finished off the Seminar by telling his testimony.  We divided into small groups again then team meeting with pastors, this time Jeremy translating.  It seemed a divine time of sharing for many of the pastors battling deep spiritual and physical obstacles in tough places of ministry.  

As after a big day of ministry, the team had dinner in the Darhan guest house, together with Jeremy.  We talked over many aspects of CR, cross-cultural ministry.  It appeared to Jeremy and others agreed that God had showed up in scheduling meaningful moments of ministry in Mongolia.  The seminars and serviced rendered here by the team served to familiarize people with CR, and encourage the pastors and laypeople to pursue healing from the Lord. 

Wednesday morning we packed the suitcases in the car, and came to Jeremy’s home again for a time of prayer.  We stopped at the half way point between Darhan and Ulan Bator for lunch and coffee.  Then we stopped for pictures near a statue of a camel and took pictures.  But the team wanted to see inside a Mongolia “Ger” or traditional wool felt tent.  We stopped to pick up a hitch-hiker, and he invited us to his Ger home, and also two of his nearby neighbor’s homes as well!

We got into Ulan Bator and the CAMA Guesthouse there in the afternoon, rested a while, and walked down to the State Department Store.  There we found the food court and Pastors Scott and Bob ordered Mongolian “Bodes”, steamed mutton dumplings.  Dan and Jeremy ordered similar dishes, but Steve ordered the spicy pork.  That proved a significant event to effect his night’s sleep unfortunately. We spent most of the evening however letting the team shop for souvenirs.  

Thursday May 7th was the last day for the team.  It started at the Field Office across the hall from the guest house, where we debriefed the trip with the Field Director.  Then we went back to Ubean Cafe for more coffee and meetings with Brent Liberda about the CR situation in UB.  We had lunch there as well and talked a bit about future plans for partnership in regard to CR.  We talked about Port Charlotte First Alliance being one of our biggest CR Alliance churches.  

We in Mongolia are grateful for the partnership opportunity that began many years ago with a conversation of our Alliance International Ministries Vice President.  The CR Team that First Alliance sent to serve Mongolia did a great job and made a kingdom investment here.  God bless you in sharing your hearts and recovery through Christ.

Church Basketball Tournament

Disciple Making Authority

As a believer, you have the authority of Jesus to make disciples.  And so do I.  But both of us are highly prone to forget this, instead receding into ‘niceness’, hoping people will guess we’re Christians and ask us if they can be one too.

But this past weekend, I got asked by the local pastor’s association to serve as a referee for the annual inter-church basketball tournament.  The referee’s whistle was a new experience of authority to me.  I’ve always loved playing basketball, but never ‘judged’ many games before.  That’s the word they use for referee in Mongolian.

From 12 churches, 13 teams competed for about 13 hours!  The seats were full of excited spectators, mores that most of the tournaments I’ve seen here before.  The players were also pretty excited and got a little over-zealous a few times.  I had to separate a couple guys who looked like they forgot they were believers for a minute.  One of them still looked angry, so I called him over to me.  He didn’t hear me.  

But his pastor was right beside me playing on his team and wanting to inbound the ball.  I didn’t need to blow the whistle again because his own pastor’s voice got to him through the roar and distance of the gym.  He came trotting over to us.  His pastor said, “you need to ask forgiveness”.  Silence.  I took the whistle out of my mouth and said, “just say the word OK” and we’ll play ball.  “Za” he said, which means okay.  I blew the whistle, handed the ball to his pastor, and away we went.  No more problems or fist to cuffs.  

This was a discipleship moment may not have happened had the whistle reminded us both of our authority to make disciples.  

Freedom for Captives

Celebrate Recovery a Way to Freedom for Captives

CAMA Services Center in Darhan, Mongolia offers Celebrate Recovery services.  Our center and services have a long history of visiting area prisons.

This month already our teams have visited two of the closes to Darhan.  A teaching on the 12 steps of recovery helps prisoners to face the choices and hurts in their life ended them up in jail.  Accepting their own wrongs can open them up to the idea of forgiveness and healing.  This is the same for all of us, whether we’ve been in prison or not.  Jesus said "everyone who sins is a slave to sin." (John 8:34)  Jesus came to set the captives free.  (Luke 4:18)

Many people in prisons are still too hardened to believe in Jesus immediately.  But we share our stories of finding healing and salvation from life’s problems.  Today we taught from the 12 steps which helps entitled "healthy mind".  After then lesson, in a small group surrounded by incarcerated men with shaven heads, we sat on the floor and opened up for sharing.  This is a place where even believers can benefit from sharing their own failures as scripture commands: “Confess your sins to one another, that you may be healed”.  If we’re asking non-believers to open up in this way, should we believers being doing so too?  

If not, be careful that sin doesn’t creep up to take you captive again.  Some prisons are spiritual and though they may not have bars and guards, they are just as real.  Scripture in teaches that those resistant to the gospel should be "gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will." (2 Tim 2:26)

Good Friday

It's a grey day, and looks like it could rain, but I doubt it will.
Like a long ago day when the sky turned dark at mid-day.
These spring days after snow melts away
Leave dust, dirt and mud in every way

Soon the green of spring will come up and cover the tan
Of bones, bottles, baggies and road-scarred land
Like natural new growth of grass its Author rose in spring
And served new life eternal with nail-pierced hands.

Thank God the new and beautiful grows from what is old and ugly
Like being grateful something good will replace and grow where its muddy
God went through hell and dark days, even suffered murder bloody
So that new life and strength of weakness would replenish the wore-out earth.