Happy Canada and USA days

Canada Day (July 1) and America Day (July 4) have come and gone. With a whirlwind of events, we are looking forward to a bit of a breather - well, maybe after today's morning and evenings studies.

Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Date day. Which means we explore Bandung. After lunch, we meet up with Robin at a rattan warehouse. I love these old caves of culture and artisans. I find an old puppet for $1.50 and wonder what stories he told.

The upstairs floors are filled with old sample pieces. Ooooh, how I'd love a few pieces, to replace the broken leather furniture on our porch (leftovers from previous tenants, which are disintegrating with age).

We have two wonderful new team members, Australians who are here through October. Scott and Sarah will hang out with younger people as they learn the language and explore Bandung. (Let us know if your teens want to be part of their adventures.)

Wednesday
It's election day. I'm conducting an interview in a southern city. On the way, we pass a variety of voting booths. It's a peaceful holiday as people choose mayors and governors in several key areas of Indonesia.

We check out a venue for Community Dinners, a regular event coming up in the fall. Looks good!

A lipstick vine hangs from a hook. I remember my mother-in-law nurturing one of those about 35 years ago ...

Thursday

It's a special day, starting with the women's study in the morning.

In the afternoon, Arga is getting baptized. His friends come together to cheer him on. W does the honors at the pool at their place. His parents make a delicious feast to celebrate with friends afterward.

School holidays only have a few more weeks to go. Many friends are traveling. In the evening, we're missing a lot of regulars but still have a great study.

Sunday

It's Canada Day but it's a small gathering at BIC this morning, so no one mentions it. (Typically laid back Canadian day.) We have lunch with friends after service and then have a few people over later in the day.

The big announcement is that the pastor will not return from furlough, beyond a transition with his leadership team. We will certainly miss Terry and Sandy; they not only were spiritual mentors but also friends. So many "regulars" have moved away this year. Few of the original attendees remain, even from 4 years ago, which is typical of the mobile population of an international church. We are very sad to see them go.

Tuesday

We need a few supplies. After our lunch date, we walk a few miles to find things. It's impossible to separate life and work here. We find a new food wholesaler for tomorrow's movie night. Good - this one is about a half-hour closer to our place.

The most recommendations from movie buffs come in for Sandlot, a baseball/American life film. We decide on a pizza night since it's an American holiday.

Thinking of pizza, I'm totally craving these from Trader Joes. Friends are coming to a conference next week and promise to pack some in their luggage. HURRAH!

An egg seller has a small store along the street. From here, grocers will buy eggs for their little shops around the city--or we can buy in bulk. Eggs are not refrigerated, which is safe because the protective coating hasn't been removed by power-washing. (Thanks for that tip, Rebekah!)

As I check Google maps, it confirms the density of the city. A lot of people live here.

My eye falls on a "snake plant" or "mother-in-law's tongue", a common houseplant in N America. It is blooming with white spikes of flowers. Must thrive in more sunshine.

When we get home, I chop a few inches off my hair and cut in some layers. Wandering onto the porch, I spread moss around a tray of seashells. (I tore some moss off a tree on our morning walk.) That's enough creative living for the day. These little pauses refresh me, especially when we've been around a lot of people or stuck in traffic.

Wednesday
Movie night falls on July 4. I spend the morning preparing toppings - roasting pineapple, green peppers, and pepperoni; chopping olives; canned corn; and filling shakers with parmesan and chili flakes. We order 12 one-meter-long pizzas (under $200, can you imagine?) Prep takes longer than cooking a whole meal. Or maybe I just started later.

After setting up the projectors, W and a helper move the furniture out of the living room and rearrange the room for +70 guests. W takes a picture of the setup; I spend an hour looking up last month's arrangement in my photo feed as we move things here and there. (W forgot to snap the rearrangements last month. We have so much going on, that we can't remember details, except that it worked well.)

I finally get a mini-nap after 4pm. Not a good idea to cut that snooze short - have to store up energy for the evening.

Not a lot of Americans live here. We have mostly Indonesian guests, too ... and their friends from 23 other countries. These two lovelies are the first to show up. Baby, it's cold outside (67oF/20C) and they're prepared for the cold winter winds blowing in from Australia.

"Aren't you too warm?" I ask.

No. They're just comfortable.

 Inside and out, the house fills up. We are saying goodbye to a few regulars, who are returning to Japan and a few "kans" - Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, etc. We will miss these wonderful young professionals and pray God's protection and guidance on them as they head back home.

These wonderful women clean up until 10pm. The bonus is a few bags of food to take home to their families. The last guests leave at 11:30. ZZZZ

Thursday
My office is totally cluttered. The desk is full of papers for 3 projects: upcoming classes, two articles, and a book edit. The furniture from last night's movie night is piled around my desk. Soon, all will be back to order, something the easily-distracted-me craves.

The guys manhandle furniture and chotchkis back into the living room. And I sigh with relief. Onward ho.

On my desk is the calendar our daughter-in-love Melissa makes for my birthday each year. This month, sweet Miss K is featured. At the holidays, we miss our family most.

Mid-morning, three women come to the study. We read John 3, the declaration of Jesus of who he is. There's no middle ground, someone says. Either Jesus is who he says he is ... or he was a lunatic and a liar. Hmmm. Something to think about.

Read more: (John 3)

*There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus. He was one of the Jewish rulers. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. We know that God is with you. If he weren’t, you couldn’t do the signs you are doing.”

Jesus replied, “What I’m about to tell you is true. No one can see God’s kingdom unless they are born again.”

“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “They can’t go back inside their mother! They can’t be born a second time!”

Jesus answered, “What I’m about to tell you is true. No one can enter God’s kingdom unless they are born with water and the Holy Spirit. People give birth to people. But the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised when I say, ‘You must all be born again.’ The wind blows where it wants to. You hear the sound it makes. But you can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going. It is the same with everyone who is born with the Spirit.”

“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.

“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus. “Don’t you understand these things? What I’m about to tell you is true. We speak about what we know. We are witnesses about what we have seen. But still you people do not accept what we say. I have spoken to you about earthly things, and you do not believe. So how will you believe if I speak about heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven. He is the Son of Man. Moses lifted up the snake in the desert [find that story is in Number 21]. In the same way, the Son of Man must also be lifted up. Then everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world. He sent his Son to save the world through him. Anyone who believes in him is not judged. But anyone who does not believe is judged already. They have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. Here is the judgment. Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light. They loved darkness because what they did was evil. Everyone who does evil deeds hates the light. They will not come into the light. They are afraid that what they do will be seen. But anyone who lives by the truth comes into the light. They live by the truth with God’s help. They come into the light so that it will be easy to see their good deeds.

After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the countryside of Judea. There he spent some time with them. And he baptized people there. John was also baptizing. He was at Aenon near Salim, where there was plenty of water. People were coming and being baptized. This was before John was put in prison. 

Some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew began to argue. They argued about special washings to make people “clean.” They came to John and here is what they said to him. “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan River is baptizing people. He is the one you told us about. Everyone is going to him.”

John replied, “A person can receive only what God gives them from heaven. You yourselves are witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah. I was sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the groom. The friend who helps the groom waits and listens for him. He is full of joy when he hears the groom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become more important. I must become less important.

“The one who comes from above is above everything. The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks like someone from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above everything. He is a witness to what he has seen and heard. But no one accepts what he says. Anyone who has accepted it has said, ‘Yes. God is truthful.’ The one whom God has sent speaks God’s words. That’s because God gives the Holy Spirit without limit. The Father loves the Son and has put everything into his hands. Anyone who believes in the Son has eternal life. Anyone who does not believe in the Son will not have life. God’s anger remains on them.”

Prayer: One and Only God, though I may not understand the mystery of how You forgive our sins, I accept that You have done it. You loved us so much that You made a way to fulfill Your holiness and justice and bring sinners like me close to You. 

Thank you for Jesus, who reconciles us to God by taking the penalty for our sins upon himself. We accept Your divine solution, with thanksgiving. Please teach us how to extend that same love and forgiveness with others. Amen.

See the little froggie? And what else?

Thursday, June 21, 2018
We have a nice group at the women's study, though many are still traveling. It's been a long time since we've been together so it's good to catch up.

The evening study is just as good. On the way, we check out a friend's place. Sometimes it's good to have alternatives for meeting.

The sky is beautiful overhead.

We pass the parliament building in the center of town. It's a beautiful landmark.

The tracery of branches against the sky is a gift of art for anyone who looks up.

Friday
Our final Ramadan guests leave today. The dog we have been dog-sitting since last Saturday enjoys a final tummy rub.

In a week, the dog has learned to come when called by name or whistle. It sits as soon as it reaches me. (Yup, it gets a treat.) It learns to walk beside or behind us rather than pulling, sitting when we stop. And it stops barking at everything.

Gypsy teaches it to bark at strangers and to bring a leaf to us when it's happy to see us. It's eating from Gypsy's dish (though still growling when G eats from hers.) It seems to be thriving, here until next Monday night when the owners get home from a conference.

Gypsy resents the fact that the little pooch is allowed in the house and he is outdoors. He sneaks in as far as he dares.

One night, there seems to be an odd shape on the window beside the entry. When I turn on the light, there's a smooth green 4" frog sticking to the glass. It hops along the sill as I pull the drapes shut.

Sunday
It's a long and wonderful day. I lead the service and enjoy the worship at the international church. W teaches one of his theology classes. After, we chat with a few people and invite them over tonight for a farewell potluck for friends who are moving to Australia.

Then we join a birthday lunch for Scott at Wild Grass. It's great to connect with friends old and new.

There's a scorpion-like green spider on the rim of someone's beer bottle. The client doesn't chase it away but lets it roam.

One of Scott's gifts is a beautiful painting on coconut fiber from Dr H.

I've never seen some of the  white flowers blooming in the yard - I can only imagine the pretty shapes at night.

I'm back at home before 2. I put my handbag on the counter on the kitchen and get to work. It's a potluck but we have no idea how many guests will show up. We've had a lot of messages, "Busy." "Working tonight." "Other appointments already." And so on. Who knows. Get cooking! 

I'm trying several new recipes today. Some of the guests are gluten-free. The beans soaked overnight and the ingredients are ready. But it takes all afternoon to prepare: cheese balls, vegan chili, black bean soup, a fried-watermelon (fake tuna) salad, and bread. And then there's setup - and the first guest is here.

People start coming at 4:30 and keep arriving until 8. The conversation is lively, the food they bring adds delicious variety, and we have a wonderful time.

Hendy brings a cake to celebrate the long friendships.

We close the doors just before 10 and then I get off my feet. I'm tired. On the go all day, I missed the nap I usually have after prepping for company.

W and I agree: the day was totally worthwhile. Hmmm. Maybe I'm not young enough to do this many days in a row, though.

Monday
My first meeting is online at 7, the second is on the porch at 9:30, and the final one is a lunch meeting at 11:30.

Lucky Ibu S: we have left dishes in the sink - we did several loads yesterday and gave up at 10 last night.

The group is reading Luke 20 together. Jesus tells the story of the tenants of a vineyard who refuse to give the owner his due share and abuse his collectors. The religious leaders, guarding "their" turf again God (who owns everything), are livid - they understand that the story is about them.

There are lots of takeaways but this is mine: so many of us think God is circling around us. We are the center of our own existence. God is a presence nearby, in our orbit. When we get an answer to a prayer, we are happy and call him good. When we are abused by others' free choices or experience harm, we think he is far away or a bad god. (Not that he is the enemy of our souls who harms us, but we don't think of that.)

Yet, through the ongoing study of scriptures, I watch some of us coming into a better balance and truth. We are accepting that God is our center and everything we do must revolve around him. He is a God who is near and not far away - closer than we can imagine. He promises to live in us if we will accept his terms of engagement, life through the one-and-only, "God with us."

Read more:
*He (David) said: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior—from violent people you save me. I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and have been saved from my enemies. 2 Samuel 22:2-4 NIV

*O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever. Psalm 107:1

*Blessed be the name of God from age to age, for wisdom and power are his. Daniel 2:20

*Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion! For lo, I will come and dwell in your midst, says the Lord. Zechariah 2:10

*John the Baptist answered, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven.” John 3:27

*God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 1 John 4:9

Moravian Prayer: Dear Lord, we thank you for loving us, for redeeming us and for blessing us. May we respond with faith, love and hope. Give us courage to accept all your gifts—including wisdom and power—with humility.

Dearest Lord, thank you for coming into our hearts to live with us today—and always! May our faces be illuminated with your glory. Jesus, you make us shine with love for others. Amen.

Nature edition: summer all the time

Wednesday, June 13, 2018
It's absolutely a beautiful summer ... still. Oh wait. It's always gorgeous here - flowers, green leaves, and sunshine.

But we're getting crabbier, the more sleep-deprived we get. It's comforting to know that in a few more days, everyday life will resume. People will eat and drink during sunlight hours and have energy to work.

This week, families return to their villages or tribal centers. Repairs are delayed. Errands are deferred. Employees, household helpers, craftsmen, etc. have disappeared.

Our neighbors bemoan the need for cooking and cleaning, which they are used to having done for them. People joke about the big cities being the safest and most dangerous during this week. While there are fewer cars around, those are driven by their owners - who haven't been behind the wheel since last year's Ramadan.

In a week, shops will reopen, work will start again, and we can refocus on the tasks ahead. W drops me off so I can shop for groceries while he goes to the glassmaker.

I walk past a painted archway - and look down on houses in the valley. It's a typical neighborhood entry: narrow, steep, and the passage to a whole village tucked away from the main street.

Thursday
Our older helper comes for a half day and full pay. Using malinjo leaves and berries from the tree in the backyard, she cooks a sour soup that I love. And she takes home a few extras - some cookies, small gifts, and a smile - she's happy to have the week off.

Our friend Alice is hosting guests from Bali, Russia, and Indonesia at our place this week. She makes sure they are settled in: her own house is equally full of relatives and friends. She'll order Go-Clean to tidy up after everyone.

Tourist buses discharge their passengers at the hotels and pull up to park in empty lots along the streets. Traffic is crazy in the evening as people head home.

The evening study is cancelled, so we visit near home. W and I walk through the neighborhood, calling out greetings, visiting neighbors, and wishing them God's blessings.

"Watch out for your things," warns a neighbor. "The next days have the highest crime rate, since many of us are not at home."

The cacophony of sound goes on all night: chants, prayers, speeches, and firecrackers. It's an all-night buzz. I shove in ear plugs and sleep most of it away.

Friday
We go for an early morning walk. The flowers along the way are gorgeous, whether in gardens or growing wild along the roads.

Red tree roots glow in the morning light

White bulbs shine at the side of the street

Blooms within blooms: bromeliads capture rain in miniature water gardens

Shrubs light up a wealthy neighbor's gate

Shortly after 7, we're back at the house. It's a religious and family holiday - and we miss our families. We make a few calls. The time difference is 14 hours (we're ahead) so everyone is headed for bed as we're getting started.

For some reason, I'm in the mood for scones. So I pull out the Fischer scone mix from Seattle and whip up a few for W and myself. Blueberry yoghurt subs for clotted creme. And an old jar of IKEA lingonberry jam replaces lemon curd. It's our own version of a comfort breakfast.

We eat overlooking the garden. Orchid roots droop in tangles from the gnarled guava tree. Pink zinnias tower over the gardenia bush and stalks of white ginger blossoms. Sweet fragrances drift toward us on the breeze. The morning turns cool after an initial sunny hour or two: 72oF (21oC). Brrr.

In the late morning, I walk to Dr H's house. Families are sitting outside on every street, visiting and chit-chatting. Kids chase around their many little cousins.

Dr H and I visit a friend in hospital. It's Mary's birthday but she's spending it in recovery from knee surgery. Not fun.

W and I walk a few blocks to the Nara restaurant complex. The manager of Wild Grass Restaurant sees W and stops by to say hello. W was their first customer a few years ago, while I was applying for my American passport.

After our meal, we wait for our bill. The credit card machine is malfunctioning so we sit outside with two couples. They ask how we enjoyed the food. "Excellent!" and we describe what we liked most.

They beam and introduce themselves as owners of both restaurants (Wild Grass and Nara). "Where do you live?" asks one man.

The other man replies with the name of our neighborhood. How does he know us? Is his wife in the arisan (women's group)? They look vaguely familiar. If you want privacy, you're in the wrong place; many of the locals watch us foreigners and gossip about us. They know a lot of things that we've never told them. (We have nothing to hide, fortunately!)

We leave them with a business card and an invitation to supper at our place. "We always enjoy your food. Perhaps it is time for you to come to us and taste a meal at our house."

Easy arrangement. Pop the top of a plant and 3 flowers in a vase.

I'm working on my book again - and getting close to having the text done. Who knew it would take so much effort to split a dissertation into 3 parts? Next, I need to redo the citations and figure out self-publishing. Ugh.

The bamboo chimes rattle in the wind: it's been overcast and gloomy most of the day and maybe we'll have rain.

Read more:
*He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge. Psalm 91:4

*He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities. Isaiah 53:5

If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 (NKJV)

*In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11 NIV

*In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:10

Moravian Prayer: Heavenly Father—may we focus our hearts and minds on Jesus, our treasure, casting aside our feeble fears. May we love one another as you have loved us. Emboldened, may we serve one another in our communities without reserve.

Dearest Refuge, in you, all our needs are met. Thank you! Let no human word, nor mortal utterance, shake our confidence in you. Give us boldness to proceed to do your will and love others. Amen.

Birthday boy and more

W is a bit sunburned today - but we'll get to that presently.

Birthday supper at Dr Hanna's: batagor and rujak

Wednesday, June 6, 2018
We decide to have movie night despite Ramadan. I usually prep on Tuesday but I'm not in the mood. I leave everything for Wednesday morning. W and I have been exhausted. We look forward to returning to "normal" when this month is over.

By noon, the food is cooked, waiting for our "family" and guests. I'll heat it up around 6pm.

Many come a half-hour early. They break their fast with the yogurt and fruit or small snacks and water we set out at 5:50. Some go upstairs to pray their rituals. Then they hang out together, waiting for dinner to start at 6:30.

Wow - we have 14 nations. All sing "happy birthday" to June celebrants. The movie Queen of Katwe is a hit.

Denis, from Uganda, explains a bit about the slum of Katwe as backdrop for the film. "It's really like that, an area of orphans, runaways, artists and craftsmen, and poor families," he says. "Just like it shows in the film."

Discussion about today's question is lively: "What has God uniquely gifted you with, that makes a difference in the world?"

During intermission (dessert break), Beba sells scarves and bags for the charity our small groups are supporting this month. And Simon, heir of a tribal family and a good businessman, sells the beautifully-sewn cotton bags that a friend is clearing out @75c any size. We get a few to store electronic cables and stash shoes in our luggage.

Thursday
The evening study is small and intense. Most people are already traveling or visiting. It's great fun to explore scripture with these friends!

Sunday
W and I speak together at BIC (the local international church) about the love of God from Romans 8:38-39. It's a familiar passage to many and we don't have much new to add. But W sets it into its context of trials and hardships: we most need the reassurance of God's presence when times are tough.

After W's hermeneutics class, we eat lunch at Bumi Sangkuriang with a German pastor (left) and other friends.

Monday
Joshua and Grace, on a week's holiday from Singapore, join us at the study. Yesterday, we met them at BIC and invited them to the study this morning. The most unexpected connections can shape the future, but we don't quite know how or why. She tells us that she prayed to find like-minded people while they were in Bandung. They are a joy to be with.

The morning study on our porch includes birthday celebrations for Joshua (surprise!) and Waldemar (tomorrow).

W remarked earlier that he didn't like cupcakes made with oil. Good timing, because that's what I was going to serve for birthday cake. In a quick change of plans, Ibu S bakes bread by the time the study is done. I stick a candle and a "Happy Birthday" sign on a loaf and we're ready to party. W blows our the candle, while we consume 3 pots of tea. Along with home-baked cookies and treats others share at the studies, "enough sweets" are never an issue.

We eat lunch nearby. It's empty except for foreigners and Chinese families, who are not fasting. The playground is full of kids who are enjoying the school break.

Sausage and greens pasta. Hmm, never what you expect.

Tuesday - Happy Birthday, Waldemar!
Tuesday is typically our date day, with a half-day off work. W chooses a walk to celebrate his 61st birthday.

We send a text to a few friends: "Would you like to walk in Lembang (the city just north, near active volcanos)?" Sure, they say. So Josh, Grace, Scott, and Sarah (Australians learning language) join us in Lembang.

A brightly-colored house with white vines blooming overhead

A village mosque broadcasts calls to prayer 5X a day

Villages along the way

A typical one-lane street (you can/do pass other cars on this mountainside road)

6'  tall: "fiddleheads' of a New Zealand fern

Scott and Sarah have never been this far north, nor wandered in the landscape around Bandung.

They note that a shrub considered noxious in Australia is also blooming here. We love its flowers - so pretty. But it's also invasive - the road is overgrown in many parts with the stiff bushes and grasses. We scrape past.

The views across the hills and valley are spectacular. As always, the weather is shaping up as it hits the volcanic mountains. The rock under us is pumice. In light of recent eruptions in Hawaii and Latin America, perhaps living this near active volcanos isn't something to be excited about ...

We walk for a few hours through the tea plantations and tramp overgrown paths through the woods. We are hot and sweaty by the time we reach Gracia Spa (hot spring pools). W and I grew up near Harrison Hot Springs in Canada, so Gracia always feels like home to us.

I am slathered in sunblock as usual; a few of the others get sunburns after sitting on the edge of the pools and chatting.

When we get home, we have one more special treat: supper at our sweet neighbor's, Dr. Hanna. She explains how to mix peanut sauce, soy sauce, and lime juice (oooooh! yum) for the fried tofu and fried siew mei. And that the mangos and other fruits are eaten separately, with a sweet-sour sauce (picture above).

Wednesday
Movie night has a way of draining our cabinets into its delicious meals and snacks :-). We have to restock our cupboards so we're off to the store. My morning appointment doesn't show up (miscommunication) but W meets with a young man seeking Christian baptism. Tonight, guests will arrive and stay for 9 days.

Meanwhile, the helper goes on family leave for a week tomorrow. Should be an interesting week. Hope the visitors are independent sorts!

Read more: (ESV unless noted)
*Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. A little while, and the wicked will be no more;  though you look for them, they will not be found.

But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity. The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming. Psalm 37:7-13 NIV

*Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

In that day you will say: “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.” Isaiah 12:2-6 NIV

*You, O Lord, are in the midst of us, and we are called by your name; do not forsake us! Jeremiah 14:9

*The Lord is my strength. Habakkuk 3:19

*My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

*In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. Galatians 3:23

Moravian Prayer: Precious Lord, in the face of utmost unfairness, calamity and despair, may we persistently abide in your promises and claim you as our sovereign. Give us grace to live by faith. 

Dear Lord, in our homes and schools this day, may we be more aware of our role in the world, for you have called us to be children of light. Train us to your higher will. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.