BRIEF UPDATE***
At this moment I find myself in the the mountainous city of Iringa, Tanzania a few hundred kilometers from the Indian Ocean. I know what your thinking, “That is not even close, why is that relevant?’ Well only days ago, after caping off a 40+ hour bus ride, we spent a night in the capital known as Dar Es Salaam. Although I had not slept in days I could not resist the opportunity to spend some time at the beach. Some of my adventurous squadmates and I boarded 3- wheel taxis and soon after found ourselves in the salty, seaweed infested waters of the East African indian ocean shore. The next day we traveled another 10 hours by bus to the arid mountain city we now occupy. We are working with a reverend and his church and look forward to beginning our ministry in the local schools, orphanages, villages, hospitals, and prisons. Let me backtrack a little and tell you about the end of our month in Uganda, before I close this short update with a journal entry from last month. The last couple days of June our squad camped on the Nile river in Jinja at a site known as Adrift. Many people bungee jumped and the following day almost the whole squad went rafting down the Nile. It was amazing, a truly thrilling adventure. My fellow squadmate Michael and I were given the opportunity to captain a 2 man raft with no guide down the level 5 and 6 rapids of the mighty Nile River. I will post a video of our experience soon as along with 2 of our other squadmates we were the first to try these new rafts on the Nile and the company wanted us to wear waterproof cameras for promotional videos.
— I figured I would share one of my recent journal entries to conclude this blog. I would love to hear some comments. Much Love Friends!
Where Art Thou Mother Peace?
Oh, mother Peace how you allude me. Continually you allow the world to abuse thee. I seekith yet I find no permanent address. Here I am a child in distress, and in your cleverness I’m unable to see. Cunning like a fox, oh mother you’re so sly. Crafty as Pandora’s Box each encounter unlocks newly tied knots.
“Turn away from evil and do good, search for peace, and work to maintain it.”
Psalm 34: 14
Standing just out of grasp, your scent leaves a trail, I shall continuously hunt to clasp the invisible tail of peace. The journey I travel with the foreknowledge an unveiling is promised. My sails are set high, as wind permeates through the clear blue sky, in the name of grace wave not goodbye. Mother Peace I brave the waves for you’re a fruit I must taste.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self- control; against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5: 22
“God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called children of God.”
Matthew 5: 9
Oh where art thou mother Peace? I found you once yet you’re twice unique. Another woman shouts in the streets, wisdom of course and she yearns to be heard, but mother you utter not one word. Sound wisdom and discernment refresh the soul, but without you my heart grows cold. Yet my quest is undeterred, I journey to the ends of the earth in search of your love.
“… so love truth and peace.”
Zechariah 8: 19
There is a prince upon the throne. His destiny beset before time, to return at a date unknown. The reciprocal effect has been my destiny reset from a life lived alone. Some call him peace, but I know him to be a peacemaker. A consuming fire, but not an undertaker, he is the King of dreams. And it would seem this prince came from another, just is the case with you mother and with all our brothers, in him there is no other. I am drunk on living water, but you are still a mystery. I tell him what I need and I plant seeds of peace, righteousness fits me like a fleece, and still inner turmoil finds me weak. In him, by him and for you I shall pursue. Come find me dear Mother Peace…
“Peace I leave with you;(B) my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.(C) Let not your hearts be troubled, neither(D) let them be afraid.”
John 14: 27
“And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.”
James 3: 18
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and mind as you live in Christ.”
Philippians 4: 6-7
