Blog Beginning - August 2008
“To blog or not to blog, that is the question”. I’ve been pondering this question for almost
a year now. The short of it is … no more!
This will be a farewell to any who have read this blog over the past
five years.
When we came to the Dominican Republic in 2008 to teach in a
Christian school, the time frame was two years.
Although we didn’t need financial support we counted on the prayers of
many people that knew why we came and wanted to pray for us. The blog was a practical (albeit impersonal)
solution to keep supporters informed.
When the Lord in his mercy resolved our daughter’s situation
and an opportunity presented itself to have our daughter-in-law and two grandchildren
live with us here in the DR to learn English, we extended our stay one more
year and continued our blog for the same reason. Then a curious thing happened.
As my wife and I prayed and discussed about what to do with
the rest of our time on this earth, it occurred to us that, Lord willing, this
location may well be the best place for us to accomplish our goals at this time.
That
he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men
but to the will of God. But the end of all things is at hand; be ye
therefore sober
and watch unto prayer.
I Peter 4:2,7
For he established a testimony in
Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel,
which he commanded our fathers, that they
should make them known to their children:
that the generation to come might
know them, even the children which should be
born; which should arise and
declare them to their children: that they might set their hope in God …
Psalm 78:5,6,7a
These verses continue to be the heart throb of our true
ministry ... which has been and always will be our children and
grandchildren. With this in focus, the
reason for working at this school has shifted from a temporary status to more
of an ongoing-once-a-year decision whether to stay or leave. Unfortunately, our three children live in
three different countries in the world and it takes a bit more creativity and
resources than a traditional retirement could give us. So we currently view it as the best way to be
involved in our grandchildren’s lives. At
first this blog was to report on a specific situation … how is our daughter
doing? Now that it is over, our position
has taken on a more normal-looking situation which does not seem to justify a
blog entry.
A second reason has also been considered. In this age of internet crime, both of
perverted individuals and a snooping
government, my wife and I are no longer comfortable about posting
personal stories and pictures for the world to see … especially of the family
we love. Our communication will now have
to be on a smaller scale … and, well, more old fashioned.
Scattered throughout the city of Santiago here in the Dominican Republic are many of these piles of rock and rubble. Usually found near a river or other convenient place to dispose of construction debris, it is one of the more creative ways for city workers to clean up the area. Each time I see one it reminds me of a sacrificial altar .. and even a Stone of Ebenezer.
May our Lord Jesus Christ bless you as you decide how best
to “live
the rest of (your) time in the flesh”.
And thank you for your prayers.
This blog will end the way it started five years ago ... with the lesson which I have learned through
experience: God is truly “A Stone of Ebenezer” … a stone of help.
The eternal God is thy refuge, and
underneath are the everlasting arms…
Deuteronomy 33:27
Blog Ending - November 2013
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