~ Mr. Slither ~

I unexpectedly met up with some gray, huge, long, slithery creature this afternoon just outside of our restrooms. "Mr. Slither, you were way too close for comfort. 3-5 feet from me is too much. I'm glad you vanished away from me in a flash, but please show up again at the right time when some of our expert boys can put an end to you. You make me a little nervous. I hope you'll get the message somehow even though you'll never see this news report about you."

God saved me from getting bitten by one of them creatures before. I have no need to be enwrapped in fear. His hand is still over me, and everyone else around, just them same as He was then. That is so comforting. Hope Mr. Slither will find his end soon.

This reminds me of something that I've wanted to share with you all for a long time. I remember, just before my family and I came over here in 2011, some dear well-meaning people would mention about the dangers of working in a place like this. Those dangers included deadly snakes. I wasn't that afraid; however, after I saw one or two venomous snakes for the first time, and participating in killing one of them (a banded crate), what had mentioned to us before began to sink in. One thing I knew was that I was here in the foreign field and was not going to leave just because of such dangers. I had to make a decision what I would do with those fears. I thought of people that cringe of going overseas because they're terrified of snakes. And some will allow themselves to be so controlled by there fears that they'd rather "be safe" than to go where God wants them to go. That's scary. That all made me very sad. I decided that I would not allow these and other dangers to hinder my work for God. I asked God to take my fears and to strengthen my trust in His faithful care and protection. After all, wasn't He the one that sent me here? Absolutely! Then certainly I can trust my life in His hands. To do other than that would be foolishness. This is one of the first lessons that God had taught me when I first came.

In short, I just want to encourage you to remember that the best place that you, or I, could be is the place that God puts us in. Don't let dangerous creatures or other life-threatening things, or even people, keep you from doing the work that God has commissioned you to do.

My friends, let's be faithful today to do the work He's placed in our hands. Let the devil know that His distractions can't hold us back.

~ Little Vine ~

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My dear little vine,

You have been very dear to me ever since I first 

cast my gaze upon you. I bought you because I

instantly loved you. I was excited to bring you home with me. That was a few months ago. You have been through some rough times, probably "wondering" if you'd make it. I, too, wondered how you'd do. The torrents of rain beat down hard on you. I hoped that you'd survive through it all. I waited for a while in great anticipation to see new growth spring forth out of you until finally I saw your first adorable tendril. I have watched you very slowly but surely grow over the last few months. You are so delicate and beautiful.

Most of the rain has come and gone now. This past week has been very exciting, to say the least. You are growing super fast now. Sometimes, it seems like somedays you have grown a few inches more than the day before. Your little tendrils decorate the pillar with their cute little curlycues. Every time I see you grow, I dance with delight and can't wait until the next time I see you grow some more. I seriously look at and touch you almost every time I walk by you. (I do that dozens of times each day.)

Long before now, I decided that I wanted you to go up this post. But I knew one thing, you can't do it alone. So, I helped your tiny tendrils find the ropes. I am happy to see them anchoring themselves tight to those ropes. As long as you stay fastened to them, you will be sure to stay on the pillar.

My little vine, soon you will reach the top, and even then, you will continue to grow. Some day you will have radiant purple flowers that will brighten up your dark corner. Yay for that day! But in the mean time, may we continue to work together to climb the pillar. I love you more than you know.    ~ Your gardener

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Dear friends, 

As I ponder about my love for the little vine, I can't help but think about another Gardener. He is the Master Gardener. His skill is eternally far beyond my own.

He, too, bought me. And the only thing He could give so I could be His little vine was His very own blood. Nothing else could pay for me. He loved me so much that, to Him, it was worth the cost. 

I am amazed at the His love for me--a love that is far beyond my comprehension. I mean, this Master Gardener sticks by my side day in and day out, never mind the whether. He's there through it all, even when torrents of hardships are beating down on me. 

As I try to grow and hold on to the pillars of Christianity, I often fall. But, this Master Gardener untiringly picks me up again and again, and gently helps me to anchor onto those pillars again with stronger ropes faith then before. At first, my faith is like twine, but as I climb higher, may my faith continue to grow more and more like a heavy rope. And at last, my I be radiant with His royal character in this dark little world.

And this isn't all. Every time, I grow, my Master Gardener gets super excited. He sings over me with great joy--joy unfathomable. (Zephaniah 3:17) In fact, all of heaven echoes with cheers of delight. (Luke 15:7) And it's all for me, a little vine.

Someday, He will take me home to live with Him. Right now, He's helping to get there. There's a lot of climbing and growing that I must do between now and the heavenly paradise.

"Oh, my Master Gardener may I always allow you to help me climb higher and grow more each day in the Christian life. And, when I fall, help me to rise up and climb again. (Proverbs 24:16; Psalm 37:23-24) Thank you so much for your love and limitless care. I love You, too. ~ Your little vine"

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This is my prayer for each one of you who reads this. May you also continue to grow and climb higher in your Christian experience. Your Master Gardener loves and cares very much for you! And that love for you is deeper and more sure than the love that any of your closest and dearest ties on earth can give.