Thursday, March 31, 2005
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Piggies
I was talking to Ray Doussett, ICC's Asia Office representative recently. We were chatting about how we often carry burdens we don't need to be hauling around with us. Ray sent me the following story.
It helped me to get one or two things in perspective. Maybe it will help you too.
PIGGIES
I recall walking along a Texas creek many years ago with my brother-in-law Ed and his 3 year-old son David. David had been collecting smooth, round stones from the stream while we walked. He called them “piggies”, because their rounded shape reminded him of little pigs.
David had stuffed a number of “piggies” in his pockets, and after running out of pockets he began carrying them in his arms. After a while he began to stagger under the load and lag behind. It was obvious he would never make it back to the house without help, so Ed said, “Here, David, let me carry your piggies.”
Reluctance clouded David’s face for a moment, and then it lit up. “I know,” he said. “You carry me and I’ll carry my piggies.”
I’ve often thought of that incident and my own childish insistence that I must carry my own load. Jes.. offers to take all of my burdens but I resist out of stubbornness and pride. “You carry me,” I say, “but I’ll carry my ‘piggies.’”
How foolish is it to try to carry all your burdens on your own when Jes.. asks you to “cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Pet.. 5:7).
Have you put all your “piggies” in Jes..’ strong arms today?
It helped me to get one or two things in perspective. Maybe it will help you too.
PIGGIES
I recall walking along a Texas creek many years ago with my brother-in-law Ed and his 3 year-old son David. David had been collecting smooth, round stones from the stream while we walked. He called them “piggies”, because their rounded shape reminded him of little pigs.
David had stuffed a number of “piggies” in his pockets, and after running out of pockets he began carrying them in his arms. After a while he began to stagger under the load and lag behind. It was obvious he would never make it back to the house without help, so Ed said, “Here, David, let me carry your piggies.”
Reluctance clouded David’s face for a moment, and then it lit up. “I know,” he said. “You carry me and I’ll carry my piggies.”
I’ve often thought of that incident and my own childish insistence that I must carry my own load. Jes.. offers to take all of my burdens but I resist out of stubbornness and pride. “You carry me,” I say, “but I’ll carry my ‘piggies.’”
How foolish is it to try to carry all your burdens on your own when Jes.. asks you to “cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Pet.. 5:7).
Have you put all your “piggies” in Jes..’ strong arms today?
The "T" files....
So here I am, finalising preparations for the March short term team before heading off to Hong Kong on Sunday. Karen Norman and I are co-leading this team, and we're both looking forward to meeting everyone when they get to the YMCA next week.
The last couple of weeks have been a bit crazy - getting back from China - thinking I had plenty of time to sort the last minute details out, then coming down with some kind of flu. A couple of kind "friends" suggested I had bird flu - so I am checking daily for signs of an emerging beak. Don't be surprised if I start to quack.
I can't wait to get back to Heng Yang again, and the team are all raring to go. From comments people have made, there seems to be a real desire to serve the children and staff. This makes me smile. From experience, I know that through their service, the team will be blessed too.
We'll be in China for Easter, which will be a new experience for most of us. I am packing "special" supplies for Easter day, and I'm sure we'll have a good time or worship, fellowship and fun together.
I always have a sense of excitement and expectation before a team begins - I'm looking forward to seeing what God is going to accomplish this time.
So, if you have a moment, spare a thought and a prayer for us. I'll let you all know how we get on.
The last couple of weeks have been a bit crazy - getting back from China - thinking I had plenty of time to sort the last minute details out, then coming down with some kind of flu. A couple of kind "friends" suggested I had bird flu - so I am checking daily for signs of an emerging beak. Don't be surprised if I start to quack.
I can't wait to get back to Heng Yang again, and the team are all raring to go. From comments people have made, there seems to be a real desire to serve the children and staff. This makes me smile. From experience, I know that through their service, the team will be blessed too.
We'll be in China for Easter, which will be a new experience for most of us. I am packing "special" supplies for Easter day, and I'm sure we'll have a good time or worship, fellowship and fun together.
I always have a sense of excitement and expectation before a team begins - I'm looking forward to seeing what God is going to accomplish this time.
So, if you have a moment, spare a thought and a prayer for us. I'll let you all know how we get on.
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
A month goes by...
It is amazing how time can fly so quickly. A month has passed since I last wrote on ICC's blog. Apologies to those of you who have checked for new updates and have seem the same old information.
I just got back from a month long ministry trip to Asia. I am sure that in the future we will look back and realise just how significant it was!
ICC's work continues to move forward on many different fronts - let me share with you some of what has been happening:
1. We have been connecting with a couple of mature believers who have shown interest in the currently vacant China Operations Director's position. Whilst nothing is set at this point, it is encouraging to know that there are believers out there who are searching for the right ministry fit, and who are willing to consider serving China's abandoned and orphaned children. Please pray that God will raise up the right person.
2. ICC's National Office Coordinators met in Changsha for a week of meetings. It was a wonderful time of reconnecting with each other. In seven countries there are ICC Coordinators that work hard to raise the profile of ICC, and to connect the church with the work we are doing in China.
During the week of meetings the ICC Coordinators were able to visit ICC's projects, meet our Chinese and overseas staff, as well as travel to Heng Yang - our new project location. It was an amazing time of encouragement, and each of the Coordinators went home with a renewed vision for the future, and plans for how to serve China's children better.
3. My time was primarily focused on working through some management restructuring of ICC's work in Changsha. You are aware of all the changes that have happened in the work of ICC over the last year. Oasis House and Hope House are now gone, and all our children are living in new community-based care situations - either group homes, foster care or our new residential unit (Hope House Community).
These changes have meant that ICC's management has had to change. We had come to a crossroads and needed some input. With the expertise and support of Alex Smith (A Canadian-based South African business consultant) we were able to take a look at our management systems and begin to move towards a system that will truly enable us to care for our kids in improved ways.
It was exciting to see both our Chinese and overseas staff getting excited about how we can manage our work in the future.
4. We had a wonderful oppportunity to meet with the leadership of the Civil Affairs Bureau in Heng Yang and the Directors of Heng Yang Welfare Center. This is the government department that overseas all social welfare work. The Director of the Civil Affairs - Director Ou extended an invitation for ICC to plant a full time team in his city. This is truly an open door for which we are thankful.
In the coming weeks ICC will finalize a proposal for our work in Heng Yang and put this before the board of ICC. Please pray for us as we discern God's will for these children.
All in all it was an excellent trip, that although full, has given a new sense of excitement and energy to our Chinese staff, overseas staff, and National Office Coordinators.
Thanks for your prayers - I believe that this new time of excitement is built upon that firm foundation you give to us.
In closing, next week ICC's Executive Leadership Team will meet to look at how we should continue to move ICC's work forward. Please pray that we would see clearly all that the Lord is putting before us.
God Bless and keep on watching this space!
I just got back from a month long ministry trip to Asia. I am sure that in the future we will look back and realise just how significant it was!
ICC's work continues to move forward on many different fronts - let me share with you some of what has been happening:
1. We have been connecting with a couple of mature believers who have shown interest in the currently vacant China Operations Director's position. Whilst nothing is set at this point, it is encouraging to know that there are believers out there who are searching for the right ministry fit, and who are willing to consider serving China's abandoned and orphaned children. Please pray that God will raise up the right person.
2. ICC's National Office Coordinators met in Changsha for a week of meetings. It was a wonderful time of reconnecting with each other. In seven countries there are ICC Coordinators that work hard to raise the profile of ICC, and to connect the church with the work we are doing in China.
During the week of meetings the ICC Coordinators were able to visit ICC's projects, meet our Chinese and overseas staff, as well as travel to Heng Yang - our new project location. It was an amazing time of encouragement, and each of the Coordinators went home with a renewed vision for the future, and plans for how to serve China's children better.
3. My time was primarily focused on working through some management restructuring of ICC's work in Changsha. You are aware of all the changes that have happened in the work of ICC over the last year. Oasis House and Hope House are now gone, and all our children are living in new community-based care situations - either group homes, foster care or our new residential unit (Hope House Community).
These changes have meant that ICC's management has had to change. We had come to a crossroads and needed some input. With the expertise and support of Alex Smith (A Canadian-based South African business consultant) we were able to take a look at our management systems and begin to move towards a system that will truly enable us to care for our kids in improved ways.
It was exciting to see both our Chinese and overseas staff getting excited about how we can manage our work in the future.
4. We had a wonderful oppportunity to meet with the leadership of the Civil Affairs Bureau in Heng Yang and the Directors of Heng Yang Welfare Center. This is the government department that overseas all social welfare work. The Director of the Civil Affairs - Director Ou extended an invitation for ICC to plant a full time team in his city. This is truly an open door for which we are thankful.
In the coming weeks ICC will finalize a proposal for our work in Heng Yang and put this before the board of ICC. Please pray for us as we discern God's will for these children.
All in all it was an excellent trip, that although full, has given a new sense of excitement and energy to our Chinese staff, overseas staff, and National Office Coordinators.
Thanks for your prayers - I believe that this new time of excitement is built upon that firm foundation you give to us.
In closing, next week ICC's Executive Leadership Team will meet to look at how we should continue to move ICC's work forward. Please pray that we would see clearly all that the Lord is putting before us.
God Bless and keep on watching this space!
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