A New Website

Thanks for stopping in ... I have launched a new website that has a section for a blog as well. You can now visit me at: Caring For Those Who Care

Leave a comment on my website, let me know what you think! Thanks for joining me here. Hope to see you return often!

Au Revoir, Alberta

Ode to the Volcanic Ash

Twice my flight plans have changed due to the recent volcanic ash disruption coming from Iceland. The first time, I was still at home outside of Geneva. The 2nd time I was in Liverpool and was told it would be 3 days until I could get a flight back to Geneva. This type of 'change' often sets people off in their stress levels, emotions, etc. I decided from the get go that I would not let it stress me, but instead look at each situation it affected me as a gift. The first time, I enjoyed a free weekend of 'extra unexpected' time. The second time, I took advantage of being in the UK and quickly boarded a train and headed to my old 'stomping grounds' in the Newcastle-Upon-Tyne area. Being there brought back so many memories, and the 'Ode' below was one of several outcomes of my time there. Hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it...

Ode to the Volcanic Ash

Though I cannot see you, I am forced to stop and see

The things I need to remember

The things I need to forget

Seems a lifetime ago

Keeping the good; Letting go of the bad; Recognizing how a place helped shape me

Though I cannot taste you, I can ‘taste and see that the Lord is good’

For it is He that has guided my ship

He’s guided my comings and goings

Though I cannot hear you, I hear the sounds of the bird perched outside my window all alone and out on a ledge

Perhaps once afraid to fly

But now flown and experienced the possibilities of life

Though I cannot feel you, I am once again getting to feel the ocean breeze against my face and sense that you are with me

And although I cannot smell you; my breathe is taking in the very essence of your timing

An answer to someone’s prayer

A time out for refreshment

Though you may have disconnected me from world

I am forced to stop and realize that I am integrated into His world.

And for this, I thank you.

~ Alberta Wray ~

Tanzania

I am here in Tanzania for 10 days visiting some very dear friends who are doing an amazing work here. I can't post pics because of the internet system, but will do it when I get back to France. I have experienced some amazing moments. The one most poignant at this point has been going with a woman who heads up a ministry for homeless children. We went to the dump early last Saturday morning. I was amazing to see so many small children there, and mothers with babies. We sang a few songs, told a story, then handed out bread and rice. To see these children, absolutely filthy, flies everywhere, holding a bunch of clean white bread in their hands, eating as if there were no tomorrow, my heart just broke. Then I remembered something I had written in my bible several years back. 'Lord, break my heart for what breaks yours'. I couldn't help but think ... if this breaks my heart, it surely must break God's!

Thank God for people like Andrea who have dedicated their life to making the world just a bit better for these homeless children in Tanzania. After leaving the dump, we then went to the market where a group of homeless boys try to earn a bit of money. There, we did essentially the same thing. We all gathered around a big acacia tree, sang a few songs, told a story, then treated them to chai and chapati.

We then went to where Andrea is restoring an old building for education, and a place for the children to eat, sleep and shower. She has a long way to go, but it's coming along. She took us to one room that is occupied by four homeless boys. They all share one bed (probably between the ages of 8-13). (heart breaking!), but also grateful for people like Andrea.

Also went to the village of Nytuka where my friends whom I'm visiting are doing some water projects. LOVED these village people - so friendly even though my Swahili is minimal. They LOVED having their picture taken (so they could see it in my screen). It was fun to be with them, but I couldn't help but see what a simplistic life they lead. That's not always a bad thing. There's nothing encumbering. Their life consists of what they will eat that day, dealing with their cows and goats if they own any, picking corn if they are harvesting some. The sun goes down, and there are no lights to turn out. Some of them walk several kilometers carrying containers which they will fill with water and walk the several kilometers back to their brick huts.

I am so privileged and blessed. May I never take a clean glass of water for granted!!

Is Your Umbilical Cord Attached?

I recently read an article about a woman in Virginia who gave birth to a baby, then proceeded to suffocate it and the courts could not press charges because the baby's umbilical cord was still attached. Yes, the story is a sick one, and a 'not so pretty one'.

However, it did get me to thinking about the purpose of an umbilical cord and the attachment to its life source. I recently thanked my sister, Dianna, for being 'my umbilical' cord to my family. She wasn't too sure about me saying that! :) But the reality is she keeps me connected - in news about the family, emails, skype, packages, taking care of my personal business in the states. She keeps me connected, informed, and helps me 'see' what is happening in my family even when I can't be there physically.

I am so thankful that Jesus is my 'umbilical cord' to God, the Father. He is my life source, my blood line, my strength that keeps me going day to day, even on days when I just want to give up!

In the story mentioned above (about the mother in VA), I realized that for that baby, that umbilical cord also represented a death sentence. Because of its attachment, that mother still had her 'state-given' rights over that baby, and the consequences of it was death.

In a society where independence is put on a pedestal, it is a concept that is so contrary to scripture. In a society where we often hear the statement 'I don't need anyone', I would beg to differ that we were created to not be alone. Why is it that we as a society have bought into so many lies. Interesting that John 10:10 says that there is one out there who has come to steal, kill and destroy ... and he's doing it every day, in the lives of non-believers and Christ-followers alike. We have allowed ourselves to believe in those lies and it tells in our everyday choices.

I, for one, am not willing to cut my umbilical cord. Just as I need my sister and my family in my life (especially living thousands of miles from them), even more so do I recognize my need for Jesus who gives me life more abundantly than I could ever have if I were 'independent' and not recognizing my need for Him. Are you an independent sort of person or to whom is your 'umbilical cord' attached? Is there something that is pouring life into you because of your attachment or is sucking the life out of you causing a slow death? It's a new year. Perhaps it's time to analyze to what or whom are you attached?