Nancy’s Kitchen

I’m not talking about having a scripture always on our tongue, though always in our mind is good.

I’m not talking about Bible Studies on office time, though Bible study is good.

I’m talking about bringing the Kingdom of God into the marketplace in all our thoughts, words, and doings. Not religious talk. Not “Christianese.” Many of us need to learn a new language… doing away with all the typical jargon of the church. We also need to do away with any “superior” or “know-it-all” attitudes we may have picked up. Psalm 139:23-24 should be our constant prayer and underpinning: “Search me, O God,and know my heart, Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.” We cannot be the image of Christ to the world if we are offending them by our attitudes.

The business world, the marketplace, the everyday world, is where Jesus lived. He lived where we live. He ministered where He was, whether in the religious meetings or at the restaurant (think “woman at the well”), walking down the street, or at a dinner party. It didn’t matter. Jesus was Jesus, never changing, always constant in love and truth. Sure, He had some strong words for some people, but He “only spoke what He heard the Father speak”… He did not launch into a self-righteous tirade - ever.

In his letter to the Ephesian church, Paul says it well: “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-2)

Whether a business-owner, an employee, or a customer, business-as-usual can certainly be business-as ministry. This is Richard’s heart’s desire as a business-owner. He is constantly in a “place of ministry” as he represents Christ to his employees, his consultants, and his clients. Please keep him in prayer. Thank you.

Richard & I recently visited our friend and brother, Carlos Jiménez and his wife, Lissette, and their four children (Carla, Nehemias, Benjamin, & Juan Carlos). We had a lovely week-end with them. One evening, Lissette made the most wonderful warm punch! Here is the recipe, but of course you have to add a large measure of Love to make it really taste just right!!

In a large pot, covered with water, cook:

3 apples, cut in half

2 pieces of ginger root, cut in half length-wise

5 or 6 sticks of cinnamon

Cook until apples are soft but still together, and cinnamon sticks are unwinding.

Pour liquid into warm mugs. Squeeze 1/2 a lime into each mug, and sweeten to taste… about 1 large tablespoon of honey. Stir well and serve steamy-hot.

Mmmmmmm…… Thanks, Lissette!

As I lay awake last night, around 3 a.m., I thought, “What is going on with my body clock?!” I don’t seem to have “synchronized” back into the Eastern Daylight Time Zone. Oh, yes. Soon I will have another opportunity… Daylight Savings Time ends on the 29th. Yea???

I must remember to use these awake times for prayer - quiet, alone-time with Jesus. After all, everyone else is asleep, but God never slumbers nor sleeps.

Today is “Gotcha Day” Celebration for Adelina Joy Ivy, our granddaughter. It was on this day one year ago that Jodi and Steve received their new daughter by adoption. What a precious young lady God has blessed our family with!

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Sunday before we left for South Africa, some of the people at church had a sense of Richard doing some digging, and something to do with a reservoir. Mahyeno Tributary Mamelodi, the name of the organization we worked with, means “Springs” and “branch”. Mamelodi is the name of the township where it is located. I felt that we were “digging open the springs of Mamelodi”, located in the mountains, accessing the “Reservoir of Living Water” that the Lord has provided. Then the Springs will be released to flow down over the township extension where the squatter shacks are located.

Just before we left South Africa, Mahyeno’s leadership team and some of the children went up on the mountain to pray. We remembered to take a shovel along to act out this word in the Spirit. God is at work. Here are some photos.

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“Let the Little Ones come to me, and hinder them not.” — Jesus

Here is Richard, setting up a chess tournament for some of our recently met family members. These young men and women are competing with other schools, and are doing very well indeed!

Here are “Brother Martin and Mother Terry”, our new friends. They truly made us feel welcomed and loved. Thank you, Martin! Thank you, Terry! We miss you already!!

Here are two of “our kids” at Youth Night, a regular Friday night function for the children in the neighborhood around the church building. The two you see up front here are Fikile and Lungile, two precious young women who are part of the Mahyeno family.

Time to go… the “bus” is ready to take the kids home! We had a great time of games and supper and worship and a Bible lesson. Richard got to share and also fielded some interesting questions!

I need hearing aids. I want hearing aids. I’m so tired of not being able to hear what people are saying clearly. My hearing is not “all that bad”. But I can’t hear the “soft consonants” like th, and f, and v. If you say the word “birthday” out of context and not in my line-of-sight (if I can’t see your mouth), then I haven’t got a clue as to what you just said! “Say again?” has become a regular part of my vocabulary, along with “what did you say?” and “Did you say…?” Richard is getting almost as tired of my wrong guesses as I am!!!

I still have some decisions to make, but I am really looking forward to hearing you clearly again!!

What an amazing two weeks we have just experienced! I will soon post some photos and write more.

These are two precious Gypsy children selling souvenier tops to the tourists in Istanbul. I find myself really wanting to give them full price because I have seen the Gypsy “camps” (walled ghettos) in person. I pray as I look at their picture, “Lord, set Your People free! Bless Your Children!”

One young man asked me this, and I said, “Yes, I will.” So here you are. I’m sorry I don’t remember your name, but I remember your face! Blessings to you both, in the Name of Isus, our Redeemer.