To all....

There are blue skies ahead for a happy new year: no ifs, ands, or butts! We all looked like these cartoon kids at one time. So take your cute dimples and celebrate your new rear and remember it's never too late to have a happy childhood.

http://www.lillyarts.com/

The Pastors' Farewell

Today most of the pastors who are members of the Pastors Fellowship gathered with their wives for a potluck social. It provided an opportunity to bid me farewell, and I responded with the following:

The Pastors of PG

This group of PG pastors made me welcome from the start.
Each let me say just what I thought, each opened up his heart.
They thought that I was different, which I must admit is true.
At home I am the same, you know – just different to you.

When Pastor Salas took the reins, I wasn’t sure at first.
The one who wants to lead can sometimes be the very worst.
But he really is a leader, and he guides us to our goals.
He has a pastor’s heart and so he cares about our souls.

We come from different backgrounds but we share the Father’s love.
When disagreement haunts our way we cast our eyes above.
There’s Nazarene and Baptists and an Anglican from far
Pentecostals too, and more – I don’t know what they are!

We’re pastors all, though John and Dennis aren’t so very sure.
“We’re teacher and we’re nurse,” they say, “at least we were before.”
But now we’ve joined the pastors so I guess that’s where we’re at.
And I would say you’re pastors too, no arguing with that.

When I return to Canada I’ll take you all along.
You see, my love for you is very, very, very, strong.
I’ll miss you all and know that you’ll remember me a while,
And hope that when you think of me you’ll do it with a smile.

Amen

Hope your Christmas was great

I decided to wait until after Christmas to show you the version of me that my congregation has had to look at for the last couple of weeks. This picture was taken about 10 days ago and thankfully the bandages have been getting slightly smaller after each daily dressing change at the hospital. By the time I get back home there may not even be a band-aid.

“What happened?” you ask, just like everyone else who has seen me lately. Well, I’m not sure, but guess it might have been a spider bite or fly bite that became infected. When I mention a fly bite people suggest a doctor fly. Doctor fly? I can’t find any reference to such a beast even on the Internet except in reference to fly-fishing or “if you are really sick and have to fly have the doctor fly with you”. Any other suggestions anyone?

I spent a great Christmas Day with a couple of fellow expat pastors and their families, one from Scotland-Australia-USA and the other from South Carolina. They live about 7 miles out in the country, a veritable paradise of peace compared to downtown PG. Here Christmas Eve was the day for setting off firecrackers until well after midnight, and Christmas evening there was a Garifuna party across the road with drums and singers as well as canned music. I have got so used to the noise I wonder whether I’ll miss it in a couple of weeks!

And he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace....

(Picture: http://jsmagic.net)

Santa's here!

Yes, Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived in P.G. tonight, having passed through Canada and the United States on their pre-Christmas run from the North Pole. The local politicians were out in force and there were the mandatory opening prayer and singing of the National Anthem. Next the switch was pulled and the town Christmas tree shone in all its glory. Finally a siren was heard in the distance… “They’re coming! Santa and Mrs. Clause, by fire truck!” The park was crowded with children and adults. I think the children had received a ticket at school for a gift from Santa. All went well and it didn’t rain.

St. Joseph’s Church is now Christmas decorated. There really isn’t enough room for a Christmas tree, a Jesse tree and an Advent wreath, but there they are, and it’s just once a year! On Sunday we are having our Service of Lessons and Carols.

In the garden

Witness to my one minuscule success at Belizean gardening. Some of you will know my fascination with sunflowers. When I was at St. Monica’s Church in east end Toronto we had a couple of Annual Sunflower Services. Perhaps I’ll try my hand at a sunflower garden when I get back home. Others of you can try orchids or bonsai - I know my limitations!

I did plant some tomato seeds in a cardboard box and got them to about 3 inches. Then I put them in the garden and not one. survived. We marked them with sticks and I think the crabs and chickens just followed the markers and ate the delicacies

O yes, I did plant the top of a pineapple and it seems to be doing quite well. However, it takes a couple of years before there is a new pineapple so that will remain for someone else to harvest.

Have any other seeds, of the spiritual kind, been planted? It’s hard to tell. But we trust so, and that God himself will give the increase.