Pollo… a friend among friends
A child is born
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace… The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this>” Isaiah 9: 6-7
This little one, carried on the back of her sister, was attending the dedication of the Ki-Tharaka Bible. It was a precious moment for her people - in many ways, the birth of the Word in their community - in the year 2019!
Hope looms large for all of us in the human family. We look for it everywhere… often in the faces of children; perhaps most poignantly during the Christmas season. As I reflect on 2019, I realize how much I’ve enjoyed meeting children all over the world. Lots of faces, families, and communities to consider. All of them with their own stories. All of them with their hopes and dreams.
Davis (in the center), and I visited the Samburu community in June of 2019. The Scriptures were completed and dedicated in their community this year. Just imagine what this will mean to these precious children.
For me, the thought of a child, a son, the Christ-child, has been heart-expanding. In it is all the realization of promise, faithfulness, and fulfillment. Majesty and Wonder come to mind. God’s promise, and promises, are trustworthy. The most powerful demonstration is Jesus - the uncontested and overwhelming pinnacle of the human spirit, of divine life, redemption, and forgiveness — and all this wrapped up in the reality of a promised child.
This beautiful, young girl was selling flowers on a street corner in Guatemala. We later discovered that she is the daughter of one of our Bible translation team members… this just made her smile even sweeter.
I’ve been learning to look for Jesus in the face of others. Mother Teresa encouraged us along this line as we develop a contemplative spirit. She described it this way, “Seeking the face of God in everything, everyone, all the time, and his hand in every happening; This is what it means to be contemplative in the heart of the world. Seeing and adoring the presence of Jesus, especially in the lowly appearance of bread, and in the distressing disguise of the poor.”
These rambunctious Aztec boys live, work, and play in the mountains of Mexico, near Zacatlan. I met them while visiting the Bible translation team in their community… and enjoyed local tamales and coffee too :)
I love this focus - I’m working on getting in tune with this - seeing the Lord in others. It’s a growing pursuit. Sometimes I connect the dots quicker when I see children. That’s part of what draws me back to the beauty of a child, a promised son who was given.
This traditional youth choir, from Indonesia, opened the gathering that I served this year in Jakarta. The children sang and danced, sharing Scripture songs with traditional stringed instruments - joyfully celebrating God’s Word.
A child shall lead them. I hope my heart and eyes continue opening to the face of Christ in others. Blessings to you in this holy season. Merry Christmas - may it be full of wonder, majesty, and grace.
Praying Through
Over the last few months I’ve been surrounded by people generally much younger than me! Most are students or staff in one of the many University of the Nations’ courses here in Kona. A common thread is a deepening desire to know the Lord, to help others know him… and to sense God’s calling in life. I’m moved to see the focus on worship, prayer, mission, and Scripture. Even more so to see people seeking to “pray through” in their lives toward a closer walk with God, his character, and his purposes. It’s inspiring. This reflection touches the University’s enthusiastic prayer life… especially in their regular worship settings.
Often, during heartfelt worship songs, students break into small groups and pray for one another. They share a huge variety of personal, family, ministry, and academic concerns. Most want to follow the Lord with a sense of purpose and passion. They lean into prayer.
Prayer flows out of worship as they sing. Worship leaders often spend an hour or more with songs and brief messages for the hundreds of students. There is an incredible level of participation, of “entering into” the focus of the songs. Some of the lyrics are familiar for those of my generation - many newer songs written by the talented leaders are like new wine in new wineskins. Many focus on the beauty of God and the joy of sharing Good News among all the nations.
Seniors encourage and pray for the next generation one on one. Most of these senior leaders have been in a similar place. They listen with understanding, pray with a sense of purpose, and encourage with warm smiles and hugs. Those in the next generation soak it up.
And, wonderfully, the next generation prays for their seniors. This is not unusual. It’s not isolated. Prayer seems to naturally, or “super-naturally,” flow across generational lines. There is a familial sense, a powerful sense, of divine presence shared among friends, peers, family.
Connections begin with individuals looking up in their faith. Christ-centered lyrics and reflection draw them close to God. Then they consider one another and the needs of the world around them. Barriers to “nearness” are intentionally moved to the sidelines. Drawing close to God through worship and prayer is valued, prioritized.
The end result looks like care, understanding, concern, encouragement, love. Obviously, there’s a ton of “messy humanity” in this mass of students. But it feels like “family" being shaped by shared values and love. The Scripture admonishes us to return to our first love. Entering into this “space” with the YWAM family here encourages me to ponder these things….
Pearl Harbor
Vicki and I spent our 43rd anniversary visiting, and remembering, the incredible events that changed our world forever at Pearl Harbor. The banner above is the Memorial for the Arizona. Below are a few pictures from the visit… there are many more in the photo section of the site… (just click on the smaller memorial photo to get there immediately). Our anniversary occurred during Thanksgiving week… we were reminded how very much we have to be thankful for, and the incredible sacrifices made for all of us.
Visiting the Arizona memorial required a brief boat ride. All visitors had to remain seated at all times, with an atmosphere of reverence. Navy Sailors in Dress Whites crewed the boat. There was no doubt we were visiting a sacred place, a place that should not be forgotten.
Reverent boat ride to the Arizona Memorial
Inside the Arizona Memorial, on the far wall in a quiet area, all the names from the lost crew of the Arizona are permanently etched. Each crew member unknowingly made their ultimate sacrifice in the flash of an immediate and monumental explosion as an airborne Japanese armor piercing torpedo slashed the hull entering into, and exploding, one of the largest seaborne gun turrets ever made, with all its ordinance. It was an earthshaking explosion that brought instantaneous death to all on board. This, along with the entire “infamy” of the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, led President Eisenhower to declare war with the empire of Japan and began the United States’ direct engagement in WWII.
The solemn list of those who died on the Arizona
The young lady in the next pic, perhaps 8 years old, and her brother, a year or so older, laid flowers below the names of the fallen in memory of their lives and sacrifice. It was a precious moment. They did this quietly, not paying attention to the mingling visitors, and obviously not trying to attract attention to themselves. I wish I had been quicker with my camera. When they finished, the young boy stood tall, respectfully faced the names of the fallen, and as solemn as you can imagine for a 9 or 10 year old boy, saluted…
Flowers of respect and gratitude
I’ve been privileged to visit many “Never Forget” sites of the world. The Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C., the Slave Castles of West Africa, and the Apartheid Museum in South Africa to name a few. These places are tremendous reminders, and reflections, of the human condition. I grew up as a military kid knowing that our global human family needs help - that we all live best free - and that freedom comes at a cost. The visit to the Arizona Memorial stirred up the same feelings of need, of brokenness, and ultimately of hope.
From the deck of the U.S.S. Bowfin
Next, we visited the U.S.S. Bowfin - the WWII diesel submarine chosen to represent the dozens of lost submarines, and thousands of submariners, who fought for the free world. Vicki’s father, who died a few years after we were married, served as a Marine in WWII in support of Navy efforts in the Pacific. Like many soldiers, he never spoke much about what he experienced there. But he rejoiced with the nation as the crisis came to an end. We’ve always been grateful for Vicki’s dad, and the family members of so many that have served in the confusing and challenging times of war.
The U.S.S. Bowfin
Submarines. Intrepid, silent warriors of the sea. The U.S.S. Bowfin is also moored in memorial. This is close to home. My father served in the Navy for 37 years - most of those years in the nuclear submarine force during the height of the Cold War. He eventually served as Captain of three different submarines: the USS Polk, Lafayette, and the Finback, leading 14 deterrent missions. Dad was also Captain of the L.Y. Spear, a sub-tender. He served in high level strategic positions following these commands. I am so grateful and proud of him for his service. His first submarine duty, prior to his nuclear service, was on board a Bowfin-class diesel. Born in August of 1930, Dad is now approaching 90, with a rich and honorable career history of influence and care.
“Mighty MO”
The Battleship Missouri - The last site of our Pearl Harbor visit. She is impressive beyond words - getting ready to celebrate 75 years service spanning from WWII, to the Gulf War, to her current service as a national memorial. The Missouri survived Pearl Harbor and was instrumental during the course of the ensuing years’ conflict. The Japanese forces surrendered after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in early August, 1945. The surrender occurred on September 2, 1945 in Tokyo Bay on board this very ship, the Mighty Mo. General MacArthur led the brief procession and signing of the documents. In his speech he said “… it is for us, both victors and vanquished, to rise to that higher dignity which alone benefits the sacred purposes we are about to serve.”
Golden Lace and “The Crack”
Don’t you love the way huge beauty can be placed into the tiniest of packages!
Golden Lace - tiny signet jewels adorning hidden spaces in the depths surrounding Hawaiian islands
This charmer is a Golden Lace Nudibranch (pronounced New-D-Brank), one of many colorful aquatic species often simply called “nudis.” Incredible, isn’t she - or he! Actually, you can take your pick of gender because nudis are hermaphroditic, having both sets of “equipment” in each specimen.
This one was just about an inch long, if that. Notice the delicate, even whimsical gold embroidery running through her translucent body — amazing. It looks like an artist gently produced this with the finest strokes of gold paint, or the smallest twists of gold thread. And, of course, that’s an apparent reason for its name.
This artful rendition of a miniature crown serves as the oxygen converter for the Golden Lace.
And check out the crown-like, or tree-like apparatus on topside. These are the functional gills of this particular nudi. Surprising and beautiful.
Interestingly, nudis are - in vulgar terms - sea slugs! They are of the mollusk genre - like a shellfish that never grows up to inherit its shell. Amazing to see so much “finery” in something with such a humble family line.
Rhinophores look a bit like the fuzzy “antlers” or “antennae” on moths. These humble probes are their navigation instruments for the depths.
Getting a little closer, you can see the “antennae” on the “front” side. These are technically called rhinophores. They resemble the fuzzy antennae of moths. Nudis don’t really “see” their surroundings. Rather, they sense them through the rhino-organs… that’s how they experience their aquatic environment.
These creatures were just discovered in the early 1980s… and they occur only around the Hawaiian islands. I took the photo off the coast of Kauai. Vicki and I were at about 40-50 feet down under, enjoying a “wall-dive” dubbed “The Crack.” It’s called The Crack because, geologically, it is the torn part of the ocean floor that exists in the 18 mile expanse between two islands (Kauai and Niihau). Apparently they were once the single island of Kauai, but during some distant volcanic activity they separated into two islands.
A couple genuinely ancient, four-flippered, friends wishing us well as we dove near The Crack. These two are certainly over 100 years old each… they’ve navigated The Crack for decades.
The gaping sub-surface structure that remains, covered with corals and teeming with sea life, looks like a jagged wall into the unseeable and non-survivable depths. This wall-dive, The Crack, is amazing. And there were other “little nudis” around on that dive… full of wonder, majesty, and even a bit of cartoonish style.
Some of our two-legged friends navigating the exit during our dives off the Kauai shoreline
I think that’s the way God made us. We eventually return to humble ashes and dust. In the meantime, God has given us whimsical and astonishing creations to enjoy. Even these tiniest reflections of his majesty can help us look around, possibly even inside, and exclaim “Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14)
Grateful for creation!
If you’re interested, here’s a link to a brief article about Golden Lace Nudis from another underwater enthusiast:
https://therightblue.blogspot.com/2008/09/hawaiis-gold-lace-nudibranch.html
And Wikipedia has a nice write up on the Nudibranch species as a whole:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nudibranch.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nudibranch
New Song
Why the dolphins? Well… joy and new songs come in many forms! Some from ministry (below) and some from the “stuff” God shares along the way. So, this is one of the perks of being in Kona for our short-term ministry assignment — weekends… diving… from the shore… beautiful. This family inspired me with their own song!
Vicki and I are “toughing it out” on a short-term assignment in Kona, Hawaii this fall. The goal is to help build meaningful collaboration between Seed Company and our friends in Youth With A Mission (YWAM), an international ministry wired quite differently than Seed Company. Both are well-established ministries - and we really like each other!
We were about 65 feet below the surface… waited quietly… they just came and danced for us. I literally had tears in my mask as they seemed to be sent just to greet us… just to make our hearts smile… thank you Lord!
YWAM focuses on youth. They are known for passion, enthusiasm, and a “go anywhere, do anything” spirit. YWAM-ers tend to have a short-term view of mission activity. They seem to prioritize “what’s happening now.” Imagine a lot of dancing and singing in their journey and service!
Seed Company, on the other hand, invests deeply in long term outcomes of Bible translation. We design and implement projects with great attention to detail. Very different approaches to ministry! But we have an important, common thread in our shared DNA - both organizations deeply value the Scriptures. Both ministries want God’s Word to be available to all peoples, in all languages.
YWAM, left, surfing the waves of opportunity and ministry, dancing joyfully together, shooting for the moon! Seed Company, right, accelerating Bible translation approaches and partnerships, grounded in mission, managing projects for quality results. Both ministries learning to run together, like at a picnic 3-legged sack race, to see Scripture available for all. By God’s grace, we’re building something unique aimed at Kingdom results… It’s a new song for many of us… and it’s fantastic to be right in the middle!
Increasingly, YWAM wants to be meaningfully involved in Bible translation activities. They have a vision to End Bible Poverty Now. Seed Company’s vision is to see Scriptures being translated in every language group that need them by 2025. You can see the potential for synergy and collaboration. I get to work right in the middle of all this passion and purpose… building a “third space” where we can serve together.
Ron and Judy. Long-time servants. Bible lovers and teachers. First Bible translators in YWAM… incredible privilege to team together at this stage in life to encourage the next generation.
And, good news for all of us, this isn’t entirely new to YWAM. The couple in the photo (Ron and Judy Smith) have been with YWAM since the 1970s. They pioneered YWAM’s 9-month long School of Biblical Studies in 1981. They are deeply invested in the value of Scripture, and seeing it become available for all the language groups of the world. In fact, Ron facilitated YWAM’s first Bible translation project in the late 1980s… a forerunner of our current collaboration.
Jesse, right, the next generation, leading the School of Biblical Studies at the University of the Nations in Kona… passionate for the Scriptures and the Lord of the Scriptures… committed to see the Word come alive among the nations… humble servant leader.
You can see that Ron and Judy - and me - might not fit chronologically in the midst of a youth movement… but God is doing a new thing… using folks like us, in teamwork, through our passions and experience, to call some of the next generation, like Jesse (above) and his colleagues to Bible translation involvement. It’s amazing. I find myself breathing the air of this “new song” almost every day!
Psalm 98:1 “Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things!”
Cowabunga!
Who doesn’t love sea turtles! This beautiful creature was nestled inside a velvety hole in a vertical wall - about 60 feet beneath the surface. She wasn’t content where she was. Slowly, she nudged herself out of the seclusion of that snug little resting place, did a 180 degree about face, looked at the expanse of the sea and spread those lovely “wings” taking off into the blue… gracefully, peacefully gliding into open space. I felt an imagined shared yearning for freedom, for newness, for flying - not drifting - into open places. It was a moment…. and these turtles, well, they are simply majestic creatures under almost any circumstances! As you may have heard before, “Cowabunga Dude!”
(I took this photo diving in Bunaken, August 2019, during a brief “get-away” breather, after a week-long service trip in Jakarta, Indonesia.)
Celebrate!
How often do we contemplate the power of Scripture? When does that lead to celebration in our own lives, in our families, our churches, our communities? Are we sometimes numb to Scripture? Is it possible that, as the old adage says, “familiarity breeds contempt” - or perhaps we have such great access that we just take Scripture for granted. Maybe a glimpse of others’ joy around receiving the Word can refresh our perspective.
Traditional celebrations anticipating the arrival of the Ki-Tharaka Bible
In June of 2019 the Tharaka community of Kenya celebrated the completion of the entire Bible. The New Testament had been completed about a decade earlier. Since that time, the team labored tirelessly to complete the Old Testament. The work was done. The whole Bible was available for the first time in history among the Tharaka in their own language. It was grounds for dedication, and celebration. It was electric.
Travel by foot in the Ki-Tharaka community - not the exception, the rule
The event was situated a mile and a half outside the city limits. Getting there required travel down a long, dusty, unpaved set of roads. The team told us this was intentional, to ensure that only those really interested would show up. If you were there, it was on purpose.
Over 3,000 attended, many walking miles or riding bicycles to participate in the seven hour gathering. Guests included church leaders and congregants, members of the translation team, local and national government officials - even the Deputy President of Kenya flew in with his military and Secret Service escort. It was a distinctly Kenyan event with only one expatriate speaker and scarcely a dozen expatriate visitors.
The traditional lead “cheerleader”
The joy was unmistakable - the celebration vibrant from all sectors of the community. One of the platform speakers noted that less than 10% of the language groups in the world have the whole Bible in their mother-tongue. This thought, along with the blessing and responsibility of it, reverberated through most of the speakers. A solemn and joyful celebration.
Scriptures wrapped as a present from above - to the community at large
I was inspired from the very beginning when the local Salvation Army marching band led the procession a mile and a half down that dusty road, to the joyful church and cultural celebrations, to the time when the Scriptures were dedicated to the Lord and given to the community. You’ll note that the first box of Bibles was wrapped like a Christmas present… the Scriptures were received by the community as a gift from God. Celebration was the theme as people rushed to receive their own copy…
Visit the photo section to see more pics of the event…