Listening To Parables With Grandpa
New Heaven and Earth
Auntie Winnie retells the events of the end times as revealed by God through visions to the Apostle John in Revelation.
John sees the new heaven and earth containing the new Jerusalem– a glittering city with every precious stone reflecting the Light. The open gates are of pearl, the foundations are named for each of the Lord’s apostles, and the streets are of transparent gold. Nothing impure is there and there is no crying. Those whose names are found in the book of life dwell there and God is its light. The river of life flowing from the throne has the tree of life on its banks bearing fruit every month. Jesus tells us to look for His coming, to be ready, and to remain faithful.
Punishment for the Dragon
Auntie Winnie retells the events of the end times as revealed by God through visions to the Apostle John in Revelation.
An angel from Heaven binds Satan with chains and casts him into the bottomless pit where he is locked up for 1000 years. Jesus, with the 144 thousand and his redeemed rule the world in justice and peace for 1000 years giving the land rest. At the end of that time Satan will be released and he will gather a great army of all who still reject Jesus. They surround Jerusalem but God destroys them all with fire and Satan is cast into the lake of fire. All the dead are raised to be judged at the great white throne and cast into the lake of fire if their names are not found in the Book of Life.
Judgement of Babylon and the Joyful Wedding Feast
Auntie Winnie retells the events of the end times as revealed by God through visions to the Apostle John in Revelation.
Babylon and all the wicked people of the world are judged and they mourn at the destruction of the city. There is rejoicing in heaven and all those invited to the wedding are told to come. The rider on the white horse, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, with heaven’s army defeats the beast, his prophets, and all the kings of the earth. They are bound and cast alive into the lake of fire which burns forever.
Parties and Plagues
Auntie Winnie retells the events of the end times as revealed by God through visions to the Apostle John in Revelation.
In Heaven there is great rejoicing as the 144 thousand praise God and worship the lamb. A great angel announced the Gospel to every tribe and nation telling all that this is their last chance to fear God before God’s judgement. Jesus uses his sickle to bring in all his people and another angel cuts down all the wicked people for God’s judgement. Heaven rejoices and praises God while angels take the bowls of God’s wrath to pour on the earth.
The New Mother and the Dragon
Auntie Winnie retells the events of the end times as revealed by God through visions to the Apostle John in Revelation.
Tells of the new Mother and the Dragon relating how Satan seeks to destroy God’s plan. We can trust God’s plan for us and believe in Jesus who lives again, finishing God’s work on earth. Satan is cast out of heaven forever by Michael and his angels, but for 3 and ½ years the terrible beasts rule the earth and kill those who refuse to take his mark with the dragon’s power.
The Angel with the Little Scroll and the Two Witnesses
Auntie Winnie retells the events of the end times as revealed by God through visions to the Apostle John in Revelation.
Judgements are uttered by a mighty angel as crashing thunder but are not revealed. But the voice said the last trumpet would announce the end. That God’s waiting would be up, and he would judge the world just like he told the prophets. The two witnesses who prophecy for 3 ½ years, are killed by the beast from the bottomless pit, but they live again. The seventh trumpet sounds and God reigns over all and judges the earth. We are to trust God and always be ready for his return.
The Seals and the Trumpets
Auntie Winnie retells the events of the end times as revealed by God through visions to the Apostle John in Revelation.
All is still as four angels hold back the wind. 144 thousand Jews are marked with God’ seal, 12,000 from each tribe. His victorious servants, who remained faithful to him through the great persecution praised Him for the salvation He provided. The seventh seal is broken and the first six trumpets sound bringing terrible judgements on the earth. In spite of the judgements and torment men still do not repent.
God’s Throne and the Lamb of God in Heaven
Auntie Winnie retells the events of the end times as revealed by God through visions to the Apostle John in Revelation.
The vision is of the throne of God in heaven where all come to worship and praise Him. The Lamb is found worthy to open the scroll of God’s judgement on the earth. God is in control of everything that happens. The opening of the seals pronounce judgements on the earth. As the sixth seal is broken all mankind cries out in fear of God’s coming great day of wrath.
Jesus Judges Seven Churches
Auntie Winnie retells the events of the end times as revealed by God through visions to the Apostle John in Revelation.
Young Mark wants his grandpa, Hal Abojie John, to remind him again of the visions he had seen because he wants to obey what Jesus said. The stories are told by Grandpa John to young Mark including some conversation between the two of them. They settle down on a rainy afternoon for him to relate the visions he has seen. He starts with the messages to the churches.
THE VERY FIRST EASTER – CHAPTER FOUR: BEST NEWS OF ALL
The rooster relates what he sees from his hiding place after he sees that Jesus is alive. He is no longer afraid and wants everybody to know. He hears Peter and John talking. Now they understand and leave with the other disciples for Galilee. The rooster goes back to his city and crows some more!
THE VERY FIRST EASTER – CHAPTER THREE: ONE SCARED ROOSTER
The rooster follows the soldiers and Jewish leaders as they take Jesus to different places in the city. Jesus is whipped and laughed at. The leaders stir up the crowd and they demand Jesus be crucified like the worst of criminals. When Jesus dies, darkness and an earthquake comes in the middle of the day. The scared rooster hides among some rocks. Since Jesus was dead he would never crow again.
THE VERY FIRST EASTER – CHAPTER TWO: THE ROOSTER CROWS TWICE
On the last night of Passover week all is not quiet in Jerusalem. The rooster goes out to a place where he looks for olives to eat and finds the disciples sleeping and Jesus praying. He wakes up when loud soldiers grab Jesus and all the disciples, even Peter, run away. Peter is afraid and denies Jesus three times. The rooster crows desperately, twice.
THE VERY FIRST EASTER – CHAPTER ONE: JESUS RIDES A DONKEY
The rooster relates that the whole city of Jerusalem welcomes a man who rides in on a donkey. He hears about what has happened and discovers the perfume that had been used before hand for Jesus burial. The rooster is not afraid, even when Jesus makes a lot of noise throwing the moneychangers out of the temple and makes the religious leaders mad at Him. Jesus says He will be crucified, but Peter says he will never let it happen. The rooster thinks Peter is brave like he is. Then they have the Passover lamb
WHO CAN FORGIVE SINS ?
Jesus teaches the huge crowd that followed him to his place by the lake and crowded into his home. Sammy heard Him teaching about more than only the law like the religious leaders taught. He also saw men taking the tiles off the roof to let their paralyzed friend down in front of Jesus. Jesus first forgave his sins and then healed him.
TRAVELING PREACHER
The children and Mary and are distressed because they can’t find Jesus. So many people are following Him that He could no longer preach freely, even in His hometown of Nazareth. Jesus had walked away through a hostile mob that wanted to throw Him off a cliff before he came to Capernaum to call his disciples. Mary followed them on a donkey so she could join the traveling party with Jesus.
JESUS HEALS A LEPER
The huge catch of fish was sold and the fishermen followed Jesus as he traveled to other villages. The crowds grew as they went and Jesus healed their sick, even the leper with his terrible highly contagious disease, who had followed a long way off from the crowd. Jesus wanted to heal him, touched him, and healed him too. The leper worshiped Jesus and went to tell the priests.
OODLES OF FISHES
Jesus didn’t teach like the religious leaders and used parables. He taught in parables that the Kingdom of God was not like the temple laws. When Peter’s nets filled with fish, he realizes that Jesus is God. He recognizes his sinful condition and unworthiness to be a follower of Jesus. Jesus tells him that he will now catch men.
HEALING AN OLD LADY
Jesus takes Sammy home with him after healing people all day in the city of Capernaum. Jesus explains to him that His power comes from God. The next day Jesus got up very early to pray while people kept coming from the neighboring towns wanting to be healed. Jesus heals them all and says he needs to go to many more towns. Sammy goes to help his dad with fishing.
WHERE JESUS GETS HIS POWER
Jesus takes Sammy home with him after healing people all day in the city of Capernaum. Jesus explains to him that His power comes from God. The next day Jesus got up very early to pray while people kept coming from the neighboring towns wanting to be healed. Jesus heals them all and says he needs to go to many more towns. Sammy goes to help his dad with fishing.
JESUS COMES TO CAPERNAUM
It is the Sabbath when no one was allowed to work, but Sammy also picked some grain to eat when everybody walked past a farmer’s field. He was traveling back home with Jesus to help care for his crippled sister, Miriam. One of the critical Pharisees accused Jesus of breaking God’s law when His followers plucked and ate grain. Jesus reminded them that David’s men ate sacred bread and God did not punish them. God made the Sabbath for men and Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath.
HANGING OUT WITH SINNERS
It is the Sabbath when no one was allowed to work, but Sammy also picked some grain to eat when everybody walked past a farmer’s field. He was traveling back home with Jesus to help care for his crippled sister, Miriam. One of the critical Pharisees accused Jesus of breaking God’s law when His followers plucked and ate grain. Jesus reminded them that David’s men ate sacred bread and God did not punish them. God made the Sabbath for men and Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath.
WHAT IS WORK
It is the Sabbath when no one was allowed to work, but Sammy also picked some grain to eat when everybody walked past a farmer’s field. He was traveling back home with Jesus to help care for his crippled sister, Miriam. One of the critical Pharisees accused Jesus of breaking God’s law when His followers plucked and ate grain. Jesus reminded them that David’s men ate sacred bread and God did not punish them. God made the Sabbath for men and Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath.
JESUS DISCIPLES
Simon tells his friends that there are so many people coming to Jesus to be healed that they go up into the mountains. Jesus chooses the twelve disciples who will help him heal people and He teaches them about His Kingdom of Heaven. Miriam, who is unable to walk, has heard of His healing and is looking forward to Jesus’ promised visit. She sings a song she made about Jesus healing the sick.
KINGDOM KIDS STORIES
Simon is Sammy and Miriam’s friend who writes a letter to share the stories he heard Jesus tell about his Kingdom. The rich man whose riches were lost, the blind men both falling in a ditch, and the girl with a large chip of wood in her eye trying to remove a speck of sawdust from her friend’s eye were all stories teaching about God. Our treasure should be in Heaven and a blind man can’t keep his blind friend from falling into a ditch!
THE PROPHET WITH AN ATTITUDE
When Jonah finds his prophecy unfulfilled he feels useless, a failure as a prophet. He sorrows over the loss of his shade when the vine that grew up so quickly withers and dies. He can’t understand how God could be so merciful and love all those wicked people. He thought it all turned out wrong because the wicked weren’t immediately destroyed. God showed him it turned out right because they repented!
JONAH’S CRUSADE
In the huge city of Nineveh Jonah warns them that because of their great wickedness and violence God will destroy their city. He rather enjoyed pronouncing God’s judgment against them, but they humbled themselves before God and repented with prayer and fasting and the wearing of sackcloth. When the forty days were up, Jonah was outside the city on a hill waiting to witness the prophesied destruction. He is disappointed when God, because of their repentance, in his great mercy forgives the men of Nineveh.
JONAH IN THE FISH, HIDING FROM GOD
After Jonah had been thrown into the sea and was sinking in the seaweed, he was sucked into a dark void where he found he could breathe fishy smelling air. He concluded that he was alive and praised God, praying for three days and nights. The fish vomited him out on the shore of the sea and God told him again to go to Nineveh to preach God’s message to that city.
JONAH DISOBEYS, GOING THE WRONG WAY
Jonah tells his own story about when he ran away from God, taking a ship to Tarshish rather going to Nineveh as God had told him. God sent a storm to halt the on the ship. Jonah’s disobedience is found to be the reason for the storm and Jonah asks to be thrown into the sea.
CROSSING THE RED SEA
When Moses stretches his rod out over the Red Sea, God’s wind provides a way through the sea between walls of water on either side! The cloud of fire provides them light all night and the darkness between them and Pharaoh’s army is lifted when they are all safely across. Moses stretches his rod out again and the army attempting to follow is all drowned. Miriam sings a song of praise to Give Glory to God!
TRAPPED
Aaron’ son, Lazer and his Egyptian friend, Nadab, are among the two million people who just left Egypt The boys meet friends who have lots of questions about God and why they are traveling this direction. When they stop for the night on the shore of the sea, they are told that Pharaoh and his army are coming. They are trapped against the Red Sea by Pharaoh’s pursuing army. Moses assured them that God would fight for His people.
THE GREAT ESCAPE
Moses expected to be summoned to Pharaoh the night all the firstborn in Egypt were killed. He found a broken totally humbled Pharaoh who ordered them to depart with all they owned, loading them with riches beyond measure, telling them to depart immediately. Over two million people marched out of Egypt singing of God’s greatness. They carried Joseph’s bones with them as they began their long journey back to the promised land they had left 430 years earlier.
THE FIRST PASSOVER
The Passover and preparations to leave Egypt are related as they took place in Aaron’s household. Nadab’s Egyptian friend, Ali, and his family are also there as they accept the protection of the blood from the Passover lamb that has been placed around the top of the doors. The Angel of Death passes over everyone who had obeyed Moses’s instructions and is under the blood but there is a great wailing heard in Egypt.
I GIVE UP
In total darkness Lazer and Nadab warn their Egyptian friend that God is about to kill all the firstborn in the land. They want him to come to join the Israelites, assuring him that their God will help anyone who calls on Him. In dark despair, Pharaoh finally calls Moses and Aaron and says that he will allow them to go but not to take their animals. Moses warns of the death of all the firstborn, then returns to make preparations for the first Passover and the imminent departure of the Israelites from Egypt.
PLANS IN THE DARK
Moses delivers God’s message to Pharaoh, “How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go to serve me. If you refuse to let them go, tomorrow I will send a plague of locusts like the world has never seen to cover the whole of Egypt. They will eat up every green thing that the hail has left you. They will fill your house and your people’s houses and you will not see the ground they will be so thick.” When God shows mercy on the Egyptian People He removes every locust, but Pharaoh becomes even more stubborn.
THE LOCUST INVASION
Moses delivers God’s message to Pharaoh, “How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go to serve me. If you refuse to let them go, tomorrow I will send a plague of locusts like the world has never seen to cover the whole of Egypt. They will eat up every green thing that the hail has left you. They will fill your house and your people’s houses and you will not see the ground they will be so thick.” When God shows mercy on the Egyptian People He removes every locust, but Pharaoh becomes even more stubborn.
FIRE AND HAIL
The story is told by two donkeys that are used to carry Moses and Aaron to warn Pharaoh of the terrible storm of thunder, fire and hail that will come to destroy everything that is left outside in Egypt. Pharaoh refuses to listen even though his country is being destroyed. He stubbornly refuses to let God’s people go to worship him. God is displaying His power and greatness. The whole world will know what the God of the Israelites did to mighty Pharaoh and his gods.
BILLIONS OF BOILS
Nadab relates the story when Pharaoh takes his chariot out to Goshen to see what happened there when the animals in Egypt all died. He meets Moses who says, “Are you going to let the Israelite people go? Did you notice that God spared his children’s flocks so none of our animals died?” Pharaoh is furious. He refuses. His Hebrew slaves are burning the carcasses from the last plague and Moses throws ashes into the air causing boils erupt on Pharaoh and in all of Egypt.
CRAZY COWS
Lazer and his brother Nadab both hear that all the animals in the fields of Egypt will be destroyed if Pharaoh does not change his mind. Nadab thinks of his Egyptian friend Ali and his favorite horse. Maybe he would believe God and bring his horse inside to save him. Even the Egyptians want Pharaoh to let the Israelites go but he cares for none but himself. Moses instructs the Israelites to begin making preparations to leave Egypt.
NO FLIES ON ME
The next time Moses and Aaron talk with Pharaoh they tell him that the next plague will not affect the whole country. God’s people would not suffer. Lazer found out about the plague of the flies when he visited his brother Nadab who took care of the horses at the palace. Nadab was sent to ask Moses to remove the flies and they could sacrifice to God at home. Moses said they would not compromise God’s instructions.
PLAGUE AFTER PLAGUE
The stinking heaps of dead frogs angered Pharaoh and he did not let the people go serve their God but became even more stubborn. God had Aaron strike the ground and Gnats flew up to infest and torment man and beasts. The magicians are unable to mimic what God had done and acknowledged His power, while Pharaoh wants to get help from his priests and the sun god. He refuses to humble himself at all.
THE FAMOUS FROG FESTIVAL
The goddess of fertility and resurrection the Egyptians called “Hekt” had a frog spirit and frogs were revered by the people. When Aaron stretched out his rod over the Nile, frogs came up and covered the land entering even the king’s palace and kitchen where the old father of the frogs adds details. Though his magicians brought up frogs too, Pharaoh realized that only God could remove them and promised to let the people go.
A STUBBORN KING
Aaron’s son, Eleazar, sees how angry Pharaoh becomes at his dad and Moses when the Nile is turned to blood. His magicians do something similar and Moses calls Pharaoh a stubborn man. He explains to his nephew, whom they call Lazer, that someone who is stubborn never admits that he is wrong, or does things any way but his own way. He just does things his own way and doesn’t listen.
WORSE TROUBLE-MORE WORK
Moses shows the signs God gave him to the Israelite slaves, yet when he goes to Pharaoh, his request to let the people go is rejected. Pharaoh becomes angry and increases the work load on his slaves. He scoffs at the sign of the rod becoming a snake when his magicians duplicate the sign. But the magician’s snakes are devoured by Moses’ snake showing the Egyptian’s snake god is powerless.
THE TALKING BUSH
When God called Moses from the burning bush Moses wanted God to send someone else because he felt he couldn’t do what God was telling him to do. God gave him special signs so the people would believe that God sent him. He also told Moses he would tell him what to say. Moses still objected and God told him that his Brother Aaron could help him and Moses would tell him what to say.
RUNAWAY MOSES
The Egyptian princes gives Jochebed, Moses’ mother, the responsibility to raise him until she later takes him back to care for him as her own son. Moses learns about God and his people before being trained at the palace what a future Pharaoh needs to know to rule Egypt. He becomes afraid after he murders a cruel overseer beating an Israelite slave.
MOSES BECOMES A PRINCE
The Egyptian princes gives Jochebed, Moses’ mother, the responsibility to raise him until she later takes him back to care for him as her own son. Moses learns about God and his people before being trained at the palace what a future Pharaoh needs to know to rule Egypt. He becomes afraid after he murders a cruel overseer beating an Israelite slave.
MOSES IS RECUED FROM THE NILE
The new pharaoh, who did not know Joseph, feared that the multiplying Israelites might rebel and so forced them to become slaves, but still they thrived. He then wanted all the male babies killed by the midwives but they feared God. The law to throw the boys in the Nile also failed to kill Moses when his daughter rescued him.
JOSEPH’S FAMILY, COMES TO EGYPT
When Joseph sees all his brothers, including Benjamin, come again to Egypt for grain he tests them once more. They are reconciled when the whole truth is confessed and Joseph reveals himself to them. Joseph joyfully receives the news from home and brings the 70-person family and all they have to settle in the best part of the land.
BENJAMIN GOES TO EGYPT
Joseph had held his brother Simeon in jail and forbidden his brothers to return without bringing his younger brother, Benjamin, to prove they weren’t spies. Jacob recognizes the need to buy more grain, sends twice the money, with special gifts to the great man in Egypt. Judah guarantees the safety of his youngest son.
JOSEPH’S CHILDHOOD DREAMS COME TRUE
The seven years of famine followed the seven good years as God had revealed in pharaoh’s dreams, and the famine became widespread. Joseph’s childhood dreams also come true when his brothers bow to him after they were sent by Jacob to buy food in Egypt. Joseph is interested to discover if they are sorry for what they did to him and if they truly love their father and his younger brother Benjamin.
JOSEPH THE PRIME MINISTER IN EGYPT
Pharaoh dreamed about skinny cows and fat cows, good full ears of corn and stunted corn. No one could tell him what his dreams meant. Joseph was remembered by the butler. God gave Joseph the meaning of the dreams, offering advice to Pharaoh. As a result, Joseph was appointed to be the Prime Minister, because the spirit of God was in him, and he ruled all of Egypt.
JOSEPH A PRISONER IN EGYPT
The consequences of the brother’s hateful actions against Joseph could not be reversed and Jacob felt he only had Benjamin left. God blessed Joseph in Egypt, but when he when accused of abusing his wife, Potiphar had him put in prison. God did not abandon him, and soon he was responsible for all the prisoner’s care. God revealed the meaning of two of the prisoner’s dreams, but they forgot their promise to Joseph.
JOSEPH, THE SLAVE IN EGYPT
When the caravan arrives in Egypt his owners sell Joseph to Potiphar, the captain of pharaoh’s guard. He is treated well. God blesses him and soon he is given responsibility over all that belongs to his owner. Meantime his brothers give Joseph’s bloody coat to Jacob and lead him to believe that a wild animal has killed Joseph. He refuses to be consoled.
JOSEPH THE VICTIM OF HIS BROTHER’S JEALOUSY
Joseph’s jealous brothers tear off his colorful robe and throw him into a pit rather than killing him as they had first planned. A Caravan of traders headed to Egypt presents the opportunity to sell him as a slave so he will never bother them again.
JOSEPH IS JACOB’S FAVORITE SON
Joseph, as Jacob’s most loved son, is favored by his father who gives him a very special coat. His brothers come to hate him, especially when he shares his dreams of them bowing down to him. When they see him coming to check on them to bring a report back to their father, they plot to kill him.
THE STOLEN BLESSING
Rebecca overhears Isaac making arrangements with Esau to give him God’s special blessings, first promised to Abraham. Rebecca wants her favorite son to receive the blessing so schemes to make it happen. She and Jacob trick old Isaac to give the blessing to Jacob instead, making Esau angry enough to kill his brother.
PROMISES EXCHANGED FOR PORRIDGE
God told Isaac and Rebecca that the older twin would serve the younger one, which was something contrary to the customs in that land. Their parents had favorites. Esau exchanged his birthright for porridge supplied by Jacob, the trickster. The Bible states that God loved Jacob and hated Esau, who saw no value in God’s promises.
HOPING FOR A DRINK AND FINDING A WIFE
Auntie Winnie uses the camel to finish the story of the successful mission to bring back a wife for Isaac from among Abraham’s God fearing people. The family was glad to hear how God had blessed Abraham and she willingly left her family to take the long journey to be married to Isaac whom she had never seen.
A WIFE FOR ISAAC
When 40 year old Isaac was ready to get married his father Abraham made the plans to select a bride for him. He sent his servant with 10 loaded camels on the long journey back to his country and relatives to return with her. Isaac was not to go there but she was to leave her home and come to the land God had given to Abraham and his descendants. One of the thirsty camels tells the story.
GOD PROVIDED A LAMB
Isaac tells the story of the test Abraham faced when he was told to offer his promised son back to God. Isaac had many questions as he obeyed his father. God did provide a sacrifice that day and renewed His promise to make through the descendants of his son Isaac a numerous nation through whom all the earth would be blessed.
THE SON OF PROMISE AND SODOM
Sarah finally understands that God will still send a son of promise even though Hagar has returned and submitted to her. Sarah laughed when three men come and told Abraham that she would have a baby in nine months and that they should call him Isaac. God told Abraham that Sodom would be destroyed because of their wickedness. Abraham prayed for the city, but only a few were spared.
UNCLE ABRAM TO THE RESCUE
Abraham moved to Hebron and God promises that his descendants would be as numerous as the uncountable stars and that the world would be blessed through him. After he hears of the defeat of Sodom and the capture of his nephew, he rescues Lot, gives gifts to God, and refuses rewards. Sarah gives her slave to Abram to get a child but harmony is lost.
A NEW NATION
When God told Abraham to move and that he would become a great nation he started his journey from home with his father and his nephew but they stopped on the way. God called him again after his father died so he traveled onwards to Canaan. After a while he and his nephew, Lot, separated because they need more space. God renewed his promise to Abraham to give him many children and all the land he could see.
THE BEGINNING OF DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
When Noah’s sons and their families began to multiply they settle near each other and began to build cities. Nimrod inspired them to build a tower in on the Shinar plain that would reach to heaven. They had forgotten God and exalted themselves to become God. God saw their work and how they worked together when they all understood each other. God confused their languages and they began to fight, eventually scattering over all the earth.
LEAVING THE ARK AND SEEING THE FIRST RAINBOW
Every living thing in the ark is thinking of getting out on the land that after a year has finally dried. The birds are able to leave first. The door is opened and all the animals leave, some with new babies. Noah calls his family to the alter he built to give thanks to God for delivering them from the flood. God sends the first rainbow with His promise.
GOD SENDS THE ANIMALS TO THE ARK
God sends to the Ark pairs of every kind of bird and animal. All enter with Noah and his family, then God closes the door. Torrents of rain fall continuously for over a month until the world was completely flooded and every creature outside the ark has drowned. The rain finally stops and the boat settles on a mountaintop when the water begins to recede.
WICKED PEOPLE IN NOAH’S DAY
Noah receives plans from God to build a boat and works with his sons to build a huge waterproof vessel far from water because it will rain, something they have never heard of, and God will flood the earth. God says he will save the animals and Noah’s family. They begin work as Noah’s sons find wives. The people from town think he is crazy.
TWO BROTHERS OFFER GIFTS TO GOD
When the snake persuaded Adam and Eve to sin, God gave the punishment.
Snake, you crawl on your belly. Eve, you may want to boss your husband but I am putting him in charge of you. In pain will you will give birth to children. Adam, the ground is cursed because of you and only by hard labor will you feed your family.
God then killed an animal to provide a covering and sent them out of the garden.
HOW CAN GOD SAVE US?
When the snake persuaded Adam and Eve to sin, God gave the punishment.
Snake, you crawl on your belly. Eve, you may want to boss your husband but I am putting him in charge of you. In pain will you will give birth to children. Adam, the ground is cursed because of you and only by hard labor will you feed your family.
God then killed an animal to provide a covering and sent them out of the garden.
ADAM’S SWEETHEART
As God saw that it was not good for man to be alone so he created a beautiful woman for him. He told them that they were to be one unit. Among the many created animals was one that tempted the beautiful woman so they both disobeyed God, eating the fruit God had told them not to eat. The monkeys were horrified!
Adam and Eve ran away from God and hid themselves.
GOD SAW THAT IT WAS GOOD
Auntie Winnie, my sister, tells Bible Stories to Kids which were broadcast in South Africa and this is the first one of the Beginnings. The newly created animal with a long tail discovers all kinds of animals but can’t find any just like himself. When he discovers a beautiful brown one with big eyes he decides to call her “Honey”. She thinks he is perfect and names him “Sweetheart”. They decide to keep their own special names even after Adam names them monkeys. God saw that it was good. But God saw that it was not good for man to be alone so he created a beautiful woman for him. Among the many created animals is one that was used to tempt the beautiful woman who tempted man and both disobeyed God. Adam and Eve are both judged by God, and so is the snake. God provides a covering.
SENSLESS SAVING
Virtual currency exists in many countries and there are more and more stores who don’t even want to handle cash. They would rather have touchless payment. Saving up the world’s treasures to live a long life of pleasure, when only God knows the future, is foolish.
COVID COMPLIANCE
Compliance is an interesting word implying a conflict of wills. In the DRC the motivation for those demanding payment, when non-compliance was discovered, was Nouveau Zaires. Who pays the COVID Compliance officers in this country and sets the fines? Is enforcement of compliance motivated by protecting people?
NO MORE HAY NEEDED
Making early hay is always a challenge, but it is more difficult when the bale launcher shears a pin, the knotter fails and rain is threatening. Dropping the heavy bales on the ground to hand load into the wagon might work for young men, but it had to be done. The horse watched our efforts. I decided I had made enough hay.
MY HORSE QUITS WORKING
Life on the farm can be idealized, especially by a visiting sister who loves to tell stories. The old retired farmer was finding it harder and harder to keep his equipment running to make hay for his young beautiful horse. Zack had no idea grandpa was retired. He simply lived with no work and no responsibilities. He expected someone else to care for him.
MY NEW HORSE GETS OLD
My young horse didn’t really get old but the joy of owning him faded. He refused to submit to any authority, not even the one who worked with him until he gave the signal of submission. I read the book, Horses for Dummies, but had to conclude that I was the dummy and the horse had his way, not interested in doing anything for me.
MY NEW HORSE
When I bought my horse from a woman who rescues unwanted horses, it could be called bait and switch. I signed an agreement with the seller that made me wonder if he really did belong to me. Zack turned out to belong to no one except himself, and didn’t fulfil my expectations, but he did willingly follow a little one who loved him.
CHICKS IN THE MAIL
One learns a lot about life in the effort to care for a variety of animals on a small farm. The income from the farm is unlikely to cover the expenses but life in the country and meeting the daily challenges bring real value to living life in harmony with God’s creation. Life and death are part of the daily experience.
ARE PETS SOMETIMES A PAIN?
Kittens grow into cats that reproduce exponentially and then what can be done? Some grow into the perfect pampered pet, others may be a pain. How does one get rid of an unwanted pet? The value of animal life has been so elevated that their care is of more concern than what happens to unborn babies. A loved pet finds her way to a new home.
THE ARABIAN HORSE
The grandkids love to come to the farm, especially to grandma’s big kitchen. My desire to have the perfect horse didn’t work out as I had planned. Of course the grandchildren expected to have grandpa give them rides on his horse. Zack was a beautiful horse, but had ideas of his own as to why he existed and who could tell him what to do.
WHEN ARE THE FARM ANIMALS PETS?
Doesn’t a real farmer have to make a living from the animals he cares for? Great-grandpa Lawrence said, “Around here it is produce… or else.” A farmer builds a relationship with the creatures he works with every day to the point where they could be called pets on his Hobby Farm. He searches for the one that is lost.
GUINEA FOWL ARE FOR FOOD
What do we do with the dominion we have been given over God’s creation? The Zande, the sportsman, and the two farmers each treated guinea fowl differently. Our different perspectives determined what we did and each man’s actions may be viewed very differently by those who aren’t quite sure what a guinea fowl even looks like!
GUINEA FOWL ARE IN THE PEANUTS
When hunting guinea fowl with Mboligihe in Africa, I made a bargain with God and then had to keep it! Starting before the sun rose, walking for hours, and checking every peanut garden we had all but given up. We would never find them in the blistering heat! God answered then and has even now given me some guinea fowl to enjoy on the farm.
WHERE ARE THE CHOOKS?
Building an incubator to hatch Rhode Island Red chicks at Rethy proved to be quite a challenge. As the one who thought himself a skilled craftsman and an intelligent science teacher, I scored zero against the little hen from Zandeland who hatched 100% of her eggs. God designed the hen and I failed with my intelligent design. Chickens evolved? NEVER!
CHICKENS IN CHARGE
Any farm will have chickens around somewhere and the first chickens I cared for in Africa were descendants of the little red jungle fowl given to Ellen by the Zandes. That small colorful bird had no idea that birds four times his size were of any threat to him. I think the Banties I now have on Grandpa’s farm have inherited the same attitude.
CHAI, THE THIRSTY COW
Learning about farming with my father in law was quite different from caring for my own animals. My calves grew up demanding ever more to drink as I did everything I could to satisfy their thirst. When the spring on the hill stopped flowing and the stream became became a trickle we turned to an old well in the marsh. Then freezing weather came.
DEBRIEFING AND DENIAL
We certainly weren’t in control of events when we were asked to evacuate Congo the second time. We didn’t even fully understand the reasons behind the decision. We were absolutely certain, however, that God had not lost control, even though we had no idea what was next for us. We missed our group debriefing and went swimming instead.
DROUGHT, LOCUSTS, AND PESTILENCE
We are simultaneously faced with three events: drought, locusts and COVID-19. Why? A disease far more deadly than the Corona Virus originated in the garden of Eden. It has a 100% death rate and is inherited from the first man. God communicates with His people in these days too, and offers a way to heal the land.
VACATION TIME AT HOME
To enjoy a time away from Rethy at the Koda river falls, like we did every vacation, we needed to avoid Kabila’s young soldiers who were looking to commandeer vehicles. We actually enjoyed our picnic in peace. Working together at the RTK studio building site offered lots of very special times and challenges. It was a good vacation.
CHANGES WITH JEFF AT HOME
With Jeff home from boarding school for a month we were privileged to have two old motorcycles, a box of tools, and a pick-up truck to use. Teaching my son how to repair the bikes and drive the truck was easier than getting a driver’s license or a learner’s permit for him. He was three years too young but the arbitrary authorities helped solve the problem with a white rag.
WHEN IS THE JOB COMPLETED?
While we were preparing places for other returning missionaries, and working on the possibility of once again offering a school for missionary children the country was becoming less and less settled. Unrest between tribes was intensifying and the government authorities were focused on collecting taxes. What was to happen to the unfinished projects?
WE WERE TOLD TO LEAVE
Just a few months after some of our family came for a visit we received instructions from the church authorities that we were to evacuate once again. We were unaware of the deadly tribal conflict that had started in the Blukwa area and that there were concerns that it was spreading. To be the advocate for missionaries, trying to evacuate without passports, was amazing.
RETIRED ON THE FARM
On our first furlough I had a farm job and lived in a trailer behind the main farmhouse with my small family. I eventually bought part of the family farm including the other old farmhouse where we are now retired. I have come to enjoy caring for the animals we have accumulated, many teaching us very basic lessons about our relationship with God
BUBONIC PLAGUE IN ZAIRE
A disease far more deadly than the virus that is now shutting down our activities threatened us in Zaire many years ago. Those contracting the pneumonic plague, without treatment faced a 100% death rate, yet employees happily showed up for work. It was easy to get around the barriers. We had more than a Posy in our pocket.
BOUNDARIES ARE BROKEN
Ongoing news from Congo made it ever more evident that government efforts and fences cannot settle tribal differences. So much of what we do in our own strength does nothing to communicate the Love of God and what He has provided to give mankind a reason for living. The RTK radio broadcasting has been blessed of God. Only He can build His church
THE REAL REASON
Shortly after leaving Rethy we heard of undreamed atrocities as hatred spilled over between the Lendu, Hema and Alure tribes. There had been indications earlier in the struggle for control of the church. The ancient Alure story teller, Lawi, fully understood what was happening when I went to see him after the dorm cows had entered his corn garden on a moonlit night.
UKUMU, MUGASA AND JEFF
Trying to solve problems the way I thought best didn’t necessarily help reduce tribal tensions. I was an outsider even though I had lived at Rethy from my childhood. My son found adjustments to boarding school to be difficult. With workers from several tribes God blessed us as we built the radio station and erected the tower to hold the four bay antenna for RTK.
IF IT IS YOUR DAY IT IS YOUR DAY
After the rebellion, the missionary radio communications and the travel connections to Rethy didn’t exist. News of my mother’s death arrived after a delay of several days following no news for months. Traveling by bus across Uganda was uncertain, untried by us, and definitely dangerous. Uwor reassured us, “If it is your day, it is your day”
SHOPPING WITH UKUMU
To fulfill my responsibilities at Editions CECA I depended on Ukumu’s help. Purchasing paper at the Pan Paper mill in Kenya, traveling through Uganda and importing into the DRC had to be done the only way possible in Africa. We were able to account for most of the expenses. With tons of paper on hand the plan to print thousands of hymnbooks in Pazande was realistic.
YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND TRIBES
The tensions between the tribal groups at Rethy were becoming obvious when the Alur would not pay their electric bills since a Lendu was the manager of the electric company. The manager would not pay an Alur for purchases made for him. At the press I found the Alur working together and we were able to get things done.
RESPONSIBILITIES ASSIGNED
When nothing was the same after the rebellion and looting, being given the same responsibilities at Editions CECA, offered a new challenge. Working again at Rethy, but unable to fulfill the expectations of all those who had depended on missionary services, was a big adjustment to many. The radio station became my focus.
PREPARING TO GO TO RETHY
We couldn’t help but wonder what had happened at Rethy after our evacuation and the subsequent looting. Was there any hope of returning to complete the radio broadcasting station that had been started? While we prepared to return we worked on the old farmhouse and then I went to see.
THE FIRST FARM WEDDING
It wasn’t the environment or the elaborate display of wealth that made the perfect wedding. It was called a homespun garden wedding by a Cooperstown paper, The Doubleday Courier but rather it was a union made in Heaven by the God of Love. A three strand chord is not easily broken, and God was in it.
WOOD IN A COAL FURNACE
Confident that we had all the firewood we needed, we had three fires keeping us warm at Christmas time. We tried everything we could to keep us all warm, but the wood supply rapidly turned to smoke and ash. Our children hauling firewood down the hill in sleds somehow communicated that we couldn’t do it all ourselves
THE OLD FARMHOUSE
They say location, location, location is the most important thing when buying a home. Paying cash made permits, inspections, and loans unnecessary. All the work we did together to make it our home built deep family relationships that lasted. The rather extensive rebuilding and repairs were all made by the family with God given ingenuity.
THE FAMILY FARM
When evacuated from Zaire, we had a place to go, the ancient farmhouse in which we lived every time we came back for furloughs from Zaire. We first came to live in New York when Ellen’s brother shot himself in the foot and I got his farm job. All the work we did together as a family has made it a special home with lots of memories.
KWANZA AND CHRISTMAS
Kwanzaa was invented recently and somehow has become equated with a religious celebration of Christmas. It is far from that! Kwanza is a Swahili word for first. Siku ya Kwanza celebrations in Zaire was focused on Kaikpo, not on the birth of Jesus Christ.
THE SMALL STUFF
The miracle of evacuating safely all the missionaries who fled from Zaire through Rethy had to be God’s doing. The small grass airstrip at Araa handled more traffic in a few hours than it ever has, in all the rest of the time since it was created. In the tiny details, that worked out so marvelously, He cared for as well, showing His love for us and our family.
THE WELL PLANNED DAY
The need to evacuate fleeing missionaries and their children, using the Ara airstrip, was known by God before the jealous Alure chief even decided he wanted one. God no doubt prompted the ideas on what we needed to do to be prepared. He even prepared the mud hole the rebel army under Laurent Kabila couldn’t pass through, until He stopped the rain.
LIVING HERE AND THERE
The second house we lived in at Rethy was a delightful modification of the dormitory where I had lived as a child. My former dorm parent was the designer and loved building a special place for us with an upstairs. We moved two more times, to nearby apartments on Dorm Hill before we were forced to evacuate, leaving all our belongs behind.
THE LIFE IN THE HOUSE
Two very different men, Silavano and Mbikpa, had very different houses and very different values. I knew both of them, one had nothing, the other had become richer than any other man in the Rethy area. The shrewd business man amassed a vast amount of riches, yet God would call him a fool. The wise worker feared the Lord and received wisdom.
BUILDING HOUSES WITH BLACK WATTLE
Every culture, certainly those in the part of Africa where I grew up, uses materials that are locally available to build their houses. Where even nails don’t exist a long-lasting house can be built that offers shelter from the elements, a place to live, and to raise a family. The skills are passed down to the next generation. Who taught the birds how to build a nest?
BURNING ABORO
Climbing to the top of Mount Aboro was a special activity when I was a child at boarding school in the Congo. I wanted to share the same experience with the children for whom I was now responsible, as their dorm parent. The outing proved to be quite different from what I had planned, ending with a spectacular display of a mountain fire against the horizon that night.
RETURNING TO GREEN
I helped destroy a couple forests and started a forest fire while I was at Rethy, yet those were very special places to me when I was living there. Humans have an impact on the environment, sometimes considered positive, but more often seen to be destroying what can never be restored. God has given us responsibility to have dominion over what He created. He made it all green again.
WHAT HAPPENS TO WHAT WE BUILD?
For whom was the Koda hydroelectric plant built on the side of the escarpment? Is destroying a community spring in a valley marsh, in order to sink a well in the muck, a desirable service to the community? People definitely need water to live and liked it pumped up the hill to the hospital, however who needed the electricity, for what? What is built does not last unless God builds it.
HIKE TO LAKE ALBERT
Descending 5,000 feet from Rethy down to lake Albert and climbing back up in a day used all the energy we had. The potential energy of water falling down that escarpment was beyond measure and Marr Miller had seen a large falls plunging down from the plateau not far from Rethy. We had checked the falls at VP and concluded they were too small to provide electricity for us.
VP & THE WATER TANK
Exploring the site of an abandoned perfume factory in Zaire was the initial motivation to develop a 400 KVA hydroelectric plant in the highlands overlooking Lake Albert. During a ninth grade class field trip we did the feasibility study, learning more about potential and kinetic energy than can be taught in books. Boarding school activities at Rethy stimulated creativity.
TO HELP THE ONE WHO ASKS
When I was asked to help I didn’t receive specific instructions from the one I was helping. I knew exactly what needed to be done, took the initiative, and used what I had, to do the best I could. The one I was helping never showed up at the project and didn’t speak to me for a couple days. From my perspective the job was well done.
THE DISCIPLINE DILEMMA
This story includes several opportunities I had to discipline my unique boarding school children. What do you do when pet guinea pigs are used by four boys as experimental animals in the development of their hunting skills with a bow and arrow? Evaluating the pleasures of smoking geranium leaves was another situation requiring responsible adult input.
ABRAHAMU GETS OLD – PART 2
This is a continuation of the story of one who refused to retire even after the ceremony was completed. His friends had forgotten him and sent no “dollards”, no letters, no gifts. Without sugar in his tea he was even too weak to walk. He was my friend.
ABRAHAMU GETS OLD – PART 1
Abrahamu’s faithful work at the school and his ringing of the bell we will never forget. The ringing clang of Abrahamu’s iron rod on the rusty brake drum was an integral part of each school day at Rethy. He used the chant to inform us that the bell was ringing. The bell was ringing, come to school now! Come, come, come! Hurry, hurry, hurry! We needed to come immediately and not delay Actually we could fool around a little, because we weren’t really late unless we not in our seats the second time he rang the bell.
FEEDING 40 WITH NO MONEY
You think I’m kidding. I’m not. Literally, there was no valid money at Rethy and there were forty to feed at Rethy Academy back in the mid 1980s. So what did we do?
DEALING WITH DEVALUED MONEY
Money is thought to be an indicator of value but when the value of the money changes every day how can anyone tell what something will cost when he needs it? With the depreciating Zaire it was certain that the price in Zaires would increase.
COUNTERFEIT MONEY
Last week I shared the brief history of the circulation and use of a currency created by a missionary Bible school teacher at Bafuka. I called it the Z-bill because Bob Zimmerman designed and printed the purple paper money to use in that remote part of Zaire while awaiting the distribution of the new currency as ordered by Mobutu. It wasn’t really counterfeit money because the creator did not copy an existing currency for his personal profit to take advantage of an ignorant people.
CHRISTMAS AT KWANDRUMA
What is your priority during Christmas break? I doubt the local schools call the winter holiday “Christmas” any more, but the administrators probably remember when it was. Thanksgiving is becoming “Turkey Day” and holiday shopping begins as soon the marketing experts can motivate the consumer to buy, now shortly after the consumption of the turkey. Black Friday starts Thursday.
EBELI IS RETIRED – PART 2
In part 2 of the story of Ebeli’s retirement, we learn a valuable lesson of taking care of those who have faithfully served for years. Does life end at retirement?
EBELI IS RETIRED – PART 1
Retirement in Zaire isn’t even remotely like what is planned by the typical worker here in America. We retired Ebeli, following all the laws of the land, but he came back to work… I was too busy doing my own work to really notice or ask about Ebeli.
WHAT IS MONEY
Why do we work so hard for something that does not bring satisfaction, something that does not last? What will a man give in exchange for his soul?
RUNNING AWAY
Sometimes we just want to run away, and we may not even know why. Maybe the idea starts out as an adventure or a sign of rebellion, wanting to prove our independence. Why would a bunch of five year old boys want to run away from boarding school?
TOO SMALL
When I was little, I wanted to be a Titchie at Rethy Academy, a boarding school for missionary kids in the Belgian Congo. The school was at Rethy, the same place we lived when my mom and dad first went to Africa to be missionaries. My mom and dad worked at the hospital to learn more about the weird diseases that exist in Africa. Since the school was a long way away, on top of the next hill more than a mile away, I had to stay at home.