Children's Day

   June 1^st in Mozambique is Children’s Day. It’s a day where people give gifts, have parties, and celebrate the life of a child.

   Our kids have been asking for a while, when is our day.  We have Father’s Day and Mother’s Day, but what about having a Kid’s day.  So this year we decided to celebrate.  We decided to allow them to do fun things for the day that we normally limit.  So they spent the morning playing electronic games.  They ordered their favorite lunch, macaroni and cheese with hotdogs and Fanta (orange soda). Best of all, they didn’t have to have a nap/rest.  Then we headed off to English Fellowship.  There was a special surprise for my kids as there was Sunday School for them.  My kids were even kind enough to allow me to take a picture of them. J It was a fun day.

As I think about each of my children, I’m so thankful for who God has made them.  Alissa is growing up and learning to love the Lord and follow him.  Justin is quick to smile and loves playing jokes on people.  Kayla is full of personality and love to express her excitement about something with a jump and a cheer.  I’m so thankful that God has blessed us with these three precious children.

Hosanna, Hosanna

   “Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the Highest”

   These are words that we relate to Palm Sunday,  the day we remember Jesus riding in on a donkey with crowds of people shouting as He rode by.  Interesting enough Hosanna, meaning “oh save”, can only be found in this story of the Bible. We also remember the miracle of the unbroken donkey.  The donkey that had never been ridden before, yet under the control of the Master of the Universe, Jesus, was calm and performed beautifully even in an abnormal setting.  I have wondered what the owner of the donkey was thinking as he watched the whole parade, the shouting, the palm branches, and the excitement taking place.  I wonder if he was holding his breath, hoping for the best because we all know how unpredictable donkeys can be.  But under the control of Jesus, this donkey did exactly what it was suppose too.

   This last week on Palm Sunday, a couple of boys willing cut some branches that we used during our song service at the English fellowship.  

    For over 20 minutes the children, tirelessly waved the branches.  As I watched the excitement on their faces amidst the branches, my heart was touched.  Do I have that much excitement about  Jesus?  His death on the cross was enough to pay for the sins of the world but more importantly He paid the price for my sin.  He won the victory.  How excited am I?  Is the joy of Jesus overflowing my life?

   Today is Good Friday, a day when we remember the final hours of Jesus.  Normally, to me it’s a solemn day.  Yet this year, I just kept thinking “Hosanna in the Highest, Jesus has won the victory.”  In my mind, I keep seeing the kids waving their branches last Sunday.  And I rejoice because while Jesus did die, he also rose again.  He paid the price for my sins.  Hosanna.