Bald Eagles vs. Turkey Vultures

It was a warm, beautiful blue-sky day.  Gary and I were out boating on the Moose River with our son Rob, his wife Jess and granddaughter, Bella to find some bald eagles during our visit north.  All of a sudden, we spotted several large white-headed birds with dark brown bodies flying out from the evergreens in the distance. These strong creatures of God looked so majestic swooping here and there with their eight-foot wingspan. (By the way we also saw a black bear on the shoreline, called the Fire Department due to a small forest fire and later took a ride on Rob’s Seadoo!) Bald eagles must have a great reputation since they are the national bird of the U.S.  Don’t you love the verse in Isaiah 40:31 which promises, “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”?

In comparison a turkey vulture is not really a bird to be admired. One spring day Gary was standing at the end of our driveway and pointing to a large brownish-black bird sitting on the top of a hydro pole across the street.  We soon watched it launch forward into a spruce tree behind.  It was going after a smaller bird’s eggs or babies.  I don’t know how it could get through all the branches with its wingspan of six feet.  To me this attack wasn’t a pleasant sight.  Vultures are known as “roadside cleaners” for they like to eat fresh flesh off of dead animals.  The dictionary meaning for “vulture” is “a contemptible person who preys on or exploits others.”  Not a desirable description.

This month we heard from our Myanmar contact, Thomas.  We finally discovered what happened to the money we originally sent him a couple of months ago and now have been able to replace it.  He provided a super financial report for us.  He has bought his fourth sow (nine can make him self-sustainable) and sold 10 piglets at a good price from his pig farm.  Thanks for your prayers.  The country is still suffering tremendously with military leaders preying like vultures on their people.  Many pastors have died from COVID since vaccines are not readily available. 

Our Hillside Church launch date (September 26) is fast approaching.  A fourth mailing of about 600 contacts is going out this week. We are trying to keep strong like the eagles, but it would be very easy to faint since there are so many unknowns facing us.  Again, we thank you for your prayers.

Another “vulture” we are contending with is COVID which doesn’t seem to want to go away.  May your children and grandchildren remain healthy as they head off to school.  It is also hard to watch so many world-wide crises – Afghanistan, Haiti, Louisiana.  Thankfully, God’s eagle wings are there for His children.

Warmly in Him,

Wendy         

Wendy.carter@kainos.org