Something to Crow about or Not

“Come quick!” Gary yelled at me from our upstairs bedroom.  I hurried to the window to see what he was all excited about.  On the ground near our driveway was a huge black crow enjoying a hot breakfast.  He had snagged an unsuspecting Blue Jay while its mate was screeching at him on a tree branch above.  After one half of this helpless creature was gone, he managed to get the other half in his beak and fly to the peak of the roof of the house across the street.  There he cawed a few strident notes to inform the world that he had “something to crow about.” And then he flew to a nearby spruce tree where he must have had a nest, about 60 feet high up, so he could share the rest of his prey with his mate.  I have always respected crows for their intelligence but no more.  I also did not know that they can be carnivorous at times.  I guess this is the way it is in nature’s world.

This nasty activity is a perfect picture of what is happening to innocent lives in the Ukraine.  Putin is “crowing” about his success thus far in this terrible war but maiming or killing helpless citizens and destroying a nation’s infrastructure.  It is very hard to continue to watch the news reports.  Will it never end?  How can they ever rebuild this country?

Once again, I am into spring decluttering our house and outside building where Gary has his office.  My motto that I “crow” about is if an item is not wanted or not being used, get rid of it.  To help Gary in his decision-making I bring a pile of books, binders or wires into our kitchen.  Before supper in about five minutes, he automatically goes through his treasures left on the counter to see which one he wants to keep or throw away. The task doesn’t seem to be so overwhelming at that point.  Sneaky, eh! Our daughter just informed me it is called “Swedish death cleaning” – google that one and your family will love you for it. There is so much we have accumulated over the years that needs to be sorted out but nothing like the bricks and cement blocks volunteers are sorting out in the Ukraine!  I can also “crow” about the 7×7 Rubbermaid garden shed, Gary just put up at the back of our yard and now he is working on a 12×16 aluminum gazebo.  He just keeps going!

We were pleased to send more funds this month to our friend Thomas in Myanmar who is building an orphanage for homeless children.  He is also pleased with the progress of his pig farm which will help bring in income for his ministry.  He is “crowing” about the 8 sows he owns along with numerous piglets that can be sold at a good price.

Scott Lockhart is encouraged to have seen some progress in his health last week as he was able to get his scopes done on Friday instead of having to wait until June.  His doctor discovered that he has stomach problems which will be treated with antibiotics over the next two weeks.  Thank you for your prayers on his behalf! 

Our Hillside church is ever on our minds these days particularly with no new location to meet.  We want to be able to “crow” about God’s Gospel news to Milton citizens as the disciples did in Luke 9:6, “So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news …”  We have applied again to the Canada Summer Jobs programme.  Please pray that we will be approved and be able to find students to work for us in our outreach.

Gary and I are really encouraged about an older church in BC that is using our Bubble Up Church book (bubbleupchurch.xyz) as a weekly study guide.  The atmosphere of the church is gradually changing and that is really “something to crow about” along with our friends in eastern Montreal establishing a church plant there.  Both ministries could use your prayers as they work hard at reaching out to their communities.

Enjoy the spring with lovely flowers popping up all over.

Wendy   Wendy.carter@kainos.org