Life Cycles
Oct 31
I finally got my wish. For several years now I have been wanting to see salmon swimming upstream in our nearby Credit River. Early this month my visiting granddaughter, Bella, and I walked to the bridge and lo and behold, we spied over a dozen, two-to-three-foot long, grey fish parading up the river below the surface of the water.
Do you know much about the life cycle of salmon? Three differing species – Chinook (mature in 3-7 years and die after spawning; Atlantic (smaller, return to their home after spawning, not many around); and Coho (stocked from British Columbia) – leave their Lake Ontario home when temperatures cool in the fall and push their way up against the current of the Credit River. Females will lay eggs in gravel nests along the way that are fertilized by the males. After their spawning run some will stop eating and have no energy to keep going. A couple of weeks after seeing live fish Gary and I spotted several dead ones on the riverbank. Offspring will swim downstream in the spring to Lake Ontario. This complete salmon cycle reminds me once again how God’s nature is extremely awesome to look at and study about!
Hillside continues to remain in its infancy stage; maturity appears to be a long way off. Please pray for patience, wisdom and connections for Scott Lockhart, Gary and me, as we consider how to move forward. Scott and Gary had an interesting conversation last week with a restaurant server who enjoyed hearing about God and his love for her. She promised to come out to church this past Sunday, but so often is the case, many have told us they would show up and don’t. However, a gentleman who attended our church a couple of years ago is now showing up again. Go figure. Scott still hasn’t been able to buy a vehicle, although he is following up on a couple of good leads.
We recently received a ministry report from Thomas in Myanmar. Earlier this year we raised enough funds for him to finish his orphanage building and take in 8 orphans. These children who never knew about God, now know about him and are growing in their education and spiritual lives. Thomas comments, “… our happiness tears are flowing.” Sadly, they have run into some difficulties, such as 32 of their piglets died two months ago and the flowers that they grow to sell were spoiled. Still, they keep plugging along and are now planting vegetables that he believes will easily sell at the market. Please pray for replacement of lost income and protection in this very corrupt society.
Here is another more recent disturbing email report: “Our country situation is worse than before at every place, especially, there is great fighting at Shan State, wore then other states. People defence force and others armed groups are trying to attack Military and police camps. At this moment they have taken 57 camp and control four town at Shan State. It has been three days the road was closed by people defence force and others armed groups which is 20 miles far from Pyin Oo Lwin. And the bridge that connects to Muse city is also totally damage. But we heard that the situation of our city Pyin Oo Lwin is also insecurity (unpeaceful). The airport which never landed flight is now landing nonstop. We heard the sound of airplane landing at the night. People who have more money are storing foods, there may be no longer rice bags to buy. We need the protection of God, please remember us to pray for the peace of Myanmar.”
As Gary and I near the end of our life cycles together, God definitely has blessed us over and over again. In our wedding bands 55 years ago, we had the Bible reference Psalm 127:1 engraved in them, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” In that same chapter, verse 5 promises, “Blessed is the man whose quiver is full …” We now have 8 children and 12 grandchildren as our immediate offspring with more being added in the years to come with grandchildren marriages. From infancy to old age, God has led both of us all the way because we have been determined to follow him.
May God bless you too in whatever stage of life you find yourself particularly in this ever-increasing sad world!
Wendy