A to Z Blogging Challenge!

by Shelly Burke, Editor

I'm so excited to be taking part in the A to Z Blogging Challenge! I will be blogging Monday through Saturday, every week in April. Blog entries will begin with the letter of the day--today is "A", tomorrow is "B", etc.

I've chosen a Bible verse for each day; the first word, or a key word in that verse will begin with the letter of the day. I'll have a brief devotion--sometimes just a single sentence and/or question, about that verse. I pray that the devotions will "inspire, encourage and motivate you in your Christian walk."

That's also the mission of the Nebraska Family Times, the newspaper I publish every month. Elsewhere in this blog you can read more about the  About Shelly and the Nebraska Family Times , and if you'd like a FREE sample issue of the paper, e-mail your name and address to me at shelly@shellyburke.net. Yes, the Nebraska Family Times is an "old-fashioned" newspaper, delivered to your mailbox! Every month you'll read articles by local and nationally-known authors, all from a Christian point of view. You'll also read about state and local events and organizations; in April the feature article was a wrap-up of the Global Passions Ministries Team goes to Nicaragua for Fifth Mission Trip.

If you'd like to receive the A to Z posts by e-mail, sign up under the picture of the April newspaper, in the sidebar, in the "Follow by e-mail" box. During the month we'll have give-aways of devotional books and other fun items as well!

I welcome comments about the Nebraska Family Times and the entries for the A to Z Blogging Challenge! Enjoy reading and God's blessings to you!

Mission Trip to Nicaragua a Success!

“This is God’s team.”

By Shelly Burke, Editor

The Global Passion Ministries Mission Team recently returned from their fifth trip to Puerto Cabezas , Nicaragua. By all accounts it was a success—as much for the members of the team as for the patients they treated.

The team, who worked with a team of surgeons and other medical professionals from California, did approximately 50 procedures in the operating room, including about 15 surgeries to repair cleft lip and palates. Other surgeries were to remove tonsils and repair hernias.   

Tamra Boettcher, a Nurse Practioner from Columbus, NE, was on her third trip. She worked in the minor procedure room where they performed about 100 surgeries, removing moles, skin tags and other lesions and keloids (keloids are overgrown tissue at the site of scars; the people in Puerto Cabezas are prone to severe scarring from even minor injuries).  Tamra also worked in triage, determining who could be treated while the team was in Puerto Cabezas. She remembers, “This was a tough job; we had to send some people away because we just could not help them. “

 The patients ranged in age from 9 months to over 90 years old.  

Sue Tillinghast, from Lincoln, NE, was on her fifth trip to Nicaragua. She is a surgical scrub nurse and her favorite memory of this year’s trip is of a little girl, about 6 years old, named Ana. Ana had been badly burned (the people of Puerto Cabezas cook over open fires and children are frequently severely burned when they fall into these fires) and the scar tissue caused her arm and hand to contract, meaning Ana could not move them fully. Doctors had released her scars, restoring mobility to her hand and arm. Sue said, “When Ana was at the hospital she would stand and wait in the same corner. Every time I saw her she flashed that beautiful smile and we would hug. She has no idea how much that fortified me. If I was tired I felt renewed; if the amount of need overwhelmed me I was reminded of what a difference we made in her life. Her bright and hopeful face makes me believe all things are possible through Christ!”

Dean Athey, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist from Columbus, NE, was also on his fifth trip to Nicaragua. One of his blog entries says that their “rule” is not to put infants under the age of 10 months, or under the weight of 10 kilograms, under anesthesia. His entry continues, “That lasted until our first patient. She was only 7 months old and weighed just 9 kilograms but we called her Kid Too Cute, meaning she was too cute not to do surgery on.” (Read more at the blog at Global Passion Ministries )

Although the trip takes them away from their families and puts them in a less-than-optimal work and living environment, it is clear that the team members are grateful to honor God by using the talents and gifts that He has given them. All of the team members mentioned the long, difficult days, and all of them made it clear that in blessing the people of Nicaragua, they themselves were blessed.

Sue reflects, “It is so fulfilling to be a small part of the team that changes a child’s life. Even though those cleft lips and palates are a birth defect those families and children feel shame. To witness the shame lift and the true spirit start shining is wonderful! It is extremely hard work; our patients so appreciate our efforts and that fills us too.”

Tamra Boettcher says of her work in Nicaragua, “It’s about being a Christian and doing God’s work with the talents He has blessed us with. God gives us the strength to work long, hard days and we honor Him at all times by starting the day with worship and ending with prayer and worship as well. God allows His people to trust us with their lives, undergoing surgery done by perfect strangers.”

Dean says of the team and the trip, “As the team has evolved during the trips, it has become very apparent that this is God’s team. He has chosen the members of the team by their abilities and love of service. I am so glad to have the opportunity to use the talents that God has given me, in service of His children in Nicaragua. I am sure that this team and this place (in Nicaragua) is where God wants me to be.”

The team wants to thank anyone who supported their trip in any way! Read more about the team at Mission Trip to Nicaragua and  Global Passion Ministries . The team plans to travel to Nicaragua again next year, and the “Nebraska Family Times” will again cover their trip. 

Review of the Movie “Noah”

By Shelly Burke

(Google Images) 

Spoiler alert---if you haven't seen the movie "Noah" and don't want to know how it portrays the Biblical narrative of Noah on the ark, don't read this! 

My friend Val and I went to see the movie "Noah” last night.. It sure kept us entertained...but about the only parts true to the Bible narrative are that the main character was named Noah, he had a wife and three sons and built an ark, and there was a flood that destroyed the world.

Here’s a partial list of things NOT in the Bible narrative but in the movie:

• a step-daughter who went with the family on the ark
• stone men (?fallen angels?) who protected Noah from the other bad guys and helped build the ark
• illegitimate twin daughters born to the step-daughter while they were on the ark
• Noah believing the flood was to punish humans for what they’d done to the world; God's plan, as portrayed in the movie, included destroying all the HUMANS on the earth too (in one scene Noah was going to kill the twin babies because they were girls and potentially could continue the human race)
• a stowaway on the ark

The themes of evolution and environmentalism were also very strong. The message given was that the earth was “ruined” by the humans and the animals were the innocent ones who would live.

I think the distortion in the movie just shows how important it is for Christians to KNOW what the Bible says

(Google Images) 

so we can KINDLY and GENTLY discuss it with people who might have seen it but are not believers, or believers who might not know what the Bible says. If we react in anger, or criticize people who did see the movie, we close the door to questions from non-believers.

I can’t imagine that this movie will make believers question their faith…or bring people to faith. But it could definitely spark discussion about God, Noah, and the Bible. Use that discussion to gently point out the discrepancies between the Biblical account and the clearly fictional movie. Perhaps your discussion will open the way for you to invite a friend to attend church with you and come to know the Lord.  

When you hear conversations about the movie, here are a couple of ways to bring the truth into the discussion.

•  “Weren’t those rock people interesting? They’re not in the Bible, but did you know God actually gave Noah the exact dimensions to which he was to build the ark?”
•   "It was neat to see Noah and has family save the little girl and take her on the ark with them. But the Bible is clear that there were just eight people on the ark—Noah and his wife and Seth, Ham and Japheth and their wives. This also means that the man who was a stowaway in the movie wasn’t really on the ark.”
•   "Wow—the drama when Noah was going to kill the twin babies was intense! Thankfully, the Bible is very clear that Noah’s family was NOT to die after the flood, they were to live…and it was GOD who said, “Be fruitful and multiply,” not Noah!”
•    “I’ve always wondered how all of the animals were fed when they were on the ark. The idea that Noah and his wife put them in a “sleep” is really interesting! The Bible does say, however, that God instructed Noah to “Take every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up. It shall serve as food for you and for them.”” I’m not sure exactly how they did it, but God made a way! I wonder how the family divided up all of the chores!”

(Google Images) 

If you go to the movie, I suggest that you read the Biblical narrative of Noah before you go. You can find it in Genesis 5-9. If you’re taking your kids, review it with them. During the movie make note of the discrepancies between the movie and the Biblical narrative—I wrote down some of them (yes, I can write in the dark), and couple of things I wasn’t sure of and wanted to check when I got home. When you get home, compare the Biblical narrative to what was portrayed in the move; discuss these things with your kids if they went along too.

As an adventure movie Noah was ok; it kept us in suspense about what was going to happen next and both of us jumped in surprise a few times! But as a retelling of a Bible narrative...well, I'll just say Val and I were laughing at the absurdity of it by the end, when the "rainbow" was some weird solar flare.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man (and woman) of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Have you seen the movie “Noah”? What did you think of it? 

Nicaragua Mission Trip Underway!

The Global Passion Ministries-Nebraska group arrived in Nicaragua yesterday and today begins their work in Puerto Cabezas. Please pray for them as they treat so many people who otherwise would not receive medical care. The following articles, about the team and their trips, appeared in the "Nebraska Family Times." If you would like to receive a FREE sample issue of the "Nebraska Family Times" please e-mail shelly@shellyburke.net. 

Mission Team to Return to Nicaragua for Fifth Trip

[NFT]

Part One

Global Passion Ministries-Nebraska is a group of medical and support team members from

Nebraska who have partnered with Valley Christian Fellowship of Shasta through Global Passion Ministries located in the Redding, California area. This group consists of surgeons, nurses and support staff and provides surgical and medical services to the people of Puerto Cabezas and the surrounding areas in Nicaragua who have little or no access to healthcare. Examples of the surgeries performed are cleft lips and palates, tonsillectomies, ear surgeries, thyroidectomies, cancerous tumor resections, etc.

The team was formerly known as Columbus Medical Mission Team-Nicaragua. The name was

changed because we have worked with Global Passion Ministries-California for several years

now. They started this mission work in Nicaragua many years ago doing medical, spiritual and

maintenance work. We all share the same commitment to this region and it was the natural thing to do to by becoming “one team”. It also reflects that some of our team members are from other cities in Nebraska in addition to Columbus.

This mission team will be returning on their 5th trip to Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua, from Feb. 6th through the 16th, 2014. Team members are: Sue and Karl Tillinghast, Tamra Boettcher and Dean and Carolyn Athey. Members returning to Nicaragua in February will be Sue and Karl, Tamra and Dean.

Nicaragua is the poorest country in Central America. Puerto Cabezas is on the northeast coast of

Nicaragua and is the “forgotten” part of the country by the government. We have seen many birth defects, advanced cancers, and  numerous diseases and  illnesses because of the lack of healthcare, contaminated water supplies and  unsafe sanitation. Many of these people as well as people from the jungles in the surrounding areas have little or no access to healthcare. When our team is there, many of our patients have to travel for days by horseback, on foot and/or by boat from remote villages in hope of receiving medical treatment from our team.

To follow the team during their trip, go to: globalpassionministries1.blogspot.com

Mission Team to Return to Nicaragua for Fifth Trip (Part Two)

[NFT]

Carolyn writes: I would like to share the story of “Dennis”. Dennis touched us in ways we never would have

thought possible during our trip in February 2013. He was a 16 year old boy who was brought to

us by a caretaker who had found him wandering in the jungle. This had been his life for years

after being beaten by his stepfather in their home. His mother and stepfather threw him out of their home when he was just a young boy. Dennis had a very disfiguring cleft lip and palate and  his family looked at him as a humiliation to their family.

This wonderful man who found Dennis somehow knew that our team was coming to Puerto Cabezas and  brought him out of the jungle to us for care. Mind you, Dennis had never know any other life other than beatings and surviving in the jungle. He had not seen normal civilization and did not know how to use eating utensils, how to open a car door, etc. He was seen by one of our surgeons and later that day had surgery to repair his lip. We can only imagine how frightened he must have been by being put amongst many strangers and then having them put lights in his face, get poked with needles and then be taken to surgery only to wake up with a swollen face and in a lot of pain. But Dennis was a trooper.

Since returning home, we have seen “after” pictures and Dennis looks amazing. We can only hope that he felt the love and concern of everyone who came into contact with him when he was in our care and now knows that all the pain and suffering he had to endure, was well worth it. It is the “Dennises” that keep us going back to Nicaragua.

Each year, we must take our own medications, supplies, and equipment. We also have to purchase gasoline to power the generators that are used when the electricity goes out--which is usually several times a day and often during a surgery.

We also purchase food for an orphanage which struggles to feed the 110+ children who live there. Some patients we see can only be treated in a larger hospital which is in Managua. They cannot afford to fly to Managua and have no means to get there by land (Managua is on the west coast of Nicaragua). In these cases, Global Passion Ministries has provided the air fare for them as well as money to house and feed a family member while they are in Managua. There are many patients who have no food when they go home after surgery so we buy a supply of beans, rice and powdered milk to send home with them. As you can see, the need there is great.

Monetary donations may be sent to Dean Athey at 3471 E. 14th Ave., Columbus, NE 68601. For

any information contact Dean at 276-0638.

His Hand

by Shelly Burke

"For I am the Lord your God Who takes hold of your right hand and 

says to you "Do not fear; I will help you." 

Isaiah 41:13

What are you afraid of today? 

Test results?

Job uncertainty?

Family stress?

A loved one making bad decisions?

The future?

God promises to be with you always. He knows what you fear and He knows the future. I find it comforting that nothing happens without God knowing about it. I find it more than comforting that He is always with me and knows all of my fears. 

When fears come to mind, picture the Lord reaching down with His hand and taking hold of your hand. Hear Him saying to you, "Do not fear. I will help you." He will always help you; all you have to do is accept His help. 

Talk

By Shelly Burke

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths,

but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion,

that it may give grace to those who hear.”

Ephesians 4:29

(Google Images)

What talk came out of your mouth today?

Was it negative? Critical? Mean?

Or uplifting? Encouraging? Loving?

Ask God to stop you when you are about to say something you shouldn’t. Speaking harshly after the milk has been spilled, the mistake made, or task forgotten, will not change the circumstances or teach a lesson. Speaking with grace, however, will.

What will you say today that uplift or encourage someone? What can you say to show love? 

New Beginnings

By Shelly Burke

“Remember not the former things,

nor consider the things of old.

Behold, I am doing a new thing;

now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

Isaiah 43:18-19

On this final day of 2013, what do you want to “remember not”?

·    Unkind words—said by you or to you

·         A broken relationship

·         Bad decisions

·         Persistent sins

·         Regrets

In these verses God assures us that He can do a “new thing” in us. My Bible study notes say that we should not forget the “former things” but instead focus on the future. We cannot (and should not) ignore the “things of old”—many, if not most of those things can teach us valuable lessons. However, we cannot perceive the “new thing” God is doing unless we change our focus to what is ahead.

No matter what you have done, God will forgive—all you have to do is ask. He removes our sin “as far as the east is from the west.” (Psalm 103:12).

And no matter what you are facing—an illness, financial stress, relationship troubles, a crisis of faith—even when there appears to be no possible path through it—God can “make a way in the wilderness.” He can do the seemingly impossible—like make a river in the dessert. Nothing is impossible with Him.

And most importantly remember that no matter how difficult the path, He is always, always with you (Matthew 28:20).

What “new thing” is God doing for you in 2014?