June 2010 David & Joanna Morrison Update

“Mo wakens with the birds, before the sun is up, and heads to his office for coffee and quiet!  Jo hopes to waken at 6 a.m. in time for a walk before school, but will accept a cup of tea in bed and a bit of quiet if that doesn’t happen. Meanwhile, Kalina and Patrick like to get up at 6 and begin their school day. Daniel prefers the evenings, and gets up in time for 8 a.m. school. Thandi arrives at 8 a.m. to join us for our school day. At 8, we should all be up and ready to roll. We spend the first 2 hours doing math and language arts, and other independent subjects. We break at 10:15 for ‘second breakfast’ and then we spend a couple of hours together studying science, geography, history, literature, and bible. While school is in session at home, Mo is engaged in various meetings, trying to get more land for farming, sorting out staffing issues, planning for food distribution, mentoring our house parents, teaching at the bible school, and of course capturing everything on film. Our main meal is at lunch, and we usually eat rice with something on top, either beans or lentils, or chicken, or beef. At the moment we have plenty of spinach in the garden, so the kids are glad to find that on the menu! Mo and Jo often enjoy a short walk after lunch. Our afternoons are varied, but you might often find Kalina playing at the girls’ homes, or practicing a dance. You might find the boys playing on the soccer field, burning their pots in their rebuilt kiln, practicing archery with a new target, or running laps. Jo is involved with Ladies’ Group, Kids’ Clubs, or gate ministry most afternoons. Of course, there are always shoes to find, clothes to inventory and replace, cuts to bandage, and dogs to wash if there is a dull moment. 5:30 is shower time for our Iris kids, so it suddenly gets quiet. Supper is a help yourself affair most nights, since we tend to arrive at different times. After the Iris kids are in bed Top Gear has become a favourite event over the last few months, particularly for Daniel and Mo. We go to bed early, often before 9 p.m. and so go our days.”

Editors Note:

Along with the update, Joanna sent a personal email sharing a piece of that particular day. With her permission, I offer it to encourage you, as it did me.

"I was in Ngabu this morning to preach at one of our churches there. It was a little church but the worship was genuine, and the people so happy to see me. I was humbled by their kindness and attention. We were served a lovely meal of rice, nsima, and chicken. I preached from Haggai, which has really spoken to me these last months. I wrote a song from some of the words: ‘Do not lose heart.  Begin the work.  I am with you. Do not be afraid. Begin the work. My Spirit is with you.’ Simple words, and simple tune, but such a key message for me. Thank you for the time you continue to give, and for persevering through these hard times. I love God’s words to Zerubbabel at the end of the book: ‘I will wear you like a ring on my finger, because I have chosen you.’ I asked the Lord this morning: ‘Will you wear me like a ring?’"