TAVEUNI GODventureZ -- Back To ISLAND Life

First-ever rLn art in Fiji -- mural (acrylics) on corrugated-iron wall in a farmhouse at Narova hilltop, depicting a view of Qamea from my tree-house...

Sunflower seeds from the U.S. -- grown with eager anticipation at the Lagiloa bush-farm...

Net fishing off Naselesele Village waters with Ana, Vili and Vi...

View from Tramonto Restaurant deck -- Matei...

Fallen flowers from Beverly's Campground...

One of the many of rLn's art at Bibi's HideAway...

Wall mural at Vidawa Village tourist office -- first big work. Within the foliage are GOD words, which the school children always discovered immediately to the consternation of the many adults who couldn't find them...

Outside wall mural at Bob's, across Matei airport...

Outdoor toilet in Lagiloa -- bush country outhouse...

Literal sit-down view from the outdoor toilet in Lagiloa...

Little Jo, with fresh-cut string beans -- Lagiloa...

Lagiloa farmhouse porch -- Bible reading sanctuary, surrounded by impatience flowers...

Sable -- my cat and feline bodyguard...

Maria doing laundry duty at nearby Lagiloa river...

Sable's offspring...

"Jack-of-all-trades" river -- for washing clothes, bathing, drinking water, prawn hunting... even snorkeling!

Lagiloa at sunset, with giant ferns a la Jurassic Park...

Sable's other 3 babies...

Vili, during one of our exploring-Lagiloa treks...

Elenoa, braving the falling coconuts just above -- doing her chores at Bibi's HideAway...

Kristika and Lata -- dear friends, minus Parsu...

Blazing sunrise view of Viubani, from top of Narova...

Tila -- line fishing, with Sepo and Andrew...

Naselesele Village church -- Luisa swinging from the mango tree...

The photos above bring back experiences of island life in Taveuni. The life there is simpler, much slower, less tech -- so differently flavored from the life that i live in California. Soon, i will dive into that exotic tropical mix of traditional village/tourist town/bush country lifestyle. And at times, i feel like what Abraham might have felt about going without knowing the details of GOD's will.

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. (Hebrews 11:8)

By faith, i go, seeking to please Him... because GOD Himself promised in His Word --

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to GOD must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)

P.S. i am again raising funds for the Naselesele Village school children in Taveuni, Fiji. Your charitable donation of any amount is deeply and heartfully appreciated! GOD bless your loving heart!

GODventureZ in GIVING Back -- VIDEOS

Today i saw first-hand a community of neighbors giving back to each other -- all in the true spirit of CHRISTmas. There was much planning in advance by the City of Chula Vista and City of San Diego; much work by the many volunteers who represented the San Diego Border Patrol, the Mexican and Brazilian communities and many other worthwhile organizations; many hours of rehearsals from all who performed and entertained (Ocean View Church Choir, children doing dance and karate demonstrations) -- and GOD blessed this celebration of giving back to the South Bay community with a most beautiful sunny day!

There's much more to say about the many pieces put together to create this wonderFUL jigsaw puzzle of merriment and camaraderie -- but the following videos will illustrate much better what i can merely describe with words.

GODventureZ at Lucky Waller Park started when i was witness to a helicopter landing in the middle of the same street i was driving -- big commotion -- Santa Claus was about to fly in... literally from the sky!

Santa Claus From The SKY!

Then i made my way to Lucky Waller Park, in hot pursuit of THE police car that had Santa!

Santa At LUCKY WALLER PARK -- with some members of the Ocean View Church Choir enjoying the fuss.

SNOW In SUNNY South Bay! -- Man-made "bbbrrrRRR!!!"

Ocean View Church JUMPS -- As a way of giving back to the South Bay Community, OVC provided safe and fun entertainment for the very young at heart -- all for free. The children's squeals of delight made merrier the merry in Merry CHRISTmas.

MEET the OCEAN VIEW CHURCH Choir -- whose many hours of dedicated practice produced a collection of GOD-honoring CHRISTmas songs. The many technicians and volunteers from OVC made this free entertainment a true gift from the heart.

Ocean View Church CHOIR -- celebrates CHRISTmas at Lucky Waller Park, with Daniel Semsen expertly wielding the baton.

The OVC KIDZ Choir-- energetic rendition of "Back to the Manger" -- led by a very energetic Christy Semsen and her two just-as-energetic assistants.

OVC CHRISTmas Repertoire -- presents "Tis the Season." The OVC Choir, led by Daniel Semsen, will perform all the songs in their CHRISTmas repertoire on Sunday, 6 pm, at Ocean View Church. The KidZ Choir, led by Christy Semsen, will also perform.

'Tis the season to remember what CHRISTmas is all about -- it's really all about almighty GOD Who is love, made manifest in the Person of CHRIST JESUS. He is the true Reason for the season -- every day.

In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that GOD has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved GOD, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Beloved, if GOD so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (1 John 4:9-11)

Saturday CLOUDS at the BEACH

Worship, reflection and C. H. Spurgeon on the The Unsearchable Riches of CHRIST this cloudy day at the beach -- a long leisurely walk from Imperial Beach to Silver Strand Beach entrance.

The heavens declare the glory of GOD, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. (Psalm 19:1)

Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. (Psalm 19:2)

There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. (Psalm 19:3)

Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. (Psalm 19:4)

Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:30)

Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the CHRIST, the Son of the Blessed?" And JESUS said, "I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven." (Mark 14:61-62)

Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. (Psalm 36:5)

Your mercy reaches unto the heavens, and Your truth unto the clouds. (Psalm 57:10)

How precious to me are your thoughts, O GOD! How vast is the sum of them! If i would count them, they are more than the sand. (Psalm 139:17)

Where shall i go from Your SPIRIT? Or where shall i flee from Your presence? If i ascend to heaven, You are there! If i make my bed in Sheol, You are there! (Psalm 139:7-8)

If i take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me. (Psalm 139:9-10)

Tijuana River ESTUARY -- Imperial Beach, California

The Tiajuana River Estuary is located at 301 Caspian Way, Imperial Beach, California. Call (619) 575-2704 for scheduled nature and bird walks, speaker series, volunteer programs, hours of operation, etc.

After Sunday worship at Ocean View Church, i headed to Imperial Beach to nourish my soul with one of GOD's expressions of grandiose beauty -- the Pacific Ocean. But as i headed out on Coronado Avenue, i heeded the inward invitation to finally explore the Tijuana Estuary for the first time.

These are the gifts that SPIRIT caused my eyes to see so that my heart was nurtured as i meandered leisurely on the well-kept trails.

The Tijuana Estuary -- where the river meets the sea...

These were like swaying cotton puffs in the breeze...

Splashes of color brighten the approaching autumn days...

Tijuana, Mexico... our neighbor down south -- a far-off plateau from this vantage point.

The birds might have heard my singing and hid themselves!

BLESS the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! (Psalm 103:1)

Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song. (Psalm 149:1)

The Way is way up!

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD! (Psalm 150:1)

The skies display His marvelous craftsmanship. (Psalm 19:1)

And if GOD cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't He more surely care for you? (Matthew 6:30)

This was shot "from the hip" -- a literal "point and shoot" -- not knowing what would come out. i like it -- it feels like a shower of red berries from the blue sky.

Sometimes a shot is made more alive and interesting when a person walks into the composition without even knowing it... i heard her before i saw her... and was quick to take opportunity given.

The three cactus pictures were my parting shots... as i exited towards the parking lot.

At the parking lot, i looked up and saw pine cones on the trees but none on the ground. i drove away without that coveted souvenir -- but i came away with a nourished and thankful heart.

Let the whole world bless our GOD and sing aloud His praises. (Psalm 66:8)

VIVA MEXICO! La INDEPENDENCIA -- 200 Anos

Today at work, we celebrated Mexico's 200th anniversary of their independence, as we have many workers of Mexican nationality. Of course it was "tame" compared to actual fiesta activities on the other side of the border, but it was a very "full-filling" "pot-luck! A grand occasion with much camaraderie and laughter...

Tostadas, carne asada, mole, flan, guacqamole, pollo y arroz, tortillas, frijoles... And we Americanos added salads and brownies to the flavorful contributions. Oni kindly contributed chicken adobo and rice -- a Filipino favorite.

Since it was also Maia's birthday, i contributed this very chocolate chocolate cake -- it had two pounds of chocolate mousse in between the layers!

Here's Angel and Ariadna, with some of the hungry bunch -- enjoying the tasty lunch...

Maia with birthday surprises from her momma -- Trail Mix and an rLn's OFF-the-Wall original.

The guys having a little soccer fun...burning off a few calories after all fiesta food!

Kedid...joyfilled with his own rLn original -- J.O.Y. Nehemiah 8:10 -- Do not sorrow for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Working here is indeed a GODventureZ -- where else can i experience the sabor of Mexico without crossing the border? i used to backpack to exotic parts of the world just to "see the view" -- now i embark on journeys, even to those places just around the corner -- to experience the people GOD allows to cross my life path.

i've learned that a view is just a view -- a breathtaking vista, a photo op. But getting to know a people, person to person -- face to face -- is to me the true journey...a GODventureZ indeed!