Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Chinese Friends in Taveuni, Fiji

The main road that leads to Somosomo also leads to the Chinese housing provided by the People's Republic of China for the mini hydro power project Chinese employees.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama officiated in the ground-breaking ceremony in July 2014 that began the hydro project which will provide electricity in the surrounding areas around Somosomo, 10 kilometers in the South and North ends of Taveuni.

Through GOD's Providence, i met Lisa, one of the engineers involved with the building of the hydro project -- and we became mutual friends. She invited me to the housing complex where i was glad to see her colleagues' "green-thumb" abilities -- just like the typical Fijian farmers on the island.

They had planted vegetables in almost all the available ground space -- such as this bok choy, a type of Chinese cabbage.

And spring onions...

And string beans...

And cucumbers...

EVERY thing (other than the fresh produce and meats) needed by the Chinese workers were shipped in from China -- the prefabricated building materials (including the Chinese-style flushing toilets!), the furnitures for the offices and sleeping quarters, the basic everyday necessities (for cooking, washing, laundry...you name it!) -- it seemed that NOthing was not provided for by the Chinese company that partnered with the Fijian government for this project.

Even their brooms (almost like the Fijian "sasa") -- and wheelbarrows (like the one pictured above) -- were all brought in by containers from China.

Lisa's pretty co-workers -- Tina and Rita -- enjoying their stay in Taveuni...

Ham -- he's in charge of buying food supplies, including live pigs for butchering...

And the chef (i couldn't pronounce her name when we met; and i can't remember it now, "au sa qase!") -- who always gave me the left-overs to take to my family in Naselesele. Her kitchen had woks and chopsticks and ALL the spices needed to create her delicious concoctions!

Simply delicious...maleka saraga...talagang masarap...muy delicioso! Authentic Chinese food -- eaten with much gusto...with chopsticks, of course.

Unforgettable Lisa -- GOD provided this unique blessing-of-a-lady for my family's and my enjoyment! i praise GOD, our ALLmighty Creator and Father in heaven, for His generous loving hand! \o/

A lovely ambassador from China -- my friend Lisa!

Lisa -- so lovely in her utter friendliness and willingness to help whenever she perceived a need --modeling her rLn original...

A man (or woman) who has friends must himself be friendly; but there is a Friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)

And my dearEST, MOST precious Friend is CHRIST JESUS, my LORD! HE is THE Friend inDEED for He has promised that He will NEVER, no NEVER, EVER leave nor forsake those who trust in Him! And i KNOW that He canNOT lie -- He keeps ALL His promises! HALLELUJAH \o/ 

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

SPIRIT-led Sanctuary

At times, we need to just get out of the current surroundings -- just to regroup mentally or to find refreshment of soul. i was SPIRIT-led to this nature trail, which is but a short walk around the block...

CHRISTmas colors brighten the path...

Early spring blooms with sunshiny colors border the path, just next to Finney Elementary School...

This path leads to the Finney Overlook to the left, or down to the Otay Valley Trails, to the right...

i chose the right fork, which brought me to a running stream...


The LORD JESUS is my Good Shepherd. i have ALL that i need. He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name. (Psalm 23:1-3, NLT) 

In the morning, it blooms and flourishes, but by evening it is dry and withered.
O LORD, teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. (Psalm 90:6, 12, NLT)

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by CHRIST JESUS to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
(Ephesians 3:20-21, NKJV)


Sunday, December 21, 2014

A Sunday's GODventureZ with Bill Williams


Bill Williams is a real survivor -- 25 years now, living the real-life "Survivor" reality-show-drama. He's from Texas originally, but came with his family to San Diego in 1954. His mother was a preacher, as also two of his brothers, pastors of their own church.

GOD put Bill Williams in my sight, in my heart. Twice before, i saw Bill with his survival paraphernalia as we drove by. Today, yielding to the Holy SPIRIT's leading (His impressing upon my heart), i rode my bike, with CHRISTmas stuff in my backpack...not knowing what to expect, but praying for GOD's blessing hand upon this GODventureZ.

So we celebrated CHRISTmas -- with friendly conversation and chocolates...

Bill asked me what this was -- and i told him it was just a rock -- one of my "babies" -- a one-and-only, one of a kind original... And i said to Bill, "i hope that someday you will also say that JESUS is your ROCK -- the ROCK who lives in your heart!"

Bill said that he will use it as a paper weight...


Come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the ROCK of our salvation! Let us come to Him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to Him. For the LORD is a great GOD, a great King above all gods. He holds in His hands the depths of the earth and the mightiest mountains. The sea belongs to Him, for He made it. His hands formed the dry land, too. Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker, for He is our GOD. We are the people He watches over, the flock under His care. IF ONLY you would LISTEN to His voice TOday. (Psalm 95:1-7, NLT)

We decorated his living area with this flag from The Shoppe at Rose's and i'm glad that all the passing cars will see that it's "Merry CHRISTmas" -- not "Happy Holidays"!

While i sat with Bill, a car stopped...and this elderly lady came out with two gift bags -- one for Bill and one for me! We warmly hugged each other and talked a little in Spanish (yo con mi Espanol poquito!) Carmen, whom i've never met before, had also obeyed the Holy SPIRIT's leading and blessed us with her gifts of socks and beanies and tracts. (Carmen's iglesia is Agape en CRISTO, with Pastor Jose Garcia/Pastor Miguel Garcia -- in Chula Vista.)



A person drove by, wearing a Chargers tshirt, and yelled, "LOSERS!" and i asked Bill if he got a lot of that. He answered, "Yes, but there are also others who come by with food and things that help me out." i told him that the bottom-line LOSER is satan! JESUS defeated him on the cross at Calvary...and that in ALL ways, from even before Genesis, CHRIST has been, is now, and will forever be the VICTOR!

So Bill and i had our conversation about GOD, and part of it is on youtube, "A Sunday's GODventureZ with Bill Williams." Listening to Bill tell me some of his story -- and now, having watched the video -- i don't judge. LIFE HAPPENS... and it doesn't matter how we start -- what matters is that we FINISH strong. As for me, i continue to run this race called LIFE 101 -- only by the empowering presence of the Holy SPIRIT who lives in me -- pressing on towards the prize. For me, that ultimate Prize is not heaven, but CHRIST JESUS Himself!
i don’t mean to say that i have already achieved these things or that  have already reached perfection. But i press on to possess that perfection for which CHRIST JESUS first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, i have not achieved it, but i focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, i press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which GOD, through CHRIST JESUS, is calling us. (Philippians 3:12-14, NLT)


Saturday, December 6, 2014

Balboa Park GODventureZ!



On the trolley, with Colleen and John -- also on their way to Balboa Park for the Ocean View Church CHRISTmas Concert at the Organ Pavillion...

Men in blues -- protecting the City of San Diego...

San Diego Trolley -- in CHRISTmas red...

Yours truly...

Warped reality...

Oozing colors -- guess where?

Surfing enthusiast...

North I-5...

Matching colors...

Balboa Park's trademark bell-tower...

JESUS said, "I AM the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me." (John 14:6, MSG) i'm also a believer of the Truth...a witness for CHRIST...

This man's backpack was a "Yoda" -- from Starwars...

Highway 163 -- Downtown San Diego in the background...


Old Globe Theater -- very CHRISTmassy...

Sculpture Garden...

Sculpture Garden's pool -- also a work of art...

i was also beaming the whole time i was GODventuring at Balboa Park...

The Botanical Garden at Balboa Park -- decorated with CHRISTmas colors...

Poinsettias -- traditional reds catch the eye...

A texter a-texting...

This gentleman played lively Irish tunes -- causing donations to flow into his fiddle case...

No donation -- just a hug and a smile...

Charlotte, visiting from Luisiana -- doing her job with a beautiful smile...and a hug for me!

Timothy, my brother IN CHRIST -- we shared a few words about The WORD...

Ocean View Church Choir singing their hearts out -- and this Cutie in pink also dancing her heart out...

Balboa Park's Organ Pavillion -- hosting many CHRISTmas events...

Ocean View Church Choir on melodic display...