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une 25, 2020 Good afternoon, There are two walking paths in the new ( relatively ) subdivisions in Elmira. They run parallel to Park, Porchlight and Brookmeade Streets. Over the last ten years, they have had the trees line the paths, and people have built flower beds and vegetable gardens that bump up against the trail. In the morning, as the sun is just bursting out for the day, both of these paths, I find, a pleasure to walk on. Each season brings its own life to the two trails. The birds sing loudly in the spring, the leaves cover the trails in the fall, and it is touch sloshing in the winter. Most of the pictures I take in the mornings are from these two vantage points, but it seems everything is new everyday, never the same. One house has a clothesline with flags of the world. They are not all the flags, but I see Canada, South Africa and the largest seems to be Nepal, a distinctive double triangle flag. Why do these people put all the flags up on their laundry line ? There is a lot of lawn art too. I wonder why people put angels, gnomes, and reproduction statues of unknown people. The line of flags reminds me to be thinking and praying for the world of God's people. I should be praying for Brazil as it lives and dies through the Covid crisis. Pray for Jhonas, who is from Brazil, and has to return there in two weeks. His time with MCC is over. Pray for his safety and health, and for us, as we say goodbye to him. Pray for China, as it holds those two Canadians in jail. Pray that a solution be found, so they can be released. Pray for the European countries as they try to take care of their poor and marginalized. And pray for Canada, that is us, that we will continue to grow into a more just and peaceful country for all. No racism, no blaming the poor, and clean water for all. Who are you praying for today ? Where have your prayers been flowing for the last three and half months ? Can you share your anguish with God, through Jesus Christ ? "We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. " I Thessalonians 1:2-6 ( the apostle Paul ) Poole, continue to be a model of faith for people in other parts of God's world. Fred Tread on bold new paths ! Fireflies flash the direction Hope springs eternal Monica Pieper Landoni 2020 Fred Redekop Pastor
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Ponder Anew 