Take That
If there is one thing we can say itââ?¬â?¢s this, ââ?¬Å?We have been everywhereââ?¬Â. When we started our puppet ministry in 1973, Sesame Street was just 4 years old. We were kind of a ââ?¬Å?live Christianââ?¬Â version of that popular childrenââ?¬â?¢s program. Something like this was new to churches and they welcomed us with open arms. We never dreamed the doors would open up in as many places as it has. We have done programs from coast to coast, New York to California, Florida to Washington State, Alaska to Hawaii. This story happened in Hawaii.
We have been heavily involved with the Fellowship of Christian Magicians (FCM) for many years. Don�t let the name fool you. Even though it says Christian magicians, they offer lots in the areas of puppets, juggling, ventriloquism, chalk art, mime, balloon sculpture and other performing arts. We have learned a lot by being a part of the organization and I would like to think we have given a lot back to the people who attend their conferences by teaching in these areas. Several years ago the FCM realized that there were many people living in Hawaii who would love to attend a conference but because of the distance and cost of travel, they were not able to. So they made the decision to take a conference to them. Vicky and I were asked to go and teach and minister there. It was an honor to be asked even though it was unpaid and we had to pay our own expenses.
We let this opportunity be known to our friends and family and before long God had supplied the money for the tickets there. It really was a great opportunity to share the truths of God�s Word there as well as teach others how to use puppets and magic in their ministries.
We had about a day and a half where we were not committed to meetings. We spent the half day at Hanauma Bay. We had been told to buy a bag of frozen peas and hold them in our hands and the fish would come up and eat them. What a blast! Those fish were beautiful and there were LOTS of them. If you ever have the opportunity to go there, this is a must see event.
The next day our good friends the Dewey�s decided to rent a car and drive the circle around the island and asked us to go with them. Ralph had started his balloon sculpture ministry in 1975 and today is still the leader in that area.
While we were enjoying our time driving around the island several of the other lecturers from the conference decided to go to Hanauma Bay. I guess it had to have been the hand of the Lord on us that were had gone the day before. As the group was in the water feeding and enjoying the fish, someone was on the shore helping themselves to their cameras, purses and anything of value. They lost it all. We praise the Lord for protecting us and our ââ?¬Å?thingsââ?¬Â. It was a real reminder that it is the souls of people that will last forever not the things we own. The reason we were there was the hope of seeing lives changed for Christ. Sin is rampent in Hawaii just like it is any place else. Pray for us and others as we continue to travel sharing the gospel. Donââ?¬â?¢t spend your life loving things and using people. Love people and use things. Things like puppets, balloons, magic, juggling, etc to win them to Christ.
ââ?¬Å?Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.ââ?¬Â Matthew 6:19