Starting Somewhere.

Hi! It’s Saturday afternoon and it is cloudy here at the farm though I doubt it will rain. Yesterday we had dark low clouds with sounds of thunder but the wind came and blew it all away. I am praying for rain, the last week was pretty sunny and most of the fruit trees are withering under the intense sun. I realize that I had been taking water for granted and now find myself praying for God to provide rain. I tried watering the newly planted trees and shrubs but trust me when I tell you it is really futile when you hit 160 over new plants in a 4 acre area, all needing water. I am learning new things everyday, never buy too many seedlings at one go no matter how much savings you can get. Instead of finding it a joy to establish these plants, you end up feeling depress as you struggle to dig enough holes in the sun-scorched, dry, patchy and dusty ground to put the seedling in and then making sure each plant gets water twice a day. Reminds me of the habit that some of us have in buying too much food, more than what we can consume. We end up wasting and throwing away precious resources. So, this is lesson one, do not take on more than what you can chew. I am trying to apply this principle in all that I do. Taking one step back and listening to the small still voice for confirmation and peace to proceed. Even in dealing with people, not to be pushed forward to doing things which we may regret later.

 

Went to the local pasar the other day and there were lots of stuff for sale, vegetables, fish, seafood and a whole lot of local produce to meet your every need. We bought some vegetables and meat, provisions for three days. It is definitely more fulfilling to cook your own meals and not eat out so often. Only one thing though, I need to spend more time planning my work to finish before sun down so that it isn’t so hectic. The prophet has confirmed that he is ordering the material for us to put up the irrigation system, hopefully the system would be up in two weeks time. We have our plans and God willing, we will carry them out one at a time, slowly and in His perfect timing.

 

Was thinking of the state of affairs in this country just the other day after reading the letters section in www.malaysiakini.com. Felt pretty sad that so much is not right but as I observed people in this small town I realized that all that is happening at the top is affecting the way of life even among the common folks. The distrust towards the establishment, politicians, police force and others are evident even in a small town, the sad part is instead of people responding appropriately to it all, they are passing all the wrong messages to their children, their friends and family. Instead of fighting for a better, fairer, ethical and moral society, People are adapting, changing into what they detest in the first place. All are pursuing the wrong things in their short journey in life. Material wealth, envy, greed, distrust, hate and a whole lot of other negative attributes are mirrored in their daily living and being role models their children are picking up all these undesirable traits. I believe we got to start somewhere to effect change in our society. We need to do more than just rant, scream about it, we need change from within…. We need to get back on our knees and pray like there is no tomorrow, that God will heal our land. I am reminded of God telling us to humble ourselves, repent and turn from our wicked ways… that He will heal our land. With so much of random act of violence, crime and decaying lives, can we afford the luxury of hiding behind our reinforced doors, living a hedonistic life without a care of what kind of world we are leaving for our children?

 

Here in the rural, you can observe ‘macho’ people carrying guns and shooting at everything that flies and moves… killing for fun? Killing is fun? This is something I don’t understand... why approve guns to people for them to hunt? They can’t afford the few durians, rambutans and other fruits that the wildlife eats? They shoot the bats that pollinate the many fruit trees; they shoot the monkeys, the squirrels and the wild boar, why they’ll even shoot you if you get in their path. I believe there is something fundamentally wrong with man… they don’t kill for food, they kill for fun???? My better half noted that this seems to be a very long entry, so sorry… just needed to get off my chest. Friends, let’s spend some time to think of where we can start to effect change… maybe we can start with ourselves..