The Gerhart Train

Our main form of transportation these days is bikes. The kids have gotten really good at travelling along the roads. We, of course, have to ride in a straight line and so have named our "car" the Gerhart train. It is always an adventure going to the stores on the other side of town especially as we have to go around several round-about on the way that have traffic. We all stick together and the "train" makes it all the way around.

I (Jim) had an interesting experience yesterday when I was riding by myself (thankfully). I went down a road we had never been on before because I had made a wrong turn on my bike. I got on this road and started riding only to find that a dog was on the other side of a fence barking wildly at me. At that moment I breathed a sigh of relief to see the fence that separated me from the dog and kept riding as the dog ran with me along the fence. All was well for a moment, until I had the dreadful realization that the fence didn't have a side!!! The dog was very happy about this-- me not so much. I discovered that the dog did not like bike riders as he began the chase. I thought I was doing good at increasing my speed until I looked down and noticed he was attached to my thigh!! At that moment I said a prayer and really started peddling. The dog lost his grip on my leg and a block later lost interest in the chase. God really protected the "Gerhart train" at least part. Originally, I was going to have James come with me, but we decided not to (Thank God). I am really thankful that God answered my urgent prayer and allowed me to get away from the dog, but the greater protection of allowing such a thing to happen when none of the kids were with me!

Oh, by the way, the dog only left a nice lump and a big bruise on the top of my leg. I am also very thankful for blue jeans!! Thanks for praying for us, one never knows what a day has in store!

Learning Life in God's school

Phillippians 4:11-13 says, "...for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."
I have read and studied and preached through these verses many times, but as we continue down the path that the Lord has called us to, we are learning more and more the power of what is contained in these few verses. Contentment is something that can easily elude us in life if we aren't careful. I have never considered myself one to be discontent, but going through the changes that have accompanied our move into a new culture have shown me how discontentment can easily creep into our lives. I am thankful that God is teaching us new lessons about contentment as we adjust. It is only by His grace and only by His strength that such adjustments can be made!! Some of the smallest things can be the biggest source of discontentment (it never seems to be the big things). For instance, our shower has caused a challenge for me each morning. It is a 2 ft. square (which for me means the inability to turn real easily), and the water doesn't drain because the drain goes into a half inch pipe (which means your shower is in ankle deep water and fast as the water rises to overflowing). Every morning I dread a shower (which I used to enjoy), but in my devotions this morning I came across this verse and realized Satan was using something as small as an inconvenient shower to cause discontentment and I was very grateful that God brought something like an inconvenient shower into my life to teach me contentment. As we prepare to go to Africa, where there will be more inconveniences, I know we will be thankful for what God is teaching now. (I recall a friend in Central Africa telling me about taking a bath with a bucket outside).
Contentment is indeed something we can learn by God's grace and we can definitely "do all things through Him."
Thank you for praying for us!! I have included a couple of video clips for fun.

Settling In

The last couple of weeks were pretty much just settling in. The kids continue to adjust to their schools and Boaz has made great progress in his adjustment (thanks for praying). As for mom and dad, we have started to get a feel for the new schedule and are beginning to feel normal with it. School is quite challenging for us, but we continue to press on. We were able to find bikes for the family which was a great blessing since we normally would have to walk everywhere. The kids especially have enjoyed their bikes and Boaz rides his bike to school each day (which has helped tremendously with his desire to go). We were also very thankful that we were able to find James a reasonably priced guitar this past week. It has been good to hear him singing and playing again. He still plays his saxophone too, but the guitar is like an old friend.

We have been enjoying to sites of the area. Last week, as we already mentioned in an earlier blog, we walked to the old city of Conflans. This weekend, Jim had the opportunity to go with a group to a nearby mountain called, "La Belle Etoile." It was a strenuous three hour hike to the top, but the breathtaking view at the top was worth the work. I hope you enjoy the pictures.

Please continue to pray for us!! Learning a new language is a great challenge, but we are noting some small progress in the journey-- We praise the Lord for the opportunity to be here!