My dear friends of the Still Small Voice:
“LORD, You have been our dwelling place [our refuge, our sanctuary, our stability] in all generations.” Psalm 90:1
This letter comes with loving greetings from Jay and me. This month, I will share some of the insights and experiences we have come to treasure here. First of all, an 80-year-old priest who broke his hip lay in a Canadian hospital, and the Doctor suggested he choose death instead of surgery. He refused to join the 17,0000 who have already been euthanised there. Pay attention, Canada is not alone. Thankfully, the elderly are respected here in Greece. Driving through our local village, friends call out ‘Papou’ (Grandpa) with a friendly wave. Yaya is an endearing term for Granma, and little children usually give me a welcoming smile, which warms my heart.
Farmer’s Market:
On Thursday, the farmers’ market spreads out along the edge of the sea. Flocks of gulls float nearby, making their racket along with everyone else. The aroma of strong black Greek coffee and roasted souvlaki (acorns in winter) is tempting. Across the aisle are, well, let’s face it, smelly fresh fish stands that try to dominate the sea air. Crowds of Europeans are bused in from the big hotels and mingle with locals. Everyone is intent on getting the best deal as quickly as possible. The joyful noise of children at play rises above the din of local commerce. Is there anything lovelier than the sound of children doing what they do best … playing?
We enjoy busy but friendly interactions with the many vendors. Lilach sells honey, bee pollen and wax. She has taught me so much about bees. Across the way, a young woman and her father sell homemade cosmetics and dried local teas. Then there is Anastasia, who sells fresh eggs, of different colours from her free-range chickens, of course. I think her large, luscious tomatoes are the best! Stomatis supplies bedding plants for my garden. Every spring, I buy two new basil plants, which I plant in large clay pots on either side of the entrance to our home. Vassilikos in Greek means ‘Royal plant’ and refers to it as the ‘King of Kings’. Tradition says Queen Helena found basil growing near the cross of Jesus. Today it signifies devotion, protection and hospitality. A blessed boundary, if you will.
Every imaginable kind of fresh fruit is piled high in an attractive manner. There are vendors of local wine and olive oil. Fresh vegetables of every kind. Vivid colours and smells fill one’s senses. When I have time, I like to explore the far end, where clothing is on display under canvas tent-like structures. One can find everything, be it socks, pyjamas, evening gowns, or toilet paper. Fluffy towels and bolts of fine draperies draw many. On the fringes, tired looking gypsy mothers’ voices hoarse from hawking to sell purses, shoes, bathing suits, you name it, complete with the ‘brand’ names for cheap! After this experience, the local supermarkets hold little interest.
Greek Hospitality:
The Greek kitchen is unique and famous. Jay and Josh love moussaka, beef in red sauce, and bean soup. Local friends bring their specialities to our door. Without exception, they love to see people enjoy their food. Jay says it is impossible to keep one’s figure. Consequently, he has embarked upon a fast. Does fasting produce humility in the faster? It speaks of obedience to the rest of us. We all love to eat, so to lay the fork aside and pray is special.
The Cost of Ministry:
The benefits of ageing can free one up from the pressure and rush of life. We now have time for our sons and their children. I am sure they suffered from our 50 years of intense activity in ministry, be it TV programs, documentaries, preaching on Israel in God’s order of things, and my work, counselling for the hurting. The boys kept busy and never complained, but, looking back over the years, we could have done better. We worked too hard and put work first. Our four sons each got turns travelling with us, which was positive. For example, David said on his 16th birthday: “Today I am 16, and Dad has been gone for half of my life.”
There is always a cost for whatever we do. Jay had to travel extensively to raise funds to keep the TV studio up and running, and the staff paid. But now is family time. David and his wife Adi are out from the pressure of Jerusalem for 10 days to be here with us. They spent their wedding anniversary in the bomb shelter. Israel has been in a state of war and full alert since Oct 7/23.
Time to Pray:
Yes, we now have time for prayer, worship, reflection, quiet conversations with friends, books, gardening, swimming and pets. We even have time for those old photograph albums. One of my fondest memories of my maternal Grandparents continues to warm my heart. I was often a guest in their home. At the close of the day, each in their long flannelette nightie and nightshirt, with caps, knelt together at their bedside and prayed before getting into bed. Now, that was dedication of a special kind on terrible snowy nights in a wood-frame farm home when temperatures dropped to – 30. (Alberta, Canada)
Quietness:
Perhaps, most important of all, we are learning to be quiet. It has been a challenge for both Jay and I. We now stroll gentler pathways and take time to smell the flowers! Did you know the blooming olive has a perfume? Later in summer, the dead-looking roots of the ‘zatar’ explode into purple blossoms, showering the hills with their unique scent. Divine plans include a lot of rest and visits from family and friends. Meaningful conversations with our sons and grandchildren spring up spontaneously; at 10 pm, we can still be at the table. May we all continue to bear fruit in our old age.
The Call:
“God cares for us. Not a nerve or tissue, valve or vessel of our bodily organisation is uncared for. Who has ever walked away from His door unblessed, or risen from His table unsatisfied? Who can know the number of His benefits, nor recount the list of His bounties? O that my praise would be as ceaseless as His generosity, that my thanksgiving would be as endless as His mercy. O miserable tongue, how can you remain silent? Awake and praise Him lest I no longer call you My glory but My shame. Lift your tongues all the earth, worship the LORD!” Kim Clement Feb. 2014
Pentecost-Shavuot, 40 days after Passover, is harvest time in the natural and in the Spirit. See Acts 2:4. Let us worship with our tongues, let us pray and sing in new and unknown tongues, let us give Him GLORY! Then, let us go out into the marketplaces and speak creative, life-giving words into the hearts of all we encounter. I often lay my hands over people’s hearts and speak a word to them. I have never been rejected, never. The Holy Spirit is fire, and all that I meet wants this blessing. Remember, we only live Today!
“And it shall be in the last days, says God,
that I will pour out My Spirit upon all mankind:
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.
On my bond servants, men and women, I will pour out My Spirit.
I will bring about wonders in the sky above
and signs on the earth below, blood, fire and smoking vapour.
The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood
(lunar eclipse) before the great and glorious Day of the LORD comes. And it shall be that everyone who calls upon the Name of the LORD shall be saved.” Joel 2:28:32
“I have loved you with an everlasting love.” Jeremiah 31:3
The Hebrew word ‘hesed’ or mercy in English, describes God’s love for you and me. Think of the intense, quiet love an expectant woman has for the child she carries in her womb. You are loved by God Almighty like that! Honestly, I ask you to try and believe it, which is so difficult for some of us.
I want to send a heartfelt applause for your steadfast love. Some of you are still praying for our sons as well. Be encouraged, ’heaven sees’ faithfulness.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We pray you have a glorious Pentecost / Feast of Shavuot. Let’s ask for the impossible. God is doing it!
You are Welcome to send us your prayer request, or simply a ’Hello’.
Love from our home to yours.
Jay and Meridel Rawlings.
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For donations in Europe, please send them here:
Greece: Piraeus Bank
Name: Meridel Rawlings
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