As Long As I Am Alive, I Will Live Fully. By The Grace Of God.

As Long as I am Alive, I will Live Fully. By the Grace of God.

cheeryblueheart - Life:To Loving & Living.

Shunned at home, ‘Tortoise-man’ bags award for his act of kindness

By WANJIRU MACHARIA

Every day for the past 57 years, Mzee Job Tarkwen Kipkech, has diligently carried out his self-allocated task of helping tortoises cross the Mogotio-Marigat road.

And though the act of kindness never drew any appreciation from any quarters in his village, he was never perturbed and was always at hand daily to ensure one of the world’s slowest creatures made it across the road safely.

Kipkech, 73, a resident of Kures village in Mogotio, Baringo County says that instead of appreciating his acts, locals often questioned why he wasting time on the reptiles instead of performing more rewarding domestic chores.

“They would stare at me as I rescue the animals. Some rude motorists also ignore my pleadings and at times almost knock me down as I wave them down to allow the tortoises to cross the road,” he said in an interview with Nation.

That was until two years ago when one of the leading TV stations in the country noticed him and ran a story on his conservationist efforts.

Nothing happened immediately afterwards but last Wednesday, a call he never expected came. The caller informed him he has been named the over-all winner of the Jubilee Insurance Samaritan Award (JISA).

“I now believe that no prophet is honoured in his own hometown. It took people so many miles away, and not known to me to recognise by actions,” says the old man with a smile.

The father of five quickly adds that although he is happy somebody somewhere had recognised him, that did not mark the end of his rescue mission for the tortoises that are a common sight in the area.

“I do not do this to receive praises from people but it is uplifting to know that someone appreciates what you do,” he adds. But just how did the call to be the saviour for the tortoises come to be? Mzee Kipkech says he was herding his goats along the busy road at the youthful age of 20, when he noticed with pity, how the tortoises endangered their lives, ambling across the road, every move a close shave with death.

“All that this animal can do when it senses danger is recoil back into its shell and freeze but that is not enough to save it from being crashed by the vehicles,” he says.

This vulnerability touched him and he has since not stopped to pick up the reptiles and run with them to safety across the road. Alternatively, he waves approaching vehicles down to prevent them hurting the reptiles.

Mogotio is home to all the three types of tortoises in Kenya including the endangered Pancake species.

But Mzee Kipkech’s kindness does not end with helping the reptiles to cross the road. He often carries the injured ones home and tends to them as they heal. He also sprays them with acaricides to rid them of bothersome ticks.

And the reptiles seem to have detected his kindness as they keep turning up in his compound and have even turned his farm into a breeding ground.

The old man has appealed to Kenya Wildlife Service to build a water pan on his land to avoid subjecting the reptiles to the treacherous journey for water across the road.

source

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cheeryblueheart

5 years ago

Where are my lefties at?

Reblog if you’re left handed! ♡

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cheeryblueheart

4 years ago

Can relate.

realizing all over again that God is truly all we need and there’s no way around that. there have been many times in my life where i’ve searched for things to fulfill me. people, relationships, approval, popularity, hobbies (yes even hobbies) and so much more. still, every single time i think that this certain thing could bring me joy, i end up reaching a point of emptiness inside. whether it’s a split second or even an entire month, i realize all over again that i am nothing without God. not even a full days rest could compare to the refreshing joy of being connected with God and being fully known by Him. without God, i am nothing and i can do nothing. it really all comes down to this: even if everything was taken away, would i still be okay with just jesus?

so friend here is your reminder that God is all you need and all you’ll ever need.

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cheeryblueheart

4 years ago

Many mighty ships are sinking

Many stars are falling down

And I count it as a blessing

That you hold me up now

I can tell that you've been praying

My whole life has turned around, yeah yeah

And I can't go without saying

That I thank God for you now..🎵🎶

Reasons to move out of home

You may decide to leave home for many different reasons, including:

wishing to live independently

location difficulties – for example, the need to move closer to university

conflict with your parents

being asked to leave by your parents.

Issues to consider when moving out of home

It’s common to be a little unsure when you make a decision like leaving home. You may choose to move, but find that you face problems you didn’t anticipate, such as:

Unreadiness – you may find you are not quite ready to handle all the responsibilities.

Money worries – bills including rent, utilities like gas and electricity and the cost of groceries may catch you by surprise, especially if you are used to your parents providing for everything. Debt may become an issue.

Flatmate problems – issues such as paying bills on time, sharing housework equally, friends who never pay board, but stay anyway, and lifestyle incompatibilities (such as a non-drug-user flatting with a drug user) may result in hostilities and arguments.

Your parents may be worried

Think about how your parents may be feeling and talk with them if they are worried about you. Most parents want their children to be happy and independent, but they might be concerned about a lot of different things. For example:

They may worry that you are not ready.

They may be sad because they will miss you.

They may think you shouldn’t leave home until you are married or have bought a house.

They may be concerned about the people you have chosen to live with.

Reassure your parents that you will keep in touch and visit regularly. Try to leave on a positive note. Hopefully, they are happy about your plans and support your decision.

Tips for a successful move

Tips include:

Don’t make a rash decision – consider the situation carefully. Are you ready to live independently? Do you make enough money to support yourself? Are you moving out for the right reasons?

Draw up a realistic budget – don’t forget to include ‘hidden’ expenses such as the property’s security deposit or bond (usually four weeks’ rent), connection fees for utilities, and home and contents insurance.

Communicate – avoid misunderstandings, hostilities and arguments by talking openly and respectfully about your concerns with flatmates and parents. Make sure you’re open to their point of view too – getting along is a two-way street.

Keep in touch – talk to your parents about regular home visits: for example, having Sunday night dinner together every week.

Work out acceptable behaviour – if your parents don’t like your flatmate(s), find out why. It is usually the behaviour rather than the person that causes offence (for example, swearing or smoking). Out of respect for your parents, ask your flatmate(s) to be on their best behaviour when your parents visit and do the same for them.

Ask for help – if things are becoming difficult, don’t be too proud to ask your parents for help. They have a lot of life experience.

If your family home does not provide support

Not everyone who leaves home can return home or ask their parents for help in times of trouble. If you have been thrown out of home or left home to escape abuse or conflict, you may be too young or unprepared to cope.

If you are a fostered child, you will have to leave the state-care system when you turn 18, but you may not be ready to make the sudden transition to independence.

If you need support, help is available from a range of community and government organisations. Assistance includes emergency accommodation and food vouchers. If you can’t call your parents or foster parents, call one of the associations below for information, advice and assistance.

Where to get help

Your doctor

Kids Helpline Tel. 1800 55 1800

Lifeline Tel. 13 11 44

Home Ground Services Tel. 1800 048 325

Relationships Australia Tel. 1300 364 277

Centrelink Crisis or Special Help Tel. 13 28 50

Tenants Union of Victoria Tel. (03) 9416 2577

Things to remember

Try to solve any problems before you leave home. Don’t leave because of a fight or other family difficulty if you can possibly avoid it.

Draw up a realistic budget that includes ‘hidden’ expenses, such as bond, connection fees for utilities, and home and contents insurance.

Remember that you can get help from a range of community and government organizations.

(source)

Keep me updated? xx

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cheeryblueheart

5 years ago

Purity of heart

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. - Matthew 5:8

The Words of Jesus From Matthew 5: 2-12 have always been a commonly spoken about passage throughout church history. Even as a child I remember in children’s church being prompted by teachers to memorize “the beatitudes”. The issue has been that we have become overly familiar with those words, we have adopted the attitude “oh I’ve got those ones, I know that passage”. I want to take a few moments here to invite you to once again peer into the words of Jesus found here; and allow yourself to be filled with the Spirit of revelation at these eternal words spoken from the lips of the one whom from His mouth comes a sharp two-edged sword (see Revelation 1:16). The greatest vision that a man can have is the vision of God, the greatest glimpse that spirit of man can see is the very likeness of God.

Jesus knew this, being the one from the bosom of the Father. So he calls out to a great hidden desire in the depths of 1 “Purity of heart is the pathway to the great hidden longing of the human design; and that is to behold the One whose image you were made in” fallen man, the desire to behold the eternal glory of God. “Blessed, truly happy” He declares are the pure in heart because their spirit gets the great reward of clearer vision of the uncreated God! Think about Ezekiel at the river Chebar; after having visions of God’s uncreated glory he sat there for 7 days astonished! (See Ezekiel 2: 15). Hollywood has never dreamed of such a movie or production that could leave a man or woman stunned out of their mind for 7 days unable to move at what they had just witnessed. Let the declaration of Jesus here that “blessed are the pure in heart” grip your heart and draw you in to what you are longing for in the deepest place of your human spirit; which is to see God more clearly.

Purity isn’t some boring thing that God thought up to impose rules on you to keep you from enjoying life, purity is the pathway to the greatest pleasure! Purity of heart is the pathway to the great hidden longing of the human design; and that is to behold the One whose image you were made in. When you see Him every question you have ever had about yourself is answered. I hope the Spirit uses these weak words to stir up that great longing in your heart. And I hope you find yourself in the place of growth into the greater pleasure of beholding Him more fully.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. - 2 Corinthians 13:14

Author: Michael Woodward

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cheeryblueheart

4 years ago

I wish that photographs were physical spaces, like tunnels; that you could crawl inside them and go back.

— Lauren Oliver, Vanishing Girls

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cheeryblueheart

5 years ago