“The Biggest Family in the World”
For the past two years I have had the privilege of being a part of a story that is really beyond description.
I have previously written biographies about Charles Mulli. A six year old Kenyan boy who was abandoned by his family, but who grew up to become extremely rich. Then one day he decided to sell all he had, to go into slums and rescue street children.
The books themselves have reached people 16 and over.
But what about children?
When I met with Charles Mulli in January of 2013 we talked through the basic layout for what would become a children’s book about his life.
My friend Faye Hall has dedicated the last two years of her life to create 32 paintings that capture Mulli’s life. She has done an indescribable work. I could not even dream of the paintings being this good.
The measure of a true artist, for me, is not someone who draws you to their work, but rather to the story the work is depicting. When I look at her paintings I don’t simply see Mully Children’s Family, I feel what it is like to be there.
The book will be officially launched in December. However, you are welcome to see each of the paintings this week. If you happen to come on Friday evening, Faye and I will be there to personally walk you through each painting.
I encourage you to take a moment to simply ask God what He wants to do in your life. His plans and His creativity is my greatest inspiration.
Here are the details:
Paul Boge and Faye Hall invite you
to a ONE WEEK ONLY showing for the Mully Children’s Family
32 paintings from the new children’s book
“The Biggest Family in the World”
the story of the life of Charles Mulli
written by Paul and illustrated by Faye
at the Mennonite Heritage Centre Gallery
600 Shaftesbury Ave. (south of Grant at CMU)
Sept. 6th – 13th
Gallery Hours:
Sat. noon – 5 pm
Mon. – Fri. 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Friday, Sept 12th will be a special artist and writer evening (7:00 – 9:00 pm) with tours and stories.
For private tours, contact Faye at fhall@shaw.ca
An ideal opportunity to introduce children to an art gallery, so that they can follow the miraculous story of Mulli’s life in painting form.
The book will be released in the fall of 2014 by Castle Quay Books.
Article by CANSTAR Weeklies about the showing:
Short Video showing Faye’s studio (with the paintings) and previews of the book art:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptdujxBDpW4 (music courtesy of Steve Bell)
How do you pursue your calling?
I admire Arvid’s ability to maintain a sense of humour while under such duress. I have seen this during two of Arvid’s tours that I previously had the privilege to be a part of. Now that he is on a loop on Henderson Highway I see the same joking nature come through.
I am a huge Germany fan. Arvid a Paraguay fan. I pulled in to see him and I had my Germany flag on my car window and of course he had to point that out. If I had been cycling as long as he had been I am not sure I would have been able to recognize seeing a flag, let alone recognize the country it belonged to.
Another time when I stopped in to see him I saw him taking a brief nap – (what are the odds really, he sleeps so little) – and it is so encouraging to see a man who is following God’s call. To give 100% effort in carrying out the task God has called us to. To sleep so little in order to accomplish so much.
Last night it was pouring rain. I was working on the Mulli script. It occurred to me that there was Arvid slugging it out in the rain cycling for MCF while I was up there in a room writing away for MCF. It seemed unfair really.
I don’t have the gift of cycling. And I am guessing that when the bugs are in Arvid’s eyes, the sun is drenching his skin, his muscles are aching, that the temptation to do something else besides riding might be quite high. It’s an incredible story. I think his son Paul has done a great job in telling it.
Why do I mention this? We each get called by God to different things. What I find inspiring and encouraging about Arvid is that he is giving it all he has. Surrender to Christ. Dedication. Commitment. Ecclesiastes 9:10 says: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might”
So whether you are cycling staggering distances, or if you are like the two Pauls who are more into the writing side of thing – God has given you a gift and a unique calling that will take everything you have to complete.
It’s just so cool to have a visual encouragement in Arvid. I hope you are inspired by his example to pursue your calling.
For details on the 2014 ride please checkout www.grandpascan.com
Remembering and Grieving a Friend
The Bombers had their first home game of the year yesterday. A preason game. It reminded me of the games a group of friends, including Timmy and I, would go to and watch at the “old stadium.”
Have you ever seen the movie “Planes, Trains and Automobiles?” John Candy and Steve Martin are driving down this highway at night and accidentally cross over to the other side without either of them knowing it. A couple on the other side of the road see them going the wrong way down the highway, and they shout out at them: “You’re going the wrong way!”
It became an ongoing joke when the Bombers started running back instead of forward after a kickoff or handoff, Timmy, the gang and I would should out, “You’re going the wrong way! Turn around. Turn around!!!” It was so funny. Oh we had good times. Timmy was a stellar example of being positive and enjoying life even when things weren’t going so well. Like some of the Bomber seasons, for example.
And thinking about Timmy, it seems, in his own quiet way, he was showing us something similar.
Timmy was a man at peace. Calm. Content. “If we have food and clothing with these we will be content.” But are we? Is there a subtle message in our culture – Christian, Western, or both, that says, yes we should be content but only after we have achieved this and that? We need that next thing and then we will be content?
Our band played a Johnny Cash tune one time: “I’ve got Jesus and that’s enough.”
That was (is) Timmy.
I stopped by Peter and Teresa and Alex and Zoe’s place on Sunday evening. Continue reading
Will Jesus Remember You?
My friend’s funeral was this week. Timmy Woelk died last Saturday while hiking in the Whiteshell. I had known Tim for 23 years. There’s something comforting about knowing someone and having someone know you. The world feels different now that he is gone. Have you ever lost someone close to you? Do you ever get those knee jerk reactions when you are about to email or call or text them and realize – they aren’t there anymore. Continue reading
A Tribute to my Friend Timo Woelk
Our rock band – Highway 59. Timo Woelk – second row, first on the left.
My friend Timo Woelk died suddenly on Saturday. He had a quiet and profound impact on my life. Continue reading
Circumstances vs. Attitude
You may not be able to choose your circumstances. But you can always choose your attitude.
Have there ever been times when you wished you could have different circumstances? Me too. Then I learned something from Oswald Chambers. My friend Uwe gave me Chambers’ devotional book called “My Utmost For His Highest.” I love his writings. Chambers came at a time before the church became obsessed with self. His was a life surrendered to Christ. He was not out to ensure his life would go smoothly. He was, however, out to ensure that his life would be holy. By the power of God’s Holy Spirit alone. In his devotional book he repeats a line that has taught me much about the things that happen to us.
Oswald Chambers said: “God engineers our circumstances.”
It’s obvious when you hear it said that way. Not so obvious when you are in the midst of day, week or life that is unraveling. Continue reading
Grace
How did it feel the last time you extended grace to someone? Or put another way, how did it feel the last time you received grace?
Grace is defined as either getting what we don’t deserve or not getting what we do deserve. It is a defining characteristic of all great people.
I was late for a meeting yesterday. My fault 100 %. There was a time change and for some reason I misunderstood the update on my computer and didn’t figure out that it had incorporated the time change whereas I thought it had not. In any event, a meeting I thought I would be Continue reading
How Do You Hear From God?
How does God speak today?
I was driving through Minnesota this past weekend. It is an incredible state. Gorgeous. There is something so peaceful and inspiring in by driving passed farmer’s fields, rivers, and trees as they change colour.
I find that God speaks in many different ways. I feel close to Him when I am reading His Bible, when I am writing, running, in hanging out with my family and friends. And more recently – when I am out in nature.
As I drive along I will suddenly see a farmer’s field, and I will be amazed. Why is that? When I was younger those images bored me. Now they are amazing to me. Maybe we change as we get older.
Or maybe we begin to hear God speaking in different ways the more we try to listen to Him. Continue reading
How Do You Choose To Spend Your Time?
Where do we draw our sense of relaxation and rejuvenation from?
I love movies. I love books. How about you? What are your favourites? I finally saw Star Trek Into Darkness. Fun show. Great, great writing. I always admire how screenwriters put their scripts together
As I write this I am in development for a feature film on Charles Mulli. I am also working on two books related to his ministry – one is a children’s book, one is a biography on one of his rescued children. So I am huge fan of film and books.
They have a powerful means of entertaining us, informing us and encouraging us.
But should films and books be taking the place of quality time with God?
I know, I know, the age old battle of God versus entertainment. I am not sure necessarily that in every case it is God versus entertainment. Continue reading
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