Update From Ecuador...
By
April 13, 2009
While the rainforest is full of amazing things and you never go hungry if you don't mind eating fresh picked hearts of palm and the incredible variety of fruit that monkeys eat, it simply doesn't equal the experience in Panama. The dugout canoes and the endless waterfalls make for quite the experience but believe me, unless we plan a 10 day trip instead of a 5 day trip, it will be too much wear and tear on the chicken!
I did learn something new about the Kapok Strategy for helping businesses wisely manage their human resources which I will be sharing in an upcoming blog. I want to do some additional scientific research to verify what the guide told me before I send it out to you, but if true, it is an important truth for anyone running a business in lean times.
Our last day back in Quito, we were treated to a wonderful experience with our new guide and taxi driver who is of the Quitu indigenous people. Their understanding of the movement of the sun and planets is nothing short of amazing. Quito means "half the earth" or the place where earth is divided in half. They pegged the line for the equator thousands of years ago and they nailed it more precisely than the French did in the 1800's when they did their measurements and placed the official marker where it still is today, off by 300 meters!
It makes you wonder how apparently primitive people could determine the exact line for the equator and many other things that we are only able in the last 100 years to match. He shared with us other very interesting perspectives and deeply held, ancient beliefs of the Quitu people that pertain to the days in which we live, in particular the next 3 ½ years. Very interesting stuff.
All in all, we were glad to have made the trip. We went to check out a rainforest destination and learn more of the mysteries of God and came away with more questions than answers and plenty to lift before the Lord to gain His understanding and wisdom.
I understand from Cheryl at my office that many of you have indicated an interest in joining us on our next excursion to the rainforest to explore its treasures and the possibility of becoming a rainforest certified business coach. I am looking to lock down a time in June in Panama where we will be staying at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort. It will be the trip of a lifetime and for many of you, the perfect opportunity to merge business interests with your desire to make a difference in the lives of others.
If this sounds like something of interest to you, then consider joining us in June to investigate what it would be like to build a coaching business with a group of like hearted Christians committed to changing the world.
To be considered for the coaching team, there are three initial prerequisites...
- You have read Rainforest Strategy and the concept appeals to you.
- You have read our vision and it resonates with you.
- If the possibility of building a lucrative coaching business while changing lives and mentoring others appeals to you and if our strategic vision resonates with you and you see the power of the rainforest as a business model, then we would like to hear from you. Please email me at admin@RainforestInstitute.org and tell me how you believe God has prepared you to help others using our proven coaching platform in the business arena. Please share your business background and what about this opportunity appeals to you. I genuinely want to know why this resonates with you and what you bring to the table to help me build the most successful coaching business of our time.
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I had been wondering if I fell off your map! Glad to hear from you. After talking to Dave last year, and reading Elmer Towne's book on fasting, I started one day a week last June. I have been wondering about \"my place in this world\" and feelings of inadequacy as a missionary in the public schools, earning little money as an abstinence educator. Since no one else really wants to do this, it is difficult to leave and have asked the FATHER to direct me.
Last week (it has been almost a year) I felt I heard HIS voice. Years ago after my daughter was molested by an inmate we were ministering to, I wrote a Bible Study for youth who had been molested. At the time no one would touch it. So, alas, seeing more and more people with this issue, I have decided to put it up on my website and think this is from HIM. Interesting the daughter (she is not a believer) who was molested is helping me as my internet skills don't exist in volume! LoL So, maybe I have found HIS place for me in HIS world and can generate an income for myself. I will also work as a \"Motivational Life Coach\" to help others come past the things in life that have kept them from being their \"utmost for HIS higest!\" This is what He has gifted me in!
Blessings to you Michael!
Kara
PS I also got my \"My Space\" (I was not going to do this as I don't like what the kids do on it) and \"Face Book\" set up. It is a way to reach the teens.
Kara L. Harris at 11:55am EDT - April 13, 2009
interesting account of your journey to the Rainforest in South America.
Did you have any opportunities to minister or witness to the local people?
thanks!
Sandi Laufenberg at 12:24pm EDT - April 13, 2009
Hi Sandi;
We did have a significant language barrier but where we could communicate clearly we did have an opportunity to touch on spiritual matters.
Blessings,
Michael
Michael Pink at 1:23pm EDT - April 13, 2009
Miachael,
FYI: On May 24 I will be touring the Gamboa Rain Forest in conjuction with a wedding I will be attending in Panam City on May 23 between the son of a logtime friend of mine and a young Panamanian lady. While I am there is there anyone or anything I should see to help me better understand your book, \"Rainforest Strategies? I will have the book with me to refer to with my friends on the tour.
Perhaps this Rain Forest tour will help me better understand how the operation of a rainforest which is part of God' s creation that is now under the control of the evil one, can approximate any of the righteous operations of God' s kingdom economy and business operations.
Last year I toured the Arthur C. Marshall Wildlife Preserve just south of West Palm Beach as part of my Inservice training as a certified science teacher. The wildlife ranger conducted us on a boardwalk tour that lead through a swamp they were \"preserving\". As we approached the entrance to the boardwalk, we passed through a man-developed building and parking area complex that was nicely landscaped and well manicured and maintained. As I walked through the boadwalk through the swamp observing all the wildlife competing for water and sunlight for their survival, it dawned on me that in the man-developed and maintained envoronment many and various beautiful flowers were blooming and animals (squirrels) were freely roaming around in a protected environment. The flowers were planted separatly and far enough apart so there would be no crowding or competiton for sunlight and water. There was a manmade watering system. It was an Uncle Remus, zippyitydoodah, \"Song of the South\" environment. This observation accentuated the difference in my mind between a created nature that is now under the control of the devil and God' s restored created nature that is a garden controlled by God' s perfected and restored children. It made me think that the only reason the swamp was being preserved was for a reminder of how unhospitable God' s creation can become when it is is not domesticated and controlled by God' s manifest sons and daughters.
I laughed when the wild life mangers told us the biggest problems they were facing was how to control invasive plants such as Maleluca, hydrilla, Brazillian Pepper and animlas such as snakes, insects and other things, some of which were actually introduced into Florida' s envirornment by environmentalists and wild life managers to control and balance nature.
It made me think of Albert Sweitzer' s confused \"reference for life\" idea in which he deplored the killing of anything, even bateria and insects that cause diseases that kill people who he, as a doctor, was supposed to heal.
Apparently Sweitzer was unable to understand and appreciate that nature has gone haywire after the so-called fall of man in which Satan usurped the dominion over nature that God had given to mankind through Adam and Eve. Like many Christian believers today, Sweitzer believed that the way nature is today with its hostile dog-eat-dog environment is God' s perfect will and plan for earth. But that is not the case. For in his restrored kingdom, there will be no more hoslility, violence or war. They shall neither hurt nor destroy in all His holy kingdom. The Lion will eat hay like the ox and the wolf will dwell with the lamb etc.
Kingdom peace and love,
David Thompson
David Thompson at 1:38pm EDT - April 13, 2009
Hi David;
I hope you really enjoy your time in Panama. The Gamboa resort is a great place to stay and you can enjoy the rainforest from your room, but if you really want to see and learn something, do what you can to reserve in advance a trip to Barro Colorado Island. (http://www.stri.org/english/visit_us/barro_colorado/index.php) You catch a boat about five minutes from the hotel, up the Panama Canal to that island which is managed by the Smithsonian. That is the real deal. I am sure you will enjoy it if you can reserve a spot. One easy way to book your spot is through the hotel. Ask for Orlando Gomez.
Hope that helps!
Blessings,
Michael
Michael Pink at 1:44pm EDT - April 13, 2009
Hello,
Interesting, I`ll quote it on my site later.
Thanks
Elcoj
Elcoj at 1:18am EDT - April 15, 2009
In reading your comments I am reminded of the current debate about tropical farmland reverting to \"jungle\" after a few years. That still does not protect natural forest.
All things may be good but some are better.
Jim
Jim Walker at 9:06am EDT - May 5, 2009