We have been back to our home in Kuala Lumpur from the latest time in Uganda since September 6. After a few days of recovery, Evelyn has had several speaking engagements and teaching times here in Malaysia. Her calendar is also full through the rest of November, December, and January.
One current large project is developing on-line/digital material to be used both here, in Uganda, and eventually to many other limited access locations throughout the world. Evelyn describes the motivation behind this as being that her aging body cannot continue to journey so extensively. October 29 was her birthday. There were some dinner invitations, but she also protected the day to sit at her desk. A gift to herself is completing tasks.
Many people have been recruited to be a part of this endeavor. Some will be taping themselves teaching the material. Others are providing logistical and technical support. We will share more of the specifics as it progresses.
Evelyn will be leading a team back to Kigumba, Uganda on December 27. She and four others from Malaysia will be teaching credit courses for the Kigumba Christian Mosaic Counseling School.
At lunch today we, Evelyn and I (Steve) were looking over the calendar. I have learned to be very careful not to show any facial expressions when inside I am thinking, “This is too much. How is she going to have the time and energy and stamina to fulfill all of these obligations?!” Those who have known Dr. Biles through the years are well-aware that slowing down or paring down is not an option with her.
I may have shared this Puritan prayer before, but in honor of Evelyn’s birthday I will once again honor who she is. This prayer is really the same as her life motto.
THOU GOD OF MY END
Thou hast given me a fixed disposition
to go forth and spend my life for thee:
If it be thy will let me proceed in it:
if not, then revoke my intentions.
All I want is life is such circumstances
as may best enable me to serve thee in the world:
To this end I leave all my concerns in thy hand,
but let me not be discouraged,
for this hinders my spiritual fervency;
Enable me to undertake some task for thee,
for this refreshes and animates my soul,
so that I could endure all hardships and labours,
and willingly suffer for thy name.
But, O what a death it is to strive and labour,
to be always in a hurry and yet do nothing!
Alas, time flies and I am of little use,
O that I could be a flame of fire in thy service,
always burning out in one continual blaze.
Fit me for singular usefulness in this world.
Fit me to exult in distresses of every kind
if they but promote the advancement of thy kingdom.
Fit me to quit all hopes of the world’s friendship,
and give me a deeper sense of my sinfulness.
Fit me to accept as just desert from thee
any trial that may befall me.
Fit me to be totally resigned to the denial of pleasures I desire,
and to be content to spend my time with thee.
Fit me to pray with a sense of the joy of divine communion,
to find all times happy seasons to my soul,
to see my own nothingness,
and wonder that I am allowed to serve thee.
Fit me to enter the blessed world where no unclean thing is,
and to know thee with me always.
I know it is quite deep. That is Evelyn. Being the husband allows me to brag about her humility.
On a lighter note, we have scheduled two one-week “off times.” November 11-18 and December 2-6. We will be off the grid completely November 11-15. Our 47th wedding anniversary is on December 29. My birthday is December 27. She will be in Uganda and I will be here in Malaysia on those dates. Thus, early celebrations.
I will be heading to USA on January 15. Evelyn will be teaching here in Malaysia January 13-23 and then heading to the USA on January 29.