Isaiah 40:31-1 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaya 40:31 Lakini wote wanaomtumainia Mwenyezi-Mungu, watapata nguvu mpya. Watapanda juu kwa mabawa kama tai; watakimbia bila kuchoka; watatembea bila kulegea.

Ésaïe 40:31 Mais ceux qui se confient en l'Eternel renouvellent leur force. Ils prennent le vol comme les aigles; Ils courent, et ne se lassent point, Ils marchent, et ne se fatiguent point.

Isaia 40:31 no riri, andu aria mehokaga Jehova nimakeruhirio hinya wao.  Makombukaga na mathagu o ta nderi; magaateng'era na matinoge, magaathiiaga na maguru na matiurwo ni hinya.

The little girl in the middle, being held by her mother on the flag photos is my niece Faith, born on July 18, 2016.  She shares a birthday with Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.  Who would have known?

North America.

Africa?

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. ~1 Thessalonians 5:18 | 1 Wathesalonike 5:18 shu kuruni katika kila hali; kwa maana haya ndiyo mapenzi ya Mungu kwa ajili yenu mkiwa ndani ya Kristo.

Esther Liana - Imela (Official Video)

2:22:49 PM - Happy birthday my brother Martin, MMK, usually found on facebook. It is still 26th July here. Broad daylight. Good night. I did not miss it. I did get...to say...

It is what is known as Welfare Wednesday in British Columbia - Canada.

Made possible by:

Ministry of Social Development & Social Innovation.  

Government office in British Columbia, Canada.

People with disability, thanks to Premier John Horgan, had a pay increment, thank you #Jesus!  $100 more a month starting September 2017.  Last increment was a decade ago! 

Now,  British Columbia is third in position countrywide, when it comes to rates of dollars they spend on income assistance/disability cheques.

The New Premier of British Columbia Canada, gave us a hundred dollars more a month! LINK

Let's remember this is when deaths occur due to overdose.  Today.

Thousands have died of overdose and will continue to die worldwide, until we help them.  LINK

What to do in case of an overdose? I know I need training using naloxone to save lives. LINK

Charlie Gard parents hold private talks about his end of life care. ~BBC News. Thank you for the tearjerking update BBC News! @Twitter, thanks for before and for when this story first came to be. U okay?

This is a BBC News LINK with a heart-wrenching story of a very strong family and a fighter of a child. Pole sana.

"...Charlie Gard: Timeline of parents' legal battle

• 3 March 2017: Mr Justice Francis starts to analyse the case at a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London.

• 11 April: Mr Justice Francis says doctors can stop providing life-support treatment.

• 3 May: Charlie's parents ask Court of Appeal judges to consider the case.

• 23 May: Three Court of Appeal judges analyse the case.

• 25 May: Court of Appeal judges dismiss the couple's appeal.

• 8 June: Charlie's parents lose fight in the Supreme Court.

• 20 June: Judges in the European Court of Human Rights start to analyse the case after lawyers representing Charlie's parents make written submissions.

• 27 June: Judges in the European Court of Human Rights refuse to intervene.

• 3 July: The Pope and US President Donald Trump offer to intervene.

• 7 July: Great Ormond Street Hospital applies for a fresh hearing at the High Court.

• 24 July: Charlie's parents end their legal fight to take him to the US for treatment."  ~BBC News.

THE GREEN CEILING HANDED A TICKET. -Monday July 24, 2017

Bob Marley - Get up, stand up 1980

 Dr. Sanjay Gupta / Neurosurgeon.
“It doesn’t have a high potential for abuse, and there are very legitimate medical applications. In fact, sometimes Marijuana is the only thing that works… It is irresponsible not to provide the best care we can as a medical community, care that could involve Marijuana. We have been terribly and systematically misled for nearly 70 years in the United States, and I apologize for my own role in that.”

Twice I went to Amsterdam café in the Mainland where one can sit and medicate - put cannabis in the system, you know what I mean?  Medicate.  I was excited when something similar showed up in town.  Thrice I have been to THE GREEN CEILING, right here in our lovely city.  I would love to visit there more often.  I love the social atmosphere.  Somewhere to go unwind, you know?

THE GREEN CEILING is a place of culture, comfort and cannabis as stated on the business card that the owner Ashley Abraham gave to me per my request.   It is one of those places one can enjoy cannabis in what is supposed to be a safe place.

Safe it was until these two by law officers showed up.

 Photo by Majick Stirling. ~facebook.

Where is the Sex & Drugs & ROCK & ROLL?
I know a black female with a serious bitchy resting face.  She's me.  Let's ROCK N' ROLL.

TV Show

The by law officers, gave the owner a ticket for operating without a license.  Apparently by law officers show up at will and issue different types of tickets.  There is a catch-22 situation going on.  Victoria City Hall?

Ashley Abraham is the owner of THEGREENCEILING.COM

It was very impressive how Ashley held herself at a time of being faced with dark clothed officers.  I felt that she stood up for her clients when she said among other things that she felt good about what she was doing and she hoped the officers would feel as good about themselves at the end of the day.

 Photo by Majick Stirling. ~facebook.

Philip Denney, MD / Physician
“I have found in my study of these patients that Cannabis is really a safe, effective and non-toxic alternative to many standard medications. There is no such thing as an overdose. We have seen very minimal problems with abuse or dependence, which at worst are equivalent to dependence on caffeine. While a substance may have some potential for misuse, in my opinion, that’s a poor excuse to deny its use and benefit to everyone else.”

Kenya Bus Service and BC Transit. In BC Transit, I know since late 90's, as a bus driver then, subsequently becoming the Safety & Training Officer, Phil Thornton-Joe (almost retiring if he has not.) In Kenya, I knew the makanga's (conductors) who would give me a ride home when I had no bus fare. That happened. Phil, I saw a bus driver on Friday 21, July, 2017, leaving UVIC on #14 at around 4:30 PM or 4:45 PM and he was a spit image of your professionalism. I told him how I appreciated that he said hello to each and every customer and good bye as well. All with your kind of ease. Then I knew, we had made it! Somehow.

On July 5, 2017, involving bus number 9474, route number 30 heading to James Bay around 1:00 PM, on a Wednesday, I saw the fastest exchange of bus driver's shift on Douglas Street near the fence close to BC Transit.  Those gentlemen changed places and hi and in less than a minute, we were moving forward.

There were Matatus in Kenya,

And there were...things...

That is how I grew up. Fighting every day to get into public transport and getting pick pocketed most of the times.  When I left Kenya in 1996, this was the style of catching transport.  Diving in like there is no tomorrow.  Dignity was out the door.  Now imagine you have a toddler tied to your chest, now imagine that you are pregnant.  It was kila mtu na chake.

Then I arrived in Canada.  Like night and day.

When we went back to Kenya in 2011, there seemed to be no overloading the buses and matatus.  There was some sort of order.  I thought I was dreaming.

Desiderata.

I have had you Desiderata since I was in my mid-teens.  Given to me by Reverend Timothy Gathambo - Presbyterian Church of East Africa - PCEA

And then, yesterday and I came home from work, I took a seat on the bus and this guy, (Asian looking - not East Indian, not Native American) would look at me and act like he is going to punch someone (me) or at times he acted like he was suppressing a panic attack.  I moved to the back.  He did not seem bothered by the other black girl opposite me. My seat I left was taken by a young black man.  There was like three black people in the small area.

I knew what might have been happening because a non-black friend of mine fainted in a (University of British Columbia) UBC African Awareness event in the 2000s.  She said the whole experience was overwhelming.

Mungu, nimeona mengi.

There can be life after breast cancer. The prerequisite is early detection. ~Ann Jillian

"Housekeeping ain't no joke." - Louisa May Alcott.

Happy birthday to Hazel Francis seen here with Peter Francis.  They hired me as their housekeeper in the late 90's in Canada.  They gave me this photo which I put a Canadian sticker and wrote Live 101 because I experienced through them what to love each other meant.  From making sandwiches for each other to giving the last kiss to a dying spouse. First Peter died, then months after Hazel.  They could not live without each other. They were the first elderly couple I saw sleeping in separate bedrooms, leave alone separate beds.  Then I realised other couples did this too.  Very interesting.  I don't know if it is a Canadian thing to sleep alone, a health thing or an old people's thing.

It is awesome to have the sunflower image on the photo, my favourite flower that "follows every movement of the sun."  A song from advanced school, Kenya. Happy birthday to my class mate Alice Okoko, Loreto High School Matunda, 1986-1987. 

Peter Francis was in the war, (respect) and he got to Canada where Hazel Francis joined him with their daughter.  Hazel and their daughter came by boat from Europe when the daughter was five years old.

They had two grandsons from their daughter.

Peter, that charm you gave me ended up with Michael Fraser who used to teach at Arbutus school and later SJ Willis.  I would like my charm back please Michael, if at all possible.  I was mentally ill when I gave the necklace with the charm away.  Peace.

Hazel showed me her chest one day, she had rough Total Mastectomy done.  Both breasts were gone - seemed brutal. Which reminds me, I need to book for a mammogram screening - I am glad to live in British Columbia (BC) Canada, thank the #Lord.  I was traumatised at the surgical marks on Hazel.  The procedure seems more forgiving today. 

Years ahead, I would meet my late girlfriend Gayle Quin who would thereafter battle breast cancer, have one breast removal, and subsequently die of cancer spreading into her bones. I miss her.

RIP Gayle.

My prayer is for the whole world to have the same/if not better standard of screening for breast cancer as does BC Cancer Agency, who provide Care and Research through the Provincial Health Services Authority.  According to BC Cancer Agency, women between age 40 - 74 without breast cancer history in the family can have a mammogram every two years and women 40 - 74 years of age with breast cancer history in one first degree relative should have a mammogram every year.

A doctor's referral is not needed.
LINK - Breast Cancer - BC Cancer Agency. 

Our parents, like most parents in Kwa Mathore, Kenya, were left with cornmeal and salted water to survive on, while they made sure we had school fees. Mum and dad, murorathimwo. Along with all teachers that taught us. Be blessed. Thank you. Education is a key to a brighter future. Let us value education and use it to minimize tears and awaken the masses. “I am not a teacher, but an awakener.” ― Robert Frost. Late 13 year old Marissa Shen, your education was cut short. For what you could have achieved, I dedicate this post to you. RIP. I see your photo online has you in school uniform? Very smart look. For all the boys and girls out there, all men and women, listen: “Self-education is, I firmly believe, the only kind of education there is.” ― Isaac Asimov. Here are more education quotes.

 

Photo of late Marissa Shen (Burnaby apparent homicide victim)
contributed by 

 CTV Vancouver - CTV News

Thanks @Google images for J.M. Kariuki's image via Kenya CitizenTV

We are very saddened by the death of young Marissa Shen, 13 years old. Family and friends, please accept our condolences and take heart. News first heard on CBC Radio one.

The death of my daughter is a subject I talk about briefly because there is nothing more tragic. ~Ben Vereen.

 Marissa Shen, 13, lived with her family near the Burnaby park where she was found dead early Wednesday morning, yesterday (Handout) Thank you -  CTVNews.ca

May your tender and pure soul, Marissa Shen:

...even as authorities work tirelessly day and night to find out exactly what happened to you at Burnaby park...

We pray that those you left behind can one day make sense of this whole event, as difficult as it is to voice those words. 

No choice of words can express how upset we are for the family and friends of Marissa Shen and for Canada as a whole.  We lost a precious girl!

Pole sana.

抱歉 
Bào qiàn.

Mos ahinya.

I love 10 cents specifically from 1968. I will keep any 10 cents though and thanks in advance.

The man who has his millions will want everything he can lay his hands on and then raise his voice against the poor devil who wants ten cents more a day. ~Samuel Gompus.

Kevin O'Leary:

[to a crying entrepreneur] "Money and tears don't mix. Get over it. Life's hard, money doesn't care. Your tears don't add any value."

Yeah, money don't care.  What do these coins have to say for themselves at 49 years old?  I know I have a lot to say at this age, and sometimes I tear up.  Until I see a ten cent, then I smile.  Was it on my couch the whole time or did somebody leave it there for me?  Either way, worth a teardrop.

The man who has his millions will want everything he can lay his hands on and then raise his voice against the poor devil who wants ten cents more a day. Samuel Gompers
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/cents.html

The man who has his millions will want everything he can lay his hands on and then raise his voice against the poor devil who wants ten cents more a day. Samuel Gompers
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/cents.html

How about the shilling?

(The value of 10 cents x 4 in a song) ...40 cents more for the next three minutes. ~Operator 
Dr Hook- Sylvias Mother

Nelson Mandela Former President of South Africa. July 18, 1918 - December 5, 2013. Happy Nelson Mandela International Day Everybody!

Today is this paragon's birthday.  How does one wish a departed soul a Happy Birthday?

Just like this I guess:

Love, from the whole world.

You had/have such an impact on my life Tata Madiba explaining why four months after your demise,  I had Hindu tonsure done.  It was April 5, 2014, Sir.

I will never forget you. 

Since you left the world, the world has never been the same.  You must have heard all about it, the United States of America and such.  We miss you.

Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here

You popularized Our Greatest Fear by Marianne Williamson.  I know it by heart because of you.  It helps me get by and I share it any chance I get.  I always mention you.

Happy birthday Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.
Ndiyabulela.
Enkosi.

Rest In Peace.

To all fire fighters, Nithengiu, Gracias, Efharisto, Thank you, Merci, Erokamano, Toda, Mahalo, ありがとう, Takk, do jeh, Grazie, 감사합니다, Spasiba, Asante, Khop Khun Mak Kha, Danke sehr, Ashe o'leng...mostly by Jade Broadus, Vagabond3. Tausend dank.

Thank you very much for all the hard and risky work you do.  Asante sana and be blessed.

And because you fought the fire seemingly, effortlessly around me and continue to do so.  Fire fighters are a rare breed of the human specimen.

The fire within you is brighter than any fire around you. - Seen on Bar Rescue, Chicago fireman episode, Casual Tap with Jon Taffer -Consultant.

(bc_adam/instagram)

Cam Neville, Australia

Fire fighters every where, you are appreciated. 

My father in law, Robert Bushby was a volunteer fire fighter for 20 years with
North Saanich Fire Department, even as Fire Chief for a while.

Thank you dad, you inspire me to keep volunteering.

"Messages for our fire fighters."
(LINK made possible via Global News.  Thank you)

I only wanted to be some kind of friend ~Prince - Purple Rain,. Next, Tuma Mvua... ~David Adede Ft Sarah K.

Send rain...

Remember the grandmother Angie Thorne, consoling her grand daughter, Nevaeh Porter,as they ran from a destructive wildfire?

Here she is holding strong as she can.  I don't regret making a second donation to #Canadian Red Cross.  Financial aid is what is being required at the moment instead of material goods.  Thank you.

May #God have mercy, mercy, mercy.

Cash donations for those affected by wildfires in British Columbia recommended verses donating material goods which have potential of going into waste. Thank you Global News and CBC Radio 1. HARAMBEE! Hii!

Coat of arms of Kenya - Wikipedia

Harambee is a Kenyan tradition of community self-help events, e.g. fundraising or development activities. Harambee literally means "all pull together" in Swahili, and is also the official motto of Kenya and appears on its coat of arms.

 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

RITA MARLEY -Harambee

Please donate to the Canadian Red Cross concerning the BC Wildfires.  (LINK)

"When man finally learns to control the elements... When the winds will be quiet and the earth cannot be torn apart...When there will be no loneliness... no destitution... no war... When the last hungry man, woman or child is fed... Only then will there be no need for the Red Cross."
Albert Schweitzer - Nobel Peace Prize winner


Global News LINK

Prepared BC, BC Wild Fire.

Where there is smoke there is fire.  Proverb

The most tangible of all visible mysteries - fire. Leigh Hunt

Nevaeh Porter, 8, is comforted by her grandmother Angie Thorne as they view the remains of their home destroyed by wildfire on the Ashcroft First Nation, near Ashcroft, B.C., late Sunday. (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press) July 9, 2017

Headlines say: 'They were not prepared': B.C. fire evacuees frustrated with officials, Red Cross -Josh Dehaas, CTVNews.ca Writer

Bob Marley - Everything's Gonna Be Alright

It is easier said than done, Bob!

Evacuees from the BC Wildfires 2017, please bear with the websites that are down.  Knowing #Canada, I am certain someone is working hard to fix the problem.  We were all caught unawares by the fast moving fires.  There are certain matters that one can never be fully prepared for, and this is one of them.  Please do not give up.

I am sorry about the poor communication reported between government officials and the #Canadian Red Cross.  My recommendation is we strive for better communication networking abilities, among all government agencies and organizations in #Canada as we move forward.  It is 2017 after all.

Thinking of you, evacuees and the people set out to help the situation.  News first heard on CBC Radio.  Thank you.

Thank you CTV News.  (Link)

22:22:22

Karibu, as in, you are welcome.

Let us help one another. S'il vous plaît, please, tafadhali twaguthaitha, Donate to the British Columbia Fires Appeal. We did. Thank you #Jesus for Providence.

Link

Thank you #Creator, Fire Departments, Federal and Provincial Governments, the Public, for helping and continuing to help with the British Columbia Wildfire. For the people affected, prayers are coming your way. Take heart. Your experience teaches me what I call problems are nothing compared to what you are going through right now. I did not need to learn this way! #Creator, I am amazed at how lives have been saved. Pas de mort dont nous connaissons. Tich Maber.

This is a map of the fire danger rating.  It is also available via B.C. Wildfire Service.  

Thank you Times Colonist.

A wildfire burns on a mountain near Ashcroft, B.C., on July 7, 2017.  (DARRYL DYCK/THE #CANADIAN PRESS) 

The story of a hummingbird with Late, Environmental Activist Professor Wangari Maathai

We are constantly being bombarded by problems that we face and sometimes we can get completely overwhelmed.
The story of the hummingbird is about this huge forest being consumed by a fire. All the animals in the forest come out and they are transfixed as they watch the forest burning and they feel very overwhelmed, very powerless, except this little hummingbird. It says, ‘I’m going to do something about the fire!’ So it flies to the nearest stream and takes a drop of water. It puts it on the fire, and goes up and down, up and down, up and down, as fast as it can.

In the meantime all the other animals, much bigger animals like the elephant with a big trunk could bring much more water, they are standing there helpless. And they are saying to the hummingbird, ‘What do you think you can do? You  too little. This fire is too big. Your wings are too little and your beak is so small you can only bring a small drop of water at a time.’

But as they continue to discourage it, it turns to them without wasting any time and it tells them, ‘I am doing the best I can.’

And that to me is what all of us should do. We should always feel like a hummingbird. I may feel insignificant, but I certainly don’t want to be like the animals watching as the planet goes down the drain. I will be a hummingbird, I will do the best I can.