This is Joel's Old Blog

As you see these 3

As you see these 3 photos that I took today, you will see in both of them beauty, expression, devotion, and commitment. There is something beautiful of all cultures in the world and their reflection of God - One is of a Hindu woman dancing in worship to the Hindu god, Shiva, and the other two are women praying and worshiping Jesus Christ-

The Hindu majority of women celebrate the Teej Festival in which they pay tribute to Parbati and Shiva (Parbati is the wife of Shiva, a Hindu god). The women were mainly in red, the color of prosperity and celebration of their husbands or husbands to be. There was music, singing and dancing on the road to the temple --- The women worship idols made by hands, wash in a very polluted water to be cleansed, and sing to gods where they need to ring the bells to wake them up. The evening we gathered with several hundred Christian women and as we entered the worship was electric and intense. These women knew that Jesus is alive and present in their midst! "God inhabits the praise of his people " is the scripture that came to my mind ---- I also thought of the writings of A.W. Tozar who wrote, "God wants to be wanted!" I met the former mayor of Kathmandu who's wife has become a believer - he is still a Hindu- He was actually at the conference--- The time of prayer was divine from these women-- you could tell that many traveled from far off villages to come!

the climate has sure changed

the climate has sure changed here. Since I wrote last, the 7 month old peace talks between the maoists rebels and nepal gov't have dissolved -- the past few days there has been major increase in military and police patrolling the streets heavily armed. The top army officer was killed yesterday as well as several lootings at banks. the long lasting struggle has seen very little attacks on foreigners yet people have speculated that this could change.

Despite this going on, life progresses as normal and we await the woman's conference this weekend where over 500-600 women are coming together-- we are helping sponsor this 3 day event and pray it will be a time of encouragement --- We are hoping to do some interviews of women who have traveled many days just to come.

"Lord may you bring peace to this land - may the innocent not suffer or be oppressed, righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne-- you ALONE are the solution, the remedy, the answer, the path, the light, the hope in this land and the rest of the world where hostility and chaos rule the day."

we made it to a

we made it to a Japanese restaurant tonight right across the street from the Japanese embassy and, boy, was it tasty! no sushi, though (my wife's favorite) 1 Japanese man who has been living here for 20 years runs the place>> we all got to sit on the floor in a room to ourselves!! zayd's eyes seem to be getting better. the eye drops are working--- His spider bite is going down and the swelling is not increasing. Tomorrow I meet with a man who runs a small children' s home/orphanage here in Nepal -- I was thrilled today to get mail from our office in Houston! A big packet of all kinds of stuff --- We enjoyed reading through even our junk mail! Last night our friends from Finland came over- we laughed, shared a meal, and took a bunch of photos as they have a little girl around zayd's age--- we wish we could connect with them more often, but they live on the other side of town. he is working on a translation of the scripture in a language that has no bible

today we went to patan

today we went to patan hospital where we were told an american pediatrician is. zayd's eyes are oozing out some kind of puss -- we had a co-worker from india who came to stay with us a week or 2 ago and he picked up some nasty eye thing in New Delhi --- we don't know if it came from jeremy or somewhere else... but it sure has us worried -- we got some eye drops and the doctor said it could be either viral or bacterial -- no redness in his eyes, but we have seen it spread from 1 eye to the other... He also has an ant or spider bite on his little foot that has grown and swollen--- He said it could spread and if it does, we will need to do antibiotics. POOR Little fella -- mom and dad drag him all the way on the other side of the world and this stuff comes ---- plus he is teething -- please pray for him and elise (as she is really stressed) and that God will heal, sustain, and comfort during this. I guess part of the reality of living in the developing world, right?

I was reading today....."Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,your justice like the great deep. O LORD, you preserve both man and beast. How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. Ps 36:6-7

Zayd is gettting to that

Zayd is gettting to that age where he is really starting to make us laugh. He doesn't understand that we are laughing at him but he sure takes notice. I know in a few months we cannot laugh like we do now b/c it will hurt his feelings and make him become self-conscious. Children are so amazing in any culture. I see the suffering and poverty here in Nepal and then see children in the midst of it w/ their big smiles and simple toys.

We have tried to make phone calls through the internet and it is quite remarkable. Much better and clearer than when I first did it 7 or 8 years ago. Some calls are not real clear and there is a long pause.... but i thought you would enjoy this photo of Zayd ALL READY TO GO!

He is feeling a bit better and eating good, which is a good sign. Saturdays are rest days and we went to play some tennis today. It is humbling when my wife beats me every time (she use to give lessons and played all growing up) But we enjoy playing together!

Well I have gotten behind

Well I have gotten behind on keeping you all posted on what is going on this week. Does anyone read this? Perhaps you can drop me an email and let me know -- it would be a little encouraging. you can email me by looking to right of the screen. Had several good meetings today with some ministries in the region.
We are going to be helping put on a woman's conference in Nepal. Over 600 women are coming together for 3 days.. As many of you are aware, women are often the victims of oppression in so many developing countries.. Please pray for this gathering.

I also learned that over 90% of the pastors in Nepal have no training of any kind and many of them have never comleted high school. What a shock to hear this. We in the west are OVER trained when many church leaders lack basic skills on explaining the simplicity of the gospel or bible stories. Zayd is a little sick today with lots of crying and runny nose.. please pray for him.. more soon...

We all waited around for

We all waited around for the phone call. When the phone rang, all our hearts dropped and Isu was crying saying his son was gone and there was nothing more that could be done. We later went to the hospital to find Paul's body wrapping in a sheet and lying on the cement floor with the smell of incense coming from several other bodies. There were 3 other bodies lying on the ground. We waited for a casket to be brought to the hospital as many looked out of curiosity because in this Hindu culture, bodies are taken to be cremated and not put into boxes - Several men unwrapped the sheet and dressed Paul in his clothes and placed him in the box. After a few hours, we got into a taxi, as rain was pouring all day, and went to the church. We got lost and began to pray in the car that God would lead us to the church somehow. The holes in the rode, the rain coming down hard...Luckily, Zayd was sleeping (our 9 month old son) We saw only 1 other car on the road and stopped and recognized some Nepalis from teh hospital. The service was glorious in the midst of mourning. Many non-believers were present. There was loud singing of Praise to God, the reading of scripture, and a 30 minute sermon.
Many heard the gospel, perhaps for the first time. They then opened the box where Paul was lying in and everyone was placing flowers on Paul's young face as Isu and Laxmi stood by the side weeping and seeing their son for the last time this side of Heaven. As I held Zayd during this time, I began to weep.. Seeing the grief before me, a 12 year old boy who had no hope to live...was almost too much to bear.

These are moments when you seem to have more hard questions than easy answers, more doubts that certainty, and life is much more complex than some would like to admit. I am reminded that no one is beyond the Grace of God and we hold to the words of Jesus, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die."John 11:25-26

Please do remember the Karki family, THe Kathmandu Church, and the Church of Nepal in this time of mourning and grief

being at a hospital in

being at a hospital in one of the poorest nations on earth is a very emotionally draining experience- the smells, the lack of technology, the lines, etc..
Going to the ICU unit tonight here in Kathamandu to see my good friend, Isu Karki, was such a different level emotionally, almost too much to hande. His son tried to hang himself this morning . Paul is just 12 years old. Isu is a church planter --- I went to Paul's bed, in ICU, layed hands on him and prayed for him. The doctors say it is only a mere 10% survival rate. Isu kicked down the door at his house to find his son hanging but not dead. As I sit here and type this, Paul hangs on for his life with limited technology and breathing machines and IVs. PLEASE PRAY IF YOU ARE READING NOW..Many of the Karki family are not believers. Isu mourned and cried so loud --- we held each other --- Being a new father, I can't imagine the reality of my son trying to end his life.....what horror he must feel to the depths of his being.... C.S. Lewis wrote, 'GOd whispers in our joy but shouts to us in our pain." God is speaking but I am not sure what it is yet...

another servlife worker in the

another servlife worker in the region, jeremy, came in today. he has a friend from teh states who is getting married to a woman from tibet. he joined us for dinner and made a lot of goofy noises that zayd loved. i worked in the garden all day and bought some more flowers. i turned an old sand box into a flower garden -- and was pleased how it turned out! no haircut yet -- maybe tomorrow.
isu, a pastor here in kathmandu, dropped in to see us at our house. he had a home fellowship meeting in our area... he started a church in the city a few years back.

"Lord --- allow me to see, feel, understand the people in this land as you do -- deliver from my own limited perspective that is so warped with insecurities, culture, and fear -- if i can only see through your eyes -- my soul would ignite."

albert is with us from

albert is with us from kathmandu for several days. We are having good meetings together and sharing about the future our ministry in this land. he is always so different when we are together away from servlife india and it is good for him to rest and sleep. i worry that he doesn't have times away of rest and refueling. we talked about the model of Jesus how henri nouwen describes is from solitude, community, to ministry ---
I found out today that we have other items in our garden: green beans, carrots, cabbage! i was so excited. We also found a lemon tree! We made it to the nursery and bought 25 flowers/shrubs for a mere $3! We are going to be cookin' up our yard with more flowers, roses, shrubs! Something you never do living in apartment life in the states (where we have lived). we had a rocking chair made for $10 out of bamboo for elise to rock zayd in... she was so happy when i brought it home early.

i am going to get my haircut on the streets this week--- it is a real unique site to see barbers at the bus stops, on the street cutting hair in the midst of busy traffic...
Elise wants to take a photo of it.. if so, we will post it here.. stay tuned.....