This is Joel's Old Blog

A basic commodity: WATER. we

A basic commodity: WATER. we were reminded today that we live in the developing world b/c our water ran out-- not b/c we didn't pay the bill.... we have a water tank that is in the ground that we have to fill up with a hose..then a pump pumps the water to the roof of our house that is our water for the house...guess what happens if the ground tannk becomes empty? you are right...no water. a few buckets of water tonight should get us through....

Get these facts that I just read about nepal: 30,000 children are separated from parents and into forced labor -- 235 children die every day in Nepal from largely preventable diseases – more than 40% of the whole population suffer form malnutrition – Only 40% of children complete education to class 5... 5th grade-
(Source: Himalayan Times. Oct 18, 2003) I read facts as this and know it is real people, real faces, boys and girls..that suffer needlessly and go without and don't have access to get their water supply up and going like we do...
"Oh God.. forgive me of my selfishness, greed, and desires that reflect more of what I want or think I need."

one of my favorite magazines

one of my favorite magazines is Christian history. it always picks one theme or person and has all the articles around this ... our mail came from the states yesterday and the recent issue was in there. it gives a historical overview of the history of the church throughout Africa and as you look at many /most nations throughout the continent, you will see many with over 75% Christian... one of the major breakthroughs is when Africans starting preaching and leading their own people back in the early 20th century --- Many 2nd generation African Christians felt that the faith that the "white man" brought was true but dead and contained no life, power, or victory -- when africans began teaching, praying for the realness of the presence of Christ/holiness/and power

It is interesting to hear

It is interesting to hear quotes and who they are credited to. There is a quote that I have heard many times and I was told that it came from native Americans, Africans, and Europeans and never knew who it was from.... I just read that it came from Lao-Tse , a Chinese philopher in the 5th century b.c... "if you tell me, i will listen. If you show me, I will see. But if you let me experience, I will learn." It came out of a real intersted book I am reading now on Leadership lessons of History's Greatest Builder: Alexander the Great. EXPERIENCE --- when we experience a culture, a food, an exotic sunset (and the list could go on) it does seem to set deeper into our mind and memory -- How i struggle with the hunger and yearning of experiencing the risen Jesus who is alive today. Living in a land where the majority yearn for idols, incense, and tikas -- i want to know the risen Christ who is the true, beautiful, and gracious God....

SCABIES: Scabies are a parasite

SCABIES: Scabies are a parasite disease of the skin caused by mites that bury themselves under your skin. They spread across your body as they lay eggs and form large lesions- Two of the boys in our orphanage in India who came from the Nepal/China border brought with them scabies and it has spread to everyone. The nurses (Barbara and Mary Ellen) treated everyone (40 people) and did a great job and were able to educate everyone and begin the process to get things in control. . Some of the children are completely covered. One boy has green puss coming out the back of his head. It has spread to most everyone at our facility and some of the children are in critical condition. We are basically in a condition where 3 are needing to be put in the hospital to have anti-biotics put through an IV. Many other are needing to get shots because treating it topically will not work. Our fear the infections may be in their blood. please pray that God will intervene and use the medicine or supernatural means to heal these innocent children from this condition. Here is a photo of one of the boy's leg:

PLEASE DO PRAY FOR THIS!

TOP OF THE WORLD! we

TOP OF THE WORLD! we have a team of two women nurses from the states that are here, Barbara & Mary Ellen. From Denver & Kentucky. My wife led them this morning on a sunrise plane ride over mount everest -- sorry, didn't make the photo on our hike to the base camp! My wife, elise, took the photo and had to share it with you-- What a photo! I have seen this view several times on different flights. The mountains on the bottom of the photo are the mere foothills -- though, they are mighty and majestic to me. Everest stands over 29,000 feet. It is said that 1 out of 3 people who attempt to summit the peak die -- THe mere cost to climb to the top of the world starts at $60,000 and can go up to $100,000- I don't think I will be seeing the top of the world this side of heaven ---

"For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him."Ps 95:3-4

photo of the highest mountain in the world: Mt. Everest