This is Joel's Old Blog

My Thanksgiving Day

We approached a police road block at about 10 pm after driving for over 6 hours from Kathmandu.  We had missed our flight coming from New Delhi trying to get to ServLife India on the border of India & Nepal for our pastors training conference.   I realized our driver would not pass the road block after trying to convince him to drive ahead.  He said we would be shot with bullets from the RNA (Royal Nepal Army) if he drove past the road block. There was no one in sight, as we were surrounded by mountains in the middle of no where. - He said he did not want to die that night and neither did I, not because I fear death but because I want to grow old with my wife, watch my son grow up, have more children, and see the gospel preached around the world. I remembered that the last house we saw was about 1 hour ago --  We turned around realizing we were going to have to find a place to stay, but at this hour it would be very difficult.  We passed several houses all locked up and finally saw one small hut and a fire inside. We got out and were welcomed by a poor Nepali family.   We sat around their fire and we shared stories and they spoke that 2 days ago that 24 army soldiers had been killed down the road by Maoists and that is why the road blocks were there. They had also discovered 24 bombs being used to blow up supply trucks (as she is telling us this, I see a truck parked right in front of her small house made of grass and mud)    When the lady found out we had a children's home, she brought to us a small girl and asked us to take her. She said that her village of 150 families had about 45 orphans from because of the Maoists conflict.  We told her that our facility is not adequate to take more children but would keep in touch with her.  We prayed for the family and shared with the hope that is in Jesus Christ.   I told them that today in my country is Thanksgiving and a day to celebrate and be thankful -    We were given an empty room and slept on a wooden floor with 1 blanket. It was very cold and I did not have proper clothing (I did not think I was going to be sleeping in the middle of the Himalayas mountains in November on this trip) -  As I laid down to sleep, cold and hungry b/c  I had only eaten 1 meal that day on our plane ride about 12 hours before,  I began to reflect of what it is I am thankful for. I  was filled with joy at this moment and thankful to God to give me the opportunity to serve him and be stranded in the mountains of rural Nepal. To be used to offer hope to the poor, despised, and rejected and encourage the body of Christ in parts of the world where there is a price to pay to follow Jesus.   I was grateful to know God and that I was first known by Him.  I was thankful for Elise and my son and praying to be reunited back with them. 

"Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts." Ps 105:1-2
"We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds." Ps 75:1

 

Put your money to creative use this holiday

Well my eye is a bit better, not 100% but I am hopeful in my 25cent drops. Today in Delhi we spent the day going around to banks to try and figure out ways to get funds here. We were denied by 2 banks to open an account -  I guess we looked like money launderers.   Continue to pray for this as it is becoming much too complicated. We have a meeting tomorrow with an important person that could help in the matter.  I have heard about rich people who spend all their time going around and figuring out different places to put their money, you don't here a lot about missionaries spending a lot of time going around and trying to figure out how to move funds around  -- i should write a book about all i have learned. interesting stuff, actually.    Well, this week kicks off the feud of shopping for the holiday back in most of you who read this blog (USA)   Thanks Rick Bennet for this! Ponder this image and question:

There is a very amazing site from Canada:  This Christmas we'll be swamped with offers, ads and invitations to buy more stuff. But now there's a way to say enough and join a movement dedicated to reviving the original meaning of Christmas giving.  Buy Nothing Christmas is a national initiative started by Canadian Mennonites but open to everyone with a thirst for change and a desire for action. - Check out their site: BuynorthingforChristmas - Also, my friend Darrin Petersen in San Francisco has some good ideas about how to think creatively over the holidays -  Show your love to others in creative ways --- this would be a good moment to actually plug the SERVLIFE STORE (coming soon) gifts to buy others that empowers widows, the poor,  and women coming out of the sex trade. Stay tuned for more.

Pink eye in Delhi

This is what my eye looked like this morning. (it is not actually my eye in this photo)  I awoke here in Delhi and felt like I could not even open my left eyelid, like someone glue it shut.  I got some drops brought to my hotel for a whoppin 10 rupees (25cents- you gotta love India!) - Hopefully it will clear up.  In case you don't know where New Delhii is in India, here is a map:   I left Elise and Zayd back in Thailand as I am here for a few days meeting up with Albert, our India director of SL for a few meetings - We head to Raxaul to have our first leadership/pastors conference --Do pray for our time here in Delhi - It is always such a joy to be back in this marvelous land!  Had some great Indian food tonight!!!!  No Turkey for this guy this weekend!  Lots of Dal Baht (rice and Dal) 

hudson taylor was the man

I have been encouraged reading again the life of J. Hudson Taylor. The 21-year old Taylor first sailed to China in 1853.  Funds from home rarely arrived, but Taylor was determined to rely upon God for his every need, and he never appealed for money to his friends in England. Repeatedly he later told others, "Depend upon it. God's work, done in God's way, will never lack for supplies."   In those days, foreigners were not allowed into China's interior; they only were allowed in five Chinese ports. Hudson Taylor, however, was burdened for those Chinese millions who had never heard of Christ. Ignoring the political restrictions, he traveled along the inland canals preaching the gospel.    His feelings on stepping ashore, " I cannot attempt to describe. My heart felt as though it had not room and must burst its bonds, while tears of gratitude and thankfulness fell from my eyes." So wrote Hudson Taylor of the moment of his landing at Shanghai, China on this day, March 1, 1854 at 5 p.m.  He prayed specifically for his needs and for missionaries. One year he prayed for 70 missionaries. The Lord sent 76. Another year he asked for 100 and got 102. The Lord also provided their passage money. At his death the China Inland Mission had 205 missionaries ---    May God increase the laborers in the world. We are overwhelmed by the darkness here in Thailand.  Being here is much different and lonely at times, but God is with us, as he was with Taylor, the apostle Paul, and Moses.   We need your prayers more than ever.     Jesus is alive and desiring to draw men to the father.

Dog Worship in Nepal

I found a free wireless coffee shop where we are in Thailand! So nice to get online at faster speeds!!!  I wrote a few days back about being in Kathmandu last week during Divali, one of the most popular Hindu festivals. I mentioned that the day I was there was the day most of the country was worshiping their dogs or any dog.  I found the photo that was on the front page of the Kathmandu post - Here it is, what a photo!!! Not the kind of photo you will see on any front page of a newspaper in the west (atleast most papers) These are Kathmandu's police dogs dressed up to be worshiped by local policemen.   I have to be honest, I am not a huge dog lover to begin with, as my wife is. But there is a side of me that laughs at this, knowing how dumb most dogs are -  However, there is a side of me that grieves deeply of where over a billion people on our planet look to for hope and inspiration, a canine.  Here is the perspective of one Hindu explaining the day,

A dog plays many roles in our society. We have dogs in our houses as guardian of the house. As the legend also says that there is a dog at yama's gate guarding the gate to the underworld. The dog is also the steed of the fearful Bhairab, the god of destruction. So on this day a big red tika is put on a dog's forehead and a beautiful garland around the neck. After worshipping the dog, it is given very delicious meal. This day the saying 'every dog has his day' comes true; for even a stray dog is looked upon with respect. We pray to the dog to guard our house as he guards the gate of the underworld and to divert destruction away from our homes. On this day you can see dogs running around with garlands on their neck.Happy kukur tihar. Give your dogs a delicious meal today.

Human Trafficking

It is estimated that there are 1 million children in the world are sold into the prostitution industry in some form or fashion. In Thailand alone there are 2.5 million women and children are trafficked into the sex industry.  Our two children's homes will be growing to 50 children in India and Nepal in 2005 and everytime I see a new girl come to our home, I think that she may have been saved from being taken to a brothel in Calcutta.  A story here in Thailand that I recently came across that I thought would encourage you.  Pray that more young women like Nee can be set free! 

"A prostitute in Thailand, Nee, was fourteen when she left her village and came to Bangkok to earn money for her family.  Soon she moved south to Pattaya and drifted into the bars.  She was fifteen the first time she slept with a man.  A German man  in his forties then took her to live with him as wife.  When Nee was 19 he left her and she felt that ‘life was over, there was nothing left, no love’.  Shortly after she moved to Bangkok to work in the sex shows in Patpong Road . There we met her and she started coming into the Beauty Shop(A Christian ministry).  She came every day, we  witnessed to her and led her to Christ.  The first time she came to church Nee said ’Sitting in that church I felt like a princess, for the first time in my life  I felt like a woman with dignity’ Three years later Nee has graduated from Bible school, has completed a dressmaking course and is now serving God as social worker and evangelist." 

meds delivered to orphans in nepal

Thank you to so many folks who responded and shipped about 20 boxes to us before we left the states!  I delivered the first batch to our children's home in Kathmandu - The children were so happy to get them. It was so wonderful to step off the plane in Kathmandu. I felt I was going home (funny how there are many places around the world where I get that feeling. Probably more than most folks, who knows?)   The cool climate, pollution, practicing my Nepali.    Yesterday was Dog Puja (meaning the day to worship dogs) The front section of the newspaper had photos of about 12 dogs all with flowers around their heads at the police station as policemen worshiped them. 

We finally got our phone line installed in out place here in Thailand. What a joy! No more running around to Internet shops and hooking up my laptop to their network.  I arrived back to Elise and Zayd tonight -

From Nepal

No this photo is not in Nepal,but a photo of Zayd and I on a bike in Thailand, not mine (i wish it was) but Zayd is now in love with bikes, like his daddy - I had a motorcycle in college. I bought if for $700 and sold it for $750. The speedometer was even broken when I bought it.

I am in Nepal for a few days. Meeting with staff here, Udaya, and looking at new places for our children's home. We want to grow it to 20 children in 2005.   It is a short trip, I fly back to Thailand later today where Elise and Zayd are.

Thailand: Home for a few months

WE are basing out of Thailand the next few months. "Why Thailand?" you ask. Well there are many reasons. After praying through our options after living in Nepal last year, we felt God leading and calling us here. Flying over to India & Nepal from Thailand is like flying from Houston to Denver, not real far. Flights are real cheap as well and convenient. Nepal is a real critical political situation and not the best place to be. We don't believe we are here in Asia forever or the next several years, for that matter. Of course, we have to be back in the states to minister and share about the work we are doing in this region of the world. Thailand has held a close place in my heart for many years. Very little breakthrough in the growth of the church here. It is still over 98% Budhist. Great injustices are everywhere. There is an estimated 800,000 prostitutes under the age of 16 in Thailand alone. We are looking to respond to this issue as a ministry. THere are many levels and ways to intervene (politically, large Non-gov't organizations,etc) But we are committed to work with and through the indigenous body of CHrist to respond and intervene in whatever was that GOd leads us. Please do pray that doors will open as we research about who is doing an effective work to combat this issue.

OUr days have been very full in getting settled in our new place. We have had to furnish it all, but we are managing. We had church in our little 2 bedroom flat last Sunday. Zayd led the singing and we talked about the Holy Spirit and read scripture and worshiped together. Although we are alone here, we feel so blessed by God. We are in the southern region of Thailand on an island named, Phuket. An island about the size of Singapore. An island of about 200,000 residents: 26 Budhist temples, 14 mosques, and 2 churches (catholic and 7th day adv) We will be making many trips to Nepal and India in the next few months, hosting a few teams from USA to see the work of S.L. -- Please do pray that God will annoint our time and give us grace and diligence in our efforts. We do need divine guidance or otherwise we are merely responding with our own human abilities and ideas, and that can be sometimes dangerous. I fly to Nepal next week for a short 2 day trip of meeting with our staff.