Gokarna Forest Resort

Welcome to Gokarna Forest Resort! This past Thursday started the boy's mid-term break. We decided that it was time to take a day and head out of the smog and city and just get a little rejuvenation. There is a Norwegian family here that we've gotten to know over the past 6 months and they suggested that we try Gokarna Forest Resort. They made the bookings for us and all of us met up there. It's about an hours drive from our house and takes you through all sorts of places I didn't know existed here (good and bad).

This is the last of the great forests in the Kathmandu Valley and used to be the old hunting grounds of the kings of Nepal. There are several temples located here including the second oldest (built in th 1500s). I'm sorry I can't tell you much more about it...temples are really not "my thing".

There are no horns blaring, no dogs barking, relatively clean air, trees that are said to be over 200 years old (see picture below), and peace...it was a marvelous time for us. The boys enjoyed having two friends with them; Mattias and Kaja, Norwegian brother and sister. They swam in the indoor pool, tried their hand at hitting golf balls at the driving range, took a jungle walk, and just ran around in the openess of the grounds.

Here's David...future Tiger Woods!

Not sure if you can see them, but they are all here in the picture. Stan is standing on a cut piece of wood to the left of the tree (gives it a little perspective). Ben is in the middle and Nathan, David, Egil, and Kaja are peaking out here and there.

Now that we know this place is here and so close and so peaceful, we just may have to go back.

Trekking Through the Desert

Nahal Zin, Negev Desert, Israel
Have you ever been weighed down by "writer's block"? Well, as most of you have noticed, it's been awhile since I last updated this blog and I apologize for that. My biggest reason has been that Stan took the camera to London and Turkey with him for his meetings. During that time, most of my time was spent with the boys or in language study. However, after Stan returned (with the camera) I ran out of excuses and basically had..."writer's block".

If I could describe to you what the last couple of weeks have been like for us, I would say a desert. We came here 6 months ago fully expecting to have most of our permissions in hand and our new airplane on its way by now. However, God has had other plans (What?! My plans are not His plans???). Yes, we've been able to spend more time in language study than we would've had things progressed as we wanted. But other than that, it just seems that we hit one wall after another. Not that we've heard anything negative...we just haven't heard...anything.

It's during these times that all of a sudden life just isn't easy anymore. The pollution becomes thicker, the dust more dustier (I realize that isn't correct grammar but it sure describes how we feel), the traffic more insane, the language harder, our living arrangements confusing, and so on and so forth...

I have been reading through the book of Exodus lately, and have been reading to the boys in the evenings, the first of Francine River's 5 book series "Sons of Encouragement"; "The Priest". It is about Aaron and how God used him mightily as Moses' right-hand man. It's been funny to hear the boy's reactions to the Israelites when they would quickly forget about God's constant and daily provisions, powerful displays of His glory, and perfect means of discipline. I know my reaction is, "OK, guys! God just rolled back the mighty sea for us, allowed us to walk through on dry land, and then killed all the Egyptians who dared follow us into the sea. He did this all right in front of our eyes. How can you forget that?!! It's not like we see this kind of miracle everyday." And then I would never EVER grumble against God. I mean, how could you forget something like that? That's pretty intense.

So tonight, after a few weeks of grumbling and complaining because of nothing happening, I read in Francine River's book (this is about Aaron);

"He was all too aware of the pattern of faith. He would witness a miracle and follow God in abject sorrow and repentance. God would seem to hide for a time and the doubts would begin. The people would start grumbling. Skepticism would spread. It seemed faith was strong when it suited the people's purposes, but waned quickly under the stress of hardship. God's divine presence was overhead in the cloud by day and pillar of fire by night, promising to carry them through defeat to victory, but the people grew angry because it wasn't soon enough to suit them."..."It was not the war ahead that threatened to defeat Aaron, but the daily step-by-step journey in the wilderness. Every day had its challenges. Every day had its tedium. We've been this way before, Lord. Will we ever get it right?" (pg. 100)

I guess I'm more like the Israelites than I care to think about. It's actually quite humbling as I think about it more. I am no better than what they were...Please forgive me, Lord. I am weak. Make me strong and help me to remember Your calling on my family and to prepare for when You next reveal Yourself to me.

The Grass is Greener and Where are Your Feet?

The Bow of a Rowboat Slices Through the Marsh Grass
The last two Sundays have been amazing at church. First of all, I need to explain that for the past 11 years, we have been attending Indonesian churches and so being "fed by the Word" in our own heart language was very hard unless we really made an effort to do something about it. Ok, back to Nepal... In Kathmandu, there are many expatriates that live here and over the years an International church has been formed. The pastor is from Scotland and will even wear a kilt at times (it's very cool!). Each week there are always several guests from all over the world. For awhile there it seemed that the Dutch were migrating here in droves. Then all of a sudden, one week, we had everyone from Northern Ireland come to visit. It has been a treat to be a part of this international group of believers and to see who God is calling to work for Him in Nepal.

Two weeks ago, we had a speaker who got up and spoke about Jesus walking on the water and how Peter stepped out of the boat and began to walk on the water also. I've heard this and have read about it many times in the past but this speaker presented it in a fresh new way for me. He compared the boat to a place of safety during the storm. Jesus was walking by (and it seems had no intentions of stopping at the boat) but His disciples were panicing and in the midst of their fear they did not recognize Jesus and so He began to speak to them. In the middle of the storm, the disciples were scared, didn't recognize help when it was upon them, and it was only Peter who dared to step out on faith...until he lost focus again.

The speaker asked us, if you are going through a rough time, where are your feet? Are you straining against the storm in a "safe place", not recognizing that Jesus wants to help you through this time? Are you willing to step out with BOTH feet and trust Jesus to take care of the storm for you? Or are you stradling the boat. Believing that Christ is out there and willing to help but not quite ready to fully trust Him to calm the whole storm...not willing to step away from that seemingly place of safety? Hmmm?

Then this last Sunday night, I finally heard the second part of the phrase, "The grass is greener on the other side". I don't know how many times I have looked back in time and have compared my present situation with "back then" and thought about that phrase. Or now, while we are in a waiting game for what seems to be an eternity, I think to myself, "if only I could be...". Here is what should be the second half of that famous statement. Have you heard this... "The grass is greener where you water it." ? Wow! Think about that one for a little bit. I am!

Trekking Back to Indonesia For a Moment

For almost a year now, I have been asking you to pray for a very special friend of mine from Indonesia. This past spring and summer while we were in the States I shared with just about everyone about my friend and many of us prayed for her salvation together. In my letters I referred to her as "Mary" because I wanted her to be safe from friends or family members who may find out about her seeking. Shortly after we arrived here in Nepal, "Mary" wrote to me and told me that she had finally made the decision to accept Christ and she was so full of joy. Now, she would like the whole world to know that she is a believer and she would like for her real name to be publicly known now. Let me introduce you to our new sister in Christ, Maylan! The picture above is Christmas 2007 at my house. That is me with my volleyball team. Maylan is the lady sitting on the far left in the maroon colored outfit. Her mother is sitting on the floor, wearing the red jilbab. Please continue to pray for Maylan and include her mother in those prayers too.

After I left Indonesia several of our staff ladies who are still there have taken Maylan under their wings and have been providing wonderful support and encouragement for her. One of the ladies asked that all of her blog followers write a note of encouragement to Maylan. There was a HUGE response to that and when Maylan saw all the letters written to her from all over the world, she was floored. Here is Maylan's letter in response (in her own words):

"Dear Friends,

I weep as I read all the warm welcome from everybody. I can't remember all your names, but for sure I remember some of your faces. My deepest thanks for all of my new sisters and brother in Christ. My special thank you to Ronda (now in Nepal) who had encouraged me and suggested me to keep on asking question to God (I wish you were here the day I made my decision), to Rebecca who had recently gotten closer to me after Ronda left (thanks for the great books and the nice conversation with Brad that afternoon).

I remember when the first day I accepted Christ, I felt like a little girl running along the road and telling the world that I follow Him. I jumped in happiness and everything around me looked so new. In every green leaf, I saw Christ. The most joyous I have ever felt. I guess now I know that it really spread all over the world and everybody gave me a warm welcome, special thank you to Joy who made me feel so special with this.

For all the choices I've made in my life, to be in Christ is my best of all. I haven't felt so right, so in peace, so honour, and as happy as I feel since I follow Christ. Part of it is because everything I read right now, when it tells about how to live in the Christian way, I feel like opening a wonder box containing gifts that I like. I become my real self. When I pray, I treasue the freedom of talking to my God anytime and the feeling that He accepts me the way I am. The main thing of all is that I grew up in an environment where there are many unpleasant news and story about Christianity, they were all discouraging. But God Himself, came and showed me that it is all right. I didn't believe Him, but He was so patient at my stubbornness and my mingled heart, He presented around me all great friends, great examples of families who live in Christ, and showed me how good people they are and how in peace they are become in this life. If Christ also provides room for me, why wouldn't I stay there?

My parents and my other family haven't learned yet. Although, my brother and some friends already found out, I don't keep it a secret anymore, but I also keep it quiet and let Christ to work His hand on it.When someone asks, I say, "I am a follower of Christ."

Sincerely,Maylan

This week...

Faith, Family, Friends

This week has been an interesting week for me where nothing interesting has really happened but what has been stirring in my mind. We've all been worried about the world economy and how it is affecting our families and friends. I've been a bit stressed about "the waiting game" that we are in right now with the Nepali government. And many of us have been a bit concerned about what our new President will bring to our country. These are big things that are shaping our world today and one of the biggest thoughts I have is, "how will all of this affect my children today and tomorrow?"

Faith is what I have to hold onto. Faith in a God that never changes. Faith in a God that loves me and my children. Faith in a God who has continually paved the way for my family and has rained down blessings upon blessings. Faith in a God who never leaves me nor forsakes me. Faith in a God who has brought many a pharoah and king to their knees.

I have been so blessed having all my children home this year. Ben is maturing and growing so much now and I'm glad we aren't missing it. Nathan is developing into quite a clown and he brings many smiles to our dinner table. David is quite the little character who can give his brothers quite a run around...it's fun to see all this interaction between the boys.

We have also been blessed by so many wonderful friends. Friends who encourage us, pray for us, and support us in so many different ways. This week...I have missed each and every one of you. My prayer for you is that you can also fully and completely trust in God and have faith that in whatever trial you may be facing this week, that God is faithfully working behind the scenes to work through each of the details in your life and that His name will be glorified in the end. We'd love to hear how God is working in your life...this week.

God's Power

For the past few days a wonderful (and brisk) breeze has blown into the Kathmandu Valley helping to clear out all the smog and dirt that has been covering the city for the past few weeks. It was getting pretty depressing and I was seriously wondering how it was going to affect our lungs and health. Today, I took these pictures from on top of our roof. The first picture is of the Ganesh Himal Mountains to the northwest of the city.

I'm not sure of the name of these mountains but they lie northeast of the city and you can see how the wind is just whipping up there!

These pictures remind me of how awesome and powerful our God is. Just today the electric company had to increase our load-shedding (cutting our electricity) to 16 hours a day. We have 8 hours off, 4 hours on, 8 hours off, and then 4 hours on. So in church today this was the big topic of discussion for everyone. Even during "Children's Church" the topic was "load-shedding". The speaker put up on the screen the load-shedding schedule and talked about the different sections of town and who had electricity when. Then he put up another schedule, "God's load-shedding" schedule. It was completely blank! He then asked the children when God's power was out for the different parts of town and then for the rest of the world. "NEVER!" was the unanimous answer each child answered. God never needs a break! He is always working and all you have to do is just look around and you can see His awesomeness being displayed continuously; just like these mountains that tower over the Kathmandu Valley and the wind that is blowing the snow off of the tops.

A New Year Prayer

A Street Scene in Kathmandu

Lord, I come to you in this new year, 2009, with much gratitude and thankfulness for all that You've provided for me and my family this past year. You've paved the way and opened up all the right doors for us in order to make this move to Nepal a successful one. You allowed my sons to all be home this year and to attend a wonderful, little Christian International school together here in Kathmandu. You have kept us safe while we maneuver through these often times congested streets and narrow corridors throughout this city. You have provided us with cooking fuel when needed, you've provided for us a back-up power supply system for us during these long days without electricity. You have blessed us with some fun adventures while we wait for our licenses and permissions to begin a flight program here in Nepal. And you've even stepped in when times get frustrating during language learning.

Lord, this year, as we continue to be in a "holding pattern" waiting for all the correct permissions and such, we ask for patience and renewed strength. This is not an easy city to live in now that winter has hit and conditions are deteriorating even more for the people here. I pray for clean air, a reprieve from the thick smog and dirt that is hovering over and throughout this city. I pray for those who are without a backup system and must sit in darkness during these long spells of no electricity. I pray for those without sufficient shelter during these cold days, please provide them with warmth. I also pray for all the people here who are being gripped by spiritual darkness. I pray that Your Name will become great here in Nepal and that Satan's grip will be released.

Father, I pray for my family as we wait. Some days are quite discouraging and we must ask for forgiveness for those times when we doubt Your plan. All things will work together for good as we wait on Your timing. I pray for health for our family during these winter months. You have blessed us so far with good health and now when the air quality and dust/dirt levels are terribly high, I pray that you protect our bodies from harm. I ask You for knowledge, understanding, and patience as we continue to tackle this seemingly difficult language. Please help me to remain steadfast and focused during those days when I just want "to throw in the towel".

Thank You again for calling my family here to Nepal. Thank you for all You've done for us and for everything that You are planning for us this year. I pray that You go before us and secure our footing. In Your Holy Name, Amen.