We left at 6:30 a.m. to journey to the top of the ridge of mountains immediately around Kathmandu. It is a winding road with many switchbacks. Here as on the trip to Agra there were many people sharing the road. The main difference was that it was a narrow two-way road on the side of a mountain. The higher we went the more aware we became of the fall-off at the side of the road.
At the same time we were struck again and again by the beauty of God's creation. The terraced farming, the beauty of mustard plants in bloom, the gorgeous conifer trees as we went higher and higher. All of this was a sight to behold. We hoped to see the snow capped peaks that are to the north, but that was not to be part of the journey today. Instead we saw majestic fog move in and out of the area. Seeing the beauty of an area and then having it all covered out of view. Regardless it was a great journey.
We returned and had time to get cleaned up before our 12:30 lunch. We had a Nepali Thali. Basically this is a wonderful meal with about seven different dishes. Small amounts of each of the dishes are served to each person. You ate these with a generous serving of rice.
At 2:00 p.m. leaders of a work among Tibetans here in Nepal came to share with us. The leader of the ministry we partner with in Nepal also came. We spent about two hours with each other asking questions and hearing of the work of God in this part of the world. I was deeply challenged as I heard of their love for Jesus and their commitment to the work God has given them. Pray for Bimal and Tilak and the work they are doing. We heard of one account after another of the way in which God is continuing to work.
I then was given the schedule for the remainder of our time in Nepal. We will spend the next four days hearing more of what God is doing here. Pray for God's work to flourish as people are faithful in what God asks them to do. Let this be our reality wherever we live.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Beginning Our Time in Nepal
Flying out of Delhi and heading north east we arrived in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. It is a beautiful city set in a valley with mountains all around. It likely is actually a high plateau.
We arrived and were met by Bijoy R and people from our hotel. They were glad to see us as we were glad to see them. After loading up our luggage and all of us into a small bus we headed out for our hotel. This is at least my fourth year in coming here to this hotel. It is wonderful to come to a place where you know people and where you are known.
We spent some time exploring the Old City of Kathmandu in the early evening and then the small side streets where there were many bead sellers. It seems that in every city we have visited we find that certain products are sold in a given area. You move on and find the next series of shops for another product. When people are looking for a given item they can go to an area of the city and find many choices in the shops for that item.
There is such a hustle and bustle in the movement of people and vehicles as everyone is doing their best to accomplish the things before them. Again and again we have been impressed by the activity and diligence of the people we see.
We returned to our hotel for an 8:00 p.m. supper and then we were off to bed. It had been a great day.!
We arrived and were met by Bijoy R and people from our hotel. They were glad to see us as we were glad to see them. After loading up our luggage and all of us into a small bus we headed out for our hotel. This is at least my fourth year in coming here to this hotel. It is wonderful to come to a place where you know people and where you are known.
We spent some time exploring the Old City of Kathmandu in the early evening and then the small side streets where there were many bead sellers. It seems that in every city we have visited we find that certain products are sold in a given area. You move on and find the next series of shops for another product. When people are looking for a given item they can go to an area of the city and find many choices in the shops for that item.
There is such a hustle and bustle in the movement of people and vehicles as everyone is doing their best to accomplish the things before them. Again and again we have been impressed by the activity and diligence of the people we see.
We returned to our hotel for an 8:00 p.m. supper and then we were off to bed. It had been a great day.!
Exploring Agra and Delhi
There are three cities in India that form their "Golden Triangle" - Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. We explored two of the three. It is 124 miles to Agra, but it takes four hours to get there if you leave early and miss the traffic. We left at 6:00 a.m.
The sights and sounds of the road are amazing. We were on a four lane highway that was being shared by trucks, buses, cars, vans, ox carts, camel drawn carts, horse drawn carts, people on bicycles, motorbikes and scooters, and on foot, and perhaps some more means of transport. We all made our way on this road to our various points of destination. It is quite an experience!
On arrival in Agra we took time to see two of the great mausoleums of this city. The Mogul rulers spent a great deal of time on the places where their bodies would lay in repose following their death. It made us ask the question as to how much time we as a people prepare for our eternal destiny. We are so grateful for all Jesus has provided for life here and now and life after death as we trust him with our lives.
The next day we went to Old Delhi. While new Delhi is a well planned city with broad streets and many trees, Old Delhi is a maze of small streets in which a person could easily get lost. We road in a taxi for as far as we could go and then transferred to bicycle rickshaws for the remainder of the tour. After going to a large Mosque we were given a ride through the marget. One person on our group said he wqas going to stick close to ther rest of us, following that experience. I saw another one of our group in the lead richshaw look back to be sure others were following when his driver made a turn in the maze of streets.
If you ever get to Delhi, you should make a trip into Old Delhi part of your experience!
By evening the last two people to join this adventure arrived in India. I met them at the airport. Tomorrow it is on to Nepal.
The sights and sounds of the road are amazing. We were on a four lane highway that was being shared by trucks, buses, cars, vans, ox carts, camel drawn carts, horse drawn carts, people on bicycles, motorbikes and scooters, and on foot, and perhaps some more means of transport. We all made our way on this road to our various points of destination. It is quite an experience!
On arrival in Agra we took time to see two of the great mausoleums of this city. The Mogul rulers spent a great deal of time on the places where their bodies would lay in repose following their death. It made us ask the question as to how much time we as a people prepare for our eternal destiny. We are so grateful for all Jesus has provided for life here and now and life after death as we trust him with our lives.
The next day we went to Old Delhi. While new Delhi is a well planned city with broad streets and many trees, Old Delhi is a maze of small streets in which a person could easily get lost. We road in a taxi for as far as we could go and then transferred to bicycle rickshaws for the remainder of the tour. After going to a large Mosque we were given a ride through the marget. One person on our group said he wqas going to stick close to ther rest of us, following that experience. I saw another one of our group in the lead richshaw look back to be sure others were following when his driver made a turn in the maze of streets.
If you ever get to Delhi, you should make a trip into Old Delhi part of your experience!
By evening the last two people to join this adventure arrived in India. I met them at the airport. Tomorrow it is on to Nepal.
First Days in India
It has been great to be back in India. Our flight went very well. It took us a while to get things accomplished at the airport, but once we had all in hand we headed out in two taxis into the Delhi traffic.
It is rather surprising how many people are out on the roads at 10:00 at night. We found ourselves in several traffic jams. For first timers in India the car ride to the hotel was something to take your breath away. You always wonder how the vehicles don't crash when you make five or six lanes of traffic in an area where the road says there should be three.
It was good to be able to travel in the city and see things that helped people come to understand a little of this country that we had come to see.
We are grateful for being here and for all the Lord will allow us to do.
It is rather surprising how many people are out on the roads at 10:00 at night. We found ourselves in several traffic jams. For first timers in India the car ride to the hotel was something to take your breath away. You always wonder how the vehicles don't crash when you make five or six lanes of traffic in an area where the road says there should be three.
It was good to be able to travel in the city and see things that helped people come to understand a little of this country that we had come to see.
We are grateful for being here and for all the Lord will allow us to do.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
The Journey Begins
I often invite people to join us on a PVT with "welcome to an adventure." The adventure is just about ready to commence. Our first group leaves for India and Nepal on November 1. Thank-you for your prayers for us as we travel.
We received an exciting word today about the country of Nepal. They are in the midst of a time of seeking to form a constitutional government in the place of the monarchy. Recently it has been tense within the country. Today we received word that all sides have called for an end to strikes for the first weeks of November. It is a time of religious holidays. People have agreed. It happens to coincide with the time we need to be in the country!
You may also want to follow my friend John's blog for these weeks. It can be found at John and Kathy's Blog
We received an exciting word today about the country of Nepal. They are in the midst of a time of seeking to form a constitutional government in the place of the monarchy. Recently it has been tense within the country. Today we received word that all sides have called for an end to strikes for the first weeks of November. It is a time of religious holidays. People have agreed. It happens to coincide with the time we need to be in the country!
You may also want to follow my friend John's blog for these weeks. It can be found at John and Kathy's Blog
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
PVT to Orissa and Bihar
Nov 12 – 27, 2007
Nov 12 flight from
Nov 13 Arrive in
Nov 14 Acclimatization to the Country
Nov 15 Trip to
Nov 16/17 Flight to Orrisa morning of the 16th – Arr. Cuttack – Rest
Nov 18th
Nov 19th & 20th Round Table Conference at
Nov 21st Lv. Ctc to
Nov 22nd Lv. Baripada around 7 am to Khuard & West Bengal visit (Program).
Back to Balasore and stay overnight.
Nov 23rd Lv. Balasore to Catch the train to go to Tata.
Nov 24th Arr. Tata (Program at Tata 10 am to 4 pm), 8 pm lv. for
Nov 25th Arr. Patna 10 am: Church Service and visit church planting areas.
Nov 26th Lv. Patna to
Nov 27th Arr.
Departure for home in the evening – Con 83
PVT to India and Nepal
November 1 – 13, 2007
Nov 1, 2007 (Thurs) Departure from
Nov 2, 2007 (Fri) Arrival in
Nov 3 -5 Exploring
Nov 5, 2007 (Mon) John and Kathy Brubaker arrive in
Nov 6, 2007 (Tues) Flight to
Nov 7, 2007 (Wed) Visit Nagarkot & near by area & Back to Kathamandu. Contact with Tibetan ministry leaders.
Nov 8, 2007 (Thurs)
Nov 9, 2007 (Fri) Visit Church Planting villages: new area near Biratnagar.
And Hostel dedication program.
Nov 10, 2007 ( Sat) Church worship and visit church planting areas.
Nov 11, 2007 ( Sun) Lv. Biratnagar to Siliguri. Invite the two Bhutanese church planters to Siliguri at the Hotel we stayed last time.
Nov 12, 2007 (Mon) Lv. Bugdogra to
Nov 13, 2007 (Tues) Last day in
Lv.
Second PVT arrives in
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