Dharamsala

Here is a view from the top of our house in Dharamsala! It is quite a beautiful place! I have enjoyed my time here and to be able to stay here. I did miss thanksgiving in the states though... As they don't celebrate it here...It was hard... But the times have been good. I have enjoyed the daily home fellowships and to be able to share faith. Now, however, I'll be leaving Dharamsala. I'll be going to visit a friend of mine in the south of India. Now I am really starting to realize I am in India. It is a beautiful country with many different tribes and tongues. Yet, at the same time it is a country that is in great political and religious termoil.

Thanksgiving in India

Today is a different thanksgiving. Today Mumbai hit by one of the sadest days in India's history. Over a hundred were killed in Maharashtra. Today we can be thankful for the freedom and blessing that God has given to our nation and people. But let us pray for those who suffer from the ills of impoverished and unsafe lands.

The tibetan government in exile

So now...I've been in Dharamsala for over 3 weeks. It has been an incredible experience. I am in a different world...a world so far and removed from hyper-modern civilization. To see the see those who express a similar faith are few and far between...Little houses, with no electricity or running water scatter the mountains and hills and valleys. Temples of idols, worship of animals, and Bhuddism prominate the land enchanting the people. This is a place of great beauty...yet with beauty comes a harder life...Now...I'm learning the nepali language...and a little hindi...It's a strange place here in the Kangra district... There are people speaking Tibetan, Pahari, Punjabi, Hindi, Nepali, and other languages... There are so many people groups and tribes...and so many untouched by western civilization or religion...

I hope that others would join me in exploring these mountains and the people who have lived here for thousands of years...THe culture is so rich with food and clothes that are so different in tradition, beauty and taste...

I am in Dharmsala

Now, I have been in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India for two days. I have a cold. The place is amazing. It is a different world here. I am just a walk away from the house of the Dalai Lama.

Do not Fear...

As many have heard, the current relgious and political situation here in India now is quite tense. There have been countless amounts of attacks, bombings, and terrorism in these last two months. When confronted by these things, it is important that we do not fear; that we go out and live and love... I was talking to Kristin P. and she encouraged me saying, "Do not fear..." This morning I was reading and I came across this: "The sluggard says, 'There is a lion outside!' or, 'I will be murdered in the streets!'" (proverbs 22:13). Another friend of mine, Laubia, wrote me a scripture out of Psalms 23: "Though i walk through the valley of death...I shall fear no Evil..." When things get tough...sometimes need not fear, but know that God is with us...and walk couragously trusting in Him for our strength and protection.

दिवाली

Here I am in India in the midst दिवाली (Diwali:the festival of lights) an ancient religious holiday which is celebrated by the exchanging of presents and Chrismas-like lights and fourth of July like fire displays in the midle of the streets। Here I am in the midst of another world, another tradition so foreign...Last night professional display fireworks were shot off by kids just a few feet away from the front door of my family's house... It was amazing.

New Delhi

I am now in New Delhi, India. I am just taking it all in.