Southern Hospitality

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Visitation and Village Trip

Ghanga Ama and me enjoying a refreshing Coke:)

They love to have their picture made. I just love the children.

I was able to give my testimony to a large group of ladies.

Julia and me and a few of the local ladies and their children

I just love this little fellow, the mom invited us to her home and served us Coke!!

The village "team". I enjoyed traveling with Ghanga Ama, she is 82 and a faithful servant.

I love this!! She is so precious.

Julia and me at the local village cafe. We even tried the fried goat.

Julia and I with the sweet children.

Traffic jam, no this isn't a one way street. They drive on the left side of

the road, see the bus coming?

Women going out to harvest the fields. They can carry an incredible amount of weight.

Talking to some local villagers.

Suzi and Julia sharing truth with an Australian. (notice Suzi holding her nose?)

Nepal women carrying their loads.

Precious children.

Linda, Suzi, Julia, Cathy, Kell out visiting.

One of the highlights of the trip was, going with Linda to the village. It took about two hours to get there, through all the crazy, "regular" city traffic, and then out of the city to the country. The view was absolutely beautiful. The dirt roads, well, let's just say, were barely wide enough for 2 small cars to pass. Unbelievably, we had to share these narrow roads with busses, tractors, huge trucks, buffalo, cows, motorcycles, millions of people, taxis, and everything else. And to top it all, we were going fast. It was quite the adventure, but then again, we have been on vacation with the Pollocks. So, I really didn't stress out too much:} Thanks, Pollocks, for the Nepal Preparedness classes!! Nepali people are pretty laid back, and being on time just isn't real important, so we waited for everyone to arrive for the meeting. Everyone made us feel welcome but, it is really frustrating not to be able to talk with them. Linda had to translate for us and she was really busy. It was a great time of teaching and fellowship.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Our trip to the other side of the world, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Kell is happy, there seems to be internet, at least once in a while:) That's cousin Cathy, she's just happy that we are actually here.

It's a bit windy up on top of the roof. We all loved the view from the top!! You could see for miles and miles.

Jordan checking out the view from this balcony.

Taking the tour of the house, meeting the cook. Learning, you don't shake hands, you fold your hands together and say, Namaste. It a Nepali greeting. The cook was such a humble, kind man.

Cathy, Kell, Jules, with Aunt Linda, ready to check out the living quarters.

We had a crazy, wild ride coming home from the airport. I can't even begin

to describe the traffic and chaos in Kathmandu. We are so glad to be "home".

The Jon Cloud family's mode of transportation, perfect for four! Lydia is pretty amazing, one has to be brave to drive on the streets of Kathmandu in a car, let alone a motorcylcle, and she rides side saddle!! Hang on Abigail!!

Sweet greetings at the airport

Wow! After 2 days, we finally arrive, excited but, tired.

Buzz, Jord, and Kell found a cubicle to wait out the 13 hour layover in the New Delhi, India airport. At least they look happy.

Found a familiar face in the airport in Frankfort, Germany. We spent some euros on breakfast with Ronald.

Flying the friendly skies, up above the clouds.

Jord and Buzz snoozing on the plane, oh it's going to be a LONG flight!!

Jord and Buzz cheezing on the plane.

Jules and Kel cheezing on the people mover at the O'Haire airport in Chicago.

The Pollock family took us to the airport bright and early Saturday morning. We wanted them to go with us!!

In May, Kelli, Julia, Jordan, Chris and I had a fantastic adventure in Nepal. We spent 3 1/2 weeks with our wonderful family on the other side of the world. It is a very beautiful country, with a climate very similar to Florida. Hot, muggy, and monsoon rains. Home to the world's highest mountains, the Himalayas. Jordan, Buzz, Rajendra, and Jon went trekking and soon realized the dangers involved with the climb. Altitude sickness, tigers, dysentary, extreme heat and cold, and dehydration, and not to mention exhaustion. But, they reached their goal and it was worth it all!! The pictures are as they say, worth a thousand words. We were saddened by the spiritual darkness that is like a shadow over the country. Most of the people are either Buddhist or Hindu, and idols and temples were everywhere. Christians do have freedom to proclaim the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and there are a growing number of churches with true believers, praise the Lord!! We were able to witness and share our testimony, with a translator and were blessed to attend a church that was outgrowing their building. The believers were a blessing to us, as many of them suffered persecution for their new faith in Jesus. The people are very poor, but they have very giving hearts and want to share what they have with you. We were humbled by their kindness and realize how very blessed we are in America. The fact is, we really don't need most of the "stuff" that we think we have to have. We thank the Lord for the opportunity to visit Nepal and hope that one day we can return. God's Plan of Salvation for ALL Men: For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world (Genesis) , and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: Romans 5:12. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2: 8 & 9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord JESUS, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10: 9&10. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: Romans 5:1. FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE. FOR GOD SENT NOT HIS SON INTO THE WORLD TO CONDEMN THE WORLD, BUT THAT THE WORLD THROUGH HIM MIGHT BE SAVED. JOHN 3:16&17.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Kelli's 23rd Birthday Party

Kelli Ann, our second blessing was born on February 14th 1986. I always called her our little "Valentine Girl." Kelli started running at 9 months and hasn't slowed down since!! She is a precious gift from the Lord. We love you Kel!!