The Gospel with Sophia

Last night I read Sophia (my 3 yr old daughter) a Bible story before bed. The story was about Eastern astrologers who visited Jesus after his birth and worshiped him. After the story, we, like these men from the East, bowed and worshiped Jesus in song. After praising Jesus, I told Sophia that one day we won't have to close our eyes in worship but will be able to see him and sing our praises to him in Heaven. Sophia then asked, "When we will get to go to heaven?" I told Sophia that we don't get to go until we die. She said she didn't want to die. I explained to her that everyone will die one day. We will all have to die at some point. I told her that those who follow Jesus and trust Him alone as their Savior will get to be with him in heaven. As Sophia struggled to grasp and understand death and heaven, she asked about Isabella (her little sister), "Will Izzy get to go to heaven?" I explained that whoever trusts in Jesus will be in heaven with him. As we finished praying together and kissed and said goodnight, Sophia said, "Dad...I want to go to heaven but I don't want to go to the cross." This statement shocked me b/c I had not mentioned the cross in a long time. I explained to Sophia that since Jesus went to the cross, we don't have to. He went there for us, to take our place. This is the good news of the Gospel. I am praising God for His work in Sophia's heart even now. Sophia understood that Jesus' exalted place in heaven was only by means of the cross. Sophia is already demonstrating a burden and concern for the salvation of the lost, even her little sister. Please join me in praying for God's continuing work in Sophia's heart; that one day she would embrace the call to follow the Lord and trust Him for salvation.

More on the protests

So far the protests have been peaceful. The Maoists are not burning tires, throwing bricks or beating people. However the police are ready for when they do (even though they may not look like it in this picture!).

Nepal strikes

The Maoists have called an indefinite strike against the government. Today is the fifth day of the strikes. No vehicles are allowed on the road. No shops are allowed to be open. It looks like a war zone here. If you really need to get somewhere you have to walk. Yesterday I had to walk an hour to bring Izzy's stool sample to the doctor and found out that she has a bacterial infection. Through all this mess, she has been sick, but now I have an antibiotic to give her and she is feeling much better today. We are planning to leave to go back to the states in five days. If the strikes have not been called off by then, we will have to walk to the airport. We have so many things to do to prepare to leave and we can not do any of it. We have special ordered things from shops as gifts for people and we may not be able to get them to bring back because the shops are closed. So we are praying that the strikes are called off so we can get things ready to leave and so that we do not have to walk to the airport.

More on Chitwan

We took a canoe ride down a river and saw crocodiles, peacocks, and other exotic birds. Summer went swimming with an elephant! Crazy, but fun.

More from Chitwan

Chitwan, Nepal (elephant riding)

Mounting an elephant with two kids is quite difficult! We went on a team retreat to Chitwan, Nepal where we rode elephants, canoes, saw rhinos and crocodiles. It was a lot of fun being with our team for the last time before we go home to the states in five weeks.

More on Izzy 1st birthday

Izzy 1st birthday

For Izzy's birthday she had two parties. One at the Lazy Gringo and the other at Pizza Hut. The one at the Lazy Gringo, she got her own cake! Sophia did not like that Izzy got chocolate on her shirt. The one at Pizza Hut, the waiters/waitresses sang a birthday song for her. It was a fun time of celebration for us especially since when Izzy came into this world a year ago, we were not for sure she would live. God blessed us and spared her life and we give Him all the glory for that.

10 year celebration

One of the few Tibetan churches in Kathmandu just celebrated 10 years. Praise the Lord. So we celebrated with them. When we attend Tibetan functions or church, we wear their attire. Not too comfy, but at least it isn't too bad looking.