December Review

As I sit in the Korean owned coffee shop watching pop songs I am sitting here thinking about the past month. Is it really almost 2010?

Well, classes are done. Grading is finished.

I just gave a lecture on Christmas in the local English Corner for a friend. Tried my best to lead a few songs... not sure how that worked out.

My fellow teachers have left for Nepal. Most of the students have left campus, it must be the end.

Well it has been a fun couple weeks. Last weekend Duane, Becky Heidi and I got the opportunity to help out a school about three hours outside of the city. A lot of firsts during that trip:

First time teaching in a Tibet Middle School.




First time to a Tibetan Ngangma:



First time seeing Tibetan Men slow dancing...





and this hat...





That's all for this entry... I will give some more updates soon.

Cornerstone Books

This entry is a little shout out to my parents back home in Monmouth, Oregon.

The Grand opening was a success and it is official. Cornerstone Bookstore is open for business. This is a testimony to how the Father provides. It has been an exciting process according to my parents but one where they have had to put complete trust in Him for the resources and support. For those readers in the Polk County area it is located on 110 Monmouth Ave in Monmouth.

In other news, I have officially finished classes and just have one formal exam to do in a week and a half and to finish up my grading. Didn't I just get here last month? No? Well it sure feels like it.

I do want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. It is always a blessed time of year wherever I am being able to share the story that makes this time of year special. I hope you all have a blessed holiday season.

Palden Lhamo Festival

Yesterday was Palden Lhamo Festival. Perhaps the most feared day for Tibetan men. There is an idol of Palden Lhamo's daughter that is revealed only one day a year. My friends Duane, Becky and Heidi braved the crowds and got this pic of the unveiled goddess. Recently this has also become sort of a "Woman's day" where women can ask for money. So many of my Tibetan friends say this is a good day to stay indoors.

here is the story of this idol:
http://en.tibet.cn/news/tin/t20071126_288851.htm



I was reading Jeremiah this morning and got really sad. It really makes me wonder about the love for these carved objects. Babylon doesn't seem that far away.