Searching for the substance of things unseen

2007-12-17T11:54:00.000-08:00

"All They asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do."

The apostle Paul wrote this (Gal 2:10). The poor were a huge priority in his ministry. They were also a huge priority in the ministry of James, Peter and John, who are encouraging Paul here. At the most basic level, Paul encouraged the churches he founded to care for their poor members, taking collections for the widows etc. However, he did not limit charity to caring for those in their own communities (though that in itself was revolutionary). He also challenged the churches to care for the poor throughout the known world.

At the time, there was a famine in Judea - historians record many people dying of starvation. In response to this, Paul made visits to each of the churches he had established throughout the Roman world, and took a collection to provide for those suffering from the Judean famine. This must have been a shocking suggestion at the time. In ancient Rome, there were no NGOs raising money to support the poor in Africa, there weren't even homeless shelters. While charity among Jews was nothing new - there are numerous references in the old testament - it was certainly limited, and even more so throughout the Roman Empire . In fact, in the Roman Empire, philanthropy was esteemed and charity was ridiculed. Only the wealthy gave generously, and this was restricted to building public monuments, such as a town square etc. Beyond that, there were beggars; who were despised - viewed, in fact by both Roman and Jewish societies as cursed by God. It is within this culture that Paul suggests raising a collection, not for the poor of their community, nor even of their town, but rather for the poor living on the far side of the known world.

This part of Paul's ministry is usually glossed over, but I think it is very important to notice how groundbreaking it was. It has completely changed the ethics of the modern world.

The first century church was starkly different from it's surrounding culture in the way they cared for the poor. And it all began with Jesus. Jesus' message was far deeper and more glorious than simply 'provide for the poor'. He attacked societal notions of inequality, and the worth of a human. In the end (and this is of fundamental importance), he grants us each immeasurable worth as the children of God. This gospel must be at the heart of our understanding of ourselves and the poor, and must be the fundamental motivation for 'charity'.

Jesus begins his ministry with "Blessed are the poor", and ends it by giving his life to redeem us and give us each an immeasurable inheritance - as sons and daughters of the King. Jesus fundamentally challenged the notion of wealth as a reflection of how God had blessed an individual. In fact, he seems to suggest that wealth is actually given to us in order for us to give it to the poor. This is apparent from his story of the 'Talents', and more precisely in his suggestion: "One thing you lack: Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Wealth becomes worthless if selfishly used.

And he changed people, notably Zacchaeus who gives half his possessions to the poor when he encounters Jesus, or the early church, whose members held all things in common (the wealthy regularly sold their possessions to provide for the poor. See Act. Chpt. 2:42-47) But my question is, has Jesus changed us, the members of the modern church? Have we paid attention to Peter's only request of Paul: "All They asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do." Or has the modern church forgotten the poor?

Sadly, I think that we have. Unlike the early church, we do not stand out in stark contrast to the rest of our society in regards to our concern for the poor. We feel we are no longer responsible: the government is. (What a mistake we have made! How far we have strayed!)

Let me cite some statistics (It is a questionable source, but it probably gives rough estimates. www.generousgiving.org):

"American Christians give 2.6 percent of their incomes to the cause of Christ, only slightly better than the total giving of those who deny Him. Nor is the malaise in giving limited to the American church: God's people globally control a majority of the world's wealth but spend 98 percent of those resources on themselves. Are our priorities in order?"

(Ironically, American Evangelical Christians were more generous during the great depression.)

"A 2004 survey of 34 denominations showed that the average amount of total denominational budgets going to overseas missions was 2 percent." (notice, churches are roughly as generous as their members.)

I love this one: When asked "What would you do with an unexpected financial windfall?" 31 percent of Protestant pastors said they would build, expand or update their church buildings and facilities. 7 percent said they would give more to foreign missions and evangelism.”

Meanwhile, every 3 seconds one child dies of poverty. Measles alone kills over 500,000 African children each year (Red Cross), and 11,000,000 children die before their fifth birthday each year as a result of mostly preventable diseases, including malaria, diarrhea and pneumonia. As Jean Pierre Habicht says:

"Every single day--365 days a year--an attack against children occurs that is ten times greater than the death toll from the World Trade Center... We know how to prevent these deaths--we have the biological knowledge and tools to stop this public health travesty--but we're not yet doing it."

If our unwillingness to prevent preventable diseases is not distressing enough, one might be shocked to know how unequal the availability of basic necessities, such as food (or clean water), is:
“We live in a world where rich nations spend as much as the entire income of all the people in Africa subsidising the unnecessary production of unwanted food – to the tune of almost US$1 billion a day. While in Africa hunger is a key factor in more deaths than all the continent’s infectious diseases put together.
We live in a world where every cow in Europe has received almost US$2 a day in subsidies double, grotesquely, the average income in Africa. And Japanese cows nearly US$4.”
-
'Commission for Africa' suggests that we could reasonably tackle African poverty (in the long term) by making an intelligent 25 billion increase in annual aid , this is a relatively small cost, considering American evangelicals collectively earn more than 2.66 trillion per year .

For the first time in history we can eliminate these diseases and poverty . In fact, it is estimated that we could do so in Sub-Saharan Africa if American evangelicals alone gave less than 1% more of their income. Yet we're not doing it. We seem to have forgotten the very thing Paul was urged to remember.

Jesus has harsh words to say about this:

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

Jesus is extremely harsh in this regard, but we must take him seriously. To be candid and honest, I have a great deal of trouble living up to this: I’m selfish and I don't do nearly enough for the poor. Writing this has been very difficult for me, because I sense my own hipocrisy. I'm writing this for myself as much as anyone else. In that light, Jesus encourages both myself and others with:

“Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

I want to note a few things. Firstly, Jesus did not write this to western christians who worry about which luxury car to buy, or even students who worry about paying their tuition, but to people who's financial worries actually did consist primarily of being able to feed and clothe themselves. Nevertheless, his conclusion is that we sell our possessions and give to the poor.

Secondly I think he is saying something very deep when he suggests that we provide purses for ourselves that do not wear out. I really think that I am limiting myself by being selfish. If I were to trust God, and give what I have - both time and money... I would be infinitely richer. I would have fewer worthless worries, and a clearer sense of my worth, and the worth of those around me. I would enjoy what I have more - and in particular, I believe the relationships I have would be of more value to me... Especially my relationship with God.

I find that I'm often closest to God when I'm most in need of him. Sadly, since I'm not voluntarily dependent on him (as Jesus seems to suggest I should be), he often has to create difficult situations for me, which force me to crawl back to him. I believe that if I really trusted God with my life, giving virtually all I had to him (and to the poor), and becoming completely dependent on him... I would inevitably be closer to him, and the closeness would be sweeter and fuller and more enriching and vitalizing than that which I find when I crawl back to him. I want that. I want to trust and depend on God... I've tasted it, and I've never felt so alive. In contrast, it's painful when then only time I come to him is under the forced situation of a difficulty in my life. Why am I such a fool?

There's one final thing I would like to discuss... And it's the following verse: "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

I want to be honest here... It has been painful to see how little the church seems to care for the poor (not that I'm any better). Sometimes, when I attend church, I get this horrible sensation: it's a terrifying sense of a loss of hope, of hope draining from me, like lifeblood being let... I ask myself how concerned these people are for their neighbors? Is there any love here? Is God alive in them, or are they just giving him lip-service? (And I should add that, at these moments I feel that I am just giving God lip-service). Faith without works is dead; and it feels that way.

I feel like I have lost a lot of faith in God because of the apparent lethargy of his church, Christ's body in the world. I sometimes question God's ability to rescue the poor, the destitute and the oppressed. I question the message of salvation when visible manifestations of it, such as healing the sick and feeding the hungry, are not present. It is hard to believe in God's saving love and omnipotence, when we seem to preach the gospel to poor and then let their child die of diarrhea.

I recognise that I should not blame others for my lack of faith - I know that I must be the first to repent. I merely stated this as I wish to suggest that the poor will feel the same as I sometimes do about the greed of the church, and that we do empty the gospel of it's power when we forget the very thing Peter urged us to remember: the poor.

I think the modern church needs to learn a lesson from the early church. We should trust God with our entire selves. We should give him everything, and our finances are often the crucial sacrifice we need to start with. We need to give ourselves to God, and to the proclamation of the gospel in word and in deeds... We need to depend totally on God for everything... and God will come and heal our land, and heal our broken souls... and give us a deep richness of life, in him. I need to be the first to give myself up to him, to be cleaned by him... (he will forgive me, I know he loves me)... and to follow him...

Oh God.. help me! Please, those who agree, please encourage me!

warmly, - dave

2006-10-07T11:10:00.000-07:00

I guess there's two attitudes one can take. One can say: "God, I don't accept this world you've created, with all it's pain and suffering... I despise what you've done, and I will battle against the pain." Or one can say: "God, I don't know why you've made it this way. I don't know why you've allowed this person to suffer; but I know you've made me to help."
God, I want to work to relieve suffering, especially in the developing world. I don't know how I'm going to go about doing it. But I don't want to be rash about it, and rush after the closest possibility to help, because I know I can do far more harm than I could possibly imagine. I want to wait for you... But please encourage me, strengthen me, and let me know that you will use me...

Mysore Market

2006-02-27T23:24:00.000-08:00

Theju's Fab Family...

2006-02-27T23:16:00.000-08:00

Theju on right

Sheshi on left

There's a path here?

2006-02-27T23:08:00.000-08:00

I dunno where it is either... Yeah, it was pretty steep.

Chickmangalore

2006-02-27T22:47:00.000-08:00

Chickmangalore! We climbed the highest peak in Karnataka! Man - it was awesome! Praise God!

We actually fit 21 people in (or on!) this jeep... and then drove up winding mountain roads.

Theju (from chickmangalore)

Theju (from Bangalore)

Truckin...

2006-02-27T22:26:00.000-08:00

I took a bus to kerela (it cost 450
ruppees), and then lived with some friends there, ate some real malali
food, met some really cool people... had a blast. I was able to help
them pack up their things for the move too - but guess what? I also
went back to bangalore in their moving truck...
It wasn't actually a 'moving truck' - it was cheapest to hire a
truck that had come from bangalore, and had to return to bangalore
anyways, but had no cargo. So we did that - it was a giant Ashok
Leyland truck... all their stuff barely fit in one corner (actually,
the truck was so big that they couldn't get it down the lanes to their
house... we had to carry all their stuff to a larger road.)
But this was a real interstate indian transport truck... There were
two drivers and myself... They would take shifts driving, so we went
all day and all night. They couldn't speak a word of english, and I
couldn't speak a word of malali... We started in Kerela, drove through
tamil nadu, and arrived in bangalore... They had a 'bed' but it was
more of a plank behind their seats, quite cramped, and I had to share
it with one of them when I was sleeping. It was great though - I'll
never get another chance to do that. We saw everything - so many
sites... life and death - argh. India can be painful.
I would hide when they came to the checkpoints (because it could
cause problems if the police found a foreigner in their truck). So I
felt like a smuggler or something...
Anyways - one of my roles was to guide the truck to the
destination... but I coudn't pronounce a word they could understand...
when we got close to bangalore, I pulled out a map to guide them. When they saw the map they started and tried to suppress a laugh... I
don't think they would have been more shocked had I pulled out a
compass and a sextant. So - since they thought maps were useless, and
they couldn't communicate with me, they grabbed some guy by the side of
the road, and hoped he would help them. He was a pretty useless guide
though, so they lapsed into silence...
I guided them by map. I would say 'left' or 'right' and then the
guy by the side of the road would translate it into some language, the
next person would translate it again, and finally the driver would
respond...
Despite their misgiving about my navigation skills, we arrived at
the destination without a single wrong turn.
So yeah - it was pretty fun.

Chickmangalore, Wedding

2006-02-25T02:31:00.000-08:00

My friend Theju invited me to a wedding in Chickmangalore. It was incredibly interesting. Here is a photo with me next to the bride and groom.

Missionaries of Charity, Bangalore

2006-02-21T01:31:00.000-08:00

I have decided to put directions up online... It took me ages to find the place, I hope this will make it easier for the next person. There is a website which has addresses to the missionaries of charity in many cities: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/2960/mothert.htm, which I used - but it only gives the address. (Incidentally, this website also contains a link to Morning Star, an orphanage which I stayed at for several days just outside of Bangalore. Morning Star was terrific... more about that later.)

The directions are to Shishu Bhavan, a children's home. There are far fewer volunteers here than in Calcutta, and it is likely that one's time would be more effectively used here than in Calcutta.
The address is: Nirmala Shishu Bhavan, Lingaraja Puram, Hennur Main Road, near the petrol bunk. You can call them at: 08025474993 (Incidentally - this address is different from the one on the site above. Their's is good for mailing stuff, I think.)

To write directions, one needs a starting point. I think Shivaji Nagar is the best starting point, but in case you prefer the intersection of Brigade and MG road:
Shivaji Nagar is very close to MG road & Brigade (downtown), it is roughly a ten minutes walk. In brief, walk along MG one block west of Brigade, and then walk north (this is along St. Marks Rd, I believe... anyways, it's one block west of Brigade. You can catch any bus along the way.).

From Shivaji Nagar Bus station, take one of the following busses: 292, 293, 294, 295 or 296... Otherwise, ask if the bus is going to Lingaraja Puram, Davis Road (this may actually be a more reliable method, since it's India...)

These buses will take you to the Davis Road and Hennur Main Road intersection.

From here, walk North East along Hennur Main road (towards the flyover). Nirmala Shishu Bhavan is on your left, about 100 meters from davis road...

If you reach the petrol bunk - you've just passed it.

To get back to Shivaji Nagar - walk in South West (away from the petrol bunk & flyover). When you reach Hall Road (about 200 meters from Shishu Bhavan, you can't miss it.) Turn Right.

You can catch a bus back to Shivaji Nagar from here - 292, 293, 294, 295, or 296 (Or just ask for Shivaji Nagar). (The bus stop is as seen in the photo.)

Christmas

2006-02-21T01:18:00.000-08:00

Hideko hosted us for a terrific Christmas dinner...

Celebrating Christmas at Tim's place...

New Year's Eve

2006-02-21T01:09:00.000-08:00

Kyoto

2006-02-21T00:57:00.000-08:00

Kyoto

2006-02-21T00:51:00.000-08:00

Janice/Myself and friends Ikuyo and Junko...

Kyoto - silver palace

2006-02-21T00:46:00.000-08:00

The silver palace is possibly the most serene place I have ever been.

Himeji Castle

2006-02-21T00:31:00.000-08:00

I decided to visit Himeji Castle - at several people's urging. So I hopped on my bike and rode there. It took me much longer than I expected, and unfortunately by the time I got there it was closed. Nevertheless, the trip was definitely worth it. Anyways, here's some pics for the trip.
Himeji Castle itself.

A beach along the way...

And another photo of Himeji:

Japan

2006-02-21T00:01:00.000-08:00

My visit to Japan, spending a month with my sister Janice, is quite likely the hilight of my year. The friends Janice introduced me to were incredibly genuine, welcoming etc. There was so much love and peace among them...
I miss Janice. I miss her friends.
Anyways, here's some pics:

Here's me in a kimono - for starters.

A Christmas Story, (rated 18A, for violence)

2006-01-22T07:02:00.000-08:00

That star... What was it? Why did it draw him so? Why did it twinkle so?
Imlay didn't have much. He gathered dry wood as kindling for the village folk. He didn't have much to think about; until he saw the star...
He couldn't place it - why was it so special? He had never looked at the stars much - but now he marveled at them all - trying to figure out why it was different.
He envied it - special among all the rest - it drew him.
Some would say he didn't have much to leave behind - he was wearing all he owned - but he wanted to leave it all behind, be different, like the star. So he left.
He had no shoes, so he journeyed by day. He woke early each morning - with the star still hanging in the sky - then he'd pick a landmark to guide him that day.
Now the landmark was not the star, but it served for the time being as something to strive for. In this way, he was always pleased but never satisfied with his progress. The star always seemed just as far...

chpt. 2

It was a beautiful coastline, and the water was teeming with fish so the villagers were healthy. They had placed their village on a slight hill, so they could see him approaching from a long way off.
He was clearly a wealthy man - his entire entourage was mounted - and they moved with great speed.
'My name is Will, and I'm on a quest, but I'm blocked by the sea.' he told them when he arrived. 'Who owns your swiftest vessel?'
The fastest ship was owned by the wealthy merchant, Richard. In addition to this, the villagers knew that everything had it's price for Richard. So they led the affluent traveler to him.
Richard owned a gem of a ship. Large enough to carry several men and their belongings, but single-sailed & simple enough for one man to control. It wasn't cheap, but he knew he could make a pleasant profit with this customer.
'I rather like that ship... Why do you need it?' he began.
'I'm on a quest.' replied Will, with words as crisp as flint.
'Fine...' started Richard, glancing at the rings on Will's fingers, and the splendid clothing of his entourage... 'It's yours... For all your mounts, all your gold, all your jewelry...'
'Deal!'
'You seem to have food enough for two days...' initiated Richard.
'Yes. It shall last a week: I'm going alone.'
'The sea is vast... You'll need more than that. I'll supply you with sufficient food - for all but the clothes on your back...'
'Done!' said Will.
It had seemed too easy for Richard, but as Will stood there, strong and tall, gazing fiercely past him and beyond the sea, Richard's stomach twisted. He realised he was still without; but Richard was quick on his feet.
'Young man, you may have forgotten something...' he began. 'The sea water is not fresh... You will die of thirst.'
'I am no stranger to thirst, and she does not always lead to death.'
Richard paused. He didn't know how to ask. Finally he spoke.
'Tell me your quest... Who draws you so? In return, I will give you what you need to cross the see.'
So Will told him. He told him of this star... He told him of leaving with his family's blessing, of the many mountains they'd climbed, and of the many rivers they'd forded... He faltered as he tried to describe star in more detail - he tried to explain it, but then tensed himself and said: 'You'll see it tonight.' and that was all.
He left.

chpt. 3

Richard sat. For an hour he sat. Then he rose, had the horses and belongings returned to Will's entourage, and had them sent home with sufficient supplies. However, he neglected to say good bye.
He called for lunch, but chose not to eat it. He walked to the shore.
He sat. All night he sat, gazing at the stars, changing his perspective slightly every so often, hoping to see past them all and catch that star with his eye. Often, for an instant, he thought he caught a glimpse of it - out of the corner of his eye - he'd spin around to catch it, but the star was always twice as nimble. No - that was not it.
During the last watches of the night he fell asleep on the beach.
In a dream he woke. The first thing he noticed was that everything was different - yet familiar. He could feel the sand beneath his feet - he looked down - no shoes. The wind brushed his bare back - only a comfortable pair of tattered shorts adorned him. He looked at his belly. It was protruded, but wasn't bloated with wealth and age like on other days. Rather it protruded like that of a child. He was amazed... He woke. His sleep had been pleasant.
It wasn't a star, but he knew that it was. Indeed, with day the stars had fled and the beach was lonely. He was lonely.
At that moment, he realised that no star could ever shine brighter than Will, and he guessed the only thing that could.
He packed his richest gift, hired a ship, and left.

chapt. 4

Vincent was a fisherman by trade, but he was also a habitual gambler. To finance his habit, he had managed to get himself in a bad way with even worse characters. He would toss and turn at night, hoping his problems would disappear, but would wake up with his sheets tangled and too short to cover himself.
So when Richard asked to hire him and his fishing boat, he didn't hesitate - this toss might turn out better... Especially if Richard spent on his travels what he did on his clothes.
They were both ceaselessly pondering, but spoke only when necessary. Vincent sat at the stern, fidgeting with the rudder, as if it would help to push them further. Richard sat leaning into the bow. He would scan the horizon with eager eyes, and then examine the gift he cradled in his arms.
It was the gift that caught Vincent's eye. At first it was just a passing thought - like one he used to shake off - but as they got further and further from shore, the gift seemed closer and closer to being his. Later, he could remember little more of the journey than the time he spent planning the robbery.
It would have been so simple. Richard was midway though climbing out onto the shore when the oar hit him from behind. Vincent quickly grabbed the gift and tried to push off. It would have been so simple.
But then Richard whimpered... It reminded Vincent of a dog he had loved as a child. His stomach churned. That whimper had always made him feel guilty.
Richard whimpered again.
'Stop it!' shouted Vincent.
Once again.
'Stop it!' screamed Vincent as he leaped to shore. He hit Richard again. He kicked him and Richard rolled onto his back.
Richard tried to whimper 'I need that!'
Vincent only saw his pleading eyes.
'Shut up!' he screamed, furious yet deceptively plaintive. If only he could flee as free as his voice, echoing over the waves, alone. No.
Again and again he beat him, kicked him and scratched at him. Frantically yet deliberately, he stripped him of his fine clothes and dragged him out of the light, into the shadows of a tree.
At first, he cried as he beat him, but soon Richard was unrecognisable, dirty, bruised and formless. Then Vincent lost all emotions.
His mind was clear but void as he dressed himself in the clothing that had once hidden the now shapeless form, gathered his gift, and walked inland.
He forgot his old fishing ship, soon only the tide remembered it.

chpt. 5

Imlay was making good progress that day. He felt tired and thirsty, in a good way. It had been a pleasant journey recently, since he was flanked by the sea. He decided to walk along the coast, hoping to find a fresh water stream.
As his thirst increased, he glanced at the sea - salt water - it would never quench his thirst, but the appearance of the water gave him hope and he knew that a stream of thirst-quenching-life-giving water had to be filling it. So he did not worry, instead his eyes scanned the edge of the woods carefully and eagerly.
He didn't recognise it at first - so he walked closer. It was a man, bloodied, beaten...
He was scared. Once, as a child, he had watched a criminal be stoned outside his village... But he wasn't near his village now. It was just him and this man.
Imlay didn't know what to do. He knelt down, scared to touch the man. But! - he heard him breathe.
Quickly, Imlay tried to clean and bandage the man's wounds, using strips of his own clothing and leaves, washing him with sea water.
He then found some sturdy branches and built a stretcher. Letting one end of the stretcher drag, he pulled the man as gently as he could to the nearest town.
Finding an inn-keeper, Imlay hired himself out for a year in order to put the wounded man up for a month.
The man seemed to be improving, he was able to speak to Imlay the following evening.
First, he thanked Imlay. Then he tensed.
'Why did you stop for me? Why are you doing this for me?' He asked rather anxiously. 'What did you see in me?'
'Nothing.' answered Imlay, 'But you needed me.'
Richard relaxed. He slept.
Imlay went to see him in the morning. His face had a warm look to it, but when Imlay pressed his hand, he leaped back in fright - it was cold! His body was cold!
But why did his face seem so alive?

chpt. 6

Vincent travelled several days until he reached a city. There he sold the gift & squandered the revenue on a debaucherous lifestyle. He continued to rob people and became more and more depraved and more and more careless. After half a year, he was arrested, tried, found guilty of murder, and condemned to be crucified.
They paraded him through the streets and led him to the place called the skull. There they crucified him at the third hour, along with two others. With labored breathing, and despite the pain, he looked over at them.
The further one was cursing. He cursed the soldiers and the people who stood watching. He rained down insults and threats, almost blind to his own fate as he hung there. His mother stood there weeping... He looked at her with scorn and cursed her for giving him life. The man's character was familiar to Vincent.
But between Vincent and that man, there was another man. He was bloodied and beaten - almost beyond recognition - yet familiar to Vincent now for that very reason. The man hung there, struggling to breathe. Vincent read the written notice of the charge against him: "The King of the Jews."
The soldiers came up and mocked this man. They offered him wine vinegar and said, 'If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.'
Those who passed by also hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, 'Come down from the cross, Jesus, if you are the Son of God!'
In the same way the rulers mocked him. 'He saved others,' they said, 'but he can't save himself! He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said 'I am the Son of God.''
But the man gasped for breath, and said 'Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.'
The other criminal mocked him too: 'Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!'
But Vincent rebuked him: 'Don't you fear God,' he said, 'since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.'
Then he said 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.'
Jesus answered him, 'I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.'
At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?' - which means, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'
When some of those standing near heard this, they said 'Listen, he's calling Elijah.'
One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 'Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to take him down.' he said.
With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

chpt. 7

The Innkeeper still forced Imlay to work the full year. Imlay resented it. After all, the room had only been used two days. But what troubled him most was the fact that since he had arrived, he'd never seen the star again.
He wanted to return to the road, following the star. It had been a stupid idea - trying to save the man's life - and the man had still died. Useless. Pointless waste of time.
He wasn't quite sure what compelled him to stay, he'd often considered running away - it was unfair forcing him to work anyhow. But maybe he was scared that if he left, the star still wouldn't reappear... Maybe he just didn't know which way to go without it.
So he stayed. He washed dishes, cleaned sheets, swept floors, fed the guest's horses in the stable, cleaned up after the horses. There was too much work for one man to do, so he always had to work well into the night.
One night, just over six months later, he was cleaning the stable when he heard voices.
Looking up, he saw two men standing there, talking. They were just beyond the lantern's reach. Their voices sounded warm and inviting so Imlay rose and approached them.
He noticed that they were rather old, but looked kind and somehow clean, despite their dirty shepherd's clothes. They were clearly too poor to be looking for a room, but Imlay was at a loss for a better question to ask.
'No, we don't need a room,' began one, 'in fact, we just came to see the stable. It's a fond memory of ours.'
'The stable?' asked Imlay, "I wish it held the same charm for me! Tell me, what is so special about the stable?'
The second man brightened 'Many years ago, we were still shepherds in these hills. An angel of the Lord appeared to us, and the glory of the Lord shone around us. We were terrified. But the angel told us not to be afraid. He was bringing us good news: That day a Saviour had been born to us; he would be the Christ, the Lord. The angel told us we would find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger - that would be our sign.'
'Suddenly a huge number of angels appeared, praising God. When the angels left, we hurried off to find the child which the Lord had told us about.'
'We found him here, lying in a manger.'
'We never forgot him... Later, a carpenter from nazareth named Jesus came teaching with authority. When we went to listen to him, we immediately recognised him. He was a good man. He healed the sick and spoke of a Kingdom unlike any other. He claimed to be King - very God.'
'The rulers were Jealous, and were seen as fools and hypocrites when he was near. So they killed him. He was innocent and yet punished. But death could not hold him, and two days later, he rose again - alive with a life not subject to the decay or limitations of this world.'
'He spoke of a marriage - where, if we want it - we can become one with him - like man and wife - all things shared in common. Thus, our failures, unfaithfulness, rebellion, lies and mistakes become his, truth and life become ours. Thus, he purchased our freedom, and allowed us to be adopted as children of his Father - very God!'
Imlay understood it all.

Construction　Workers

2005-12-21T01:09:00.000-08:00

Every　time I passed　ｔhem, they asked me to snap their　photo...

Farmers in Nelamangala

2005-12-14T01:24:00.000-08:00

Farming

2005-12-14T01:23:00.000-08:00

Transporting the hay... The building on the right is the boy's hostel.

Indian Shephard watching his flock

2005-12-14T01:21:00.000-08:00

I guess you can't see the flock - but it's right behind him, lost behind the bushes etc...
In Nelamangala.

Farmers in Nelamangala

2005-12-14T01:17:00.000-08:00

This threshing floor is beside the boy's hostel (you can see it in the previous picture). They place rice (the plant) on the threshing floor, drive a tractor over it... the rice sinks underneath the grass... then the gather the grass (hay) and rice in separate piles....

Rajesh

2005-12-14T01:15:00.000-08:00

In the boys hostel/school yard. (The boys hostel is directly behind the school.)

Myself

2005-12-14T01:13:00.000-08:00

I'm at the main hostel, planning out lessons for the school... I was adapting an excellent math curriculum by John Mighton (www.jumptutoring.org) to India... They kids at the hostel were terrific - they helped me with all my cutting and pasting...
Unfortunately, despite all my work, the curriculum has not been used yet...

Myself, in the hostel yard

2005-12-14T01:12:00.000-08:00

Do I always look this tired???

The lake in Nelamangala

2005-12-14T01:10:00.000-08:00

This is directly behind the main hostel. I'm not sure, but I think the tap water comes from this lake - or maybe from a well... In anycase, I didn't get sick from it.

Hostel Sheep

2005-12-14T01:09:00.000-08:00

In search of a sustainable source of income for the hostel...

Nelamangala - the town

2005-12-14T01:08:00.000-08:00

This is a picture taken from the roof of the school.

Nelamangian Banyan tree

2005-12-14T01:06:00.000-08:00

Hindus worship at a little statue (of snakes) next to this tree... I don't know too much about it...
Snakes, however: They are extremely common in this part of India... and quite poisonous. You die in 5 minutes if bitten. They have little dens and burrows everywhere!

Nelamangian Suset

2005-12-14T01:05:00.000-08:00

This is a canal being dug near the boy's hostel.

Nelamangian Neighbor

2005-12-14T01:03:00.000-08:00

She's playing with one of the hostel pets...

Nelamangala

2005-12-14T01:02:00.000-08:00

Nelamangala is a town roughly 20 km from Bangalore. The school and the hostels are there.
This is just outside the older boy's hostel (where I stayed for several days).

Angel, Salome and Rajesh

2005-12-14T01:00:00.000-08:00

Salome and Rajesh are amazing... I didn't really get to know Angel quite as well, but she's wonderful too... I'm going to miss them all...

John and Myself

2005-12-14T00:46:00.000-08:00

Here I am Decked out in Indian garb, looking a little out of it - I had a cold, and hadn't slept much for a while...
John is a guitarist I Jammed with a couple times. We played a song at the church once. He was lead guitarist, and I gave rythm and vocals - God of Wonders...
But even more exciting than playing the song - I was able to present the gospel in all it's fullness... Basically - I know I'm not a good singer or guitarist... So I introduced the song by explaining why I could sing for a God, who spoke: and the universe was made.
Because that same God also took dust, and formed us, and breathed life into us... He loved us then and he loves us now... and yet I have a rotten voice, and moreover am rather wretched, never doing the good things I'd like to do... But when I was most wretched and despicable... He came - Jesus, a good man, healing the sick, accepting the rejected... speaking with wisdom and authority, speaking the truth... but the truth is not accepted in this world. He was not accepted. The authorities killed him. He was crucified, died and buried. But death could not hold him, and he rose on the third day...
And he has told us that if we look to him, then we can have the fullness of life - like his. Our mistakes and failures are buried, like he was, but we shall live, fully new - like him, with God as our loving Father...
And that's why I could sing!

Apparently everyone loved the song... They asked us to do some more...

Rajesh

2005-12-14T00:45:00.000-08:00

Another child staying at the house with me... Also wonderful! He is from Sidartha Nagar.

Salome

2005-12-14T00:44:00.000-08:00

She's wonderful. She was living at the same house as me. A child from Manipur... Her brother Jackson is terrific too - he stays at the hostel.

I don't know much about cows

2005-12-14T00:41:00.000-08:00

He was approaching me - at first I thought he was just curious... then I realised I was wearing a red bandana... so I hightailed it... now I'm not sure if it was a he or a she... argh..

Mooo!

Milk anyone?

2005-12-14T00:40:00.000-08:00

Cows are wonderful. Not only do they provide their owners with milk... They also act as garbage desposal. With four stomachs, you can eat anything - and they do...

More Cows, Nelamangala

2005-12-14T00:39:00.000-08:00

I don't know why there's a fire...

Cow in Bangalore

2005-12-14T00:38:00.000-08:00

Mooo!

Joe with Children from the Hostel

2005-12-14T00:37:00.000-08:00

Joe is terrific!

Myself and more children at the hostel

2005-12-14T00:28:00.000-08:00

Myself, along with some children at the hostel.

2005-12-14T00:25:00.000-08:00

I spent a couple weeks (their october school holidays) going to the hostel each day with Joe. Most of these photos are from then - and then some more from when I later spent several days living at the hostel. These children are just amazing. I wish I had been able to spend more time with them...

Children at the hostel

2005-12-14T00:24:00.001-08:00

I think they are three or four years old.

Children at the Hostel

2005-12-14T00:24:00.000-08:00

Children at the hostel

2005-12-14T00:18:00.000-08:00

The child on the left wasn't able to tell me his name... he's about 3 years old. On the right is Basantha Singh - a great kid. He's in 10th grade, I taught him some combinatorics. He's an excellent role model for the other children; he'd give them his own blanket when it was cold. All the older children I met at the hostel would behave likewise. They are truly amazing. Wise beyond their years, with a deep faith, and a strong relationship with Jesus. Basantha hopes to become a doctor and help the poor in India.
Still, the baby on the left could use some parents... no one can replace good parents... I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful family myself.

:)

2005-12-14T00:16:00.001-08:00

Children at the hostel

2005-12-14T00:16:00.000-08:00

Soccer in the hostel yard

2005-12-14T00:15:00.000-08:00

Skipping in the hostel yard

2005-12-14T00:14:00.000-08:00

I just can't do it. After about 20 skips, I trip it up... How does she do it?

Playing games in the hostel yard

2005-12-14T00:13:00.001-08:00

Children from the hostel

2005-12-14T00:13:00.000-08:00

Children from the Hostel

2005-12-14T00:08:00.000-08:00

It would seem to me that most people in India have neither the room nor the money for a bed, even with a secure and coveted job - like a software engineer... That is to say - a software engineer could probably afford a bed, if they didn't have to send money home to their relatives...

The children at the hostel were recently given bunk beds... Which is more than a luxury - Bangalore can get quite cold in the winter, and without a bed, they would have little separating them from the cement floor...

School Children

2005-12-14T00:06:00.000-08:00

I used to ride the school bus with them... They are so much fun!

Cyril and Rachel...

2005-12-14T00:04:00.000-08:00

Nobody wears helmets... or goggles...

Traffic

2005-12-14T00:03:00.000-08:00

Of course not everyone's wealthy...

2005-12-14T00:01:00.000-08:00

This is less than a minute's walk from the photos of nice neighborhoods in bangalore. Nestled between some houses and shops, a few families live here. This is not the slum, this is a nice part of Bangalore.

Construction In Bangalore

2005-12-14T00:00:00.000-08:00

I like this photo. I don't know why.

Bangalore City

2005-12-13T23:59:00.000-08:00

It's such a beautiful place. Wealthy people live here...

Bangalore City

2005-12-13T23:58:00.000-08:00

Uhh... Ramaiah College?

2005-12-13T23:57:00.001-08:00

Rice Distribution

2005-12-13T23:57:00.000-08:00

Rice Distribution

2005-12-13T23:55:00.000-08:00

Rice Distribution

2005-12-13T23:41:00.000-08:00

Rice Distribution

2005-12-13T23:40:00.000-08:00

Rice Distribution

2005-12-13T23:39:00.000-08:00

Rice Distribution

2005-12-13T23:32:00.000-08:00

Sidartha Nagar, a slum in Bangalore, suffered heavily from floods during October. Here rice is distributed in Sidartha Nagar.

Tata Institute

2005-12-13T23:11:00.000-08:00

This is Sushil, Diganta is in the background. I was auditing a class (Harmonic Analysis) and the Tata, these are two of my classmates (there are a total of two more!)
The class was very good.

Tata Institute

2005-12-13T23:10:00.000-08:00

Diganta and myself

A poem.

2005-12-13T23:09:00.000-08:00

A glimpse I caught - or so I thought,
of a priceless, pure, precious pearl.
This pearl I sought, without much thought
by any ruthless or cunning plot.

In delusion and confusion,
hypocrisy feigned purity,
as in feeding the hungry,
I tried to store up surity.

But all my good deeds are worthless,
and filthy rags make filthy dress.
my righteousness buys so much less
than that pearl I cannot purchase.

But it was then that he saw me.
He the true pearl was cruely mocked.
He sold himself and I was bought:
I'm the pearl he ceaselessly sought.

And now I know where he is found:
not by feeding, not by earning,
not bought by my tending his health,
but found in the hungry himself...

Rachel

2005-12-13T23:06:00.000-08:00

She's so cute. Pushing three years old now (will be three on Jan. 18)

Angel, Cyril and Rachel

2005-12-13T22:57:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of the family I was living with. They are extremly kind...

2005-12-13T09:22:00.000-08:00

Here is an early email I wrote. About a week later, I was prevented from continuing teaching, for various reasons.

So I'm going to try to summarize what I've been up to in India, and
where I'm at and stuff.
In a loose way, I'm here to help with mathematics at a School
(Thomas Memorial English School, Bangalore.) The school provides
education for poorer families. In particular, it was founded to
educate the children from Thomas Memorial Children's Home where
orphans and children from poor families are provided for.
However, it seems that God is trying to accomplish something
deeper... I'm being forced to be obedient to Him, to trust Him, and to
make His priorities mine... In particular, I must learn to love, and
focus on that as my mission.
I thought I knew what it meant to love my neighbor, at least in a
certain sense. And it was based on that knowledge that I came to India
- to put my love into practice by helping with education in this
society. However it is easy to then have tunnel vision and see
education of the masses as my first priority, forgetting it's root:
love for the individual. what I want to do is teach math - that's what
I'm excited about! but the funny thing is - I can't actually do that
if I don't actively keep love my first priority.
What I mean is that 'teacher' is a label that exists only in the
context of relationships (teacher-student). And I have to think of
teaching in terms of relationships rather than in terms of lecturing
an abstract body of students. I must take the time to love the
individual students, even when that seems inefficient from the
perspective of moving forward in the lesson.
Jesus is a Teacher... and I take Him to define the term 'Teacher'...
So I am a teacher only insofar as I mimic Him... And how do the
gospels describe the way He taught?
1)Jesus spent His time not with the successes of the world, but with
people who were struggling, with the sick, the weak and the lost.. So
how does this apply to teaching?
a)I have to focus on the weakest students... I have to make sure
they understand.

2)He meets us where we are. He wanted to help us, so - though He is
God - He became human and lived among us. He was tempted in every way,
and is thus able to understand our struggles.
b)I have to try to see the concepts from their perspectives... I
really have to enter into their minds, and make sure I identify what
they are struggling with. I have to digest the lesson, break it down
until they can understand it fully.

3)He bears the blame for our mistakes... He does not come to condemn
the world, but beyond that, He actually takes the blame when we make a
mistake - no matter how big. In fact, He takes the punishment for us -
he dies on the cross - so that we don't have to. He provides the way
out.
c)When they make a mistake I must take the blame. I must realise
that I did not explain it clearly enough... And I cannot condemn them
for their mistakes either, but provide the way out - no matter how
much time and effort it costs me.

4)He never gives up on His disciples, but is patient with them,
investing himself completely in them, loving them fully. He never
forsakes us (though, He was forsaken). He sends us His Spirit to help
us and encourage us through all our struggles...
d)I must never give up on a student.. but instead I must be patient
and encouraging, and believe in them...

But I can't just say this. No - I must really live it to the
extreme. It definitely requires an investment, and much time may be
spent on seemingly simple concepts, but it is not in vain... the
students quickly succeed when they see that they can, and soon
advanced topics are being taught and understood. It works! I have
taught several grade 10 classes so far, and covered a decent amount of
material. No one was left behind... students would say: "I was weak at
maths, but now it is easy!" or "It is easy like water!" Notably, there
was one student who was not able to understand a seemingly simple
concept. I spent several minutes with her, and was getting
impatient... But I kept encouraging her, and simplifying it again and
again. It was not time wasted. After class she surprised me by making
a very subtle application of it, and the next class she devoured the
lesson, and successfully explained parts of it to several of the
classmates... I had categorized her as the weakest student, and now
she was outpacing the rest of the class.
So I have seen it to be true.. Any student can succeed when the
teacher truly cares for them. Love is the deepest power... Showing
someone genuine love makes a real difference... it has miraculous
results.
I should have learned this from God a long time ago... His act of
loving me has changed me and is changing me... In fact, because He
loves me, it is enabling me to love those around me (though I'm still
quite bad at it... anyways - He isn't giving up on me, and will make
sure I learn to love!) He also tells me to love my neighbor and my
enemy, and insists that it is not in vain - in fact that it is
completely effective. And so I always wanted to believe that love
perfected all things, including teaching. John Mighton was the person
who convinced me of this.
Prof. Mighton started a non-profit math tutoring program called
JUMP (www.jumptutoring.org) which applied essentially the same
principles I have described. He witnessed phenomenal success, and soon
educators started paying serious attention to what he was doing. He
adapted his methods to the classroom setting and is now
revolutionizing mathematical education in Canadian public schools. It
is no longer acceptable for students to be left behind - and one can
accomplish this without reducing the quality of education the best
students receive.
I volunteered with JUMP, and was soon convinced. (I highly
recommend volunteering with JUMP - it is exceedingly rewarding. If one
is interested - www.jumptutoring.org) In fact, I am trying to apply
the JUMP method here - so if you want more detail about the method I
am using, have a look at their website. I find JUMP fascinating.
Love is revolutionary (no matter what discipline one is in!). John
Mighton has started a revolution by taking love to the extreme in
education - just as in India, Mother Theresa took love to the extreme
in the streets, or as Ghandi freed a country by taking love to the
extreme politically, or - at the heart: as Jesus frees us to love by
loving us completely.

And so, teaching math cannot be isolated as my priority here...
rather purposely loving the individuals around me must be my first
priority - actively worked out in all I do - or else all is in vain. I
must first and foremost be obedient to God.

warmly, - dave

P.s. I was brought to this conclusion reading:

John 15
The Vine and the Branches
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off
every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does
bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are
already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me,
and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must
remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in
me.

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I
in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If
anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away
and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and
burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever
you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that
you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my
love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I
have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told
you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be
complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his
friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call
you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business.
Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from
my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose
you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then
the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

"This is my command: Love each other.

Opening

2005-12-13T08:55:00.000-08:00

So, I should have done this a while ago...
I've been in Bangalore, India for over three months now, with an organisation called Touch India. They do great work, www.thomaschildren.org.
However, despite the fact that I like all the people here, especially the children at the hostel (desitute children, and many orphans)... I don't know if I will continue working here in a month (when I return from Japan).
Suffice it to say: the volunteer experience is not what I was expecting.

Searching for the substance of things unseen

Mysore Market

Theju's Fab Family...

There's a path here?

Chickmangalore

Truckin...

Chickmangalore, Wedding

Missionaries of Charity, Bangalore

Christmas

New Year's Eve

Kyoto

Kyoto

Kyoto - silver palace

Himeji Castle

Japan

A Christmas Story, (rated 18A, for violence)

Construction Workers

Farmers in Nelamangala

Farming

Indian Shephard watching his flock

Farmers in Nelamangala

Rajesh

Myself

Myself, in the hostel yard

The lake in Nelamangala

Hostel Sheep

Nelamangala - the town

Nelamangian Banyan tree

Nelamangian Suset

Nelamangian Neighbor

Nelamangala

Angel, Salome and Rajesh

John and Myself

Rajesh

Salome

I don't know much about cows

Milk anyone?

More Cows, Nelamangala

Cow in Bangalore

Joe with Children from the Hostel

Myself and more children at the hostel

Myself, along with some children at the hostel.

Children at the hostel

Children at the Hostel

Children at the hostel

:)

Children at the hostel

Soccer in the hostel yard

Skipping in the hostel yard

Playing games in the hostel yard

Children from the hostel

Children from the Hostel

School Children

Cyril and Rachel...

Traffic

Of course not everyone's wealthy...

Construction In Bangalore

Bangalore City

Bangalore City

Uhh... Ramaiah College?

Rice Distribution

Rice Distribution

Rice Distribution

Rice Distribution

Rice Distribution

Rice Distribution

Tata Institute

Tata Institute

A poem.

Rachel

Angel, Cyril and Rachel

Opening

Construction　Workers