Jared is pictured at right shopping in the market.
We've been in Darjeeling just over a year now. As we look back on 2008, we have reason to celebrate. First, we survived! Several cases of intestinal parasite, a few motorcycle accidents, a bone-chilling winter, monsoon rains, civil unrest, new language, new culture, no Taco Bell... We are so grateful to our Father for being there with us as we struggled to adjust and adapt.
Second, we have quite a bit to be thankful for. We've made many friends. The church here is growing. Jonathan and Karen Lovitt are great teammates and are always a source of good advice and counsel. We're slowly but surely learning the Nepali language. We've gained some valuable insights into the culture. The Taco Bell cravings are starting to subside... we can definitely celebrate.
So, what's new for 2009? The following is just a short list of what we have planned for the Gorkha Project in the coming year.
We now have two full-time Bible workers. One is primarily working to translate Bible story lessons into the Nepali language, and the other will be giving those Bible lessons in the community.
We just recently started having weekly home meetings in the homes of different church members. We want to build up the current members in Christ as well as connect with new people in the various neighborhoods where the members live.
We will be shooting the next Gorkha Project video in March. It should be in theaters this summer... OK, in your living room this summer.
We will be attending a one-month intensive course this May through Cambridge University to become CELTA certified to teach spoken English. Mid-year we will be starting a new language school here in Darjeeling as part of our outreach to the community.
We also plan to take a little vacation time to head over to Nepal and trek to Everest Base Camp. Be on the lookout for a post from that trip in a few months.
And, as always, we expect the unexpected in 2009.
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