Nepal
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scars are not forever
(I co-authored this with Dr. David Pennington. The article appeared in the Adventist Review in 2004) Kline: Surendra’s is a typical Nepali family—Every day his parents leave home before dawn to work in the fields till dusk; His brother, Suman, and he are left alone at home. Surendra was only 3 months old when his Read more
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a cup of tea?
This is the last of a series of 12 articles published in the Adventist Review “Where can I get a cup of tea?” he asked, winking exaggeratedly. Must be a nervous twitch, I thought as I pointed down the road and said, “Try the blue stall under the big tree.” His request was strange when Read more
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strife in the land of peace
An email I sent a friend back in 2006 The strike has been on full swing. Yesterday was the fourth and supposedly the final day. Roy has been itching to defy the strike and go into Kathmandu. Yesterday he got his chance when a patient had to be transferred to a KTM hospital. He rode Read more
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the plight of little girls in Nepal
A bright-eyed, bubbly, powder-fresh little girl skipping about without a care in the world is a sight that gives one the warm fuzzies. For birthdays, Christmases, and even for no special reason, you shower her with gifts. And stores that cater to little girls have never-ending supply of trinkets and treasures. But did you know Read more
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God’s price tag
This was written by Dr. Silas Gomes and me. It was his experience. (Previously published in the Adventist Review) “Nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, very well, thank you. Nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, very well, thank you.” I turned towards the sound of the nonsensical “English” chant and saw the source—He was dark, gaunt, skinny, dirty and almost naked. Read more
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bombs and churches
During the six years we lived in Nepal, we lived through many bombings–in the marketplace, on the highway, next to our bedroom window. But the saddest was when we’d hear of a church bombing that destroyed the efforts, resources and faith of new Christians. Read more
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caught in the crossfire
Terrorism had arrived in our town, at our doorstep. It was Sabbath morning, October 18, 2002, and we were awakened to a bomb. It was so close we could see the foggy smoke rise up towards the morning sky, we could hear the glass windows rattle. A quarter-mile from the hospital and a few yards Read more
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thinking of nepal
I sometimes get nostalgic for our missionary life in Banepa. And when I do, I remember things like watching hail the size of golf balls crack the window pane getting excited about iceberg lettuce sipping a tall glass of hot lemon and honey eating momos by the dozen seeing kids gets excited school waking up Read more
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the view and the fog
(published 2003, Adventist Review) Sometimes a fog of discouragement clouds my vision and my view is not very appealing. What once brought pride and satisfaction is now a pathetic sketch of mishaps and coincidences. What once was a source of encouragement is now a sore irritation. Without a WOW moment in a while, my spirituality Read more
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in spite of the what if’s
(Published in Adventist Review, 2003) Backpack slung over his shoulder, Raymond, a blue collar factory worker, rides the Singapore transit bus every day. All week long his routine is the same, broken by moments when he tucks a few dollars in the envelope that stays in his backpack. Every time we make plans for Singapore Read more
SAYS FYL 