Shot of the Week

Every Sunday I upload a photo to my facebook album, Shot of the Week. It is the one capture that speaks to me most out of the sometimes hundreds I snap each week! Sometimes the choice is obvious. A couple of times I have deliberated for hours or even stepped out the door with my camera to hunt one down at the last minute!

But each week I get great comments from my facebook friends. Some people share them on their own pages and occasionally I meet someone here in Nepal who says "Oh I love your Shot of the Week!" That just tickles me pink! I think I'll start posting them in Journey With Me too, for those of you who haven't taken the facebook plunge.


Today's Shot of the Week:

Pilgrims from Tibet discuss Gospel tracts in their own language. At Boudhanath Stupa to perform Kora, they had just met an ethnic Tibetan Christian who gave them the literature and told them about the Most High God. It might be the first time they heard His name. I roamed nearby with a camera and tried to be invisible as I prayed for these beautiful ladies and for their new friend who risked so much to share. 12/5/2011 — at Boudhanath, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Previous Shots  of the Week:

In the right place at the right time. I was hanging out the window shooting still life across the street and Leah says "Oh, oh! Look down!" 10/10/2011

— at Boudha, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Divine Encounter. Thinking we were just looking for a new adventure, we followed our "whim" up a mysterious stairway and found this old man sitting alone at an otherwise deserted shrine. After I took this shot, Leah struck up a conversation and eventually offered a Nepali Bible. He met us at the same place the next day to receive it and began reading instantly. 10/13/2011

— at Boudha, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Jeff, Bishnu and I stopped to catch our breaths and admire God's handiwork while on a quick outreach hike above Thankot. 10/21/2011

— at Thankot, Nepal.

Two men of God share a Bible during a Church service. 10/29/2011

— in Kathmandu, Nepal.

A gaggle of brightly colored boats wait lazily for renters on Lake Phewa. I wasn't shooting lazily though. Leah and I dashed down to Lakeside, snapped about four shots and then rushed back up the hill to catch a taxi for our next scheduled event. Later I realized the moment produced my shot of the week. Now I want to go back! 11/2/2011

— at Pokhara, Nepal.

Shared a few words and smiles with this little angel and her mother while walking home one day. One of the things I love about Nepal is the interaction with people around me. You relinquish some of your own privacy here and find yourself invited into the lives of strangers. 11/7/2011

— at Boudha, Kathmandu, Nepal.

A quick walk to to the ATM at sunset took us past the balloon man's cart. 11/20/2011

— at Boudha, Kathmandu, Nepal.

A woman tosses water on the street in front of her house to cut down on dust. Monsoon is over. 11/27/2011

— at Boudha, Kathmandu, Nepal.

A street child sleeps the afternoon away, oblivious to the bustle of Thamel, a bazaar district. Most likely addicted to glue, statistics say he won't live much longer. 12/4/2011

— atThamel, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Stay tuned for more!




L.

A Gingerbread Man

Traffic in Kathmandu.


There might not be an adjective strong enough to convey the intensity that comes flying at your face when you embark on a journey across this city! You will meet every imaginable conveyance; massive trucks and buses, four door taxis, land rovers, motorcycles, scooters, rickshaws, bicycles and pedestrians, all in a mad dash to claim that next vacant piece of road. And then there are the animals. Buffalo and cattle roam freely through the craziest intersections. And, no, it's not okay if you accidentally hit one. Sometimes you move like a maniac and sometimes you just sit and turn off your engine to conserve petrol. 


Yesterday as we made our way across town I giggled to myself. The smooth tones of Michael Buble's voice floated through the tiny car: "It's be-ginning to look a-lot like Christ-mas . . ." It doesn't look remotely like Christmas here. Though a few shops cater to the westerner, this city is mostly oblivious to the concept of the Christ Child, Saint Nick, jingle bells, holly boughs or Christmas trees. 


We were on our way to do an American family photo shoot and then on to Christian Nepali friends for dinner. I had packed a few dozen freshly baked gingerbread men as gifts for our hosts. We weren't surprised when traffic stood still. Nor were we amazed when a beggar boy tapped on my window moments after we stopped. It happens. The boy pressed his face against the dusty glass and waved a dirty flyer. Probably a professional. He's been provided with printed material to woo the hearts of tourists. No need to contribute funds to a begging ring. But the cookies! I selected a jaunty ginger man and passed it through the window to the filthy kid who couldn't possibly appreciate it. 


Or could he? 


The boy accepted the cookie with interest and moved out of the traffic to enjoy his treat. I watched as he studied the shape and bit off the head. He looked a little amused at his decapitated victim. He savored the spicy sweetness, then decided which limb would go next, and next.


I was struck with how similarly kids back home eat gingerbread men. The little ones in my life get ginger guys every year - even help bake and decorate them. Still, the simple pleasure of dissecting an unsuspecting bit of sugar and spice never loses its satisfaction! And it wasn't lost on the little urchin who tasted a bit of Christmas cheer for the very first time. 


The scene plays back in my mind again and again. I see the essence of the Christ Child in it.  The Most High God comes as a mortal man to a world that doesn't want Him. He is served up to we unappreciative beggars as payment for our destitution, and Glory to God in the highest! It is enough! This Bread of Heaven is all sufficient to feed the human soul, no matter the race, nationality, creed or caste! He is here, among us for all time, just waiting for us to press our faces to the glass . . .


and beg.

I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

John 6:51

L.