Saturday, June 30, 2012

BOOK REVIEW: Covenant Child by Terri Blackstock

I enjoy books by author Terri Blackstock, so I jumped at the chance to get a free copy through the Booksneeze program in exchange for an honest review. Originally published in 2002 by Thomas Nelson Publishers, it has been re-released in 2012. I chose the Kindle format. It is the story of billionaire heiress twins, Lizzie and Kara, told in first person by Kara. It's a tale of love, loss, greed, and more loss. At the age of three, the twins are suddenly ripped from the loving arms of their step-mother and thrust into the greedy arms of their maternal grandparents. These same grandparents showed no interest in the twins until their father died leaving them a huge fortune. Amanda, their step-mother is devastated and vows to get them back. She runs the family company for them until such a time as she can give it back to them. Despite being given a generous support check from their estate, the girls suffer neglect and poverty at the hands of their grandparents.
Covenant Child illustrates some great Biblical principles, such as love, sacrifice, and forgiveness, but there are problems with the storyline. With all the publicity the girls receive it is inconceivable that social workers, school personnel, or neighbors would not see how the girls were being treated and not intervened. Being an educator, I had trouble getting pass this and consequently spent a lot of time being annoyed. Without giving a way the ending, I will say it was satisfying, but the storyline still annoyed me.
My rating: 3 stars, because I do like Terri Blackstock, and the story was mildly thought-provoking.

Thursday, June 28, 2012

EGGLESS BISCUIT CAKE RECIPE

This is a nice soft, easy cake to make quickly. You can bake it in the oven, microwave, or in a cooker.
INGREDIENTS:
100 g Hide and Seek Biscuits
100 g Glucose biscuits, such as Parle G
1 packet ENO (fruit salt)
3 T sugar
1 Cup milk
STEPS
1. Grind the biscuits and sugar until fine.
2. Put in a bowl and stir n the milk and ENO.
3. Pour into a greased baking pan suitable for the way you will cook the cake.
OVEN
Bake for 30 minutes at 180 C or 350 F
MICROWAVE
Bake on high in a microwave safe dish for 7 minutes
COOKER
Pour batter into a tin or aluminum pan and place in cooker with no water. Remove whistle. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
Toothpick inserted in cake should come out clean.
Serve with chocolate sauce, ice cream, or fruit.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Bible Clubs Pics

Rapt attention to the story
Nan retelling the story in Hindi
Writing in notebook about Manoah's wife


Juicicles
Thanks Greg, for sending these great kits!



We celebrated Christy and Pranjal's birthday Saturday.
 Moms and friends learn lessons from Jochabed
 Tea time after making eggless biscuit cake

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

RETURN TO MOUNTAIN SCHOOL

It's been almost two years since I've been to the small school in the Himalayas. I've wanted to return ever since I first made the journey. This time, I went a different way, a way which required me to get a special permit for foreigners to enter the restricted area. It is very close to Tibet.


 This is where the principal and his family stays, as well as some of the single teachers. We stayed on the ground floor. The outhouse is to the right. The water pump and where we wash clothes is to the left!
 The views were unbelievable!
The kids met on the rocky field every morning for assembly under the intense sun. The school is up about 13000 feet.
 You can see why they (almost) all have their heads covered!
 The teacher to the left teaches Sanskrit. The other two are from South India. One teaches Science, the other math.
They have a really wonderful library but don't really know how to use the materials, so we had one day of training in the library.
 The children stole my heart. They are so precious!
These are the little ones. Nan taught them every morning for three hours while I trained the teachers.
This little guy lived very near the school, and didn't ever want to go home when his class was dismissed!

 Principal's adorable son.
 The road home.
Used to be the highest Tibetan Monastery in the world but now nearby in Comic is a higher one.  This one is at 14000 feet!
Ki monastery.
Hope you enjoyed my journey to the high places! Please pray for the people there, and the workers. The conditions are tough, but some day....

Friday, June 08, 2012

RETURN TO APPLE COUNTRY

I returned to Apple Country for the school's Annual Function and took Nan with me. She was a tremendous help, in getting the kids ready, and acting as MC for the program. We were also able to present Pearls of Great Price in two different villages. Nan also fell in love with the place. Bill and Rae continue to reach out to the community, but still face resistance. Programs such as the Annual Function and our breast cancer programs help to raise his standing with the community.
After three days, we headed for the high country. I haven't been back since July 2010. I went to train new workers at the school. They come because they have a heart for Jesus. I also train the new local teachers who teach Hindi, Sanskrit, and Tibetan. This area is very near Tibet, so foreigners are required to get a special permit to enter the area. It took two more days to get there, traveling on even more dangerous roads than the ones into Apple Country! What an adventure! The views are just staggering!
I so enjoyed God's beautiful creation in this part of the world! Most of the people are Tibetan Buddhists. The Buddhist school receives tons of support from the private sector as well as the local government. It has been a long, hard road to keep the school open. They have secured some property, and when they raise enough money, they can begin to build the new school. This is required to get the ICSE Board certification. Right now they just have state affiliation.
Nan was a great help teaching the kindergarteners every morning while I trained the teachers. Some of the new workers are just out of high school! Some are from South India. What a difference for them!
Nan and I presented the Pearls of Great Price program for 31 nonbelieving community women. The response was very good. I hope they teach others. But more than that, I hope they realize the Truth about Jesus Christ. 
Some photos from the Annual Function at Victorious English School.

The special guests at the function presenting school bags for needy kids. They are from the Bible Society of India.




 I love hiking up to Y village! I never tire of the river.

Come back tomorrow for photos from the other school! Please pray for the people in the photos!