Mustachio Row

Bakr-Eid

Yesterday Bakr-Eid, the Festival of Sacrifice, was celebrated in South Asia and around the world. This eid is a commemoration to Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son.

This festival is practiced in this way: The father, or a recognized head of the family, buys a sheep, goat, cow or camel from the local market. The animal must be healthy and without any defects. The animal is brought home and tied up in the yard, where it is well fed.

On the day of Bakr-Eid, the family gathers in their finest clothes. Male members of the family place their hands on the cow as a hired local expert prepares to slit the throat of the animal with a knife. In the father's possession is a piece of paper with names on it. They are the names of relatives or individuals close to the family. Before the act of killing the animal, the names on the paper are read out loud. The sacrifice, or "Korbani", is intended to cover the names on the paper as well as those placing their hands on the animal. After the father says a prayer, the throat is cut and the animal dies. The Korbani is complete. Meat is divided up among family, friends, and poor people.

Please lift up this people group today. Ask that they would know the One who has given Himself as the Ultimate Korbani.

These are some pictures from yesterday's Bakr-Eid ceremonies. Please pr.y.

Update from Mumbai

Please be lifting up the people of Mumbai as they try to get back to
"normal" after last week's terrible terror.st attacks. International
Believers working there wrote, "So, what of this? How do we feel? A little
edgy, trapped at home. Sad for the city's loss of life and sense of
security. But worse, sad for the Kingdom's loss. For among the dead are
Musl m terror.sts, Hindus, a rabbi's family, hotel employees, socialites,
businessmen from many countries, and more. Perhaps there was a believer
among them. Apart from that possibility, they all, terror.sts and victims
alike, right now face the same eternity before but one God! We lift up our
hearts and cry out to Him for this city's redemption. How do we feel? We
feel an urgency that the Good News be shared among all of the lost. In spite of the terror, PTL for 13 new "family members" who "went swimming" the night before the attacks."

Another video stolen from a friend :)

Christmastime is Here

I saw this on a friend's blog today and thought I'd pass it along to you.

'Round Here

Hey, remember those dudes that I told you about a few months ago who gave me 100 rupees worth of change all in 10 rupee notes (an amazingly rare thing, by the way)? This is a pic of those guys.

And here's a picture of that crazy bank that almost got away with $800 of my money! (read old blog post to find out what happened...). The girl in the far right corner of this shot, well her expression says it all about my feelings toward this establishment, although I must admit I kind of love their slogan: "A friend you can bank upon" That always makes me chuckle.




There are some more pics that I took around my neighborhood below. Whenever I come back to this town after being out of country, it makes me feel like I'm a tourist again and for about a week or so I just walk the streets everyday for hours. I'm trying to take advantage of this window of opportunity by taking more pics of my world to share with you. Also, this is a sort of tribute to my neighborhood. I'm moving next week. Farewell neighborhood! I love you and will miss you very much!

Copper House

Art Deco-ish House. When I first moved here, almost a year ago now, there was nothing on the lot where this building now stands.

One heck of a big, Big house. I wonder how many people live here and what they do.

Chocolate Chip Mint Icecream House

McDonalds, where?! Oh, wait....

Tropicana Houses

A shrine around the corner from my street that the street dogs like to steal food from.

Ganesh. Behind every corner.

Construction worker on my street. She lives in the small building in the background.Press wala. Isn't she beautiful?

Lady

Tramp

Kids that live in my apartment building...

The girl in black is my favorite. She is actually the "servant" (the word choice most common here) to the other two kids. The extent of my conversations with the girl on the right go like this: "Hi, how are you?" "Fine, Auntie" *big smiles on both our faces*. I really wish I knew this girl's language so I could share with her more than just a smile. Please pray for her.

Fear Not, I am safe here.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I've posted new pics from vacation and from my Thanksgiving celebrations. Check them out here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sasiametronews

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

-C

Update

Thanks for your pr yers this past week. We were able to leave some copies of the word and other literature behind. Please keep pr ying for these islands.

Urgent Requests for this week

Dear Friends,
Please think of me this week. I'll be going to a "closed" land where freedom to choose what you believe is strictly forbidden. I've been very much burdened for the people of this area and am excited that I will finally have the opportunity to visit this place. Here's some more info about this land and some things to be thinking about:

- there are approx 300,000+ people that live in this land that do not have access to the word

-there is no visible group of followers anywhere in this land

-by law, every person of this land must follow one faith only. It is a criminal offense to do otherwise.

Things to be thinking about...

-speedy translation of the word into this people's mother tongue
-effective communication to this land via media (radio, audio, etc.)
-change in the laws to allow more freedom for people of this land to choose
-for the thousands of the people of this land that are enslaved by heavy drug usage and for those disillusioned and bored with their life in this land (I've heard boredom is very common among younger generations in this land and the main reason for high drug usage)
-that more followers would share with the people of this land
-for the thousands of people of this land that actually live in my city. What an open door to share! Ask that local followers would catch the vision to reach this community.

-safe travels for myself and other friends that I'll be traveling with
-opportunities to share and guidance from the father about when and who to share with
-that we wouldn't get deported from this land for sharing!
-for a relaxing and refreshing time spent in this land (I'm actually going to this place for vacation)


Ok, I'm really excited about this trip. I leave tomorrow morning and will get back early next week. Please think of me during this week! I'm looking forward to sharing many more details and pictures about how the Father answered your requests when I return. Have a great week!

-C

Election '08

Several of you have inquired regarding the US election from this side of the world. I thought I'd let our local paper speak for itself. I've clipped articles from the day before, day of, and day after the election. Click on the article for a larger view. I'd be interested to hear your comments and how the political views here compare to those in the US.

Enjoy!

From My View

Check out these crazy caterpillars that were eating our office plants!

Diwali. Three days of non-stop fireworks, noise, sweets, holidays, celebrations. And a lot less traffic that normal.

These are the big, 4th of July type fireworks from back home that are usually set off by professionals while onlookers observe from a distance. These were set off by my neighbors in the street directly in front of my apartment building...like 50 of them every night. Yessss.

My neighbor creating a beautiful rangouli design in front of her home for Diwali.

Diwali Day Two Picture - made entirely from colored powder. She made a new picture everyday for Diwali!

Close up...Mary Poppins-esque?

Crackers AKA Fireworks in South Asia

And some more crackers...

Diwali Aftermath = our entire street covered in crackers.

Teaching some kiddos Urdu praise songs.
Making salsa with friends.

Indian Dinner at one of my favorite restaurants!