Field Notes

Fever

I had just come back down to Katmandu after 12 days trekking in the Himalayas. I enjoyed a good night's rest, then on Saturday morning met with some of the local Christians about their work. As we met I began to develop aches and fever. By noon I was suffering with flu like illness and was forced to go to bed and begin medication.

Chosen

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love, . . ." (Ephesians 1:3-4).

Tools of Choice

A frequent frustration I experience in my travels is to seek to do something, only to find there is no tool available with which I am familiar to help me do the work efficiently. Sometimes it is that technology has simply not caught up and they do not yet have those tools where I am.

Greater Than The Temple

"Yet I say to you that in this place there is One greater than the temple. But if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath" (Matthew 12:6-8).

Living Water

Bangladesh is the world’s largest delta, situated at the confluence of two great South Asian Rivers, the Brama Putra and the Ganges. Hundreds of navigable streams criss-cross this nation, producing extremely fertile soil plus abundant water for crops and human use. Ironically however, one of Bangladesh’s many needs is pure safe water for consumption.

Hoist On One’s Own Petard

Though the people in other nations with whom I am associated include many fine Christians who serve tirelessly and unselfishly, unfortunately there are sometimes others who criticize, accuse and complain against their brothers and sisters.

No Divisions

The Abbas Hotel reminds me of a lot of church divisions. One individual or group in a congregation has a quarrel with another person or group, and when it is not resolved promptly it escalates to the point that eventually one of the parties leaves to start another congregation

Surprises

An elder with whom I once worked often said, “I don’t like surprises”. In other words, he and the other elders wanted to be informed of any events which might affect the congregation, especially those which might result in unfortunate results if they were unaware of them.

Highways

Just outside Katmandu, Nepal, the rented room in which the Thankot church meets overlooks a narrow, twisting road, the first built in the nation, about the middle of the past century. It connected Katmandu with the Indian border, and opened this tiny mountain kingdom to the outside world for the first time in history. To a visitor the road does not look very impressive.

Watermelons and Other Good Stuff

My wife loves watermelon. This spring in Bangladesh she started asking the cook staff at Khulna Bible College “Did you see any watermelons at the market today?” at least a month early.

The Mark of Our Status

Christians are not instructed in the New Testament to wear any physical or outward symbol of their faith. One cannot assume righteousness or salvation based upon a piece of jewelry, a kind of clothing, or any other physical emblem.

Spiritual Contractors

Traveling through many different parts of the world has exposed me to a wide variety of methods of work and living. One area where there is much more choice than I might have earlier supposed is in that of building materials.

Choose

A friend of mine is fond of the phrase, “one can choose his choices, but he cannot choose their consequences”. He correctly reminds us that every decision we make has ramifications, and we dare not ignore them.

Called to His Purpose

There is no question that the Bible specifically teaches that Christians are called of God. This clearly means that we respond to God’s invitation when we trust in him and obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That is, to be called is to be urged by the preaching of the message of salvation to accept God’s grace.

God’s Ministers

The fact is that all human conditions and institutions are temporary. “Nothing is constant except change” is a historic fact. We have no certainty regarding security or stability. But that does not mean that we must be fearful, pessimistic, or paranoid about our future.

Opportunities to Serve

The recent tragedies in Myanmar (cyclone) and China (earthquake) have killed, injured and severely distressed millions of people. Coming only a few months after the devastation of Cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh, and fresh on the memories of the tsunami of 2005 and Hurricane Katrina, these are reminders of the fragility and brevity of human life.

Attitude

Several years ago the accident report on an aircraft crash in the United States read something like, “The airplane crashed due to an incorrect attitude in its approach to the runway.” In this context, attitude means the angle of an aircraft relative to the horizon.

A Little Sleep

The Dhaka newspaper had a front page headline this week, “17 killed as train rams bus in Tangail”. The accident occurred at a level crossing where there is no automatic signal or crossing barriers. Rather, as in most Bangladeshi crossings, the crossing is watched by human crossing guards and the barriers are lowered manually. In explanation of the cause of the accident the newspaper article stated, “The on-duty gateman ... was asleep when the accident took place." ...

While the Earth Remains

By Michael E. Brooks “And the Lord smelled a soothing aroma. Then the Lord said in his heart, ‘I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake, although the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; nor...

A Little of This, A Little of That

By Michael E. Brooks “So they feared the Lord, and from every class they appointed for themselves priests of the high places, who sacrificed for them in the shrines of the high places. They feared the Lord, yet served their...

“Cutting One’s Liabilities”

By Michael E. Brooks “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be...

Nothing But Manna

by Michael E. Brooks "Now the mixed multitude who were among them yielded to intense craving; so the children of Israel also wept again and said: 'Who will give us meat to eat? We remember the fish which we ate...

The Spirit Was In the Wheels

by Michael E. Brooks "Now as I looked at the living creatures, behold a wheel was on the earth beside each living creature with its four faces ... When the living creatures went the wheels went beside them; and when...

Treating Symptoms

by Michael E. Brooks "I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also,...

Good Work

by Michael E. Brooks "Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need" (Ephesians 4:28 NKJV). This past week...

Vengeance is Mine

By Michael E. Brooks “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay’ says the Lord (Romans 12:19). During a campaign in east Nepal we were to travel...

“No Night There”

by Michael E. Brooks "The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. And the nations of those who are saved...

Good News

By Michael E. Brooks “As cold water to a weary soul, so is good news from a far country” (Proverbs 25:25). My telephone rang early one morning in Alabama. When I answered I soon recognized the caller as a preacher...

The Shortest Distance

A basic geometric principle is: “A straight line is the shortest distance between two points.” However, experienced travelers have learned that this does not always mean that it is the quickest or best route to a destination. ...

Fellow Workers

by Michael E. Brooks "Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles" (Romans 16:3,4). I...

Knowing the Time

by Michael E. Brooks "And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is...

The Lord Has Need Of It

By Michael E. Brooks "Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples; and He said to them, 'Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as...

Getting That Look

One experience that an American often faces in Bangladesh is to be the focus of stares from the local people. It may happen anywhere, but is especially frequent in rural areas. I remember being left in the van in southern Bangladesh some time ago while our local guides arranged for tickets on a river boat. It seemed it was no more than a few seconds before the car was completely surrounded by more than 50 villagers, all staring intently at me. Some were pressed up against the windows, their noses flattened on the glass, as they peered at this strange person. ...

Content in Any Circumstance

You have probably seen the headlines. “CYCLONE DEVASTATES DENSELY POPULATED BANGLADESH: THOUSANDS DEAD.” In addition to the dead, there was hundreds of million dollars worth of property damage. Victims lost their homes, their crops and all personal property. The suffering is already incredible and will only worsen in the immediate future. ...

What Jesus Says About Possessions

By Michael E. Brooks “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and...

Scattered, But Serving

Bharat from Surunga, Nepal, emailed me this week. He was on his way to a Gulf state for two years. This has become a very common thing in Nepal. There is so little work in the country that many of the young men, and even a lot of ladies, go abroad for two or three years at a time so they can provide for their families. ...

We Have Choices

by Michael E. Brooks "Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord. And if...

Better Than Cold Water

by Michael E. Brooks "As cold water to a weary soul, so is good news from a far country" (Proverbs 25:25). Today I stood in the Katmandu airport waiting for the arrival of a co-worker. We had never met but...

Double Blessing

Good works always bless at least two parties -- the receiver and the giver.

Time and Opportunity

by Michael E. Brooks "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1, NKJV). I often ask George, the head cook at Khulna Bible College, for a particular fruit or vegetable only to hear...

Getting It Done

by Michael E. Brooks "And he spoke before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, 'What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Will they...

Take These Things Away

by Michael E. Brooks "Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And he found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business. When...

"Where You Do Not Wish"

Bangladesh has been under curfew for the past week or more. This is not unusual, but always irritating and troublesome. We have been planning a trip to visit churches in the southeastern part of the country, and we have not known whether we would be able to go or not. As the trip is to address some real needs, and as there is opportunity for some successful work, it is rather important that we go. But it is not up to us, others will determine the conditions which will make it possible or not. Tomorrow is the day of our departure, and the news this morning is that the curfew is lifted. We may go. ...

Nothing to Eat

by Michael E. Brooks "In those days, the multitude being very great and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said to them, 'I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with me...

Starting Over, In a Different Direction

"Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord" (Acts 3:19). Shohag Halder, who preaches in 2 villages of Jessore District in Bangladesh, visited...

Great Things from Small Beginnings

"Another parable He put to them, saying: 'The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it...

Self-Judgment

"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your...

“Eat What You Find”

“And a voice came to him, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ But Peter said, ‘Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.’ And a voice spoke to him again the second time, ‘What God has cleansed...

Reputation Versus Reality

By Michael E. Brooks “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes….And you,...

Walking and Talking

By Michael E. Brooks “Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. And they talked together of all these things which had happened” (Luke 24:13-14). Working among...

Seeing and Knowing

It is a frequent occurrence to have an email, a letter, or a telephone call from someone whose name may be faintly familiar, but cannot really be placed. The immediate question is, “Do I know this person?” Obviously I don’t know them very well, if at all. We may have met at some point, or they may have written or called before, but no real personal relationship yet exists. I may eventually discover that I recognize them in the sense of placing them with an identity, or in a particular location, but this hardly qualifies as “knowing” them. ...

Do You Wear a Hat?

"And take the helmet of salvation ..." (Ephesians 5:17a NKJV). Bangladesh is hot! At least, it is most of the time. There are a couple of months where daytime temperatures are better described as "warm" or "nice," but other than...

When at First You Don't Succeed ...

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Barnabas' Treasure

It surprised me when I first priced land in Bangladesh. I was accustomed to low prices for most goods, particularly those made locally, and assumed that property values would reflect the poverty and economic circumstances of the nation. That was a false assumption. I should have considered that Bangladesh is the most densely populated nation on Earth, with a huge number of landless people. ...

Respecting Those Who Rule

It was a very good idea. Two fine Christian young men want to attend Bible College in another country. The school is able to receive them, and happy to reach out to candidates from a neighboring nation. The invitation was extended, and visas were sought. That is where problems arose. ...

Connections and Effects

Once again the political situation in Nepal was troublesome this spring. Our work in the Terrai was disrupted by strikes and violence. But this time it was not the Maoist insurgents who were responsible. Rather it was ethnic minorities agitating for their “rights” in the new government which is being formed. Some charged the monarchy of fomenting this latest unrest in an effort to build support for the continuation of its role in the nation.

Profitable Imitation

Khulna Bible College has a beautiful Myna bird named Tutu who has a pretty good vocabulary of Bengali words and common sounds. He can mimic the telephone on the wall above him, or any of several mobile phone ring tones that he hears frequently. He answers the phone (“Hello”), calls for rice (“Bhat”), and says he wants to eat (“Kabbo"). He even makes the sound of an ambulance’s siren. But there is one thing Tutu cannot do. He cannot tell when it is appropriate to say a particular word or make a certain sound. He does not understand what he is saying. He is merely imitating. Unfortunately some people are like Tutu.

Ancient Landmarks

We have added land to our Khulna Bible College property in Bangladesh on two separate occasions. In both cases we brought in official government surveyors to set corners and mark lines so as to ensure that our neighbors’ borders were honored, and also that we actually received the land for which we were paying.

Free

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage" (Galatians 5:1). I recently went with friends to the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Security, of...

From One Blood

"And he has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in...

Time to Be Alone

"And he said to them, 'Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.' For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat" (Mark 6:31). One of the most difficult...

What A Difference a Minute Makes

"So when her days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed there were twins in her womb. And the first came out red. He was like a hairy garment all over; so they called his name Esau. Afterward his...

Sorting the Good from the Bad

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels,...

Thank You, Jesus

by Michael E. Brooks "...pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18). My favorite Nepali song is a simple chorus called "Dhanyabhad, Iaysu," or "Thank you,...

The Narrow Way

by Michael E. Brooks "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is...

The Path to Understanding

"The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever" (Psalm 111:10). While watching television this morning far from home, a commercial came on in a...

Educated in Prayer

by Michael E. Brooks "Now it came to pass, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, that one of his disciples said to him, 'Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples'" (Luke...

Radical Leadership

"But Jesus called them to himself and said to them, 'You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among...

Dangerous Tolerance

"Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good" (Romans 12:9b). "But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness" (1 Timothy 6:11). The people of Bangladesh have a very simple attitude...

Thick Skin

"This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense towards God and men" (Acts 24:16). "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and...

Eating Meat or Helping Our Brother?

By Michael E. Brooks �Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, that I might not cause my brother to stumble� (1 Corinthians 8:13). In South Asia there are many different cultures, each with...

The Testimony of Faith

"And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jepthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets; who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped...

Caretakers

"Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required in stewards that one be found faithful" (1 Corinthians 4:1,2). In October the elected government of Bangladesh completed their...

His Name

"In Judah God is known; His name is great in Israel" (Psalm 76:1). As one travels in the Hindu countries of Nepal and India, he is continuously reminded of the identities of their gods. Temples and shrines abound in honor...

Give Thanks

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). The giving of thanks is habitual in American culture. Children are taught (though perhaps less diligently...

�Riding the Video Bus�

"Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of...

Seasoned with Salt

"Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one" (Colossians 4:6). Languages are difficult and frustrating to me. I don't learn other languages easily, and since I travel...

Where Do I Belong?

"And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country" (Hebrews 11:15). This last time that...

Newer Is Not Always Better

"The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you" (Philippians 4:9). On the trail from Tipling to Linju in the Nepal Himalayas there is an...

Just Do It

"His mother said to the servants, 'Whatever he says to you, do it'" (John 2:5). A group of about 20 campaigners were flying by charter airplanes into the back country of Guyana. The crew of the planes were weighing each...

Don�t Drink the Water

By Michael E. Brooks �No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach�s sake and your frequent infirmities� (1 Timothy 5:23). One of the frequent questions I am asked about traveling in developing nations is, �Do...

This Old House

On my first trip to Kalmegha, Bangladesh, several years ago, I visited in the home of "Andrew," a newly-baptized former Hindu. He mentioned at that time that the previous evening they had prayed in his house to the Hindu gods, but "tonight we have prayed in this house to the real God." Andrew and his wife are gone, but their daughter-in-law and her two children still live in their house. It is old, much damaged with rot and termites, and in sore need of replacement.

The Hazards of Fishing

"And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea for they were fishermen. Then he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you...

Honorable Conduct

"Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they...

Where is the Flavor?

"But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; that you also aspire to lead a quiet live, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you" (1 Thessalonians 4:10b,11). South...

Fruit Salad

By Michael E. Brooks �But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law� (Galatians 5:22-23). Fruit salad is a favorite dish in South Asia, and we often...

Stop Everything! Let�s Eat

During the month-long fast of Ramadan, devout Muslims are not allowed to take anything by mouth between sunrise and sunset. No food, water, gum, tobacco -- nothing. But, between sunset and sunrise one may eat, and all do. The custom...

Watch and Pray

"Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and...

Draw Near With Confidence

"Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but...

Separating Wheat from Chaff

"His winnowing fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly clean out his threshing floor, and gather the wheat into his barn; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire" (Luke 3:17). I have a vivid memory from...

GO!

My latest travel arrangements to Nepal and Bangladesh were the most efficient I have yet had. I had only two stops between Nashville, Tennessee, and Katmandu, Nepal, with a total elapsed time of about 32 hours, 24 of which were actually in the air. This compares very favorably with previous itineraries which averaged 42 total hours and 28-30 in flight. Wear and tear from travel was definitely lessened and the trip more enjoyable.

One-Talent Servants

"For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to...