If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.
We had the opportunity today to make our way out of the city to the countryside where a small orphanage is hidden away with 18 children. This is not one of our orphanages, but we were invited to speak there and wanted to meet these very special children.
We couldn’t help but notice on the way the countless Buddhist pagodas that lined the street, each neighborhood seemed to have their own. But what was truly sad, was the shacks made out of any wood scraps and tin sheets that could be found to put together the small lean-to houses. Many of them housing families of four to six children! Yet the golden pagodas soared high above the houses as their symbol of hope, for the next life.
We have seen too many Buddhist monks to count, they are pretty much everywhere you look. And we soon realized that they are the only beggars on the street, and the only ones who ask us tourists for a handout...constantly. We have had the chance to speak to some Buddhists to find out what they believe. And it seems that many have different focus depending upon which region they are from. For instance, there was a Buddhist group from India called the “sun worshippers”. They sit out on the entrance to the large paya, looking directly into the sun for an hour a day in search of peace! They are almost completely blind, but say that they get an icy tingle sensation during that time and think that is some type of enlightenment. Someone should tell them, it’s just their retinas getting fried by the sun! Even the local Buddhists think the sun starers are a bit crazy! Inside there is a 90’ tall Buddha, one of the largest in the world. According to our Lonely Planet guide, this is said to be one of the top tourist attractions, and every good Buddhist try to make at least one pilgrimage here in their lifetime. They come to worship the last 8 hairs of the Buddha and the massive stupa, which has accumulated 53 tons of pure gold and over 5000 diamonds and 2000 other stones (as of 1995). While talking to some local Buddhists, they told us that they bring sacrifices and worship Buddha for what he can do in their next life, their focus is to serve, protect, and love the Buddha. Buddha is too weak, for he has to lay down or sit. He is too weak, for the people have to shelter and cover his head. Buddha requires money but never gives in return, in fact the people say he never gives at all, that they will get it in the after life. Buddha is a weak, selfish, lazy god who does nothing but take up the peoples time, tears, and money....It is simply a works religion. We are so glad that we serve a risen God who wants a relationship with us! We serve a God who is alive and who we love because he first loved us and has so many abundant, free gifts for us!
Our time was short with this orphanage. But we treasure the time that we did have with them. It was a small, modest home, and so unlike the golden towers that we had passed on the way. But there was a true hope in this home, and the home was dedicated God.
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| From Jan '09 |
The older children and staff run a small business out of the home in which they make intricate cards made out of dried flowers and plants, and also nice little beaded key chains. All of the money that they raise gets put back into orphanage for expenses and the building project they would like to begin soon on the new piece of land they have just acquired. The home is very focused on Jesus, and we know that because of this there is so much peace and hope throughout the home. They are a beautiful family and so gracious for inviting us into their home for the day.
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| From Jan '09 |
They even gave us our first yellow watermelon! We’d never seen anything like that!
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| From Jan '09 |
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