Barbara's Bulletin
Sabbatical Travels
ART IN ASIA
Over my 3 Sabbaticals since I started working at Kodaikanal International School, the Art focus that has been a theme, has been to explore the art and heritage of SE Asia, beginning with India (Hampi, Ajanta and Ellora), and moving out to Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia and Vietnam. This time I decided to spend a month in Myanmar, and return to Thailand and Malaysia, but with visits to new areas.
The monuments, ruins of temples, stupas and palaces that are left from the past of these countries fascinate me. I see the beauty of the natural world, God's creation, around and often growing out of the ruins of these monuments, as a reminder that God is present even though the builders of these sites tried, like those in Babel, to stamp their own importance and make a statement.
As I traveled, I was aware of Gods' presence and guiding. I looked for who and how he might be leading me to share. With only a few speaking English where I traveled in Myanmar and Thailand, this was in small ways. One special moment was on my first day in Yangon. A Burmese Naga Christian was showing me around. On a local crowded bus, I found myself next to a young man reading what looked to be a bible. When I asked my friend, in the next seat, the young man looked up and told me that 'yes, he was reading the bible' and asked if I was a Christian. When I said yes, he smiled, and returned to his reading. A brief connection, but a reminder that God is present and has his people in every nation.
I've drawn, and taken photographs to continue to work with now that I'm back in India.
Here I'm sharing just a few of the places and scenes that I've experienced in the last month. God spoke to me as I moved through these places with an awareness of his presence, I hope they touch you as well with a reminder of his great gift to us.
The monuments, ruins of temples, stupas and palaces that are left from the past of these countries fascinate me. I see the beauty of the natural world, God's creation, around and often growing out of the ruins of these monuments, as a reminder that God is present even though the builders of these sites tried, like those in Babel, to stamp their own importance and make a statement.
As I traveled, I was aware of Gods' presence and guiding. I looked for who and how he might be leading me to share. With only a few speaking English where I traveled in Myanmar and Thailand, this was in small ways. One special moment was on my first day in Yangon. A Burmese Naga Christian was showing me around. On a local crowded bus, I found myself next to a young man reading what looked to be a bible. When I asked my friend, in the next seat, the young man looked up and told me that 'yes, he was reading the bible' and asked if I was a Christian. When I said yes, he smiled, and returned to his reading. A brief connection, but a reminder that God is present and has his people in every nation.
I've drawn, and taken photographs to continue to work with now that I'm back in India.
Here I'm sharing just a few of the places and scenes that I've experienced in the last month. God spoke to me as I moved through these places with an awareness of his presence, I hope they touch you as well with a reminder of his great gift to us.
Offering
In Yangon, a young man brings his offering, past a vendor selling more, into a stupa
Art for Sale
In Bagan, where tourists are coming to see the more than 3000 temples, shrines and stupas, artists offer traditional scenes and religious themes for sale
Balloons over Bagan
Sunrise and sunset views are striking, with the haze and faded colours giving a timeless and unreal feeling. Balloons are one way to see the monuments.
Lake Inle Floating Market
Lake Inle's shallow waters have villages on stilts, and floating gardens, where water weeds have been staked down, to hold soil and seeds.
Fishermen Fun
Entertainers do gymnastics, displaying a traditional way of fishing with baskets. Feet are used to steer and row, as well as placing the baskets.
Countless Stupas
For Burmese Buddhists, building a stupa seems to be one way of 'gaining merit'. This site had 400 in stages from crumbling ruins to newly built and gold covered. Bagan has more than 3000, and there are many other sites.
Sukhothai
A former capitol of Thailand, this moated and walled city has ponds reflecting the pagodas and stupas and beautiful trees that remain.
Arur Talun Prayer Mountain
A reminder of the 1970's revival, this trail climbs steeply up, with ropes attached to trees to help the climber.
Bario Beauty
A waterbuffalo grazes in Bario paddy fields, with the mountains behind. A quiet and refreshing place to end my travels among those who worship God the creator of all this wonder.
Back in Bethania
Doug's visit
When I was in Canada, I shared about Bethania Home for Children in several churches. Doug Rue, from my home church, Forest Grove, decided to add a trip to India and Bethania to his plans to visit Thailand. I'm not sure he realized what a challenge this would be, with visa and travel, but he came while I was away, and spent several days connecting with the kids at Bethania, praying and playing with them. I'm sharing some photos from his visit. I head to Bethania tomorrow, and will be there for a week.
Barbara Gail Block - Bethania Home for Children with MB Missions
For more on Bethania, visit Bethania Home for Children, Kannivadi on facebook, or BethaniaKids.org. MB Missions also has a facebook page and web page for more on what is happening in places like Thailand and India as God is at work.
Email: barbaragailblock@gmail.com
Website: mbmission.org
Phone: 4245 247 344