Jeff just returned from 17 amazing days with the boys in India. His pictures brought tears to my eyes as I saw the breathtaking beauty and the boys' huge smiles as they trekked with him through the Himalayas!
Jeff wrote this in his journal (and he let me share it!):
Blue morning skies, the canvas for Himalayan splendor. Granite peaks rise to meet the sun. Timeless rocks. Here from the beginning. Strength. Glory. Wonder. Never living, never dying. Ageless. Fir trees emerge from the earth. Roots digging into soil. Evergreen boughs stretching toward the sky. Shelter. Energy. Life. Flowers sprout where seeds fell in autumn. Golden buttercups, purple iris. Tenderness. Fragrance.Beauty. Rushing water cascades down rocky slopes. Frozen crystals return to liquid. Drink deeply. Live fully. Fresh. Clean. Clear.
Sunlight offers a goodnight kiss to towering summits. Sky's fire disappears. Cold. Dark. Distant. Camp's fire begins. Come. Sit. Share. Crescent moon follows the sun. Reflect. Relax. Sleep... as distant stars point to morning.
Most of the boys had never been in snow, so to have a snowball fight was a treat!
Here they are making their chipati over the open fire.
Avinash, Abishek, Jeff, and Anand
Completely nestled in the mountains, this flat field looked like someone had prepared it just for a game of "sock" ball soccer. The boys literally tied up a bunch of their socks and played barefoot!
Before meals, Jeff would ask the boys to help get firewood. Their work ethic never ceases to amaze. Within a few minutes, each boy would return with their arms FULL of logs!
The guys studied the book of Deuteronomy ...
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These
commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. May you
boys choose LIFE, and have it most abundantly in Christ!
3 comments:
oh, this makes me so, so happy. beautiful pictures. beautiful smiles. so glad jeff could go! what a gift for EVERYONE! can't wait to hear the stories.
Thanks Ade! I way dying to see some pics!!! Lots of dreams coming true in those pictures, I suspect! And I love seeing Jeff in those pictures, fascilitating such memories for those young men! May they never forget it, and may they always seek the heart of their Creator God!!! Luv u, Mom R
Wonderful post, stunning pictures, great prose, Jeff! What a memory-making-life-changing trip for those boys, who have SO grown up since we spent time there three years ago. Can't wait to hear more about it around the LE campfire.
Love always,
Mom
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