Last Wednesday, March 8 was International Women’s Day and students are out of class in recognition of the holiday. Because we had no class, we were able to eat with some friends for lunch and hang out around town. Our roommates asked us to go to the mountain with them. We climbed over 200 steep stairs to the very top of the mountain. As we were climbing, we were able to pray over the city.
At the top, it has three temples and a Buddha looking over the city. There are also miniature Buddha statues covering the side of the mountain. These are given to the temple to receive full merit or full blessing from the spirits. When a Buddhist comes and asks for something from the spirits and their blessing is made true, they must thank the spirits by giving statues back to the temple. It was very interesting to see all kinds of people on the top of the mountain, both tourists and nationals. Maybe they were there worshiping the spirits and idols or just there to see the scenery at sunset.
It was very dark, spiritually, but we were reminded that God has given us the ministry of reconciliation. We are to share the Good News with those around us, no matter how dark. We are God’s children and he has given us a light that will never go out. A river that will never run dry. A spirit that will never leave us or torment us. This is the God who we serve. And we are so grateful to be here, at this time, in this place, serving Him!