Thomas Hale writes about being a missionary surgeon in the same delightful way James Herriot writes about being a country veterinarian. Dr. Hale's incredible experience in tiny, mountainous Nepal are surpassed only by his talent for telling about them. Imagine, for example, the culture shock of moving to a Hindu country under such rigid religious control that it is not only illegal to proselytize, but illegal to change religions as well. Imagine further the shock of moving to that country as a missionary doctor. Thomas Hale and his wife, Cynthia, also a physician, too on that awesome challenge in 1970.God wasted no time teaching tom the peculiarities of his new culture. But His unusual method left Tom wondering what God was up to. Here is how Tom tells about it:"These were not the phlegmatic, easy-going Nepalis described in books and orientation courses. Those who spoke gesticulated fiercely. Some looked around menacingly; others spat. One thing was certain, however: in the cause of their anger they were united. The word was out: the new doctor had killed a cow. My own sense of participation in the proceedings was intense. I was the new doctor."--ExcerptAs Tom goes on to describe the events the preceded the angry scene in the Nepali village, the image of the spiritually superior missionary quickly evaporates. In a humorous, yet deeply insightful way, the author makes it clear that he is merely a servant, using his skills to the glory of God.Tom concludes this chapter with a thoughtful confession:"In the long run, that cow did much more for me that I did for it. The mild-mannered, uncritical beast made me see in myself those negative attributes I had always ascribed to other American surgeons. Facing two hundred angry men proved to be effective therapy for removing most traces of condescension with which I previously regarded them. It also improved my relations with missionary colleagues and with Nepali brothers and sisters in the church. I guess God had no gentler way of removing some of my imperfections. I only wish I could say, for His trouble, that He finished the job. But it was a start." -- Excerpt.Dr. Hale's book refused to be preachy or condescending. It presents missions as a "want" rather than an "ought." It is sensitive, warm, honest, incredibly funny, and filled with important truths illustrated from unusual and sometimes unimaginable situations.

Don't Let the Goats Eat the Loquat Trees

Biographies & Memoirs

Hale, Thomas

Historical

Zondervan

On the Far Side of Liglig Mountain is a book that will take you lands away to the mysterious "closed" kingdom of Nepal, where its author, Thomas Hale, and his wife, Cynthia, have struggled to serve God as medical doctors. With beguiling humor and humility, Dr. Hale recounts his often amazing (and sometimes almost unbelievable) experiences in bringing western medicine to people who distrust -- even fear -- the introduction of ideas different from their own. He and his family work as a team to dispel that distrust and fear, and in the process have experienced incredible adventures. On the Far Side of Liglig Mountain is a book about - faith and courage - laughter and loving your neighbor - the hardships and the blessings of self-denial -- a book that you will not easily lay aside. Just as he has gained the trust and affection of his Nepalese patients and neighbors by his love for people and his eagerness to share his love of Christ, Thomas Hale will captivate the reader with his intriguing account of the joys and realities of ministering to the human condition.

On the Far Side of Liglig Mountain

Leaders & Notable People

Since 1970, the team of Thomas Hale and his wife, Cynthia, have struggled to serve God as medical doctors in the remote storybook kingdom of Nepal. In the process they have experienced both the hardships and the blessings of bringing Western medicine to people who distrust -- even fear -- ideas differing from their own. In the same process, by their selfless love and caring, they have gained the affection and trust of their Nepali patients and neighbors. In this true story, the faith and humility of doctors Tom and Cynthia Hale are matched by the beguiling personality and character of the Nepalese people, the majority of whom are subsistence farmers who share much in common with the poor of all developing countries. Living Stones of the Himalayas, like its predecessors Don't Let the Goats Eat the Loquat Trees and On the Far Side of Liglig Mountain, is a graphic portrait of the human condition and the growing pains of the unique and intriguing land of Nepal with its astonishing beauty that exists side by side with: - faith and superstition - sickness and death - ancient traditions and twentieth-century innovations - courage and joie de vivre Living Stones of the Himalayas is a fascinating account of everyday and sometimes incredible experiences mingled with humor, understanding, and love for humanity. Reading it will transport you to one of the most enchanting lands away -- first class.

Living Stones of the Himalayas

Religion & Spirituality

Christian Books & Bibles

Long Problems: Climate Change and the Challenge of Governing across Time

Business & Money

Economics

Princeton University Press

Gridlock: Why Global Cooperation is Failing when We Need It Most

The issues that increasingly dominate the 21st century cannot be solved by any single country acting alone, no matter how powerful. To manage the global economy, prevent runaway environmental destruction, reign in nuclear proliferation, or confront other global challenges, we must cooperate. But at the same time, our tools for global policymaking - chiefly state-to-state negotiations over treaties and international institutions - have broken down. The result is gridlock, which manifests across areas via a number of common mechanisms. The rise of new powers representing a more diverse array of interests makes agreement more difficult. The problems themselves have also grown harder as global policy issues penetrate ever more deeply into core domestic concerns. Existing institutions, created for a different world, also lock-in pathological decision-making procedures and render the field ever more complex. All of these processes - in part a function of previous, successful efforts at cooperation - have led global cooperation to fail us even as we need it most. Ranging over the main areas of global concern, from security to the global economy and the environment, this book examines these mechanisms of gridlock and pathways beyond them. It is written in a highly accessible way, making it relevant not only to students of politics and international relations but also to a wider general readership.

Politics & Social Sciences

Young, Kevin

Held, David

Politics & Government

Polity

Ranging over the main areas of global concern, from security to the global economy and the environment, this book examines these mechanisms of gridlock and pathways beyond them. It is written in a highly accessible way, making it relevant not only to students of politics and international relations but also to a wider general readership.

Written for everyone with an interest in mission, this book will lead you to reconsider your role in the missionary enterprise. On Being a Missionary is not designed to be a theoretical textbook. It does not put forward new theses, new approaches to mission, nor does it attempt to break new ground. In a very readable way the author presents the ideas, experiences, and insights of over one hundred missionary writers.

On Being a Missionary

William Carey Library Pub

From the author of On Being a Missionary, and the Thomas Hale Trilogy comes the new book A Light Shines in Central Asia. This book presents real-life experiences of missionaries sharing the gospel in Buryatia, Tibet and Mongolia. These stories show God’s awesome power as He changes lives and protects His servants while they live and work in predominantly Buddhist countries.

A Light Shines in Central Asia: A Journey into the Tibetan Buddhist World

Buddhism

The Teaching of African Literature (Annual Selected Papers of the Ala, 2/1976)

Literature & Fiction

African Literature Association Meeting 1976 (Northwestern University)

World Literature

Passeggiata Pr

Thomas Hale writes about being a missionary surgeon in the same delightful way James Herriot writes about being a country veterinarian.  Dr. Hale's incredible experience in tiny, mountainous Nepal are surpassed only by his talent for telling about them.  Imagine, for example, the culture shock of moving to a Hindu country under such rigid religious control that it is not only illegal to proselytize, but illegal to change religions as well.  Imagine further the shock of moving to that country as a missionary doctor.  Thomas Hale and his wife, Cynthia, also a physician, too on that awesome challenge in 1970. God wasted no time teaching tom the peculiarities of his new culture.  But His unusual method left Tom wondering what God was up to.  Here is how Tom tells about it: 'These were not the phlegmatic, easy-going Nepalis described in books and orientation courses.  Those who spoke gesticulated fiercely.  Some looked around menacingly; others spat.  One thing was certain, however:  in the cause of their anger they were united.  The word was out:  the new doctor had killed a cow.  My own sense of participation in the proceedings was intense.  I was the new doctor.'--Excerpt As Tom goes on to describe the events the preceded the angry scene in the Nepali village, the image of the spiritually superior missionary quickly evaporates.  In a humorous, yet deeply insightful way, the author makes it clear that he is merely a servant, using his skills to the glory of God. Tom concludes this chapter with a thoughtful confession: 'In the long run, that cow did much more for me that I did for it.  The mild-mannered, uncritical beast made me see in myself those negative attributes I had always ascribed to other American surgeons.  Facing two hundred angry men proved to be effective therapy for removing most traces of condescension with which I previously regarded them.  It also improved my relations with missionary colleagues and with Nepali brothers and sisters in the church.  I guess God had no gentler way of removing some of my imperfections.  I only wish I could say, for His trouble, that He finished the job.  But it was a start.' -- Excerpt. Dr. Hale's book refused to be preachy or condescending.  It presents missions as a 'want' rather than an 'ought.'  It is sensitive, warm, honest, incredibly funny, and filled with important truths illustrated from unusual and sometimes unimaginable situations.

Don't Let the Goats Eat the Loquat Trees: The Extraordinary Adventures of a Surgeon in Nepal

Christian Research

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