Reflection on Nepal

Praises

Thank you for covering us with your prayers. Your prayers traveled beyond time and space and are not restricted by the speed of internet services or constant electric outages. The power of your prayers covered us:

1) Safe airplane flights and road journeys from and within US-Kathmandu-Chitwan-Kathmandu-India.

2) All our baggage, over 15, made it with the exception of 2 ‘indestructible’ footballs.

3) Half the team are stricken by fatigue, stomach ailments and fever one after the other but they soldier on to finish the task.

4) Daily contact with staff members and the children, hearing their stories humble us.

Baggage claim in airport

The custom officers tried to squeeze the living daylight out of these soccer balls.

 But they popped right back!

Please continue to pray for the rest of the team now in India.

1) For energy to soldier on despite heat, humidity and sleep deprivation.

2) Increase immunity to fight ailments and bug bites.

3) For a deeper reality and understanding that the joy of the Lord is their strength.

Scenic Nepal

With the mountains as the backdrop, the green lush padi fields and vegetation and hilly terrain Nepal paints a beautiful serene and peaceful picture as we traveled with our team through the region. Yet the peace and serenity they portray elude the local people who face the harsh reality of daily living and who are still trying to piece their lives and homes together after the 2015 earthquake.

These houses effected by the earthquake are structurally unsafe and are supported by the beams but people continue to live in them.

Classrooms still waiting for their walls to be rebuild after the earthquake, but classes continue.

Colors of Nepal

The rich vibrant colors lined the streets particularly along the many temple streets in Nepal. Yet without the true light the people here will not see the beautiful colors but instead may be burdened by the rituals of trying to achieve peace and abundant life.

Reality of Nepal

For visitors like ourselves, we are fascinated by the roads and traffic conditions here. I can’t help but feel that the locals may not see it this way. However the Nepalese are very resilient. They get on with it. Life here is harsh. These are the roads the local live with every day - in the main city of Kathmandu and in the outskirts. Getting from one place to another is a constant challenge of crazy intersections, unannounced road closures and road works and traffic congestion. To drive, the drivers need to master the skills and develop the courage to pass oncoming traffic, pedestrians, motorcycles, street vendors, cyclists and animals with barely an inch or 2 between them.

Passion for Nepal

Jamasti as believers greet each other. Yes the workers here have a passion for Christ and to proclaim victory in the Messiah over Nepal. They traveled the rough terrain, endured the dust, heat and humidity, constant obstacles and many times treacherous roads or non-roads with fervor determination to get to the communities. They work tirelessly to offer hope to the children whose families are too poor to keep them or are orphaned; and to widows and single mothers marginalized by their society. They transformed the worn and weary faces into beautiful smiling faces with sparkling eyes with the love of Christ. They are the ones who bring Jamasti (victory in the Messiah) over Nepal.

Our team has the privilege to work with staff with such passion and fervor. They too had persevere out of their comfort zone and will continue to do so the next 4 days in India.

Seniors during their weekly gathering. Team serving them lunch.

Children in the Bhakunde home .

Excited children chasing after the First Love trucks.

Taking shade in the corn field while listening to the Good news, watching the team lead singing and performing a skit.

Distributing school supplies to the children and some basic toiletries to the adults.

Please keep up with your prayers for the local workers and for our team.