Hi friends, family, supporters and random people who have happened to stumble upon this blog! Here are 11 things I’m taking home from my month in Nepal.
1. I would have been okay with either Clinton or Trump being elected president
If you know anything about me, you probably laughed your butt off when you read this first subtitle. This is coming from the girl who had to grow up listening to Rush Limbaugh in her daddy’s truck. She’s the girl who was actively involved in Young Conservatives of Texas all throughout college, standing up on UT’s campus for conservative principles. She has a huge Ted Cruz sticker on her laptop and boasts that she once got to drive the presidential candidate to the airport. She’s also the girl who has worked for the 3rd most conservative representative in the Texas House for the past year and a half. So yeah right that she’d be okay if Clinton was voted president of the United States of America…. (*rolls eyes).
I decided to leave Texas politics for The World Race and especially with the tense political climate for this general election, I was pretty happy with my decision.
I can’t remember the last time I haven’t been working during an election. For at least every election for the past 4 years, I could be found phone banking, standing out at polls, collecting turnout information, frantically hitting the refresh button on the Secretary of State’s election result webpage and if I was lucky, attending a victory party for my candidate. I remember every night before that Tuesday (whether it be a run-off, primary or general election), I was running around like a chicken with its head cut off. My anxiety would be kite-high, probably driving around doing a sign blitz. I wouldn’t be able to sleep because there would be a horrible feeling in my stomach. I’d wonder, “ugh, what if this or that candidate doesn’t win… WE’D BE DONE FOR. Our _xyz_ cause would be dead. There’d be no hope.” I’d be so stricken with worry that any news would cause me to throw up, literally.
As I was praying with my squad the night before the 2016 general election, I realized something was different.
I didn’t have anxiety. I didn’t feel like at any moment I was going to throw up. Quite the contrary, I felt nothing but peace inside. I had hope that no matter who got elected, God could make anything for His good. I had hope in something bigger than our political system. I had hope that Jesus is Lord of all. As much as I know that Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are not the followers of Christ I want to lead this nation, I know for a fact that there have been worse leaders around the world in the past (Hello Old Testament?). God is bigger than this election and especially bigger than whoever will sit in the Oval Office.
**disclaimer: this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be involved in the political process because it’s the opposite, I want to URGE you to be participate. Pray about it. Stand up for those who cannot defend themselves. And remember, a vote for righteousness is never a lost vote.
2. Cabin Restaurants
Read about what I learned about cabin restaurants and the story of Pamela and Dawn here!! This interaction is by far my most favorite moment of the race so please do not over look it!
3. God is a beautiful artist
4. Short Term Missionaries are just as important as long term missionaries
I definitely understand and I’m not naive to see how short term missions can be done wrong around the world. Nothing in this earthly world is perfect… not churches, not Christians… short-term missions are no exception to this as well. There has been a lot of skepticism about The World Race, even on the field. Even though I feel like 11 countries in 11 months is long-term in my eyes… it could also be seen as 11 short-term mission trips. I get it… it’s a lot of money for a short period of time. We want to be good stewards of His finances, right?
I kept wrestling with this… and God brought Robert onto my path to help me open my heart on this issue. God isn’t limited to our understandings and expectations of Him. If He wants to send an American to fly across the world to share the news about Jesus for a divine appointment, He can… and He will. If He wants to send short-term missionaries to encourage the nationals and locals who are on mission every day so they can be physically, emotionally and spiritually rejuvenated, He can… and He will. If He needs us to be our normal, annoying American touristy-selves to get into a cabin restaurant and talk to Pramila and Usha so both of them can profess their faith and inherit the Kingdom of God, He can… AND HE DID.
Robert is from Alabama and is now long-term here in Nepal. Here’s what he has to say about short term missionaries:
“While living in Nepal, God has opened my eyes to the special, but crucial role that short-term teams play in God’s plan to reach all nations, tribes, peoples, and languages with the Gospel. Years ago, I viewed short-term with disdain. I argued that the “professionals” could do a better job if churches would send the money directly to them instead of sending teams. However, my opinion was one grounded in ignorance. The team I currently serve affectionately refers to short-term teams as “Force multipliers” or “man-hour multipliers.” This title fits because visiting teams can go places and do things that we simply do not have time to do ourselves. This is not because we do not want to, but because there is not enough time in our schedules to meet all the possible needs or follow up on every potential ministry lead we discover. Short-term Ms have opportunities to meet individuals that we may never encounter. If teams come specifically to partner with my group, they work to fulfill a strategic need of some sort. Independent teams may not fit strategically within our plans to reach Nepal, but as they work earnestly to share Christ we are partnered nonetheless and we thank God for the help. The second way short-term teams play a vital role in missions is their potential impact on long-term personnel serving in the country they visit. These teams are a source of encouragement for tired and defeated Ms who are ready to give in. Such teams, simply by sitting and talking for a while, can help rejuvenate the “professionals” and prepare us to dive back into the mire for the sake of the Gospel. Knowing that we are not alone, knowing that we are loved and prayed for, and supported by others throughout the world is a treasure of immense worth, and short-term teams are the tangible vessels that prove these truths to long-term Ms throughout the world.”
5. Young Adult Ministry
I knew I’ve always loved Tuesday nights back home, because it was Porchday. Whether I was attending the porch at Watermark Fort Worth or The Porch Live at Houston’s First Baptist, I always enjoyed gathering around friends for a good message and worship. What I didn’t know back home is how much spending time with young adults who are actively pursuing the Lord rejuvenated my own walk every week!
I had a HARD first week in Nepal. I was coughing up a storm from the pollution, fighting stomach problems and I felt so spiritually dead inside. I wasn’t motivated to get up in the morning, let alone do any ministry for the day. Then, God knew exactly what I needed. I was invited to something called Jesus Generation. I was so tired from that past week’s ministry… I immediately rejected the invitation. But then last minute, I decided to go.
It was a crowded room full of young adults and I immediately felt at home like I do at The Porch. They started a few months ago with only 25 people and they are well over 200 now! There were people sitting on the floors, up against the walls, worshipping in the hallways… it was so packed! Seeing the next generation of Nepali worshipping on the top of their lungs and falling to their knees made me want to cry. I was so encouraged. I immediately felt so spiritually renewed after leaving that night because God knew exactly what I needed to see. I can’t imagine what it must look like every week on the stage at The Porch and how rewarding it is to look out and see a new generation of young believers. MISS YOU PORCHIES.
6. Human trafficking in Nepal
Oh man oh man. I know this a heavy topic for a lot of people back home and all around the world. It’s one thing seeing it in the movie Taken with Liam Neeson… and seeing some of the survivors with your own eyes.
The number one business in the world is not the selling of drugs, weapons or alcoholic. It’s the selling and abusing of women and children. Nepal has a population of only 27 million but sells more individuals per capita into sex slavery than any other countries in the world. In Nepal alone, about 10-15k young girls and boys are trafficked into slavery. I could go on and on about the statistics I’ve learned about human trafficking but I’d rather tell you how God is working through this evil.
Our ministry host was able to bring us to a prayer meeting held by a group called Mukti Kathmandu. They are a network of Christians who pray and partner together to end human trafficking and sexual exploitation. They believe they “have a mandate from the Bible to pursue and maintain unity. The issues of human trafficking and exploitation are huge. They are behind one organization’s power to solve. Through unity, [they] can have a greater impact than any one group could accomplish alone.”
I was extremely encouraged to hear stories after stories of just that week’s rescues, outreaches and survivor recovery efforts. Please continue to pray for this organization as they promote unity through the Body of Christ to end trafficking in Nepal.
7. Candle-Making
I learned the skill of candle-making from my crafty FW roommate, Julia Saari, last year. When it came time to buckle down on world race fundraising, I turned my house in Houston into a candle making factory (thx mom and dad). It took me about 1 month to perfect the two recipes but I ended up selling over 200 candles to supporters all over Texas and Louisiana. In my eyes, the support I raised from these candles was the tool to get me to this point… fully-funded on The World Race. I had no idea that He was going to use the skill of candle-making to help continue building His Kingdom.
The ministry we partnered with this month focuses on 3 types of outreach: children in the slum, WARM (Women at Risk Ministries) and building up and equipping local church leader. Some of the projects they have for WARM include tailoring, computer skills, English classes, crafting, beauty and fashion classes, a cooking outlet and much more. I was able to pass along the skill of candle-making to some of these ladies. They want to eventually make more candles and sell them to advance their women’s outreach! So thank you again to all the people who bought candles back home!! It served a dual-purpose… because God is just that cool!
8. I’m a Type 2 on the Enneagram
Oh man oh man oh man. I’m a people pleaser. Not just that, I have a HUGE need to be needed and my source idol of approval is apparent in every aspect of life. God really revealed this to me this month and I want to take this head on for the next 9 months of the race. This doesn’t sound bad initially but this idol also breeds entitlement, comparison and a lot of feelings of unworthiness.
It’s not going to be easy and I don’t know where to start… other than asking for prayers and spending a lot of time in the word. Good thing I have a Father who loves me for me, and not because of my works.
9. I shouldn’t be treating God’s Word like Biology notes for an exam
One thing that attracted me to the race was the amount of time I could dive into the Bible over the next 11 months. Not that I didn’t have this opportunity back home but I specifically remembered all my quiet times in Nepal during the summer of 2015 and how much God spoke to me without all of the distractions of home. In India, I was given many ideas by my squad mates on how to dive in deeper. I did everything from trying to remember all of Romans 8 to writing on my arm to memorize verses throughout the day. By the end of the month, I felt like I had absorbed nothing and all my memorizing was for nothing. I had a one-on-one at debrief with our coach dad, Bob. It was then when I had realized I was looking at God’s word like they were my biology notes from college. I remember spending weeks and weeks preparing and cramming for my exams, and then spewing it out as fast as I could when it came time for the test. The minute I walked out of the exam room, I probably couldn’t even tell you what the test was about…
The Bible was written by approximately 40 people over 1500 years, on 3 continents and in 3 different languages. It’s the most consistent, irrefutable story ever written.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Reading His word is no different than Him speaking directly into my ear. I’m not saying memorizing scripture is bad… because it’s not! For me though, He wants me to listen and learn from what He’s teaching me rather than mindlessly cram our conversations into a checkbox of “memorized scripture.”
10. There’s now a hole in my nose… and yes, I did cry like a baby!
LOL UM WHAT. Thanks Lainy Bug for pushing me back down on the chair and forcing me to get it when I tried to run away. My first thought when I saw it in the mirror, how is my new ring going to match my Lilly Pulitzer dresses back home?!
But really though, I like it. Who cares if it doesn’t match my preppy “style” at home? I shouldn’t make my style my identity anyways. 
11. Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in world!
I just thought Mount Everest was a tall mountain in Asia. It wasn’t until we were heading home from our Mt Everest flight when someone was thinking of Instagram captions and said, “casual, seeing the tallest mountain in the world on a Monday.” I laughed and said, wait… it’s really the tallest in the whole wide world?! Everyone laughed and shook their heads haha. Yes, I know I don’t have much common sense but hey! At least I learned something new that day
2 months down, 9 more to go. See you in Vietnam!
