Long before the wheels even considered touching the ground, I knew Nepal was a very special place.
After an 8 hour travel day turned into 40 hours, I was exhausted and ready to just be where we were going. Running on soy chai lattes from the airport (I had 4, oops) and a whole lot of Jesus, I looked out the window of our last flight. My jaw landed in my lap. We were flying over the Himalayas and the sheer might of our creator was undeniable. The awe and wonder was like electricity running through my veins. No longer was I tired. No longer was I impatiently waiting to land and rush to our hostel that we were two days late checking into. I was inspired and content just staring out the window. That was the moment I knew this place was going to steal my heart, little did I know that wouldn’t even begin to describe it.
Our first few days in Nepal were spent debriefing in a hostel in the middle of Thamel, Kathmandu. We had meets, teachings, and time to rest and recharge. For me recharging was walking the streets, so vibrant, full of life and color. The streets of Thamel filled parts of my heart I didn’t even know existed before. I was overflowing with a spirit of boldness and confidence in my skin that I didn’t know was lacking. Thamel took every piece of my soul, everything that I am and multiplied it. I was whole, free and alive. I had such an innate feeling that I belonged. I ate spicy falafels, rode motos up a mountain to a two thousand year old temple, played with monkeys, did cartwheels in the streets, got to see Everest, even switched out my soy chai for a soy Napoli tea.
On the 10th, our ministry host for the month came to our hostel to pick us up. Knowing little to nothing about where we were going, what we would be doing, and who our host was, we lugged our packs out the the street and hopped in a van.
Just a 20 minute drive from the bustling city up a mountain sits Bagmati, overlooking all of Kathmandu. We pulled up to a little purple house. We were home.
Very quickly we learned that you’re supposed to take your shoes off at the door before you enter. We freed our toes, and took our first step on soft carpet in over a month. You truly don’t know how much you love something till its gone sometimes.
That night our host lead us to dinner at his house just a short walk from the house we’re staying. When we arrived we noticed shoes neatly lining the wall just outside the doorway. Again, we freed our toes and followed. We didn’t just step enter a living room, we entered a family. We were welcomed with arms wide open and kisses from a mamma that didn’t speak a lick of English. With her funny faces and sounds she made us feel loved and at home. We’ve spent the past five days doing life a part of that family, telling stories, laughing, eating in a circle, cross legged on the floor.
Our ministry this month is visiting churches in the area, preaching, and going on prayer hikes. We have seen Kathmandu from just about every angle by now, hiking to peaks and praying for the Lord to invade this place, praying for His praises to flood the valleys, praying for a revival in this predominantly Hindu and Buddhist city. At every church we visit, we free our toes once more and leave our shoes lined just outside the door.
These peoples’ hearts are as free as their toes, singing, dancing, speaking in tongues, crying out to Jesus. The Holy Spirit is ALIVE in Kathmandu. His presence is a consuming fire in these churches and smoke is rising, touching every part of this city. It is no coincidence that we remove our shoes here. Where the spirit of the Lord is, that is holy ground.
“’Do not come any closer,’ God said. ‘Take off your sandals, for the place you are standing is holy ground.’” – Exodus 3:5
Yall, I’m living on holy ground! The Spirit is moving and consuming everything He touches.
Please join me in prayer for Kathmandu. Please pray for a revival. Pray for His beloved children who are lost, worshiping idols, and doing sacrifices. Pray that the gift of salvation would fall on fresh ears and that these people would come running to the foot of the cross. Pray that the vibrant beauty of the mountains would point these people to the ONE TRUE GOD. Pray for the Christians here, for safety, to be continually renewed, and to walk in boldness. Together let’s lift up this city that has captivated my heart and praise the God who is a wild fire set a blazing here.
