It has been a great month here in Nepal. We have worked with slum kids playing soccer and serving meals, building a Church and having conversations with prostitutes.
From August 11th till the 16th, we helped build a Church for Pastor Gottam. We sawed bamboo, cut wire, water proofed the poles, dug holes and put up supports. It was a new experience for me. I had never done construction work before. I enjoyed because you could see the progress you made from day to day. I now hear that they are putting the tin roof on. Praise God ! It’s coming together.
On the 18th, Sarah and I woke up early. We dressed in our sport attire and headed for the ministry center at seven. As with volunteering plans; they change, get miscommunicated and/or delayed. We hung out at the center for two hours awaiting the slum kids for soccer. We ended up walking down to the soccer field (more like a cattle grazing ground). And there were all the boys already kicking the ball around. We just rolled with it (literally). The game unfolded and we played for two hours. Afterwards we heard a message from my team leader Brian. Just as he began to speak it started to rain. It started off light and then transitioned into a downpour. We quickly picked up our belongings and headed for the center. I enjoyed the rain. It was a nice shower after playing soccer. When we were at the center, Brian finished his message and then we served lunch to the kids. This was the first time since the earthquake four months ago that there was an organized soccer game for the kids. It was such a delight to bring them all together.
On the 21st, a spot opened up for prostitute ministry. I said “yes, I want to visit the girls.” Another squad mate Rachel, myself and our Nepali contact Roshni went out to the “restaurant.” The restaurant was on a side street. It was dimly lit and was grimy inside. The walls were stained and the floor was primarily dirt. I had to duck when I stepped inside the door. I learned that some of the girls had been trafficked and brought from the countryside to Kathmandu. The girls families had been told by a man/ men that came into the village that they would take their daughters to the city to work for them in a restaurant. The proposal offered a better financial life. However unknowingly, it ends up being prostitution. Not all the girls have come from this situation, however most of them come from poor and minimally educated backgrounds. It was moving to be there. I had the opportunity to talk to a lady named Mina (Me-na). She is twenty nine and has an eleven year old daughter. She had big smile on her face when we came to visit her. She was laughing and telling us parts of her life. She had great joy as she recalled the times she went to the beach in India as as child. Or moments when her daughter got on her nerves. It was a humbling experience. I had this preconceived idea that their would be filled with deep sadness and hopelessness. Nina taught me to let go of judgement and labeling people. After we chatted and sipped tea for awhile it was time for us to go.
These are but snapshots of a couple experiences that I enjoyed in Nepal. Thank you for reading.
Clare
