Month 2: Nepal
^At the beginning of my time in Nepal the Lord began to speak to me that I needed to “expect miracles”. I ended up getting this tattooed on the inside of my arm written in Hindi. After I left the tattoo shop I was walking through Thamel (Backpackers paradise, full of cheap shops, and cheap food) and this shopkeeper grabbed my arm and began to read my new tattoo. Through broken english we began to talk about miracles. He said he has never seen one and I asked him if he would like to see one and he said “yes”. I said ok, and asked him if he had any pain in his body, he shook his head yes and pointed to his knees. I asked him if I could lay hands on his knees and pray to my God, Jesus. I told him Jesus loved him and was going to show him His love for him by healing his knees. I kneeled down and prayed, then I finished and when I looked at him, he was giving me a puzzled look. I asked him how his knees were and he said that there was no longer any pain in his knees. He was amazed. After a short talk I walked away into the alley of other shops. Within 10 minutes he drove past me on his motorbike and stopped in front of me and said “no pain in knees, very relaxed. I trust you and I trust your God”. I was amazed. God is awesome, when He says “expect miracles” the you should “expect miracles”.
^Slum Ministry. This day was a life changing day for me. I have seen images like this on tv, but I never thought that I would one day be standing side by side with these beautiful faces. A lot of the children are left alone throughout the day so the parents can go and try to find work. Most of the children are left on the streets to beg for their families. This is a reality, may not be dressed up and pretty like we think life is most of the times. There are people who live all over the world in these conditions, many of them have never heard the Gospel. I was so thankful for the ministry that we were with, they see the people here multiple times a week and build relationships. I cannot help but think of these beautiful faces even more now since the earthquake. Pray that they will find their security in Jesus.
^This day was “Faith Day”, we were sent out with no money and no food. The challenge was to trust God to provide our every need that day. We had no clue what would happen, but the thing that did happen was God provided. We received transportation to the next city, and shortly after a bakery gave us these delicious samosas! This day definitely stretched and challenged each of us.
^We also spent a majority of this day holding a makeshift cardboard sign said said “Free Prayer”. Most locals in Thamel could speak/read english, at least somewhat. We had many stares and many conversations started because of the sign. A lot of people were curious as to who we prayed to or even asked us who our mediator was. We spoke and prayed with many shopkeepers. A few people who asked us to pray for pain received healing. It was an awesome day, and I hope I can return one day and do it again!
^Meet Uncle Tara! This guy is one of a kind. Tara sold really cool bags and purses and by the end of the month I am pretty sure almost everyone on Hsquad had bought a bag from him. He was so friendly to us. It turned into a thing that every time Janet and I were in Thamel we would stop by his shop to say hello to him. He became more of a friend than just another shopkeeper to us. We knew he was Hindu and he knew we were Christians, but we didn’t let that stop us. The last day we had in Nepal we spent it in his shop. We shared stories, milk tea, and laughs. He even let us help him sell bags, we had so much fun with him. Me and Janet both cannot wait to return to Nepal to see our favorite Uncle Tara!
^Then there was one time when we hiked 13 miles up a mountain and the next morning rode on top of a bus on the way down. We were able to see the Himalayas and everything. It was beautiful. It was awesome. It was freeing. I loved it and I do not want to ever forget that moment.
^and this picture because I cannot even handle this kids cuteness.
Nepal, you were so good to me. I am sad that I will not see the same Nepal I experienced in October 2014. I pray you find peace and you find Jesus in these times of loss and destruction. Your beauty will never leave you because the same God that created all your beauty is still alive today and He sees you and cares for you.
This was Nepal. Thank you for sending me.
