I’m currently laying in my hammock under the stars in a little town somewhere in Cambodia. I’m sitting here reflecting on last month and trying to think of what to say about it.
My month in Nepal was definitely my most adventurous month on the race so far. We started the month in the main city of Kathmandu and stayed together as a whole squad for a few days. Our leadership from the states flew in and they poured into us so well while they were with us. We had team changes while leadership was there and they assigned all of us to our new teams.
Once we all split up, my new team and I were sent to a little village called Sunkhani somewhere in the mountains of Nepal. The village was one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.
This was our view every morning.
During our time at this village, we did what they called “house fellowships.” The people of the village welcomed us into their homes and we worshiped, prayed, and studied the word with them. They worship so beautifully and so genuinely. They aren’t afraid or embarrassed to get on their knees and cry tears as they connect with the Father.
Something that has truly amazed me as I’ve been on the race is how many people around the world love and worship the same God that I do. It always brings so much joy for me to meet and fellowship with other believers around the world. Their passion, zeal, and love for the Lord is so inspiring.
One of the most memorable moments on the race happened while we were in this little village. We got to witness the children open Christmas presents that were sent to them all the way from the U.S.
Many of people in America participate in Operation Christmas Child by sending boxes filled with presents to children in third world countries, hoping that they get to the right place. I got the opportunity to experience the other side of this and see the kid’s open their boxes filled with presents.
Watching the joy on the children’s faces as they opened their Christmas boxes was so precious and unforgettable. The small, simple things that we many times take for granted are so valuable to these kids.
After spending five days in this little village, we drove four hours back to Kathmandu through the beautiful mountains of Nepal. On our way back, we stopped at one of the highest bungee jumps in the world, and I went canyon swinging. Basically, I was strapped to a bungee cord and jumped off a bridge that was about 525 feet high. I jumped off the bridge, free fell for a while, and then the bungee cord finally caught me. I swung through a beautiful canyon at 93 mph and there is no other feeling like it. It was so much fun!
Sometimes we just have to jump, let go of control, and trust.
We arrived back in Kathmandu and met up with another team from our squad. Two days later, we stuffed both teams and several Nepali people into two vehicles, and drove fourteen hours to get to a little town called Ulibarri in Eastern Nepal.
When we got there, we met up with our squad leaders and another team that was already there. It was a really fun reunion to get to see my old teammates again. We spent two nights in this town at an orphanage that was still under construction. While we were there, we did some labor work to help finish building the orphanage. We all got really good at passing bricks through assembly lines.
On the third day, we packed our packs and all 21 of us hiked four hours (about 5-7 miles) to a very secluded village in the mountains. It was so beautiful and I was so happy we got to hike with our packs on. I hike all the time in New Mexico and I really missed it the first four months of the race, so I was so excited that we got the opportunity to hike through the mountains of Nepal!
We arrived in the village of Dungedunge late that afternoon. During our time there, we stayed in our tents, helped build a school, and I got to play soccer with the locals. We did labor work from 8 am to about 4 pm every day, with a short lunch break in between. More specifically, we laid a foundation for a school. I learned how to mix concrete and lay a foundation using stones from the creek. We had a total of two shovels, three hoes, two cement mixers, and two cement trays. It’s amazing how much work goes into building a school when there are no machines available to do the work for us.
Here is a before and after picture of the work we did:
By the last day, we were all exhausted, but we still packed our packs and hiked about 5 miles back. We took a different route on the way back, which included hiking through jungle-like terrain and crossing a river twelve times. It was so breath-taking, I felt like I was in a dream. I had to keep stopping just to take in the beauty that surrounded me.
We finally got back to the orphanage and rested for the night. The next day, we jumped in a car and drove fourteen hours back to Kathmandu.
It was a really exhausting and physically demanding month, but it was also a lot of fun and so full of adventure. My month in Nepal was the first month that actually felt like I was on the World Race because we traveled so much and did so many adventurous things.
The World Race is simply just doing life with people all over the world. It’s a life that has become normal for me. A life that I love. A life that feels complete. A life that has helped me see the world through my Father’s eyes. A life that I have experienced more and more of the Father’s love in so many different ways. A life that brings more intimacy with the Father. A life that is full of adventure, joy, heartache, love, and depth.
I’m so thankful, and there is no place I would rather be, than right here in my Father’s love.
