As usual in Nepal, our day of ministry is starting late. We were supposed to be picked up at 8 AM, and it is currently 9:30 AM. We continue to wait patiently, as we see the pastor that is taking us to his church pull up. We quickly jump in his jeep and drive 40 minutes to his church. When we pull up we are a little confused by why the church service is being held in a small living room. But soon find out it is temporary as they are working on getting a bigger building, since their original structure was damaged by an earthquake.
Church goes as normal, worship, testimony, and preaching. After church we are instructed that we will be staying at the house for breakfast (tea, and slices of white bread), and then have rest time before we are taken home. We are served breakfast then begin waiting for “rest time” to be over. It is now about 2 PM, and most of us are ready to enjoy our Sabbath! The pastor walks out about half an hour later, after enjoying a nice snooze, and asks if we are ready to leave. Eagerly, we all jump back in his jeep.
He begins wildly driving up some dirt roads, as we are having a blast in the back seat. It felt like a real-life Indiana Jones ride! As were driving, we get ourselves in a sticky situation, between a big semi-truck, and some boulders. We end up getting stuck but the semi-driver is kind enough to help us get out, then even invite us to his house after.
We drive down the street for a couple minutes after getting unstuck, and end up at his little hut-house. We go in, and quickly are offered fresh popped popcorn, and some milk tea by his daughter! They let us sit on the only furniture they have, and opt to sit on the floor. All the while I’m thinking in my head, “Wait, you guys helped us. Shouldn’t we be serving you now?” But they continue to bless us with the little they have.
We get to meet his granddaughter, who’s three years old, but looks about the age of a one-year-old. Her legs are so skinny, and we find out it is because of a heart condition she has. Unfortunately, since she’s so small, they can’t operate yet. Also, her dad hasn’t been a part of her life, because her mom has made the bold decision to follow Jesus, but he is Hindu.
As I play with this sweet girl, her mom brings us each a bowl of warm noodles. Again, it is hard for me to accept, because I feel like we should be blessing them. We eat the noodles, which were delicious, and start singing hymns with them.
They pastor preaches to them for a little, and then we pray. For the sweet girl’s heart to heal, for the mom to continue being bold in her faith, and for the father to find freedom in our sweet Jesus. The family thanks us repeatedly after. As we walk out they all give us big hugs and kisses on the cheeks. They treated us like family, and it was probably the first time since leaving, that I have felt at home.
At the end of the day, I am completely rocked. And very conflicted. How these people have way less than me, but freely give to complete strangers. But I struggle to give even the smallest amounts sometimes. I am so inspired by the way the Lord has used these lovely strangers to show his abundance to me, and am ready to live my life a little more like this family. To live a little more like Jesus.
Freely you have received, freely give. – Matthew 10:8
