Wow. So very, very much to write about, and absolutely no time to do it!
First, we have left Cambodia. Since leaving, I haven’t had time to write a blog about all of the ministries that we found, so I will forward you to my teammate Lauren’s blog. Lauren and I were partnered together last month to find ministries in Phnom Penh, and she does a phenomenal job writing about the ministries that we got to meet.
Here is Lauren’s blog: laurenmadawick.theworldrace.org
So now let me take you to our present location: Nepal.
I don’t have much time to write this blog, and you’ll know why shortly.
First of all, Nepal feels like an entirely new world. Suddenly tuktuks are replaced by rickshaws, the weather is 40 degrees, yak butter is sold on the streets, people pass by wearing kurtas with red dots on their foreheads, beautiful wool scarves and shawls are hawked before tourists, and everything smells like either curry or incense.
Everything is Hindu. In East Asia we were confronted with the constant experience of a Buddhist culture, but here it is Hindu. Since I don’t have time to write a whole blog on the subject, I would like to quickly write about one aspect of Hinduism that absolutely struck me. Hinduism is, in its exterior, is incredibly beautiful. Even in Southeast Asia we encountered numerous Americans and Europeans who were drawn to and/or associated themselves with the Hindu religion. Think of the romanticism that Hinduism evokes in our culture. This is a religion that controls the lives of so many millions of people.
One of my teammates, Hannah, and I were invited to come inside of a Hindu temple. Supposedly, this temple is where women go to be blessed with fertility. Guided by the Hindu gentleman who welcomed us in, we witnessed some of the rituals common in at least that temple. Hannah was able to capture some photos while we were there.
Women come to this temple and engage in rituals in hopes of having children.
These rituals were accompanied by the smell of incense and the sound of singing. Kumkuma, red powder, was thrown over everything, creating a warm and vibrant feel and an earthy beauty. It was as though I had entered a book.
But we were there to pray. And understand that this was a religion, these rituals of throwing Kumkuma and burning incense and having your fortune told, that were controlling the lives of these people and keeping them from knowing the true God. Ultimately, the devil looks beautiful. It’s true. Everything that I saw about Hinduism was beautiful and appealing to a human heart. It draws so many people. But the beauty of Satan is limited to the exterior. Inside, the people are offered unanswered prayers, hopelessness, and empty actions. We see the brokenness in our days of ministry here in Kathmandu.
Tomorrow we are leaving to begin our real ministry for this month. We are going into the mountains to trek between villages for a straight two weeks. That means two weeks without bathing, without electricity, and without cooking. We need to bring trekking food for an entire two weeks and only a few pieces of clothes warm enough to keep us in the Himalayas. This might be the hardest thing I have ever done, and I am a little nervous, but excited for the opportunity.
All of my food for 2 weeks.
Preparation amidst full ministry days has left us exhausted and a little intimidated. But when we leave, we will be working with pastors in these villages to spread the Gospel and work with the small churches there. I don’t know what to expect, but I’ve been told that in Nepal, a church can mean 3 people.
This will be an intense, challenging, and amazing ministry. Please be praying for us in this crazy time of preparation, please pray against spiritual attacks, and pray for the ministry that we will be doing in the mountains.
But also – a moment to celebrate, I am fully funded! Or at least, the final amount is on it’s way. Thank you so much, SO MUCH, for supporting me and helping me on this journey, and by partnering with me on this mission. I look forward to continuing to keep you updated on all that God is doing!
Love,
Kayla
