Throughout all that has happened to the people of Nepal, the spirit of giving has not been lost. I got to experience that spirit through a lovely lady who served us on the top of the mountain. This woman had a house and a family. A husband and some beautiful children. And the earthquakes ruined a part of her house.
We decided that even though we were living in our own little “refugee” camp, we would still take advantage of the beauty surrounding us. The snowed capped Himalayan mountains stood majestically to the east of our “home”. At 5am a group of us awoke and walked down to watch the run rise over the peaks. We sat on the edge of the mountainside, not speaking a word as our eyes took in the wonder of the strong mountains. There we were, in the middle of a country devastated by 2 earthquakes and God was still displaying His artistic hand for all to see. As we sat there, the family living in the house just below us watched us and came to interact a little with us. I think they thought we were a little funny, sitting there just above their house, reading our Bibles and journaling as we watched the sunrise. And then, this woman who had lost so much, lovingly and graciously offered us tea. Warm, spicy Nepali tea. She filled the little plastic cups and walked up the mountainside carrying two trays of tea. Enough for all of us who wanted some.
How could I not accept her offer?! I love Nepali tea and there she us, showing so much love. Offering US tea when she has just gone through 2 earthquakes and lost so much. The love shown by her in that moment humbled me and broke my heart for how well these people serve. To see such joy and love from this woman among all the brokenness is a lesson for us all. Even though she has lost her house and her country is recovering, she chose to think of others. She chose joy instead of sorrow, moving forward instead of staying in grief. I pray that we can all be like the “woman with the tea” and still chose to think of others even when we go through pain and hard times. God is still good.
