Making new friends around Nepal, one conversation at a time.
One afternoon, my group and I were spending time in the slums doing ministry, when a man saw me walking through his neighborhood and asked if I was Christian. As soon as I responded yes, he immediately replied, “I know about Christ. Not interested” and turned the corner and walked back down his alleyway. I respected his attempt for distance and walked to the front of the homes, however, my heart stirred and I knew that his curiosity would get the best of him. I could see it in his eyes; the way they darted from me to his escape route, knowing that there was an internal draw in his heart that wouldn’t allow his feet to take him far.
As I continued praying and conversing with people on the road, this man circled back and sat at a far distance, observing my friends and me forming relationships with his neighbors and their children. While we were talking to an elderly man about Jesus, this man abruptly approached us a second time and exclaimed again, but with more emphasis, about his knowledge and disinterest about hearing more about the gospel. Despite his desire to argue, I couldn’t help but have a smile creep up on my face. I could see it again in his eyes, a warmth and hunger for a genuine conversation and interaction. I decided to talk with him, asking him what he knew about Jesus, the man, the son of God and his love for us. As soon as I had a conversation with him instead of a preaching a sermon to him (which he most likely expected) his tension began to soften. He listened intently, confused by my patience and understanding of his condition.
Little did he know that more than 5 years ago, I had felt the same way. I knew about Jesus, heard the stories but was tired of disappointment.. Until I truly met Jesus and began to experience his patience and love towards me. As we continued talking, I shared a little about what I knew about Jesus and he openly said he was interested but he had to wait a year before becoming a Christian. I asked him why he wanted to wait and he claimed that it was due to hardships that he was currently facing. My heart sank with disappointment, knowing that without discipleship, this man would struggle to truly understand that he is fully loved and fully accepted in Jesus’ eyes, right at that moment, without having to change himself or his circumstances. I told him that he could meet Jesus now and asked if I could pray for him. He cautiously agreed and I placed my hand gently on his shoulder. As I prayed for freedom and understanding of God’s patience and love in his life, his tense shoulders began to loosen and his posture towards me changed. When I opened my eyes, he was staring back, and a smile of appreciation that I didn’t expect, crept onto his face. Immediately after our conversation, he asked for a selfie and stole the sunglasses off my head and put them on with an unexpected giggle.
The man sitting before me was a completely different person than the one I interacted with just moments ago in the alleyway. He had softened, he had opened up, he had listened, he had accepted prayer, he had responded in love and he had shared a memory with a complete stranger. I saw God’s love for this man unfold before my eyes, in such a simple act of kindness and patience.
Moments like these remind me of how KIND and PATIENT Jesus is with us in our process. I can’t imagine how many times people have shared the gospel with this man and how those interactions could have gone. Instead of being offended by his disinterest at first, I felt the Lord’s compassion on this man and was expectant for something that seemed unrealistic and unnecessary for pursuit. But Christ doesn’t call us into strife, he calls us to love others in the same way he’s loved us… And in order to do that, we have to ask Jesus to reveal that love he has for us in a way that allows us to be able to share it also.
Whenever I wrestle with God (which is often) and I begin to recognize my striving in trying to receive his love or acceptance, he consistently reminds me of 1 Corinthians 13. Paul’s first words in describing the love of God is patience and kindness…God is more about the process, the creating of an intimate history between him and his children, than he is about a perfect being set before him. He rejected the religious because he doesn’t want followers who have all the right answers, he wants children hungry for intimacy and willing to abide in him in order to form that relationship. I’m so thankful for simple revelations of his love through interactions like these because it brings me back to a place of humility and reminds me of his nature towards us. Loved people love people. Once you know that you are unconditionally loved by God, you’re not only inspired, but you are filled with joy that you can’t help but share with the people around you. That’s what Jesus wants for all of us..for us to experience life in him, and life that is abundant so that it overflows onto the people around us.
As world racers, we are missionaries who are placed in each country and partner with the ministry that is already happening in each region. Our goal is to not start a new church, but to uplift, encourage, and support the local churches. We’re serving alongside, planting seeds and letting God harvest in his timing.
This Thursday we leave for INDIA! I’m so excited to be in the country that sparked the fire in my heart to continue traveling on this side of the world! We will be partnered with Sarah’s Covenant Homes, working with children with disabilities. My team and I are excited to partner with an amazing organization that we have heard so much about (mainly from our teammate hannah lolz)
REALITY CHECK
I am exactly 5, 343 dollars away from being FULLY FUNDED! The reality check is that in order for me to continue on the race, I need the full amount in my account by December 1st, otherwise I am at risk for discontinuing with K Squad. The finances raised through my blog go to Adventures in Missions and they purchase our plane tickets, housing, food, transportation and health insurance.
I could really use your support! Any small donation is really appreciated!
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Thank you all for following along, love and miss you all at home!
