Basically I have three months left of the race. And it's crunch time.
88 days till I land in US soil on December 1st. Woo Hoo!!!
But I have to stay focused. Let's be honest India surpassed Haiti in my scales. And you all know how Haiti went… So it's time to get back on track. To stop thinking about that ridiculous month and to focus on the now.
I love Nepal. Seriously one of my favorite countries and I am only in my first week. It definatley has the best scenery/landscape of the entire race. Each morning, I think – am I in some fairy tale book cause that's what it look like… The Himalayas shimmering in the light, mountains surrounding me on everyside, perfect white clouds upon a clear blue sky, and a chill breeze… It is beautiful. And everyday I am amazed by God's beauty. It is a masterpiece.
Soooo….. New month. New country. New team. New vision.
Everyone please welcone… Team BREATHE
We have simply exchange one of the guys and added a girl. Matt is no longer with us, but now we have the incredible Sam (whose beard is up to par with the other guys.) And we added Leah! Yay, finally a month where the girls out weigh the guys.
Becca, Dania, Leah, me, Tyler, Michael, Sam 🙂
The goal for my team, over teh next three months, is to simply breathe in God's love everyday and to breathe it out over the community. To take it one day at a time. And allow God to take control. To go home feeling refreshed and renewed by God's love.
And this is the perfect month to start 'breathing' again. To be honest, I went away from India wanting to quit and give up. I felt defeated and destroyed. Trying to find the joy but failing daily. One of my teammates said in feedback that he could tell a difference in me when we were on the plane to Nepal. Like a literal weight had been lifted off my shoulders. And that since being in Nepal He could see that I now have my joy back… Sooo good to hear. Cause it is true.
I can breathe again! This month my team is right outside the capital of Kathmandu. Close enough for great weekend trips, but far enough away to be surrounded by mountains and peace. We are working with Asha Nepal. A home for boys and girls, women and babies. Each having been rescued out of human trafficking. Some were born into it, others trafficked. All Nepalese, but many spent their entire life in India because of being trafficked.
It is a place of peace and rest for these women.
It is a place of education, rehibilation, and counseling.
It is a place of safety of the children.
Thank you, God, for allowing my team to be here this month. This is what I needed. We get to stay here all month. One place for 26 days (unheard of for my team)… I even unpacked. There is a routine. They eat at normal hours. (Even if it is rice for breakfast and dinner every single day and pasta for lunch). There are hot showers. This is the first month I have showered almost every day… Each morning – workout, shower, breakfast… that is craziness… and unheard of on the race. I am sooo thankful. God is so good!
Everyday is different. But our main ministry is to build relationships. Tutor the children. Take care of the babies. Help cook meals. And just love on the people.
Thank you, Lord! Thank you!
