The word I have for month 1 in Nepal is flexibility. Nothing ever really went as we planned…
We arrived in Kathmandu and initially thought that we would continue to do ministry in the city. We were soon informed that we would be taking 6-7 hour bus ride to southern Nepal to work with a ministry called New Light Nepal. NLN is a ministry that serves to end child trafficking. Southern Nepal is a big hub for trafficking because there is an open border to India. Many people in southern Nepal are very poor and there is a dowry system still in place, so parents have to pay more money if they have female children. In order to avoid paying this, they send their children with strange men or sometimes other family members to be “educated” so they can “have a better life”. Parents are manipulated and tricked. These parents have no idea that their children, primarily girls, will soon be sold to labor and sex trafficking industries.
We arrived in southern Nepal ready to do awareness programs for New Light Nepal. However, as He always does, God had other plans. After a few days we found out that our hosts’ 2 year old grandson was bit by a Viper and was in serious condition back in Katmandu. So, our host and his wife left for about a week to be with their daughter and their grandson. So, his son’s took over caring for us. The sons, who we referred to as “brothers” cooked for us and helped out with anything else we needed. “Little brother” came from a nearby town as the Principle for Haripur Prashansa Academy. So our first week was spent teaching. Our host returned in good spirits as his grandson was sent home doing very well and we were told we were going to start on the New Light Nepal Awareness programs. However, the next day, our host became sick, so we were unable to go. So, half our team did teaching and the other half began construction on a cement wall that would soon be an office for NLN. The awareness program was scheduled for the next week and so we took a bus, then a taxi and waited to begin the program. After about an hour we were told, we again could not do the program. There was a miscommunication and the participants were in rice planting season and would be unable to attend. So we finished out the month doing construction as school let out for break a few days later.
We never did get the honor of working with NLN, but God moved anyway. We were able to teach children and build 4 walls! We spent a lot of time with our host family and growing closer to our World Race family. We grew closer to each other and saw the Light pouring out of our hosts. We were respected in the village because of this family. The children flocked to us and the adults loved showing off their English. We were blessed beyond comprehension.
This month I learned that the Lord will move wherever you are, even if it is not where you expected to be. We have to just allow Him to do so.
Where is the Lord moving you? Are you where you though would be? If not, God is still there. He always is.
Here is a video that my team leader Richelle and I created for the school. Enjoy!
Pictures to come…
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