My 46 squad mates, 2 squad leaders, and I live in a 4 story house with an awesome rooftop in a smaller town in Nepal about 30 minutes away from a major tourist district. For 49 people there are 2 kitchens, 5 bathrooms, 8 rooms (not necessarily bedrooms), 1 washing machine, and several clothes lines for drying. There are 3 teams of women (16 of us) on the floor that I live on. It’s been a bit of an adjustment to figure out shower schedules for our 1 bathroom so that we don’t run out of water (which we have… several times), the purchasing of toilet paper (how do 10 rolls of tp disappear in 3 days?!), usage of the 2 stove eyes on our floor (LOVE being able to cook this month), and trying to keep some type of organization of my personal belongings even though everything is shared with everyone else. When we first got here it was a bit overwhelming for me because there are always people in every crevice of the house and it seemed I would never be able to find time to think, let alone have quiet time with God or write a blog to share Nepal with you. I thought to myself, “How the heck is this gonna work?!”
Last month, I looked around at the state of my team – which was not good at all – and worried about how all squad month would impact us. Due to some of the issues we were having, all I could think about was that it would either drive a wedge further between us or be some type of miracle. You see, we lacked a solid, strong foundation. We were not unified. We were actually 2 teams under 1 umbrella. We were not communicating as well as we could…. But in our first week in Nepal we lived in a tourist district while we had debrief which is a formal time to process month 1 and how everyone’s adjusting to life away from the comforts of home with the help of our squad leaders, squad mentor, and coaches. During my team’s meeting with our leaders and then our own little debrief of debrief, lots of issues were brought to the table and discussed in a healthy, respectful manner. Because of our willingness to be open and honest with one another in an honoring way, we took the reins of our team back from the enemy and placed them in the hands of God. Since then we have been in a much better place and are growing together in love and unity. Praise the Lord!
All squad month, now halfway over, has been such a blessing! Sure, there are logistical things to figure out, but having some of my buddies from other teams around has been great. I’ve been able to foster those relationships, build new ones, and spend time with the other team leaders encouraging one another in our roles as servants to God and our squad.
Casey and I have been able to have our moments of ridiculous laughter and side glances that tell each other exactly what we’re thinking without saying a word.
Rachel and I have screamed, shouted, vented, walked, and cooked together.
Hannah and I have talked about our beauty and love found in the Father.
Justin and I spent time cooking dinner together and learning about each other’s pasts.
Nikki and I have talked about what God is doing in us.
Sam and I have shared laughter, tears, and God’s truths.
Ashley and I got pedicures and mo mos, a favorite local snack similar to pot stickers, together.
Liz and I have come to enjoy simply “being” with each other.
Erica and I talked about the possibilities of our futures.
And together Bri and I are learning to listen more closely to the unction of the Holy Spirit and trusting God to be everything our local friends need as we stand in the gap for them.
With 2 more weeks left, I am looking forward to the lessons God has in store, the deepening of some friendships, and building of new ones. Most of all, I can’t wait to see how God will continue to use us all in this beautiful country called Nepal.
Community. It’s all about sharing and doing life together.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25
