In the nation of
Nepal, South of Kathmandu, through the Himalayan Mountains, in the valleys just
north of India, there is a farming community called Nijgadh.
We are living in upstairs
of a home in this village. Even though we are ‘inside’, our accommodations
closely resemble camping. We sleep under mosquito nets, and have our tent rain
fly’s quilted together above our beds to keep the rain out. We have a squatty
potty and take bucket showers. The water is available in the morning for a
couple hours, and in the evening from around 6-8 only. The electricity goes on
and off as it pleases, and it is not uncommon to get pooped on by a lizard, or
find a rat in your backpack. Welcome to the World Race… it’s awesome
of a home in this village. Even though we are ‘inside’, our accommodations
closely resemble camping. We sleep under mosquito nets, and have our tent rain
fly’s quilted together above our beds to keep the rain out. We have a squatty
potty and take bucket showers. The water is available in the morning for a
couple hours, and in the evening from around 6-8 only. The electricity goes on
and off as it pleases, and it is not uncommon to get pooped on by a lizard, or
find a rat in your backpack. Welcome to the World Race… it’s awesome
The view from my
bedroom window is a water buffalo stable. Out the back window, there is a giant
corn field. Out the front porch, there is GEMS Nepal English School. This school is the reason I’m here… Close
commute huh?
bedroom window is a water buffalo stable. Out the back window, there is a giant
corn field. Out the front porch, there is GEMS Nepal English School. This school is the reason I’m here… Close
commute huh?
I am a teacher this
month. There are 120 students ranging from 4-14years. There are many schools
established here, but GEMS is the only Christian based school in the village
based on Hinduism. It is encouraging to see Hindu families willing to send their
children to this school over the other ones. Only the founders and a handful of
teachers and students are Christian, most students are Hindu. The mission of
GEMS school is to change this.
month. There are 120 students ranging from 4-14years. There are many schools
established here, but GEMS is the only Christian based school in the village
based on Hinduism. It is encouraging to see Hindu families willing to send their
children to this school over the other ones. Only the founders and a handful of
teachers and students are Christian, most students are Hindu. The mission of
GEMS school is to change this.
My students are
growing up in households with 2 or 3 ‘aunts’, who are really their father’s
other wives. They have temples in their homes and their entire world is based
on superstition. They cannot If young children are out after dark, there are
several accounts of them getting snatched up to be thrown into the structures
of bridges because it is believed to make the bridge ‘stronger’. That’s right,
people live in fear of being sacrificed here. These aren’t things I’ve read in
a book, it’s going on right now in my neighborhood.
growing up in households with 2 or 3 ‘aunts’, who are really their father’s
other wives. They have temples in their homes and their entire world is based
on superstition. They cannot If young children are out after dark, there are
several accounts of them getting snatched up to be thrown into the structures
of bridges because it is believed to make the bridge ‘stronger’. That’s right,
people live in fear of being sacrificed here. These aren’t things I’ve read in
a book, it’s going on right now in my neighborhood.
I can tell you one
place that NONE of this dark stuff is going on… In my classroom.
These kids have workbooks
and pencils, but otherwise very little supplies. Their classrooms include 1
giant chalkboard, a box of chalk, and a ‘duster’ (eraser made of folded shirts).Instead
of talking about how blessed Americans are vs. how little these students have,
I’m going to focus on my role is this month:
and pencils, but otherwise very little supplies. Their classrooms include 1
giant chalkboard, a box of chalk, and a ‘duster’ (eraser made of folded shirts).Instead
of talking about how blessed Americans are vs. how little these students have,
I’m going to focus on my role is this month:
I am here to be a light and pour into these students lives. More
important than math problems, or grammar lessons, I get to do something we
can’t even do in the states… speak freely about Jesus! We want our character to
be so Christ-like that these kids different in us and ask big questions about
life. Most recognize Jesus as one of their Gods, but we are able to introduce
them to the fact He is the ONLY God.
important than math problems, or grammar lessons, I get to do something we
can’t even do in the states… speak freely about Jesus! We want our character to
be so Christ-like that these kids different in us and ask big questions about
life. Most recognize Jesus as one of their Gods, but we are able to introduce
them to the fact He is the ONLY God.
These students are my whole world right now. Outside of the classroom,
we walk in packs of 20 or 30 to visit different homes for tea, crackers, and
mango… So not only do we get to show my love to the children, but I get to
bring it to their homes and their parents, and uplift the entire community.
The entire atmosphere changes when we walk through the streets. These
students are a light in the darkness of Nepal. The children in the village of
Nijgadh have potential to change this nation.
students are a light in the darkness of Nepal. The children in the village of
Nijgadh have potential to change this nation.
