I have learned so much on this adventure already. Unfortunately, I think it would be very easy to go home and not use anything that I’ve learned because the circumstances we are in this year are pretty different than what we encounter at home. Some of the lessons, I will have to work a little bit to get them to translate to American way of life.
For example, during our transport from Kathmandu to our village at the top of a mountain, it began to rain. This of course caused the roads to get muddy, and slick with no traction which made it impossible for our bus to continue up the mountain. After about an hour of men being men and proposing different ideas on how to get the bus up the mountain, we were asked to get off and get our things to walk the rest of the way to our destination.
Can you imagine in America, being on a bus that you paid to be on, and being asked to walk the rest of the way, (uphill for about an hour) without receiving a refund? I learned a little bit about patience and about letting go of my expectations. My goal though is to learn those things in an applicable way back home. That particular scenario probably won’t come up again…not in flat Abilene, Texas anyways. The big thing, I am still learning, is how to live missionally.
To live out love and the gospel without having to have the title ‘mission’ or ‘ministry’ on it. This month, we haven’t had a ton of official ministry. We did a little manual labor and a little bit of preaching/teaching…but let’s just say we had a fair amount of down time. Sometimes, during said down time, I would spend time with our Auntie, who has taken a special interest in me. I think it’s because I am blonde. It was challenging to get to know her because she doesn’t speak English, and I don’t speak Nepali. She is by far one of my favorite people that I have met on this race.
She is very animated and uses lots of gestures. I’m not sure that I always really know what she is trying to tell me. If Ajay, our translator, is around he always helps us out. The other day, she brought us girls sari’s to try on so that we could take a photo. They wear little half shirts under them and I am probably a foot taller than her so it barely covered my bra. She didn’t know what to do with this except to laugh at me. She wrapped me in a gorgeous sari and put flowers in my hair.
We had about an hour photo shoot with about 3 other women and some random kids. When we were changing back to our normal clothes…she came to show me her caesarian section scar. I’m not really sure why…that’s not exactly normal in our culture. I figure it’s a good sign that we are building a friendship and trust though. She has showed me pictures of her family and I have done the same. I’ve braided her hair. She tried to teach us how to make these donut things…which I basically failed at.
One night after we were finished eating dinner, she shared her story with our team, through translation from Ajay of course. None of the time I have spent with her has been because it was ministry. I have built a friendship with someone who needed some love and encouragement in her life. That’s real life. Being Jesus to people is not always glamorous. Supernatural or life-changing things don’t always happen. If that is what we are always seeking, we’re going to miss so many opportunities. Mother Teresa said, “We can do no great things, only small things with great love.�
Not quite sure what I’m going to do when I get home, but I don’t think I will have tons of ministry opportunities set up for me just waiting. I want to learn how to see opportunities to serve others better without having to have them set up for me. To not get caught up in what my ‘job’ or ‘ministry’ is. To have eyes like Jesus to see needs that aren’t as apparent to the naked eye. To see opportunities to love on people. Absolutely the poor and oppressed need love…but so do the rich, suburban families in your neighborhood. I have learned about how important it is to encourage the believers we come in contact with…just like it’s important to share the gospel with non-believers.
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.� Galatians 6:10 I have learned that I have a gift of encouragement. I want to learn how to walk in it better…but maybe my purpose on this trip is to be an encouragement to the churches, the pastors, their families or our translators. I might not have a grand number of all the people I have converted to Christianity or of all the miracles I have performed in Jesus’ name. I can tell you some people I have formed good friendships with that thanks to the world wide web, I can keep in contact with and continue to encourage them in their walks with Jesus. That is my purpose!
