Throughout our time at AGAPE, God has allowed me to meet some incredible women who He is sending out all over the world to bring His kingdom. These women have laughed with me, shared with me, and allowed God to speak to me through them, and I want to introduce you to them. I got to spend lots of time with some of them, and a short amount of time with some of them, but I love all of them to death and can’t wait to see what God does in the lives of my beautiful bahimis (sisters).
Meet Roshni
Roshni and I met one day during soccer ministry when she told me that she liked my hair (which she couldn’t have said at a better time, because sometimes I think my hair makes me look like a boy, and that day was one of those days). Roshni’s sister is married to the man who started AGAPE, and Roshni and her husband Dilip partner with AGAPE in different ways. Both Roshni and Dilip have a heart for children’s ministry, but I could absolutely see Roshni ministering to people through leadership training or equipping. Roshni is gorgeous but her heart shines even brighter than her smile. Getting to know her reminded me that God sees me and cares for me.
Favorite memory: Roshni and I went to get chicken and butter naan for lunch one day (naan is bae), and one of the things that I still remember her saying is that, often times, we interact with God in the following way: We are looking at two doors, and we say “Ok God, I’m going to pick Door 1. Please bless me in this!” But our heart posture needs to actually look like saying “Ok God, which door do you want me to pick: Door 1 or Door 2?” I still think about that analogy to this day and want to really embrace living a life, both on and off the race, of allowing God to lead me to the decision He wants me to make as opposed to making a decision myself and just asking Him to bless it.
Meet Rabina
Rabina and I met on the day that I was cooking for soccer ministry. Rabina is 18, but commands and leads people in a way that is far beyond her years. Rabina is truly kind and gentle, but also loves to laugh. Rabina has been interning/volunteering with AGAPE for a while, and while she doesn’t know exactly what to do when her internship is over, I know that God will do amazing things with her life. Rabina and I didn’t get a ton of time together because she had to go to India to help care for some kiddoes, but I am so excited to see Rabina again one day, whether it’s in this world or when we’re worshiping Jesus together.
Favorite memory: One day, our group got to have our amad time at a park, and Rabina and I decided to walk around the park and pray over the city. We were both listening to our own music and praying silently, but it brought so much joy to my heart to glance over every now and then and see Rabina with her hand extended and her smile glowing, pouring her heart out to God and proclaiming His love and freedom over Kathmandu. I’ll never forget that sweet hour of amad.
Meet Seema
There was not a day spent with Seema that I didn’t laugh at least 7 times. I literally can’t remember how we met, but I know it was a moment that God totally ordained. Seema has been interning at AGAPE, and I have no doubt that God will use her mightily. Seema has fully embraced the gifts she has been given by the Holy Spirit, and was faithful to let God speak through her into my life. Seema has a heart for women and children, and is considering either moving to Pakistan/a predominately Muslim country to work with the children there or moving to New Zealand to partner with God in starting a revival among the young people of the country. God has given her visions of both possibilities, and I know that He’ll be faithful to lead her to exactly where He wants her. She’s also looking at getting married at some point soon, and I’m excited to see how God not only directs her life, but her soon-to-be-husband’s life, as well. Seema is such a mom, and was always taking care of me these past few weeks. I’m beyond thankful for the friendship and sisterhood I formed with her, and I will miss her dearly.
Favorite memory: One Sunday, Seema took me out to eat something called laphing (pronounced laughing). Laphing can be dry or wet; dry laughing is basically crunchy/spicy ramen noodles rolled inside a long/wet noodle (wrapped sushi-style), and wet laughing is strips of the long/wet noodle in a soup that resembles a less salty version of soy sauce. Weird, but good. Seema told me that “if laphing was a man, [she] would marry it” because she loves it that much. I was also able to hear Seema’s testimony that day, and she gave me full permission to share it with you all if you ever want to hear it!
Meet Maggie
I’m completely blown away by the friendship God provided me when He let me meet Maggie. Maggie is from Chicago and has been interning at AGAPE for the past 6 month; she came of a short-term missions trip here after the earthquake and felt God calling her back, so she went! At this point, Maggie’s internship has ended and she’s traveling around with her mom for a few days before she goes back to Illinois. Maggie’s heart is firmly rooted in evangelizing, whether that’s evangelizing to those who don’t know the Lord or encouraging and challenging the hearts of those who do know the Lord (like me). Maggie has been asked by AIM to attend World Race Squad Leader training when she gets back, and I’m literally ecstatic to think about her leading a group of people around the globe on their own World Race. Maggie listened to me pour out my heart time and again, and I truly hope that we remain friends for years to come. I’ve always wanted to see Chicago at Christmastime, so permitted that we’re both actually in America, I might just make my way out to see her!
Favorite memory: While Maggie actually planned for it, I decided to wake up one morning and run a 5K through the streets of Kathmandu while Maggie ran the 10K. We showed up at 6:00, because the race started at 6:30, but failed to take “Nepali time” into account and were the very first ones there. The race itself didn’t start until 7:30, but we made up for it by participating in some pre-race Zumba led by an (apparently) famous Nepali popstar/Zumba expert. The Zumba was followed by some (apparently) famous Nepali rappers giving a short concert. I legitimately LOLed most of the morning due to the randomness of the whole thing, but it made for a stellar adventure.
