Ministry in Nepal is a lot of hiking and a lot of visiting the outcasts of society. It’s a lot of praying over people and learning how to communicate regardless of the language barrier. It also involves a lot of trust; trusting that if we give it our best and believe whole heartedly in our prayers and ministry as a whole, God will work through us as a team. In all realness though, I find myself struggling to trust sometimes. I tend to imagine mission work as saving the world every single day, doing these huge things to build the Kingdom. As you can probably guess, this isn’t the case. I’m finding that mission work revolves around relationships with people more than anything. It has to do with focusing on what’s in front of me, believing whole heartedly that God will work in ways I don’t always understand. This has been a huge factor this week as we start ministry in Nepal.
This morning my team and I visited a leprosy colony tucked away in the countryside of the mountains. These people are forced out of society and looked at as unworthy and unhealthy. I went into it expecting a depressing atmosphere that reflected societies idea of them, luckily I was far wrong. Being a small part of their community for the day was incredible. They value people and conversations so highly. They have joy like no other. It’s the kind of never ending joy that is bound in something far deeper than themselves or their circumstance. Many of them held unwavering faith (something that isn’t super common in Nepal) that made their smiles glow. I could go on and on about the characteristics the believers possessed but it still wouldn’t do them justice. We sat there and simply listened to people’s stories and prayed for them. We got to know them in a way that didn’t revolve around their illness. By just listening and offering encouragement, I left feeling a deep sense of hope and trust in the things that are way above me. I was reminded of the simplicity of being available and how focusing on the people in front of me rather than the things I can’t control is so important.
Sometimes I get these sweet reminders of who God is and what it looks like to follow Him. I’m far from perfect and having days that remind me of the heart of the Lord and all He does for people is special. Never would I have thought that a remote leprosy colony in Nepal would embody the love and spirit of God so much but here I am.
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I’m in Nepal for the next three weeks. Two of those weeks will be spent trekking through a nearby valley and then the Himalayas to minster to unreached people groups and the untouchables (otherwise known as the people society doesn’t see fit enough for public) of the country. Please continue to pray for my team and I as we venture out and get to know people that don’t know the Lord. Pray that we encompass love in a way that draws them closer to God. I am honestly so excited for everything in the near future. Thanks for the constant prayers and encouragement!!
xoxo,
Emily
