Central America and Africa are in the books and I’ve surprisingly made it to the last leg of my race in Asia. First stop: Nepal! Asia offers a completely different cultural experience than one we’ve encountered so far and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous about it. It would be very easy to come here and feel inadequate in the terms of being a missionary. Religion is a BIG thing here and it’s so engrained in their culture that it is hard to see any possibility of people receiving and being receptive to the love of Jesus Christ.
But, Asia is where I am at and I was called to do this thing and be obedient. The first week in Nepal was spent debriefing Africa and recharging our souls a little bit to continue to serve others out of over flow. For me, a lot of the week was spent praying to God to reveal to me how I can be a light in this country and to show that He is going to use me in a purposeful way.
Nearing the end of the week I was sitting in the restaurant at our hotel drinking hot chocolate and eating momos and the waiter approaches me…
This is a story about a Nepali man named Mikaas.
Mikaas casually walked up to me as I’m reading my Bible and asked me if I am a Christian. I respond, “Yes, I am!” and he begins to tell me his life story. When Mikaas was little we was diagnosed with cancer. His family tried ever cure in the book and every religion out there, but his body still continued to be plagued with cancer. Despite all of their efforts and hope, his family was not very willing to try Christianity. But out of a bout of desperation and courage, Mikaas began going to a Christian Church and praying to the one true God. His family was not very happy with him, but still, he persisted.
Within a few weeks Mikaas’ cancer was gone. His body was completely healed and I believe it is because he was faithful in his pursuit of the Lord. Mikaas got to share this experience with his entire family. Because of the long and exhausting journey that they had all taken in pursuit of healing Mikaas, they were all amazed that is was done so simply. This experience eventually led to the conversion of Mikaas’ entire family.
You see, God doesn’t give us the bad things and the hard things. The devil does. But, when the devil gives us something in hopes to tear us down and break us, the Lord takes it and brings us on a journey of growth and redemption that can only be cultivated by Him. And that, to me, is extremely beautiful. He takes our dirty and our hurt and turns it into love, and joy, and passion.
God is incredible and I’m completely overwhelmed by Him every. single. day.
So because God brought Mikaas to me, and he shared his story with me, I am no longer afraid.
Love,
Banana
