Well month two has ended, and we are about to leave for Africa. Once again I got put on the long flights with the bad layovers, but God is still good and I’m travelling the world so I can’t complain. Saying goodbye to Nepal is difficult though. We all loved our ministry host, Deepak, and his family. I got to make a special friendship with his niece, Pobitra. She lives with him and helps around the house, and in return he pays for her education. She knows the value of education in her life. Also, Deepak and his company, High Adventures Missions, is doing so much good in Nepal so that is encouraging as we said goodbye.
Honestly, Nepal has brought it’s challenges. Ministry in Chitwan gave many people on our two teams crazy new perspectives. Seeing all the poverty, hunger, struggle, and pain from that has gotten us all thinking about how we can really make a difference in the world. It is slowly helping me figure out what route the Lord wants me to take as I think about my future plans. In those times when ministry got tough, I tried to focus on the love that God has for these people and allow them to experience a moment of joy. Even if it’s hard to see the work He is doing, it just gives me room to trust Him even more. I might never get to witness the impact my team has made, and that is okay because it’s not my impact it’s God’s impact.
The last few days we went on a three day trek. I can’t even begin to explain to you how beautiful it was to see the Himalayan mountains. The pictures we all took do not do the sunrise justice at all. Walking through the mountains with a view like that astounded me every step of the way. It constantly filled me with an awe for God’s creation. Even through the beauty of His creation, I know that He loves me more. He loves all of His children in Chitwan more. He loves all of you more. Just remember that…
The first night we arrived late because of traffic and had to hike an hour and a half in the freezing rain up the rest of the mountain. It’s definitely never something I thought I would do, but it was a good experience growing me stronger in mind and spirit each step or slip. Also, I have never enjoyed a hot cup of black tea more than in that moment when we arrived at a trekking lodge. The next day we hiked until late afternoon. It was a ton of up and down very slippery rock stairs. I only busted it once. We stayed the night at a home-stay and ministered to the people in the community. They were so sweet, and even made us millet pancakes from their fields, omelets from their chickens, and milk tea from their water buffaloes. That might have been the best breakfast on the race so far. We finished the trek that day hiking a total of roughly 25-30 miles. That afternoon we got to relax on the lake in Pokhara before heading home the next day. It was a great way to end ministry, and it allowed us to see all landscapes of Nepal besides Everest.
As much as I have loved Nepal, I think I am ready to take on Africa. In Zimbabwe, our team will be working kids, kids, and more kids. I am going to love it!! Thank you so much for all the support, and the next time I will be writing I will be in Africa! Whoop Whoop!! Please keep us in your prayers for safe travels this week and for sickness. Many of the people of our squad are fighting sickness and injuries. We can’t catch a break. Other than that we are all excited to be back together for our weekend of a leadership conference. After that we will be ready to take on Zimbabwe!
