We went off to a jungle village for a week in an area called Gorkha. This is the first truly primitive living I have done this year meaning out in the middle of a rural area with no electricity or running water and tenting with woods/mountains all around us. There have been many moments of no electricity and having to use squattys on the race prior to now but this was austerity at its finest. There is something to be said for the simplicity in which we lived for the week and that these people live in everyday. It provided many moments for G-d to come in and fill the spaces we tend to fill with busyness or creature comfort conveniences.
Throughout the week we went to local churches and encouraged the believers there. We were able to pray at the King’s Palace where sacrifices still occur and a lot of strongholds exist. We also prayed as we trekked through the villages and town. We gave teachings, testimonies, and talks as we witnessed the joy the people there have and operate out of each day. This included a freedom to dance and laugh. Our hosts graced us with their hospitality and gifts of music.
I personally was blessed by our hosts encouraging us to take it slowly when we would walk to town. It was a struggle at times to traverse the terrain especially after a rain fall. Picture major slipping in the mud while trying to go up or down serious inclines. Yet they helped me figure out the best places to cross and climb while being patient in waiting on me to continue forth. I have a major respect for the people who live on these mountains they call hills.
I think the biggest impact I had from the week was seeing G-d’s faithfulness to provide.
One of the churches we visited is newly built and the fruit of something a KJ team started over a year ago. We walked in and the Nepali people pulled out mats for us to sit on so we wouldn’t be directly on the concrete. They sat to the left while we sat to the right. I was curious as to why we didn’t intermingle but right as I was about to sit down one of our hosts, who leads the congregation there, brought me the one and only chair that was in the building. He placed it down in the middle of the two groups and told me to sit, so I did. Then everyone rearranged themselves to form a circle. I noticed my chair was outside the circle and it was a bit awkward and uncomfortable given my history because it brought forth the question of “How am I to feel a part of something when I am usually placed in the position of outsider?”. However, I knew it was their way of showing me honor so I accepted it and engaged in what became a really cool joy-filled party. Also I have to admit it felt pretty good to sit in a chair given this whole week our only option was the floor or ground.
This wouldn’t be the first time a chair created this scenario this week and I can’t say the next time I handled it as gracefully but I chose to see it as a way God provided an opportunity to me to have relief from the normal conditions. It was also pretty neat to witness the service from “above” and reminded me that I am seated with Christ in the heavenlies.
Other ways of His faithfulness to provide were in the simple things. Some boys found a walking stick for me to use throughout the week which helped A LOT. Whatever we needed somehow seemed to be provided through someone. Our hosts could even tell we were not feeling well overall as a group and provided transportation for us on our way out of the village the last day so we wouldn’t have to hike. All in all it was a good week. Even with challenges and health issues affecting our team, we can say it was good because G-d is good.
