Nepal was a different month in itself. This month was filled with countless testimonies and stories–remarkable moments that showed the goodness of our God.
Kathmandu
For half the month, our entire squad was together for our debrief and training. Everyday we walked the busy famous street markets, running into people who asked us to buy trekking tours, musical instruments, weed/smoke, and all sorts of other gismos and gadgets. If you even looked at something within a shop, someone was there to help you, even if it was just a little keychain. If we were on a street where cars could roam, we would most likely be honked at or run over if we didn’t get out of the way. It was busy, it was crazy, but it was aching for the love of our great God.
This is a place where many people come from all over the world to do treks, explore the city, or understand the culture. There were many people just within our hostel who were wanting to understand the world we live in and discover more of what it can hold. However, many of them don’t understand that what they are truly searching for is our Father, our Creator.
Since there are so many tourists within this city, the shop owners and street venders are even more pushy with selling their products. Often times with this, tourists tend to act negatively toward them, and their frustration toward these people causes them to dismiss us as good people. This made things difficult for loving on these people and sharing the good news. They were a lot more closed off due to all the negativity they experienced from tourists.
However, as I went through my daily life, traveling to and from our meeting places, I found myself talking to more people than I even dreamed to have encountered.
There was one man Sarah and I started a conversation with in his clothing shop. He brought us milk tea and we talked about Jesus and his gods. He believed no matter what religion we follow, it all ends in the same place. However, I believe God was on the move with his heart through healing and encounters. Another day, a lady and I walked underneath her umbrella during a downpour and talked until I was way past where I was supposed to go. Another man brought us up to his rug shop and we were able to pray over his hurt leg and smoke-filled lungs. A man in his card shop was smiling from ear to ear just because I took the time to admire his work and everything he did.
Its small moments like these that can make a huge impact on the lives of others. It is acknowledging them as people and not just people who want our money. It is taking the conversation from selling goods to talking about their family and then about Jesus.
There was a man around my age who owned a souvenir shop. Our group always passed by his shop when we would go to our meetings or anywhere into the city. I stopped in this shop because my eye caught sight of a keychain that reminded me of a picture the Lord has given me previously. Well, because I came to take a closer look, the owner came over to talk and offer me to step inside the little square shop to look at ALL the keychains he has. For some reason, I decided to step inside. This man and I started talking. He had so much joy around him that it was hard to ignore. He told me that I was not like most people that come by. Most don’t even bother to speak to him, or don’t say a simple thank you or hello. He said they are usually stubborn and mean. This hurt my heart when I heard this. Why can we not show a little kindness to each person we meet? I came back to his shop many times. I showed my friends his shop and he was always pleased to talk with us. He remembered my name and I will never forget his now. Aspen and I were able to have tea with him and hear his heart for the people in the villages, his passion to travel one day, and how much he wants to learn. He is one of the people who have labeled Jesus with all the other gods as the same. I honestly wish I had more time to speak with him and his brother about the life Jesus has for them. His heart for the people along with his joy would be incredible to see explode with the love of Jesus. On my last day there, he gave me one of the bracelets from his shop so I wouldn’t forget him and would continue praying over him.
Pokhara
After a long bus ride, we landed in a valley surrounded by mountains and a dazzling lake. This was the place that everyone in Kathmandu wanted us to visit. It is a place for trekking and its also a place that many Nepali go to retire.
This place is surrounded by the spirit of apathy.
Some of the days we were here, it was difficult to find the motivation to go and love people and talk with people. The same goes for most of the Nepali Christians we encountered. It’s a constant battle to find the motivation to go.
However, throughout this month, we were able to do a lot of work that I hope will benefit the community and were able to hear many testimonies.
We went out on the streets in small groups and talked with many people through a sweet translator friend. We received more training through this and learned some of the best ways to approach Nepali beliefs with our own. One lady we approached had hurt her leg, and after praying she was healed. We returned the next day and spoke to her about the gospel and how we are able to picture and talk to our God who has created everything. She seemed open to the idea, but as another lady approached, she closed herself off. Sadly, we were not able to return to her again, but our translator will be able to keep up with that connection now.
We played with children from two different children’s homes. These places were by far my favorite places to be and I wish we had more time in each of those places, because my heart broke each time we left. Here we played a game of “monkey in the middle” that was loud, crazy, and the ball often times went off the ledge. At another place, we played countless games of Uno and others placed volleyball. We heard a wonderful testimony from the man who owned one of the orphanages. Someone had given him a Bible long ago and one night when he couldn’t find a drink or smoke before going to bed, he opened up the Bible and read about Jesus giving rest. That night was the best night for sleep and so he started to pursue Jesus more.
We went to a Tibetan Refugee area where these people are stuck with no country of their own anymore. They are trapped with no way of returning home. Stuck in this place for many generations where even those born in this area have no way of escape, their religion was all that they had left to hold close. However, through a small organization, a few locals had incredible stories of how they came to know Jesus and how they choose to share who He is.
We also did a little bit of manual labor by deep cleaning a restaurant. We scrubbed the walls and floors of all their grime and built up mildew. We then got out the paint to coat the ceiling and walls. Just after one day, we were covered from head to toe in sweat, muck, and quite a bit of paint (This may be due to painting one another instead of the actual walls!). Just after two days, this place looked incredible!
Lastly, we were able to love on our sweet host family and their kids while they also loved on us so incredibly well. They brought us a lot of encouragement in the days to come. They took care of us when one of us was sick. They fed us popcorn and cookies. Their kids played games with us, took me on a “just for girls” walk, and brought a lot of joy in these beautiful days. Ultimately, they showed us a lot of heavenly love.
Through all of this, we heard countless testimonies from the people we met and encountered. Each one bringing a new light and perspective of the love of Jesus Christ. It was incredible to hear and discover how these people got to where they are now. I wish I had more time and space to write them all! I wish I had more time to spend with these people and learn more about who they are and what more we could do to help and encourage them to continue striving forward and building God’s kingdom.
Update:
We are in India now discovering what God has planned for us here. Be praying for us as we go out into the dusty, loud streets to bring a little more Jesus to the atmosphere. We have been able to create sweet friendships with some of the students at the University, so have your continued prayers towards them that they may discover who God is.
Also, my fundraising deadline is coming up in November. Please be praying for me and the support I need to become fully funded before that time.
God Bless,
Laura Leigh Armstrong
