I had the honor of going on a four day trek through the Annapurna Mountain Range this month in Nepal. Ministry this month was wild; we saw so many things… so many evil, terrible, hard things… but we also saw the redemptive power of Jesus! I cannot wait to tell you all about my stories from Nepal, but I wanted to give you a glimpse into what I learned on the trek and how my perspective has radically changed, especially when it comes to ministry.
Day 3, Annapurna Range Trek, Nepal, 1/23/2020, 11:36pm
“This morning at 6am I had absolutely no desire to get out of my sleeping bag. My body, and especially my knee, was aching from the hike the day before. I wanted to stay in that sweet village and love on those people until God did something, anything, to save them. I woke up, remembering the defeat I had felt last night and asked God, “are you sure I can’t stay and do something? I want nothing more than for them to see you through me.”
Breakfast was at 6:45am, so naturally, I rolled out of bed at 6:40am stuffed my things in my bag, brushed my teeth, and made it to breakfast at 6:46am. We had a salty Dal-bhat-like soup with black eyed peas, a boiled egg, a tortilla like bread, and the best masala tea I have had yet! Everything they served us was homegrown and harvested. I watched our hosts daughter lug a fresh pale of buffalo milk up to the house that was literally inside the buffalo 20min earlier and was now in the tea I was drinking!
We then walked into the center of the village to collect our friends from the other homestays. We sat down just as Nick was sharing the gospel with his host, a great presentation by the way!
As we walked down the mountain, we got to a point where I could see the peak of Fishtail mountain so clearly and, as if I was in a well timed movie, the song “Glory to Glory” come blaring through my headphones. I raised my hands in worship. I prayed for the villages above and below. I thanked God for the blessing of being called into ministry, even when it’s not easy.
When we finally made it to the base and bus stop, our host treated us to some Sprite (I have never loved Sprite so much!).
We started down the road on the bus and a little girl sat right next to me. I had just put my headphones in, I was exhausted, definitely dehydrated, and I wanted to listen to a Passion 2020 sermon I had downloaded a week ago when she aggressively poked me.
I was so annoyed and I ripped out an earphone and said “what?”
she asked my name. I told her.
She asked where I was from. I told her.
She was quite for a few moments so I put my headphones back in just for her to poke me AGAIN.
This time she said “Can I have some water?”
Immediately I said “No.” But instantly felt deeply convicted as I realized I had three large, full, filtered bottles of water she was staring at. I handed her one and she waterfalled it into her mouth. Then she said “wow! I have never had water that tasted this good! Where did you get it?”
My heart fell out of my chest. I was fighting back tears.
Does she even have access to clean water in her village?
Does she have access to ENOUGH water?
Jesus, forgive me. I am so stubborn and hard-hearted sometimes. An hour ago I was worshipping you on a mountain top and now I won’t give this precious girl the time of day. Oh Lord, I am so sorry.
We talked about school and family and that I am incredibly old to not be married at 23. Then she asked me “what do you celebrate?” I smiled and said, “I try to celebrate everyday.” She said “no.. like I am hindu and you are _____?”
Oh Lord, give me the words
I was a bit taken off guard and said “I am a christian. Do you know what that means?” and she said “yes, I like to celebrate Christmas too.”
Our conversation was all very broken English and I found myself repeating and rephrasing every sentence 3-4 times. I didn’t feel that I effectively shared the entire gospel with her and I deeply regret it. We got to Pokhara and she got off the bus with her mother.
I probably won’t see her ever again but God, I pray you save her and I get to see her in heaven.”
This trek was the highlight of Nepal for me. Our ministry this month included sex slavery of children, leprous outcasts, spiritual and physical bondage, and so much idol worship. Everyday felt like a battle, an absolute fight, for my own spiritual life and the lives of those we encountered. For as much as we saw and encountered this month, I still forgot. I forgot who I am called to be. I forgot that the King called me and has entrusted me with His gospel for a broken and hurting world. He trusted me with these people, including that little girl on the bus… and I forgot.
This whole “ministry is life, life is ministry” thing clicked for me in a WHOLE new way this month.
Lord, don’t let me forget why I am here. Don’t let me look past the person standing in front of me, or sitting next to me. Give me eyes to see people as you see them. Give me a bold spirit that fearlessly proclaims your name to everyone. Thank you that your mercies are new every morning. Thank you for holding me, and that little girl, in your hand. Lord, you have given me so much. Please use it for your Kingdom. All I have, all I am, belongs to you. Amen.
A few pictures from the trek:
Sunrise on the second day!
Just after sunrise on the first morning! It was so cold and I am so thankful for my mummy sleeping bag (shout to Marmot for their awesome products)
Sun setting just before we arrive at the lodge for the night (shoutout to the super cool shop owner that let me trade in my big pack for this fancy green one!)
The clouds had just set in so unfortunately you can’t see the full magnitude of these beautiful mountains, but seeing these peaks as we turned the corner was the coolest reward. New profile pic? Just maybe!
Shout out to The Warren family, Kendra Winnick, Kristen Martinez, Zane Drager, Aspyn Harwig, Tanya Bayse, Audrey Harwig, Mikayla Hix, and Rachael Santaniello for supporting me (always) and allowing me to go on the trek. I am so thankful for each of you.
