Expectation: You’re going to the jungle to trek. Be prepared for no showers, and bring your tents. Pack lightly as you will be carrying your pack throughout the week.
Reality: Half of my squad woke up to catch the bus at 5am. Prepared for a 12-14 hour bus ride, we arrived in the “Jungle” at 9:30 that night. We were dropped off in a random spot in town, and walked a little ways down the road to the church we would be staying at that night. Not feeling good, I immediately pumped up my sleeping pad in the room that also served as a sanctuary and went to bed.
I awoke the next morning to find out that we would be staying at the church for the whole week and supporting their ministry and vision. That day, we went and held fellowship at someone’s home. The home was near to some land Pastor Benjamin (the main pastor) had purchased for a vision the Lord had given him to have an orphanage and bible school. We walked around the land while praying for it and the vision the pastor had gotten
The next morning we were surprised with the news that someone in the church had passed and we would be going to the funeral and burial. When we arrived, we got off and they unloaded a pine box from the top of the bus that would serve as the casket. Although it felt a little awkward for our team, the fact that the community that was providing something so simple for a family in their moment of need blew me away.
The days began to fly by as we continued the week with house visits, which included visiting the grieving family. We also held a crusade in the middle of a road that attracted quite a crowd, especially children. We were able to pray for the neighbors, attend church, and pray at the café that supported their ministry. Throughout the whole week, I was blessed to build relationships with Maya and Moneisha, the women serving us and have great discussions about the Bible with Pastor Benjamin’s son and assistant pastor, Milan.
The sadness of leaving made me realized how a week was enough time to make lifelong friends and have a family on the other side of the world. I didn’t realize the impression Nepal would make on me when I landed here four weeks ago, but now I’ll never be able to forget it.
