Dusty from an hour and a half of walking, my feet rest safely in the sandals that hold them as we reach a remote village that lies on the outskirts of the town where my team stays. Water buffalo graze on the hay that has been fetched for them in the early morning hours and within minutes the 18 people who populate the village, gather quietly intrigued as to why such strangers would or how they would even come across the place they call home. Plastic chairs brought for us to sit on, comfort me as they remind me of familiarity of the lawn chairs my friends have back home. The boy who brings my chair has caught my attention and as he squats and sits 2 feet from where I comfortably sit, his gaze focuses on those of us who are new while in all honesty, I know that his mind is elsewhere.
No more than 10 years old and his skin darkened more than natural from long days in the sun; I see the hopelessness that lingers within him. Each morning we all have the ability to see great views of the Himalayan snowcapped mountains surrounded by lands of different colors of greens, goldens, and browns, small creeks gently pressing through the landscape. My gaze goes back to the young boy and in that moment, I remember a time in my own life when I had that look. I remember wondering how the world could still be beautiful even when I felt no joy at being alive within it. In that moment I felt a sorrow for the barefooted boy whose chin rested on his knees as he looked off into the distance. You see, this boy whose clothes dangle over his tiny frame and whose young body has already been marked with labor, I hurt for him, I cry for him, and not because of the tedious tasks he does day by day but because of the fact that due to his lack of education, he could soon be married off. Married off…at 10 years old, this could be the very fate of the child an arms length from my grasp and in that moment, I just want to hold him as if he were my own.
I want to protect him from the loss of innocence that he could soon face.
I want to provide him with a childhood full of merry memories.
I want him to just have a chance…a chance that I believe we all should have.
My eyes begin to water for the lack of understanding as to why or how or for what reason, this child, this person, this boy must walk down a road I will never comprehend. In that moment, my heart longs for the answers as to why God would allow any of his children to endure such misfortune. Moments pass and as we begin to walk away, I look back, knowing that I will probably never see that young 10 year old boy again and wondering what will come of him. The 3 hour walk home enables me to pray for the life of the boy whose name I do not know, it gives me time to praise God for how he has protected my own life in more ways than I can fathom, and as the hot sun beats down on my body, a vision is created in how I can be used to help that boy.
I am currently staying at a school in Southern Nepal. The population of Nepal consists of two different groups of people; one being the mountain people and the other being the plains people. Due to political reasons as well as the lack of funds, the attendance of the school in which my team is staying, has decreased immensely, making the previous enrollment of 300 students drop to 75. Many of the children in this area are eager to learn but their parents are incapable of supporting them to do so. In order for these families to survive, they partner their children off so that the sons can be sent to work and begin providing for their family. Arranged marriages for these children begins as early as the age of 8 for girls and 10 for boys. If these children have the opportunity to receive an education, they will not be forced into marriage at such an early age. The school I am staying at has the lowest costs in the area and is run by Christian people who have a dream to reach out to the poorest people in this area, educate them, and show them the love of Christ. A sponsorship of $36 will pay for an entire year of school for one child. Each new student must pay a one time fee of $60 in order to pay for their school uniform which consists of 4 outfits, 2 pairs of shoes, a belt, socks, and a tie. My PayPal is the main account for any and all money transactions as it is the safest way to protect my own account as well as the account of the school here. If you are wanting to donate, please use my PayPal id: [email protected] and choose the "Transfer Money to a Family/Friend." No extra fees will incur if you do so (on either end) and put a note on the transaction that states "Nepalese Children."
This is the result of walking into a small Southern village in Nepal with no idea as to what the children here must go through. This is what happens when we open our eyes and we feel for those around us and in that, we want to if not 'change' the circumstances, at least try to work towards something that will create a difference. This is a vision that is not my own, but that of which God has provided for my team for what ministry in Nepal looks like. I know in and through this, God has taught me so much about the ones he loves. He has taught me about the ones who are not forgotten. He has taught me that in remembering my own past and the hope that I clung onto, I will strive to help others see the hope that I know is there. I know one day I will remember this country, these people, and the children whose innocent lives have been rescued and I will appreciate my Nepalese Nostalgia.
This is a third party ministry and is not affiliated with Adventures in Missions. This is a ministry set up by current World Racers.
