What in the world did we do on the other side of the world in Haripur, Nepal? Well, we walked. A lot. To many different villages, each with its own feel and style and atmosphere.
We sang “action” songs for the kids, to the amusement of all the bystanders who loved to gather around, stare at us and laugh with us. I yelled the story of Noah’s Ark over and over again.
We motioned/signed to parents that their babies were breathtakingly beautiful. We prayed to God for grandparents; for their back pain and for their grandchildren and for their financial worries.
We taught communities about human trafficking and the value and worth of human life.
We prayed for Nepal. All the time. From a mountain, from the Nepalese-Indian border, from our walks, from our room. Everywhere we went, we prayed for Nepal.
We saw baby goats, baby cows, puppies, and chicks. We ran out of the way of the big, black, lumbering water buffaloes. We ran to catch the bus. And rode on the roof!
Children smiled at us, said the few English words they know, gave us high fives and followed us forever and ever. We trekked over mud roads, mostly dried-up river beds, sugar cane plants that were taller than we were and flat grassy plains where we could see for miles.
Lots of people stared at us.
Nepal, as a country, was absolutely amazing.
On the other hand, February, as a month on the world race, was challenging physically and emotionally. I learned some stuff, like:
Just because people do life differently than I do doesn’t mean they need to change anything.
Even if I don’t have a speech prepared, even if I feel inadequate, even if I don’t say everything perfectly – I just need to open my mouth to speak truth & the Holy Spirit will give me the words.
Spending time with God is not only important; it is as vital as blood pumping to my heart and oxygen reaching my lungs.
God desires my worship, whether it sounds and looks beautiful or not.
So my squad is currently two weeks into a unique and busy month of church ministry in Draganesti-Olt, Romania. I have been teaching English lessons, leading worship, playing soccer, spending time praying with my team and squad for Hope Church and its community, teaching piano lessons, running kids’ Bible clubs and hitting the streets with Bibles and Bible study invitations. It’s been busy but the good kind of busy. I’m going to be home in two and a half months. Please pray for me to be able to be fully present here — but also — prepare myself for coming home. Thank you!
