I am preparing to leave Nepal and leave with excitement, fear, and a mixture of many emotions. As I leave, I am trying to process what this month has taught me most. As always, I learned a lot through close community and through just life experiences in the world in general but these are not what I will think about when I remember Nepal. When I look back on Nepal, I will remember FAMILY.
This month, I have experienced family in a way that has changed me. At the beginning of the month I blogged about who we were staying with-Pastor Megh and his family. I want to elaborate on what that has meant in my life.
Growing up, I was never short on love from family and have been used to a lot of affection, but always had a very independent nature. As I got older, I pushed family further and further away. After High School, I took the typical route and moved away, only to visit when it fit my schedule. I have always been able to do what I want, when I want, and have not truly understood what it looks like to honor your father and mother.
In the past month, I have sat with this family- Megh (Pa), Bhim(Ma), and Subash (Brother) each night for prayer, worship, and so much fun. They have poured out love on complete strangers and called us daughters. Subash honors and obeys his parents and anyone they esteem with a joyful spirit that I have difficulty comprehending.
Across the dinner table, Megh says, “Brooke, you look beautiful!” And I know he means it and it is exactly what I needed to hear that day. Coming in from the cold, after a day of ministry and getting a big hug from Ama (mom) or kiss from Megh is more comforting halfway through the race than McDonalds.
In some ways, I miss my family more because of this sweet time here and in other ways this was a great wake up call to take what I am blessed with and pour into it at home. I have come from a place in India which is still heavily on my heart where there are so many children with no families to this loving home where they would take in more children than space would allow. I hope to take all of these emotions and realizations home to my current and future family.
