The kindness of Nepali people astounds me every day, their generosity is seemingly limitless, and their hospitality has been a sight to see. These attributes were shown to me especially by a Nepali family I met earlier this week.
Ana, my squad mate, and I were walking down the street last weekend. I was a little upset that day to be honest because all of my teammates were off doing amazing things in Pokhra and Tibet for our “Adventure day” and I was back in Kathmandu due to the fact I was still on the mend from drinking bad water. (Tip, remember to FULLY boil your water for tea!) So, on our short walk back from the coffee shop there’s a store, and at this store is a cute little fluffy dog that, no matter how much of a hurry or not we’re in, Ana just has to pet him. Surprisingly, there was already a girl there, patting his adorable, furry head. We walked up and started petting “Alexander” (Ana’s name for the pup) with her. She smiled widely at us and asked us our names. We introduced ourselves and she told us her name is Shanti. After pausing for a moment, Shanti asked us if we were Christian. “Yes!” We said, almost in unison. She explained to us that her family was Christian and she wanted to know if we’d like to visit her home. Ana and I said we’d love to! Right after that, Shanti’s mother and brother walked out of the little store. She introduced us to her brother Daniel and her mother. I tried to say her name and she just laughed. Saying something in Nepali to me, I glanced at Shanti confused. Shanti laughed as well saying, “She said to just to call her mom.” That simple thing made my whole heart smile.
We walked with them back to their house so we’d know where to go the next day. While we walked, mom was carrying two large bags and so, I offered to help her carry it. At first, she was adamant that I didn’t have to do anything of the sort, but I was persistent and she let me help her. She showed her thanks not through words, obviously since we don’t speak the same language, but she held my open hand the whole time we walked to her house. She didn’t know how happy it made me feel once again. Physical touch is one of my top love languages and that simple act warmed my heart. We arrived all too quickly at their house and had to say goodbye for the night. I gave Shanti a hug, high-fived Daniel, and gave mom a bear hug. She once again said something in Nepali and once again I looked to Shanti to translate. “She says, ‘We’ll see you soon.’” I could feel the affection she held for both Ana and I as if it were a tangible object. I tried to repeat the words in Nepali back to her, but she just laughed and sent us on our way.
The next day, Monday, at 4 o’clock we set out down our street to our new, friendly neighbors. Ana and I made a plan to be back by 6 just because with cultural differences, we sometimes don’t know what to say. We arrived shortly after to see Shanti, her brother, and mom walking out. She told us she was about to come find us and that Daniel and mom needed to pick some stuff up, but we would wait inside with Shanti until they got home. So we followed her up 12 rough hewn steps, down a broken brick path, took a right, walked into an area that may have been where they bathed (with a drain and some buckets), only to take another right, and we finally got to the door. We thanked her for coming to get us cause we never would have found her home by ourselves! Walking into her home the first thing I noticed was that it was very bare. She led us to a set of stairs up to the second level and I realized that this was their living space. Two small bedrooms, a mat on the floor, a kitchen, and a porch area to wash dishes and clothes. Shanti instructed us to sit on the bed and she disappeared into the kitchen. Ana and I looked at each other and shrugged. We just knew we were happy to be hanging out with our friend. Just as Daniel and mom came up the stairs, Shanti appeared carrying popcorn, a strange fried vegetable, and cups of tea. It was so sweet! So we waited on the bed and talked to Shanti until mom called her into the kitchen. Ana and I, once again, didn’t know what to do so we followed her.
With our cups of tea in hand, we came and sat on the floor of the small kitchen with mom and Shanti. Daniel came to join us and we all sat and talked for a while before Ana spotted an American game. Operation. “Does that game work?” She asked, excitement crossing her face. Daniel nodded and opened it up. Shanti explained to us that, through Daniel’s school, he had a sponsor! Every birthday and Christmas, this man from Yorkshire, sent Daniel a card and a game. So, we played games! Mom was far better than I thought she’d be. We played a card game version of guess who, monopoly, and even a Nepalese game that was kind of like pool, but instead of billiard balls there were chips! And you would flick a slightly larger chip towards black and white chips to get your color into the corner pockets of the little table. At 6:30, we asked to eat since we had planned not to be there that long. Mom served us amazing chicken, rice, spicy pickles (which I kindly declined), cooked greens, and potato curry! We got the chance to talk with them about things they did for fun and it turns out that they actually do their own ministry! They collect old clothes from neighbors and friends, mend them, and once a year take the clothes to a far outlying village that is very poor. They distribute them to the people, giving them clothes for both the warmth of summer and the cold of winter.
Ana and I were amazed. These people who don’t have much invited us into their home and not only does their kindness stop there, they also take clothes, that they could sell for more money, and bring them to a village 6 hours away by bus. I hugged mom tightly after hearing that. 7 o’clock had come and gone and Ana and I had to say our goodbyes. We told them that, if they wanted, we’d love to come back to visit! Since that day, we see Shanti quite often; walking home from school or even just buying groceries. I’m so happy to see these Christians thriving and finding joy in their trials even without much. They have what they need, and they praise God for it.
Thank you all for reading! I hope you all have a blessed day and that you see what the Lord has blessed you with. Even the smallest thing can be amazing if looked at through new lenses.
