Merry Christmas!
As I’m posting this I am very aware that its February and Christmas was over a month ago but, its better late than never.
This Christmas was spent in Gorkha, Nepal. (apparently Gorkha used to be the capitol of Nepal)
Gorkha has a city side, but we stayed in what our host called the ‘forest’. Known to us as the woods on the side of the mountains.
These 8 days were to be spent resting and spending time with the Lord. We had few ministry days, when we did have ministry we would go to a church UP
the mountain about an hours walk away.
I wasn’t thrilled about spending this Christmas season in a tent, on the side of a mountain. Last year (2017) I knew I had been accepted to the World Race. I knew
I would be spending Christmas differently on the other side of the world. What I didn’t know was how hard or good it could/would be. I had tried to prepare my heart as best I could, but in the moment I was struggling more than I’d like to admit. Once again I went through not spending a holiday how I normally would, with my family, doing our normal family traditions. Christmas would be spent without a tree with lights, ribbon, ting ting or ornaments. Then I realized I wasn’t thinking about it the right way, I was looking at the shell of Christmas not the true meaning. Once I realized that, I changed my attitude towards this Christmas and though it was hard, I wouldn’t go back and change it.
I woke up on Christmas day and instead of going straight for the presents, like I would at home, I opened my Bible and read about Jesus’ birth. I recommend this to any and everyone. My team had done secret Santa so we did have presents. I got a blanket, oreos and a headband! We also got a tree! A random tree Grandpa (our hosts Grandpa) cut down with poinsettias to decorate. We did have ministry Christmas day. Two churches wanted us, so we split off into two groups. The group I was in, went to the church UP the mountain.
There were a ton of people there. They have a Christmas talent show, they even talked us into singing a couple of songs. It was really neat to see them dancing and performing.
When it was over we went to the roof top where they feed us lunch. I’m pretty sure I ate goat, it’s safe to say I don’t want to eat that again.
When we got back home to our tents, they had cooked a few of our favorites and we ate dinner off of our leaf plates, around the fire. We sang some Christmas carols, I looked at the stars a while and called it a night.
Yes this Christmas was difficult but, it was spent with 14 sisters in a place I never thought I’d go, celebrating the birth of Jesus.
Until next time
Your girl,
-CG
