Hello all!! It is Monday, and I have been in Nepal for a week now! My team (WOHC Tribe) and one other (To The Wind) are living together in the home of our ministry host Gresom. Our ministry started on Wednesday, and it has been so fun, exciting, and eye-opening already. Today, I am staying back with one of my teammates who does not feel well (because I am a newly raised up team leader!!), so I am sitting down to update everyone on what I am doing. We do something a little different each day, so I wanted y’all to have a look at each day so far.
Wednesday// For our first day, we rode about an hour on a micro-bus (a tiny little bus that we all barely fit into that is hired for transportation) to a church that was having a service for women. There were about 12 women there and we sang with them, and then 4 of my friends shared messages for them. Our host, Gresom, served as a translator because all but 1 of the women only spoke Nepali. After the messages, we got to talk to the women (somewhat limited because of the language barrier) and then have tea and crackers with them.
Thursday// We left in the afternoon, by public bus, to go to the famous monkey temple in Nepal, called Swayambhunath Stupa. It is a popular tourist destination, and we used walking around as an opportunity to pray for Kathmandu and for the people worshipping Buddhist idols. The temple was very beautiful and the view of the city and mountains was amazing. After that, we walked to the home of a family of believers. Being a Christian in Nepal makes you a minority, especially living so close to this popular temple. We walked into a home that was smaller than my room, and the family was so joyful. They welcomed us in so well and even fed all 14 of us dinner. I had the opportunity to share a message with them to encourage them while they are surrounded by idol worship, and urging them to identify what the idols are in their lives.
Friday// Friday is probably my favorite day of ministry so far!! We had a 2-hour bus ride on public transportation and went to a Hindu orphanage called Happy Children Home. The moment we got there, a 5-year-old girl named Ranjita was glued to my him. I loved getting to play and dance with her, and she even knew how to braid my hair. They fed us a snack, and we listened to Papa, Gresom’s dad, play one of his instruments for all the kids.
Saturday// Saturday is the sabbath day in Nepal, so we attended a church service that is held at the home we live in. it was the World Racers, our host family, and the family that we went to their house near the monkey temple. It was a small service, but such a sweet time worshipping and listening to messages from my teammates.
Sunday// Yesterday was a shorter day of ministry, but we were already in the tourist district, so we spent the rest of our afternoon shopping and eating! In the morning, we worshipped in English, Nepali, and Chinese with fellow believers. I spent most of the time sitting outside with Carrie Grace because she did not feel well, but I enjoyed keeping her company and talking to her!
I hope that you have enjoyed reading about my week so far in Nepal. We have a few more days in Kathmandu, and then we are going to a village side a while away to hike and tent. I am not sure what ministry will look like there, but I will be sure to keep y’all updated.
