Here is my best attempt to give you a picture of what this month has looked like this far. It is an “all squad month” so all 54 of us are together.
The following are actual and consistent quotes:
“Do we know the plan for tomorrow yet? No? Oh, okay.”
Everyday has looked differently in regards to what type of ministry we are doing, what time we start at, and even what time we will be home. We have played soccer with slum kids, talked with women in sex trafficking, hiked unexpectedly, spent hours traveling to a temple where we stayed for 15 minutes, walked in a garden while a highly questionable man guided us. Even though we never know what we are doing, it has been nothing short of an adventure.
“We are going to implement quiet hours because community is great until it’s not.”
We are living in a four-story house with 54 people. There are not enough beds, bathrooms, or kitchens but on the bright side, there are always enough people!
“Hurry up and wait.”
We always end up rushing to where we are supposed to be and then we ALWAYS end up waiting. One day we were told church started at 8 so we got up and got ready early just to wait for our ride. We got picked up at 8:45 and when we got to church they asked why were there so early since the service doesn’t start until 10…
“Kairos opens at 7am, right?”
Kairos is our beloved coffee shop and is the only thing that opens early around here. The stress to get there early enough for the wifi to connect is a real thing.
“Since we share a twin bed, we could like never go to bed mad at each other.”
Quinn and I are sharing a twin bed because it sounded more appealing then the floor. I can happily report back that we fit like a puzzle piece.
“If I try to change my hairstyle every day, maybe no one will notice that my outfit is the same.”
It’s been quite chilly around here and my warmest clothes are a pair of jeans, a lightweight sweatshirt, and a rain coat. And yes, I have worn that outfit pretty much every day.
“Is the water turned back on today?”
We were out of water in our house for almost 3 days. So, if you wanted to shower, do laundry, or cook food, you had to think again.
“No no to mo mo’s.”
Mo mo’s are the Nepali version of pot stickers or dumplings. I was a huge fan until they all came back up one night. Now its going to be no from me.
“If I’m discharged, does that mean I have to leave?”
I spent two glorious days in the hospital. Besides being sick, I slept, it was clean, warm, and food was delivered bed side. I didn’t want to leave and ended up napping for a few more hours after the discharged papers were signed.
“My first day back to ministry after being sick is back to the place that got me sick?”
The doctors said I got E. coli from the slum kids. Awesome. Then I had to go back when I was feeling better. Okay, super awesome.
“If it’s looking cloudy in the toilet can we flush yet?”
Since water is sparse around here…if its yellow let it mellow, if its brown flush it down.
“Is it okay if we dance at this bar? Like not on stage but in our seats.”
We went to dance bars to speak to women stuck in prostitution and the music was just too jamin in there. We wanted to know what was appropriate so we didn’t get hit on by men. Turns out it wasn’t always the best idea but I just can’t help it when the beat drops.
“Shorter sentences, please.”
What the translator tells you while you’re giving your testimony at church.
“Did anyone notice that I fell asleep in church?”
When the prayer ends up not being short and not being in English.
“There is a jungle in Nepal?”
Apparently there are jungles in Nepal and we are camping there for the next 9 days! Prayers for no sickness and that we get to ride elephants because priorities, yah know?
