We have officially been in Nepal for almost 3 weeks and our time here has been indescribable. As you read in my previous blog posts, India provided plenty of time for rest, which was a beautiful gift from the Lord. He allowed my squad and me to be present, still, and sit with Him. There were ample opportunities to be alone, to read, and to sit quietly despite it being all squad month. Jesus had favor!
It was a well rested month that was preparing us for full days of non-stop ministry programs and visiting activities in Kathmandu, Nepal. He was preparing our hearts, our minds, and our bodies for what was to come. We are staying in the suburbs of Sitpaila. Gresom, our ministry host is a 20-year-old college student, a professional musician, and a man hard after God’s heart. He and his best friend Simon are with my team and I every single day, day in and day out. They have become just like our brothers.
Every day is an adventure with these boys. They are absolutely hysterical and incredibly gifted. It’s been such a huge blessing coming into this city, moving into the lives of this family and feeling like we’re already sisters and daughters. Gresom’s dad, who we call Papa, is a charismatic, wise, Holy-Spirit filled, compassionate man. How did we get so blessed to be under such influence?
Where we are staying is at the very top of the hill with Gresom’s in-laws who are Hindu. Gresom’s brother, Samuel is married to their daughter, Rezma, who is the only Christian in their family. In Nepal the dominate religion is Hindu and there is a serious oppression over the lives of the Nepali people. It is a miracle that they opened up their home to us and have allowed us to stay with them the entire month. It is a divine appointment that we are here, the Lord has placed us under their roof for a reason. Their english is not very strong, but living your life as an example of who Jesus is doesn’t require knowledge of a specific language. Back in the states, idols are usually described as our cell phones, computers, video games, friends, families, relationships, but here idols are exactly how they were in the old testament. Seeing that first hand has been heavy on all of our hearts. It pains us to see these people believe so strongly in the statues that fill these villages, fully believing that these gods will bring provision and blessing into their lives.
Every morning we wake up and walk about 5 minutes down the road to Gresom’s house where we are served breakfast and eat with their family. We share each meal with them at their house. After breakfast, we head to a church. Every day we visit a different church that Gresom and his Papa have pre-selected for us. Since we’ve been here we’ve averaged walking almost 5-7 miles each day, hills on hills, my fave. I’ve absolutely loved it. The purpose of these visits is to encourage these churches, the pastors, and the members of the work they are doing. We are there to lift them up and be a blessing to them. They’ve also blessed us with the opportunity for two of us to share a sermon or part of our testimony at each church service.
These churches are very small buildings. Sometimes there are only 10 members that show up, sometimes there are close to 30 members. When I am able to have better wifi, I will add a blog of photos so you can have a much better visual of what I’m describing.
Nepali Christians are crazy about Jesus. It’s been wrecking my heart to be surrounded by people who have absolutely nothing else to depend on except Jesus. They don’t have options of different comforts or certain distractions, it starts with Jesus and ends with Jesus and they pour themselves out completely for the Father. It seemed daunting at first to stand up in front of these spirit filled people and give them a teaching on scripture, but they are incredible receiving and tell us countless times how blessed they are to have the opportunity to host us and hear our hearts. The word humbling does not do justice to what my team and I feel in our hearts.
