The last several days have been full and busy. We’ve been doing construction work, helping teach classes at the school, and going to house fellowships. A few days ago we had the opportunity to go to a church in a nearby village and meet with other believers who are leaders in the area. Several pastors were there, along with other leaders. We had a short time of prayer and fellowship, and it was an absolutely phenomenal experience.
There’s no way to explain it, but it was so cool to be with fellow believers who were leading something that is so small and oppressed, but is growing fast and is something people are thirsty for. God is here in Nepal, and he is moving, and showing up in very real ways. The worship that day was so genuine, the prayer was powerful, and the Holy Spirit was definitely in the building.
The joy on the faces here, the loved expressed, the brotherhood – it’s just so fun to simply hang out here in the middle of nowhere with nothing but heat, tea, lots of rice, and Jesus. There’s so few distractions, responsibilities, requirements – it’s hard to explain, but it’s just overall more simple, and thus easier to quiet the mind and get with Jesus. We go to different villages and homes with Uncle (the pastor here, our host) to encourage fellow believers, but everytime we leave so encouraged ourselves.
Ok, that’s a lot of feelings and random thoughts. For those of you interested more in the cold hard facts, here’s some for you.
Tea is at 6am. School starts at 6:30, or we start construction at that time if we’re not teaching. (2 teams here, Boundless and PAC, we rotate).
Lunch is at 9am, then more school/work until school gets out at 11:45. Usually chill out/rest/do random work until Snack at 2pm (really it’s a full meal). After snack usually more work, or house visits or something. Dinner is between 6 and 7pm. We have team time and feedback every night.
-The food is delicious. Always the same general flavor, and only sticks for like an hour and a half…..but so good.
-We got to go and ride elephants the other day.
-I ate snails for the first time the other night – yum.
-Preaching with a translator is like a huge advantage – it gives you time to collect your thoughts and think about what to say next.
-Everything here is manual…..I’m a mechanical engineer. It’s driving me crazy seeing everything done without machines. I miss machines. And robots. And math. And being surrounded with fellow analytical minds 🙂
-It costs the equivalent of 20 cents for a short bus ride. 40-60 cents for a long one. 30 cents for a cold pop. 50 cents for 4 mangos.
The other day at one of our house visits Uncle was saying a few things about Psalms 1, especially verses 2 and 3. It was really good stuff, and I found it thought-provoking. I’d encourage you to check it out.
Prayer Requests: That the Lord would continue to bless our hosts, and their work here at New Light Nepal. For peace of mind for myself – this last week my super awesome Aunt Debbi passed away, and so did my Great Grandma Sander. That our team, team Boundless, would continue to grow together and bond.
I very much appreciate all of your prayers and support! If you’re curious about anything, or have any thoughts, please let me know!
My next fundraising deadline is $11,000 by the end of September. I’m so thankful for everyone that has already supported me, and for the ways that the Lord has provided, so thanks!
