Adventures WorldRace SethBarnes Sponsorship Giving

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This is a continuation of observations, thoughts and ideas, and processing of what God has been teaching me the past week or so.

For years I’ve believed that LOVE is the most powerful force in the universe. Real LOVE = God’s LOVE = God is LOVE….you can’t separate real LOVE from God or God from LOVE….

….not the world’s idea of love…based on conditions, being good enough, popular enough, smart enough, having the right things, doing or saying the right things, etc.

….But LOVE that gives without expecting something in return. LOVE that is patient, kind, doesn’t envy, doesn’t boast, isn’t rude, thinks no evil of others, celebrates truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things….LOVE that NEVER FAILS (1 Corinthians 13).

This is what I want to believe in!   This is what I want to base my life on!   This is what I want to live for…  spend my life for….  sacrifice for….

….be pursued by and chase after in return….

I’m wrecked right now by how powerful I’ve seen LOVE right before my eyes in the past week. I can’t think of another time in my life when it’s been so consistently obvious before me.

I’ve believed for some time that there is a tangibleness to God in us…Holy Spirit living in us after we join in relationship with Jesus….shining through us….released or shared through eye contact, a loving touch, laughter, a kind word, seen on our faces, through our body language, our walk, the way we carry ourselves…

As Michael and I have stayed in Thamel, Kathmandu for the past week, building relationships with the people around us…..I’ve seen it happening around me…at a level like never before. I want to share what I’ve observed:

Let me introduce you to a few key players in this story:

Michael – squad leader of ouR squad, a great friend to walk this WR journey with, a man whose life is characterized by a level of love and ability to relate to all kinds of people I’ve rarely seen. He is patient, kind, and oozes love, joy, and silliness to those around him. Did I mention he’s Puerto Rican? It’s an important fact, causing his voice to be amplified which I believe increases his influence on people. 🙂
Sippy – an 18 year old Hindu man who works at the hotel we’re staying in. He’s become an instant brother, friend, translator…. One of my favorite oft-used Sippy quotes: “Listen to me!” (In all honesty, it was driving me crazy until Michael kindly pointed out to me that I like to say, “Michael!  Listen to me!” Oops, ok, thanks God for teaching me! 🙂 Sippy can’t figure Michael out. He’s so provoked by the generosity, kindness, joy, and love he’s witnessed. He talks about it multiple times every day. Right now he’s stuck in a mindset that he isn’t good like Michael is. Praying he encounters the source of LOVE and truth fills him!
Sippy and Michael
 
“Security Woman” – who works as a guard on the corner near our hotel. She’s 33 years old with 3 beautiful kids. Her husband is an alcoholic. She makes about $100/month at her job. One day she saw us with “our girls” and asked if we were Christians, then excitedly told us she is too! It’s been an honor pouring into her life and investing in her children’s education. She carries herself with such inner strength and humility. She works 7 days a week so isn’t able to attend church currently. It’s an honor to be a temporary source of encouragement for her. She speaks hardly any English, but love transcends language.
At school with our new friends
 
Lama – owner of a new tourism/trekking business catering to tourists. He chased us down one day, literally crashing our dinner, discovering we are Christians and becoming instant family. Of course he wants our business, but he also desires our friendship, our company, our prayers..he’s regularly inviting us to his office for tea or Cokes. I wasn’t feeling well one day and he prayed for me….I felt so good afterwards! The Holy Spirit warm fuzzies! 🙂

“Our girls” – the sweet, beautiful girls who sell postcards on the street. It’s a highlight everyday to spend time with them. I love them! There is such a sweetness to them. I love their open hearts! I love hugging them knowing that with every smile, laugh, hug, they are being touched by Jesus!

“Our boys” – the boys who pick up garbage on the streets at night. Again….what a joy to see their beaming faces everyday! You can tell they admire and love Michael so much, and him them.  Tonight as we waited to take them to ice cream I was just standing watching them work to earn a few cents.  They work so hard…harder than any 10 year old should have to work.  I don’t really know what to do with that.  I do know that I love them so and will miss them so much when we leave here!       

Omar – we came upon him & his friend drunk on the street one night, bought them food, and visited with them. Omar’s hands were swollen so Michael prayed for him. The next day we saw him….his hands weren’t swollen anymore! Thank you Jesus!! Another life impacted by His goodness and LOVE.

“The Christmas bulb guys” – we spent a couple hours with them one evening as we were shopping in their store. They served us tea and we had a great time with them sharing about why we are in Nepal.

“The cashmere guys” – I was on a mission….can’t leave Nepal without cashmere, right? As I shopped, Michael started talking with the store owner and another man. It didn’t take long and they were completely intrigued by his story. I ended up getting a great deal on my cashmere as the store owner was so blown away by Michael that he let Michael settle our bargaining. I hope I never forget the look in his eyes as he told me, “I just met this man 10 minutes ago, but I like him. He is a good man. Whatever price he says, I will give you for.” I saw in his eyes the impact that the conversation with Michael had had on him in 10 short minutes. Incredible!

I honestly don’t really know how to put into words the power of what I’ve witnessed. Person after person noticing a difference and commenting, before anything is shared about Jesus….they just know. Lives are impacted, people are provoked to question whether this Jesus offers something different than what they’ve known of Hinduism or Buddhism or other gods. Believers, in this nation known for following many other gods, are encouraged and strengthened.

I know one thing….I’m wrecked, humbled, provoked….desiring to let LOVE flow out of me like never before. All my springs are in Him (Psalm 87). He is the only source of this true, pure, life-giving LOVE. And the best part….all I have to do is be me. Stop comparing, stop striving to be someone I’m not. It’s already inside of me…He’s inside of me….I just need to be me and let Him flow out.