Our first full day in Nepal, our contact gave us an off day. We took this day to relax from a 15-hour travel day—which usually means no sleep for 40 hours—and do a little shopping.
After spending several hours eating lunch and hanging out in Thamel Street. Thamel is a generally unaffected area of Kathmandu with coffee shops, restaurants, and tons of artisan shops. We were able to walk around and just take in the sights and sounds of Nepal on a pretty small scale for a few hours.
Then a few rickshaw drivers asked our big group of Americans if we wanted to go see Durbar Square, a major landmark in Kathmandu.
When we started thinking about if we wanted to go one of my squadmates made the comment of this square having major damage to the major temples in the city. While none of us were super excited to see all the devastation, we felt like we should see it.
We made the 20 minute rickshaw ride to this part of town and along the way saw the most damage we had seen. We saw houses and building on their sides, rubble all over the street, and countless temporary homes made of sticks and tarps. The ride over was overwhelming in itself.
And then we pulled up to the barriers that blocked off the square. There were people coming in and out of the square just going over the two pieces of bamboo that made up the barrier. We all looked at each and went in. As soon as we set foot in the square the devastation was overwhelming. We all stood in silence and just took it in. There were temples reduced to nothing, alleyways filled with rubble, police and military officials directing the countless people walking around observing the square, and so much more.
The entire time we were in the square and surrounding areas, I felt an overwhelming peace—which is really weird, especially for me. When we found out we were coming to Nepal, I almost had a panic attack. I was terrified of what we would see and experience. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to handle any of it.
I’m sure if it were just me, I wouldn’t be able to handle any of it, but surrendering this month to the Lord and allowing him to truly control every step I make has given me a peace that is outside of my understanding. He has continually provided the peace and joy I need for ministry and everyday life here in Nepal
While life in Kathmandu has returned to as normal as it can be just two weeks after a major earthquake, the surrounding villages and small mountain towns have not. Tomorrow, Monday, May 11, 2015, we are going to one of the hardest hit villages to start with the clean up and restoration process. I ask for my family, friends, and supporters to please, please pray for us Monday through Friday while we are in the village and for the rest of the month. Pray that the Lord continues to guide our steps and provide us with the peace and joy we need to serve the Nepali people.
I’m so overwhelmed and so humbled the Lord saw us fit to serve him in this way. I’m already blown away at how the Lord is working here and can’t wait to see how else he moves.
Funding update: I am currently at $14,207, which puts me at just under $2,300 short of my final deadline on July 1st. Please prayerfully consider supporting me and keep me on the field.
