Have you ever been to a place that just captivated your heart? Or fell in love with people, even if you couldn't always understand them? Or felt the burden of a nation in need of hope in Christ? Well, I have. Nepal has done all these things and more.
I came on this particular route of the race because it had India, and I expected that to be The month. However, it turned out I had a lot of expectations for India that were not met in the way I thought they'd be. Now, I thoroughly enjoyed working in India with the Jireh Children's Home, and fell in love with the kids there, but India in general, just didn't gain a special place in my heart while we were there. So then we enter month four in Nepal and I honestly had no expectations. I just didn't know much about the country apart from it was mostly Hindu, and formerly a Hindu nation (they only just got religious freedom in 1950, I think). When we arrived I thought it would be India 2.0 by the looks of things but I was proven wrong on that one. But having no expectation allowed the mystery to remain intact, and I was just along for the ride, whatever God wanted to do, I'm down.
I wasn't super stoked about our ministry at first. We were walking a lot and sharing a lot, testimonies and messages. Then we started doing evangelism and God started to open my eyes for this months vision in Nepal. My heart began to grow for this place when we would go to the house fellowships and I noticed a lot of the same people would come, so I began to try making connections with them. It was easy because they are so warm and welcoming, but sometimes difficult with the language barrier. But as we got to know some of them and their stories, I was just so encouraged by all of them and their passion for God, what they had left and what they had done so they could know Jesus. Its tough being a christian in a culture that is so adverse to it. Sometimes I think we are very privileged in America, but we are plagued with much shallow faith. Their faith cannot be shallow here. Many peoples families shun them and they face much persecutions.
"Therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure. This is a plain indication of God's righteous judgement so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering." 2 Thessalonians 1:4-5
"…if indeed we suffer with Him, we will also be glorified with Him. For I consider the present sufferings of this time not worthy to compare to the glory that is to be revealed to us." Romans 8:17-18
I feel so much love and compassion for the nation of Nepal. God wants to see this nation changes and so do I. I believe that he wants me to come back here and do kingdom work. There is much to be done. Its also neat to me that the reasons I want to come back, are purely spiritual and not superficial, so i know that it is God at work in my heart. The culture is still very different, but I just fall in love with the church that we for to be involved with throughout the month.
Yes, I feel Nepal is calling me back in the future, Lord willing. I never would have guessed it would be here, but it is. Every time I think of leaving I tear up. But it is only good bye for now.
