This week we began ministry with our Nepalese host, Deepak. We left our hostel on Monday morning and jumped straight into ministry by doing a prayer walk at the monkey temple. The monkey temple just had an aura of emptiness, and it was difficult to see so many who were putting so much hope and belief in the idols and false gods. It has been a big Hindu festival this week as well, so all the streets are lit up with lights and bright colors. The bright colored dry paint also does not help the air pollution either.
On Tuesday, we got to meet the Mother Theresa of Nepal and spend time with all the old women at the home. There was also a little baby orphan boy there too. He was the cutest boy on earth, and all the woman were so sweet and so filled with joy from the Holy Spirit. We prayed over the women and listened to some of their stories. It was a beautiful time.
So, over these past few days I have been stressing out and worrying a little bit about a ministry visiting a lepers colony. If you know me very well, then you probably know that I am not good with anything medical or blood related. I passed out after my mom pulled my first tooth if that tells you anything. It’s gotten so much better over the years, but when I found out we were going to a lepers colony where they were missing fingers and toes. I really had no idea what the ministry was going to look like, but my mind was kinda freaking out. Although I was really nervous, I brought my feelings of anxiety to the Lord and my team.
First, my team was so so so supportive and offered their help in so many ways. They even lifted me up in prayer the night before. Second, I asked the Lord for complete peace going into it and a verse or word that would bring me His comfort. The Lord fulfilled those requests totally. I felt a strange sense of peace that morning as we hiked down an entire mountain to get to the colony. He also let Joshua 1:9 come into mind as well, which says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” And guess what! I even found the bookmark in my bible from my friend, Reid saying the exact same thing. So after all of that, I felt better about going but still I didn’t know what to expect.
To my surprise, the colony and the people there were very normal and there was joy in so many of the believers. I felt like God was chuckling at me like “see you trusted me and everything was okay.” It was actually such a beautiful experience where we got to hear their stories and pray over them. Everyone just had such large smiles. They found God and felt His love through the struggles and hard times. They have been blessed with a community that has Christian believers as well as living in a place with a beautiful mountain view. Like I said we had to hike up and down a mountain to get to the colony and back, I literally felt like a picture of the epitome of a world racer. On the way back up, I was hiking in a skirt, with my chacos on, a camera in one hand, a stack of chapoti bread in the other to give away to street kids, and a beautiful view all around.
The Lord is continuously revealing His goodness, provision, and patience with me. He knew the plan which was going to glorify Him, and all I had to do was lay my struggles at His feet. I would like to encourage you all to give Him what you are going through, and He will be right beside you in ways you never even expected. He has proven that to me time and time again. Thank you for all the support as well! Nepal will be a lot of adventure and hiking for us. We are going on a trek in two weeks to bring the good news of the Lord to an unreached people group. I would appreciate if you kept my team in your prayers for physical and spiritual strength through these next weeks.
