I don't even know how to begin to describe what the past 9 days have been like.
On Monday the 7th, my team traveled 4 hours through the mountains and 3 hours along gravel, pothole-filled roads through villages to our ministry site. Excited and incredibly sweaty, we arrived at New Light Nepal in Sarlahi Haripur, and met our wonderful host, "Uncle" and his lovely wife and sons, "Auntie" and "Brothers." Here, even school children and teachers call us "sister" and "brother". It's been kind of fun!
After getting settled in, and being overwhelmed by the heat, our teammate, Jeremy, informed us that due to some circumstances back home, he felt his heart was distracted and that he needed to return to the states, SO Tuesday morning, the 8th, Jonathan and I made the 7 hour, jam-packed jeep ride back to Kathmandu with him, where we spent the night (I had a slumber party with Bhuvan, our first host's, adorable daughter) and made the journey a 3rd time the next morning. After 3 days crammed in a jeep, my ankles were swollen, I smelled terrible, and I needed to stretch out.
On Thursday, we worshipped with the women in the community and it was wonderful! What a blessing it was to praise God with believers in spite of culture and language differences.
Friday, we went to the market and got fitted for punjabis, traditional Nepali/Indian dress, and rode on top of public bus with nothing more than some bars told hold onto. It was pretty warm, but a great view of the community.
Saturday was spent in worship and rest, and Sunday through today, the 15th, we've been teaching in the school – I've helped with the nursery children, ages 3-5, who are ridiculously cute.
*This month, so far, has been extremely difficult for me. The heat is overwhelming and constant, and my body has never responded well to heat, so functioning has been challenging for me. I've found myself with a lack of appetite and an inability to cool down, leaving me feeling very lethargic. I have also never been so covered by mosquito bites in my life! Both of my feet, legs, arms, and back/sides are eaten up and have been oozing. I am also dealing with my 6th mouth sore since being here, have blisters on the right ball of my foot and toes, and all ten of my toes have little skin bubbles all over them that itch and cause my feet to feel like they're on fire – similar to how athlete's foot feels. To top it off, I started to feel very sick 2 days ago. My right pinky toe was red and oozing pus from the nail bed and my foot was swollen and there was pain running from my foot to halfway up my calf. After sleeping most of the day away in sweat, Brother Subas took me by motorbike to the hospital.The doctor gave me a check up and prescribed two antibiotics to fight the infections in my foot and all the infected insect bites. I just want my mama!i
Needless to say, it's been rough adjusting to life outside of the States. Never have I ever felt so unattractive, and honestly, so UNCOMFORTABLE. I just keep praying for relief and thankfully, God provided a nice breeze all day today. A few of us have already gotten sick in our short time here and the heat and bugs have affected everyone, so it's been challenging for all of us. With Gods strength, though, and the support of my awesome team, and the insane hospitality, humility, and generosity of our hosts, I know I'll survive this first month on the Race. And only by the grace of God will I make it through this thing without getting Malaria!
Please continue to keep me, and my entire team, in your thoughts and prayers. Any encouragement would be gratefully received.
Sending love from Nepal,
Mandy
