Ministry in Nepal has been different every day, but it all starts out the same. We meet on the roof of our ministry contact’s home doing what they call “Ammad” time. It’s essentially a mandated hour with the Lord before we head into any ministry. The way this ministry operates is very encouraging. Their team operates as a family with a heart for the least of these. They work to rescue women from human trafficking, feed and educate children from the slums, and care for orphans and widows.
The first day we spread out to various slums around Kathmandu. In India I faced poverty with a sense of overwhelming sadness coupled with heavy-hearted prayers. I feel more at peace doing ministry in the slums because I’ve come to grips with the fact that living proactively as a light in a dark place is more beneficial for these people than just walking in pity. I’ve learned compassion and paralysis aren’t the same thing. An Indian immigrant living in the slum invited me into his home. I was alone with him and his son and we began to try to communicate without knowing very much of each other’s language. The language barrier was difficult, but I found out that the father with a Christian who struggled with alcoholism and his son was a Hindu. I felt like God was telling me to share this gospel “bridge” illustration I learned at Eagle Lake to share with him the good news. Right as I was about to attempt to share the bridge with him, our translator walked in the room. Thankfully she helped me explain the gospel and he chose to forsake his Hinduism and follow Jesus. We all prayed over his father after the chains on alcoholism would no longer bind him. That family is now bound together under the name of Jesus.
The next day we participated in their soccer ministry. Kids from the slums have full time jobs as beggars for their families. Every Wednesday morning they invite children of all ages from nearby slums to play soccer. After the game, they are fed as much as they can eat. By the amount they eat, it’s evident that many don’t know where their next meal is coming from. While they are eating, we prepare a bible story skit and perform it for them. I love this ministry because at least for a short time these awesome kids don’t have to worry about begging or their next meal. They can just be kids.
The younger kids in soccer ministry attached to us right away. We transformed from volunteers to human jungle gyms in a matter of minutes. We ended the day covered in dirt, sweat, snot, and who knows what else. The teenage boys were much harder to reach. They stand off to the side with their clique and its pretty obvious they are making fun of you in Nepali when you try to interact with them. These boys are rough around the edges and have more tattoos/piercings than any 14 year old should have. Regardless of their attitudes they keep showing up week after week and God is continuing to sow seeds in they lives. Pray that the chains of poverty would be broken in these boys’ lives.
I’ve always been attracted to “dirty” ministry, to the refreshingly raw work that the Lord is doing. I love it because nothing is hidden, and you don’t feel the need to hide anything. In church we can hide behind a clean-cut appearance and act like everything in life is ok when we’re going through a tough season. In “dirty” ministry human brokenness is apparent, accepted, and cared for. If your dry spiritually I would encourage you to get dirty and spend time with the poor people who he loves so dearly. You’ll find that God’s “agape” love flows fastest to the poor and needy. You’ll find love amongst them and love within yourself that you cannot explain.
