Real and Raw in Nepal.
Our squad just had a 5 day debrief in Thamel and it was “super” rad. I have come to accept that the word ‘super‘ is now a part of my normal vocabulary along with the head motion of the Indian head bobble. Culture has already messed me up in a good way.
However, It just got REAL in Nepal. Kathmandu is a fresh fusion of India and Asia. Primarily Buddhist and Hindus fill this city. Thamel (the area our debrief was held) has the vibe style of grunge mixed with hippie and a twist of backpacker written all over the narrow streets. There are a lot of tourists in the area (yay!! other skin colors!). The darkness of Kathmandu is a blend of begging, drugs, hookah bars, street life, and brothels.
Being around all the other teams from our squad has been fruitful. Different people pouring out the love of Christ and encouraging each others’ hearts has helped fill my soul up. In order to pour out, it is important we all get filled up in not only our relationship with God but also by each other. Serving is difficult and for sure wears on you. On the bright side, It has been a blessing to explore around Thamel, sit at coffee shops, eat local food, and converse on top of mountain tops with these people who are ALL IN on the world race.
Yesterday as I looked through the clouds over Kathmandu from a mountain top, I took a breathe of fresh air and prayed for the nation of Nepal. The overlook was beautiful. Green mountains and numerous hills speckled with rice fields and small brick houses. I thought about how gracious God is to have sent us here to this nation. How from a mountain top He alone allowed us to gaze on His creation. His hope. I prayed that I would not forget that moment on the mountain when I enter the valley of Nepal for the remainder of this month.
Our ministry is in the slums.
Shacks upon shacks.
Everything you thought you THOUGHT you knew or understood … forget it.
As I weave between hundreds of tiny hand made homes walking over rocks of rubble and mud – I feel the weight of life. Next to a river full of trash and mounds of mess, these people make their homes with no where else to go. The first gaze at one of the many slums that exist here in Katmandu, my heart literally felt like it was going to pound out of my chest. My heart aches and I still fight back tears day to day seeing how these people survive. Seeing street kids forced to beg for money and collect plastic bottles. Watching a drunken enraged man beat his wife with a stick out in the wide open.
I wish I could put all my feelings into words.
But I can’t.
All I can do is pray and love. Love these people with all my heart this month. God has been refining me this week. I have come to realize that in the past, I have always fought to rely on my own strength. I quickly found that I can’t minister to the Nepali people that live in the slums on my own strength – I need Jesus.
Jesus has to minister to these people and I have to be open to every and any situation.
To love like Jesus loves.
At the top of that mountain, I felt God calling me to Earth. Calling me to the valley where the best views are not from the top of the peak but beside others – even if it is outside their window. The view that the Lord has for the people of Nepal. For those in the slums. To get into the mess and see through a different lens. To look lower next to a river of trash and open my eyes. To literally walk over rubble from an earthquake to get a better look at what God is actually doing.
The cross is in the mess – not up in the clouds.
I am learning that out of the rubble, God is always good. His love is greater than the highest mountain top and deepest in the lowest valley. The Lord will ALWAYS make beautiful things out of the dust.
Prayer Requests:
-For more children to come to Christ here in Nepal
-For women who have been trafficked to be rescued, that they would leave and come to the safe houses provided through the various ministry contacts we have here
-For CLEAN water
-For the earthquakes to cease
-For more volunteers to come long term and serve
-For false idols to fall. Nepal is primarily Buddhist and Hindu. There are places of worship everywhere. Statues and the like. Pray these establishments would experience the Love of Jesus.
-For our team to remain healthy, several of us have gotten sick from the water and from unclean areas. Parasites are common here.
-For strength
Blessings,
Nikki
T Squad July Route 2015 World Racer (Team Agape Ethne) – Month 2 – Dhobi Ghat/Kathmandu Nepal
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