This past month in Nepal has been full of the unexpected. Schedules continuously changing and ministry looking completely different than I ever expected it to.
This past week, half of our squad got to head out to rural Nepal and do some village ministry. We were told that they had nothing planned for this week and it was going to be an Ask the Lord (ATL) ministry. This would mean that there would be no schedule and no plan, we were to depend on the Lord.
One night we were told that tea time/breakfast is at 8 with brunch to follow at 10 and we would be leaving for house visits around 11. One thing you should know is that Nepal time is usually 2 hrs behind schedule. Tea time was not needed, so most of us slept until about 8 before getting up to do quiet time.
The next morning we were woken up by our squad leaders just after 7 telling us that someone had died and we were leaving to head to the funeral around 8. So many questions entered our heads, but in typical World Race fashion we went with the flow, put on the same clothes we wore the day before and were ready for the day. That 8 o’clock start time was again delayed, not arriving at the family’s home until about 11 AM.
After arriving at our destination, we realized that the coffin was riding atop the bus we were in. We then carried it, along with the cross to the family’s house. Shortly after arriving, we were told to view the body, boys were not allowed in as she was not dressed yet. We found out that she had died at 1:30 that morning. There really is no rest for the weary.
We stood outside for an hour before the service started and much to our dismay, selfies, selfies and more selfies were done with us. This is becoming a normal occurrence, we now know how stars feel.
The body was finally brought out and the service started, it was a relief that we didn’t have to speak or say a eulogy. The flies became ferocious and they had to sit there to keep them off of her. They sprayed her with some strong perfume and then placed her in the coffin.
We all hopped on the bus again, and were asked to come to the burial site. It was in the jungle so we were excited. We helped carry the coffin into the jungle and quickly found out that the hole was not dug yet. They started before we got there but then found a head…..so decided to switch places. Some of our guys helped dig the hole which took about 3 hrs. It was so sad to watch her daughters be peeled away from the coffin before lowering it down. My heart broke for her, I couldn’t imagine losing my mom. She sat their limp, and two girls came along side her, dragged her to the grave side and asked her to put some dirt down the hole.
The service was complete! Seven hours later we were officially done and were headed home. It was a long day and we still didn’t know if home was the next destination, but we hopped on that bus and prayed that it would take us home. God answered that prayer and the bus took us right to the door, there was no walking involved.
On the race there really is Never a Dull moment!
This blog may not make sense to you, but keep in mind this is how our day looked and how many days look whether it is a funeral or walking house to house. Nothing is ever as expected, so I have learned to always expect the unexpected.
